Kitchen is a place of sharing, family, conviviality and most importantly, hospitality.
It requires the highest attention and a particular care for details and functionality.
When it comes to kitchens, the first thought is the meal as a moment of creativity and sharing.
Surely, it’s a place in which passion about cooking and love meet and unite in perfect harmony.
Choosing the type of kitchen, the materials and all the possible installations are key moments in designing a home. Here we will have a look together at numerous possibilities of design for this space so important within the domestic walls. Let’s start analyzing various styles of decoration, kitchen tops, and sinks.
There are plenty of materials which could be used to design your dream kitchen.
- Modern kitchen, functionality, innovation and technology
- Masonry: modular kitchen
- All the steps to follow to give this room a traditional mood
- Creativity in realizing a fitted kitchen
- Country style kitchen and its materials
- Shabby chic kitchens, the right balance between white and romance
- Trending Provence style kitchens
- Kitchen islands and peninsulas
- Corner kitchens
- How to design a custom kitchen
- Where to buy and how to install vanishing kitchen items
- Open space, wide cookers
- Trolleys
- Choosing the right kitchen countertop
- Sinks
- Ideas and solutions for a small kitchen
1. Modern kitchens are an icon of innovation, functionality and technology.
Modern kitchens are able to use even the smallest spaces, giving a contemporary vibe to each environment.
Modern kitchens allow us to use columns, trolleys and retractable cupboards, adding a significant value to the environment. It also makes everything look tidier, making the most out of storing spaces.
Many different designs and compositions are available. They range from the simplest models to the most refined and stylish, such as islands and unifications with other rooms (open space).
These kitchens can adapt easily to both small and large spaces and it’s so versatile that it can enrich every environment using simple solutions.
The prerogative of modern kitchens is to use materials like stone, metal, recycled and sustainable materials.
State of the art kitchen appliances enrich and embellish the chosen materials with clear lines and design.
Modern cupboards show how even a overused space like the kitchen can be functional and sophisticated.
Sliding, hinged, push and pull, decelerated closing, retractable, these are possible solutions for your cupboard doors, adding a significant value to apparently simple rooms like the kitchen.
2. Masonry kitchens: when the past meets the future
Stone and bricks are not at all “old-fashioned”: when it comes to masonry kitchens it’s all about style, functionality and elegance, in perfect harmony within an environment both rustic and modern.
A brick-made kitchen sounds like family, warmth and it unites tradition and innovation together.
Different materials are put together to make the best use of spaces and meet every need.
Since they are custom-made, these kitchens can make the most out of the space you fit them in.
Where to put the hood?
This is a central element of any traditional kitchen, and its position is a crucial detail for the style, both functionally and aesthetically.
The hood doesn’t only suck up smoke and vapours deriving from cooking, but it’s also a decorating element for the whole kitchen.
This kind of kitchen is, as a result, the perfect choice for all those who seek an elegant and refined space, with an added touch of personality.
Wood and tiles are lightened with state of the art appliances and stone kitchen tops.
Marble and stone are excellent materials both for cleaning easiness and to create contrast with other typical materials such as wood. This will keep it natural and authentic.
The most used woods are walnut, durmast and chestnut, preferably associated with light colours and shades.
Masonry kitchens can meet every need and satisfy even the most complicated requests.
3. Traditional kitchen, a timeless classic widely used and always appreciated.
Tradition, minimal style, and simple finishes create a clean, bright and tidy environment.
The sense of sharing and company deriving from a traditional kitchen are defined by the material used, such as earthenware tiles, bricks and ceramic.
Everything is put on display, pots, pans, spoons, ladles, spices, recalling tradition, with an eye on “good ol’ times” kitchen.
The brick fireplace, a stone or wooden hood, and ceramic decorated appliances make the traditional kitchen the ideal environment for families as well as for guests.
Traditional kitchens, like modern kitchens, are suitable for kitchen islands.
Modular storage and cabinets make everything more versatile, under a “classical” appearance.
4. Fitted kitchens: some ideas for this room
When we talk about fitted kitchens, we are referring to managing spaces.
The scarce space available could limit the choice for an already designed kitchen, that’s why more and more customers are choosing to manage the space according to taste and function.
The main advantage of this choice lays in versatility. Fitted kitchen can enrich even the smallest spaces giving the maximum functionality.
Drawers, retractable cabinets, fitted cupboards and appliances guarantee the perfect usage of the space available.
Materials like laminates, resins, gres tiles and lacquers give to the fitted kitchen a touch of originality and taste.
This kind of furniture is able to make the most of narrow spaces.
Fitted kitchens let you indulge in the choice of furniture, appliances and materials.
These can enrich an open space, often conjuncted to other rooms available to guests, like the living room.
This kind of kitchen is the best choice for young people who want to make the best use of spaces.
5. Country kitchens and the “love for tradition”
A rustic style shows a love for nature, warmth, sharing and also our roots.
Materials like earthenware tiles, bricks, marble and wood recall our origin and, if combined with the right choice of colours, lines and elements like kitchen islands, get a unique and personal taste.
Colour is one of the most important choices when it comes to designing and decorating a country kitchen: orange, yellow, brown and blue are shades associated with the values of family, sharing and protection.
Even the choice of small items are fundamental in decorating a rustic kitchen.
Typical iron handles or ceramic knobs, bare and rough materials like sand, clay and stone are the “trait d’union” with tradition.
