Christmas is a truly beautiful time of year, and with all the beautiful lights and decorations, your kitchen is probably looking especially resplendent. You may well have already seen some inspiring designer kitchens on Pinterest or Instagram, and if you’ve ever tried to take a similar one of your own, you’ll know that it can sometimes be a harder job than you’d have first thought! Thankfully, here at Kitchen Design Centre our expert designers are on hand with some great tips on how to take your own stunning pictures of your festive kitchen to wow your friends and family.
You may already know that lighting is one of the most important elements when it comes to designing your kitchen, and it makes all the difference to your photographs, too. If you have any photography experience – or know someone who does – you may well have heard of what photographers call the “golden hour”. Essentially, it’s the time just after sunrise or before sunset when the daylight takes on a beautiful golden quality. If you time it right, you can use this principle to take some truly stunning pictures of your kitchen. We’d tend to choose early in the morning, especially at this time of year, but you can get some great results by waiting until about 3pm to 4pm in the afternoon, too.
Of course, the way your kitchen faces will also affect the amount and quality of light that gets through to it. If your kitchen windows face in a westerly direction, for example, you’ll probably find it’s better to wait until later in the afternoon, as your kitchen will get more light then. On the other hand, if your kitchen faces East, sunrise will probably look best. Another quick tip for you – it’s a good idea not to take pictures directly facing the window, as your camera might focus too much on the light and make the rest of the room look darker by comparison.
It can be surprising to see how much difference a new angle can make to the feel and look of the finished photograph, especially when it comes to designer kitchens. If your pictures aren’t quite capturing the feel you want, a new angle might be the answer! Taking your photo head-on from a standing position can sometimes make a space look a bit flat and lifeless. On the other hand, a new angle can add depth and a bit of imaginative visual flair. Low angles can be tricky when it comes to designer kitchens (as things like kitchen islands can often get in the way!) But taking your photo from a high angle – for example atop a chair – can be an excellent way to show off all the elements of your kitchen. If you feel like it, you can even carefully crop things out to leave a bit to the imagination, too!
You might not appreciate it usually, but many kitchens are full of shiny reflective surfaces, and these can play havoc when you’re trying to take the perfect picture for picture or Instagram. Thankfully, if you’re taking your picture at the golden hour, these should be relatively easy to spot. Sometimes you can shift your position to reflect them away, but if that’s not possible you can always get creative with another solution. A carefully placed tea-towel or temporarily repositioned toaster can head off that annoying glare, allowing you to get the light just how you want it. And of course, if you don’t spot them while you’re taking it, there’s nothing to stop you trying again tomorrow!
Of course, speaking of reflecting, there’s one golden rule it’s important never to forget; your kitchen should always be a reflection of you. You’ve spent so much time and hard work getting it looking and feeling exactly how you want, so ideally you’ll want a picture that does a good job of projecting that sense, too. It’s the smallest touches that can work the biggest wonders; an artfully placed fruit bowl, a framed picture or two, or some beautiful cutlery and crockery can really help to ‘place’ your viewers in your kitchen, bringing them closer to a sleek modern finish or letting them revel in its wonderfully cosy warmth. And since it’s Christmas, you can further express yourself with a few touches of festive glamour – as we’ve explored in a recent post!
And once you’ve taken your perfect picture, we’d love to see it! You can share it with us on Twitter or Instagram, or take a look at some of our own beautifully inspiring kitchens. If you’re already forming ideas on how to transform your kitchen in the New Year, why not head on over to your nearest designer kitchen showroom? We’ve got locations in Manchester, Blackburn and Barrowford, where one of our designers will be only too happy to sit down with you and talk through how to bring your ideas to life.
Introducing Beth Ainsworth to our Blackburn showroom. Beth brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm to kitchen design. Off the clock, I’m most likely in the gym.
We’re passionate about tailoring our designs to fit your lifestyle, so whether you want a space to entertain or a family-centric kitchen to spend quality time together, our designers know exactly how to make your dream kitchen a reality.
When you book an appointment, you’ll be introduced to your personal kitchen designer, who will sit down with you in our dedicated meeting space to discuss what you want for your dream kitchen. Then, when you’re happy with the final design, they’ll become your dedicated project manager as they oversee every aspect of the installation, guaranteeing exceptional customer service as we deliver the kitchen of your dreams.
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
Visit us today and start designing the heart of your home.
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