10 big ideas to give your kitchen the wow factor

Designing a new kitchen is a major decision, so it makes sense you’d want to create an impressive space to wow visitors and motivate yourself to cook up a storm. A kitchen looks much better when even the smallest elements are chosen carefully – right down to your waste bin.

Here are some of the latest ideas and trends to add inspiration to your dream kitchen design.

1. The layout

Knowing how you’ll use your kitchen makes a huge difference to its layout – especially if, like many these days, you plan to use the space for entertaining guests. Use a floor plan to indicate to your kitchen designer what cabinetry and benches you want where, and how high, wide and deep. Get the zoning right and everything should fall into place.

2. Clean lines

For a streamlined space with real impact, choose units designed to maintain a clean, clutter-free kitchen. Line up the drawers and doors, and conceal appliances, bins and shelving so that every item is hidden.

Use layering to play on the negative and positive spaces. For example, choose cantilevered benchtops or floating cabinets, and use different depth cabinets along the same run.

3. Add a touch of history

For extra wow factor, make the space unique to your home and everyone living in it. For example, you can bring in items from your younger days. Your mum’s memory-filled 1960s hutch or grandad’s handmade cupboard can be built into the design. It’s a great way to reinvent your childhood, create a talking point, and bring a sense of fun into the kitchen!

4. Fine details

Remember the finer details. The type of door handles, light switches, taps, the smoothness of the drawers as they close, the gloss on the flooring and even the shape of the bin – they all make a difference.

Recessed door handles or pulls are great to accentuate any look, whether modern or classic. Everything you select needs to be chosen strategically so it all fits into your design.

5. The lighting plan

Lighting is important when planning how your kitchen will function. Early discussions will ensure that your kitchen is finished in the right order, including wiring, so you can get cooking sooner!

The best lighting plan is one that includes background lighting, mood lighting and task lighting. Be creative – add LED strips to splash-backs and cabinets. If your kitchen is dark and dreary during the day, consider adding a skylight.

6. Accessories and mechanisms

Accessories can make or break a kitchen, so choose carefully. Select accessories and mechanisms that make you the kitchen hero.

Ask about SERVO-DRIVE, which offers handle-less drawers driven by an electrical drive that automatically opens drawers and doors with just a light touch.

7. Focus on the colours

A smart light-and-dark scheme adds a lot of contrast and plenty of drama to a kitchen. Dark unit doors with a matte finish instead of high gloss would work well with white solid-surface designer edge worktops.

Coloured splash-backs are also popular, along with coloured internal trays and racks that will surprise guests when they open cabinets.

8. Patterns and textures

Add interest by pulling together different surfaces such as exposed bricks, brushed steel, wooden worktops, stainless steel shelving and textured glass. For a tile splash-back, create a subtle difference by laying the tiles in a herringbone pattern. Natural finishes such as marble and timber veneers can go well with flat painted, laminate or luxe finishes.

9. Pack a punch with coloured appliances

Go bold with appliances for a point of difference and combine colours for extra harmony.

White, black, red and yellow appliances are perfect together, but keep in mind the colour of the backdrop so your appliances jump out against the background.

10. A social hub full of happiness

Kitchens are the heart of many homes, not just a place to prepare meals. It’s where you throw a dinner party or teach grandkids to decorate cookies. So, with those happy events in mind, design a kitchen appropriately so that it will become the social hub you want it to be.

Are you planning to build a kitchen that inspires creativity and happy times? The friendly and professional smarterBATHROOMS+ team is on hand to talk to you.

We invite you to visit our showroom at 77 Salmon Street, Port Melbourne or call us today on 1300 662 838 to arrange an appointment.