One of the aspects we love most about kitchen design is that no two spaces we design for customers are exactly the same. We mould the styles and functions of each one to be a true reflection of their owners, catering to their lifestyles. So, every kitchen you’ll find in our customer kitchens is unique to our clients – but having said that, there are one or two features that all well designed kitchens have in common…
One thing you definitely can’t afford to have as an afterthought is storage. After all, if you don’t have efficient storage in your kitchen, it becomes much more difficult to use it properly! What you keep in your kitchen will depend a lot on what you like to prepare and cook, so thinking about your likes and dislikes is an essential consideration when redesigning your kitchen. It’s not just about what you use, either, but how often you’ll find yourself using it – so be sure to bear that in mind! Thankfully, today there’s no shortage of efficient storage solutions you can use for your kitchen, so don’t be afraid to get creative!
Your kitchen worktops are one of the biggest influences on your kitchen’s overall style, so it’s important to choose them carefully from the beginning, so that their look complements the overall appearance of your space. What’s more, you’ll also need them to be durable enough to handle the demands of your space, including whether they’re at risk of chipping or damage in tight family spaces. Thankfully, most modern worktops are more than capable of handling this, but it’s still wise to give it a thought, just in case!
The true workhorses of your kitchen are, of course, your appliances. We’re a Neff Master Partner here at Kitchen Design Centre (even winning one of their industry awards recently), which means we’re the perfect people to help you equip your kitchen with powerful, innovative and efficient appliances. Again, you’ll need to think about what ones work best for your space, especially if it’s limited. For extractor fans, for example, a high-tech solution like a downdraft extractor can help you keep your kitchen smelling fresh and clear without compromising on space.
Equally, your fittings serve both practical functional purposes and beautiful aesthetic ones, too. A useful kitchen cupboard can be given a fresh style with the addition of understated handles, and a standard sink can be lifted with a marvellous Quooker tap.
Your lighting can have a hugely dramatic effect over your final design, and you can use it to reflect the atmosphere you want for your space. Soft, warm lighting can make it look cosy and inviting, whereas brighter white lighting can enhance the effect of a modern or contemporary kitchen. You can even make them design features in and of themselves – for this open plan barn conversion, for instance, our designer Paul Harrington incorporated feature pendant lighting above the peninsula, for an intriguing final effect.
While you’re thinking about all these various elements, you’ll also need to plan how they all harmonise and complement each other, to give your kitchen a distinct look and personality. Having too many competing colours or textures in a space can all too easily end up making it look cluttered and messy. To avoid this, you can always look at some of the most popular styles of designer kitchens – for example, contemporary kitchens, industrial styles, or a country farmhouse space. That’s not to say your kitchen needs to fit exactly into these templates, of course; you can blend several of them together to make your kitchen look and feel unique. They can, however, give you excellent starting points to finalise your vision for your dream kitchen!
And that’s where our designers come in. Our mission is to help you realise every inch of your vision for your dream kitchen, and we’ve got the experience, expertise, and passion to help you do it. Feel free to take a look through our case studies to see what we’ve achieved for previous customers, or simply pay a visit to your nearest kitchen showroom. We’ve got designer kitchen showrooms in Manchester, Colne and Blackburn, and you can be sure that our designers in every one of them will be only too pleased to see you!
TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY IN OUR LIVERPOOL SHOWROOM
In our Liverpool showroom, we’ve masterfully blended the best of traditional and modern design elements to create a unique, timeless kitchen display. This space is a perfect mix of classic elegance with contemporary functionality, and the focal point is the stunning L-shaped island, which serves as both a practical workspace and a social hub. Its clever design seamlessly links into a media wall and presentation area, incorporating the essence of modern open-plan living.
The colour scheme is a sophisticated mix of Concept130 Roma Graphite shaker cabinets paired with Montreal light fine oak handleless units and taupe trim handles. This combination offers a perfect balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, perfect if you appreciate the classics but want something a little more updated.
Standout appliances:
Neff 30cm Wine Fridge
Neff 80cm Induction Hob
Neff Single Oven
Neff Tall Integrated Fridge
Neff Dishwasher
MODERN MINIMALISM AT ITS FINEST IN OUR URMSTON SHOWROOM
Our Urmston showroom display showcases a bold, modern kitchen design that effortlessly blends both form and function. The handleless units create a streamlined, uninterrupted flow throughout the space, perfectly complemented by the ultra-matt black finish on the worktops. This pairs beautifully with the elegant black ribbed-veneered door for the focal wall.
This minimalist design approach offers a chic, contemporary vibe, ideal if you love the clean, clutter-free aesthetic. To enhance this look, we’ve used warm accent colours that break up the monochrome palette, adding a sense of inviting depth and warmth to the overall space. The subtle, extravagant marble panels add a touch of quiet luxury, their natural veining providing visual interest and texture against the sleek black surfaces, especially when lit by warm LED lighting. This fusion of modern materials and timeless elements, such as marble, creates a display that is both stylish and practical!
Standout appliances:
Neff N90 Ovens with premium 6.8” touch screen display and Twist Pad Flex control
Neff Flex Induction Hob
Silgranit Blanco Sink
Quooker Tap
THE BARROWFORD SHOWROOM’S HARMONIOUS AND ELEGANT DISPLAY
In Barrowford, we’ve embraced a calming, earthy palette that combines functionality with elegance. The display features Hampton Ash wood doors painted in a Natural Umber shade, mixed with Scala Olive green flat doors, and completed with a mix of antique brass handles. The warm, neutral tones of the Natural Umber give this kitchen a wonderfully cosy feel, making it a welcoming space for both cooking and entertaining.
One of the key features of this display is the 30mm Vanilla Noir quartz worktop, which stands out with its dark, characterful design. The designer bench seating includes pullout storage to maximise space without sacrificing style. The bifold worktop unit and sliding doors on the island showcase smart storage solutions. Finally, the open shelves add a touch of rustic charm!
Standout appliances:
Neff Collection Oven
Neff XL Fridge Freezer
Quooker Classic Fusion Tap
Double Bowl Tartufo Sink
THE BLACKBURN SHOWROOM’S SLEEK AND MODERN MASTERPIECE
Our new Blackburn display is a testament to a modern, streamlined design. It features a bold black and oak colour scheme, seamlessly blending practicality and contemporary aesthetics. The tall units are clad in a Black Velvet Oak, adding depth and contrast to the sleek black wall units. The Toronto base units and matching worktops are finished in Natural Vintage Oak for a beautiful and cohesive end result.
One of the standout elements of this display is the quirky curved breakfast bar, a unique feature that blends functionality with style. Raised planters behind the bar add a touch of greenery; perfect if you love bringing natural elements into your kitchen.
Standout appliances:
Neff 60cm CombiZone Black Induction Hob
Integrated Design Hood
Neff Fully-integrated dishwasher
Neff Integrated Frost Free Under Counter Freezer
More from the team’s annual trip to Germany to the headquarters of Hacker Rodinghausen showroom.
Staff from all of our showrooms attended to view the new exciting ranges of kitchens and colours that are available from now. They were given a full factory tour & took part in product workshops. It was an intensive 2 x day trip however they had a fabulous time.
Head to our stories for more details or head over to our website to book your free design appointment
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