The high gloss look is without a doubt one of the most popular finishes among our customers; but did you know that combining contrasting materials is an even better way to get that wow-factor finish? It’s a great idea to mix things up a bit by combining the shine and sleek look of gloss with more natural elements such as wood. Depending on the type of wood you choose, you could also create a kitchen with a more vintage or industrial edge. In today’s blog we’re going to show you a number of ways you can use these two fantastic materials in your kitchen to get the look and feel of a designer kitchen
While high gloss looks great, texture is important too, giving your home a less clinical look. The colour of wood also adds warmth – something important to creating that homely, welcoming feel.
What’s more, wood looks good in all homes. Whether you’ve got a new-build, or a Victorian home, wood never looks out of place. However, some more modern materials don’t work so well in older homes.
There are many ways you can add natural wood to your kitchen – it’s all about getting the balance just right. Some of our favourite ideas include:
Wood looks good and is more practical than most other materials.
Why not combine dark wood lower cabinets with light, high gloss upper cabinets for a stylish, monochrome look? Dark base units with light coloured wall units also make a room feel larger than it is. Alternatively, blonde wood or grey oak finishes would complement a more minimalist, bright, high gloss kitchen.
Wood is a great material for features such as kitchen islands and shelving systems, which can be used as focal points in your kitchen space. One of our favourite kitchens of 2015 features both wooden worktops and a wooden focal point with shelving. You can see it for yourself here.
If you’re keen to keep the majority of the furnishings gloss-based, why not choose complementary wooden flooring? It’s durable, looks good and offers a great way to warm up your kitchen space. Several of our designer kitchens have this look, including this high tech, high spec kitchen and this stylish, family kitchen.
If our kitchen design ideas have inspired you today, why not get in contact with the team to discuss your brand new designer kitchen? We recommend that you visit us in store, at one of our designer kitchen showrooms. Here you’ll be able to browse some of our designs, see what we can offer, and have a one-to-one chat with one of our talented designers. To find out where you nearest showroom is head over to the contact page.
We look forward to seeing 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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