There are a whole wealth of decisions that go into designing a beautiful and functional kitchen. From the colour palette you choose to the layout that’ll work best for you, it can be hard to know where to start! Don’t worry though – that’s exactly what our expert kitchen designers are here for, at Kitchen Design Centre. We like to make the entire process as easy and stress-free as possible as we help you bring your dream kitchen to life, so we’ve put together the top five must-have features for designer kitchens. Has your kitchen covered them all?
It’s wise to focus on the areas you’ll use the most in your kitchen, especially those that will see lots of wear and tear. These are the spots to invest in, and no area sees more hard work than your kitchen sink. Blend beauty and function with a high-end sink that’s built to last and comes with several add-ons. Great sinks often have colanders, drying racks, and cutting boards that sit on the sink’s lip, making your life in the kitchen a lot easier.
The kitchen is a place to cook, and your design should first and foremost reflect that. One way to create a more functional space is by adding a variety of lighting for different purposes, covering every area. For example, a warm pendant light is ideal if you have a dining area, whilst bright spotlights are perfect for food preparation areas.
If there’s a kitchen trend that’s creating a huge buzz in the world of design, it’s the kitchen island. Kitchen islands are a fantastic way to blend cooking and socialising, making your space more flexible. If you have an open-plan kitchen and living room, it’s also perfect for bridging the gap between the two and creating a seamless transition into either space. Entertain guests, mix drinks, and cook delicious home-cooked meals, all from one space.
The aesthetics of your kitchen will always be a huge factor when planning a space. But, it’s important to remember that this is a room to cook in before anything else. For that to go as smoothly as possible, you need high-quality appliances. Invest in items you’re going to use frequently, like a reliable Neff oven that will cook your dishes perfectly and Quooker taps for boiling water on demand. The better your appliances, the more joy you’ll get out of cooking with them!
You’ll always need more storage than you think you do. Add an extra cupboard and draw to your space, and you’ll thank yourself for it when wondering what to do with that new mixing bowl! Make sure you have plenty of different storage styles, including deep and shallow drawers and cupboards with varying shelves.
Creating designer kitchens isn’t always an easy task, but when you’re baking cakes or making your first coffee of the day in a space you love, it’s all worth it. At Kitchen Design Centre, we make planning beautiful kitchens easier. Take a quick look at our real customer kitchens, or pop into any of our showrooms in the North West, including in Blackburn, Manchester, and Liverpool, to see our award-winning kitchens for yourself, and our team will help you with any questions you may have.
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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