Particular care must be used in choosing the rustic kitchen flooring.
Typical materials for country style kitchens are:
- Earthenware tiles, the most classical rustic element, are a symbol of warmth and family.
- Parquet, a wooden floor means conviviality.
- Stone, mostly natural and without coating, always looks clean and tidy.
The rustic and traditional elements find a perfect harmony in country style kitchens that maintain their connection with the earth, without renouncing to functionality.
6. Shabby chic kitchens, a romantic and cozy environment
Imperfections, faded colours, dents and flaws are the distinctive sign of the shabby chic style.
Design and decorating a shabby chic kitchen lets us invent, create and recreate in order to make a romantic, sweet and genuine environment.
Although the style seems sloppy and apparently not refined, this style hides a great attention for the details, colours, items and furniture.
Soft colors, pastel hues and various shades of white are fundamental to have a bright and cozy room.
Wood is greatly used in all its forms and variants. This creates a natural and sustainable effect.
Furniture and displayed items and kitchen tools decorate shabby chic kitchens according to every taste, creating the right style.
The table is preferably round and made of wood, matching with chairs of different colours and shapes, in order to harmonize and brighten the space.
Tables, chairs and other items that can be found at second hand shops, let us indulge in originality and creativity to restore them.
Another distinctive element of this style are shabby chic cabinets: here are displayed the dishes, glasses and other kitchen items, resulting in a stylish storage solution.
Shabby chic style is enhanced by fabrics like cotton, linen, floral patterns and items like wall mounted clocks and chandeliers.
This style is defined by embracing flaws and great attention to details in restoring timeless items.
7. Provence style kitchens: a fusion of rustic, shabby chic and romantic style.
Decorating Provence style kitchens requires attention to the color, the choice of furniture, materials and decorations.
Mostly used is wooden furniture, often antiques and classical style items. Usually, these are restored and enriched with new colours.
Changing of colours is a very important detail of this style: furniture is sanded to clear the original dye and then they are repainted in new colours such as green, beige, and light blue, preferring warmer and neutral shades.
Attention to details such as handles, knobs, carvings, floral decorations and items like water jugs and handmade ceramics give a young touch to classical style.
A Provence style kitchen is a symbol of elegance, care and refinement.
It can fill empty spaces and make the most out of the smallest ones, always with an eye on details and traditional values of family and sharing.
8. Kitchen islands and kitchen peninsula
Kitchen island is one of the most sough after choices when designing or decorating a kitchen.
Many advantages are available with a kitchen island:
- functionality, space management, separation of the environments, sharing, and kitchen aesthetic.
The installation of a kitchen island allows you to use all the space available. You can prepare food and dishes along with family and friends, and fit it with stools. Kitchen islands with stools give the feeling of a modern and trendy space to live.
Many are the materials used in kitchen islands.
We are talking marble, wood, gres and quartz, all materials that, treated or not, are easy to clean especially in the most used counter top of the house.
The hood “dominates” the kitchen island, and it is both aesthetic and functional.
Designing kitchen islands lets you indulge in originality. This solution accommodates the cooker, the sink, the kitchen drawers and all the appliances.
The kitchen island can be at the same time counter top, to prepare food, and a dining table where guests can enjoy the meals in a comfortable environment.
The peninsula is instead a choice of functionality and vivacity.
Kitchen peninsula is a versatile choice.
First of all, it makes up for the dining table, an essential item in the kitchen environment.
The kitchen table can be replaced by a peninsula which becomes at the same time worktop and counter.
The most common choices are l-shaped or c-shaped tables.
These shapes make the most of the space available and are adaptable to suit every need according to the environment of destination.
In order to design a kitchen peninsula you need to consider some important elements, such as kitchen systems:
- the hood and the venting system over the worktop
- additional elements of the countertop, such as the splash board
- the correct fitting of the appliances to use the peninsula as a proper work space
Kitchen peninsula can make even the smallest spaces more functional, an example being the removable peninsula.
Like the kitchen island, it can be fitted with high stools, which are an original decorating item. The worktop and cooking top become a proper kitchen table.
The choice of materials for the top ranges from marble to laminated and quartz, which are practical and elegant at the same time.
9. Choose a corner kitchen, choose order and convenience.
The idea to fit a kitchen in a corner comes from the need to use all the spaces and manage the arrangement of the appliances.
Generally, corner kitchens can be installed and managed in different solutions.
The sink and the cooker can be fitted on the same side. They could otherwise be separated on different sides and the cooking top can be placed in the corner.
All these three solutions are good and meet the taste and the needs of people that think of the kitchen as a functional but also appealing space.
A corner kitchen has plenty of storage space both high and low, such as cabinets and shelves.
Fitting all the cabinets high allows us to decorate open spaces or make the most of the smaller ones.
It is also possible to fit the kitchen appliances within the kitchen. A corner kitchen can merge with the living room in open spaces. Kitchen shelves can also accommodate spice jars, candles, or even books.
10. Custom made kitchens recall quality and the work of skilled craftsmen.
Designing a custom made kitchen requires a good choice of materials and space management.
There is a wide range of materials to choose from, such as wood, marble, laminate etc. Everything that seems simple, like hinges, knobs, handles, push and pull cabinet doors, are accurately selected to guarantee a frequent and lasting usage.
Choosing every item and material allows you to keep an eye on the budget. A custom made kitchen is a synonym of quality, not only it can be designed according to your taste, but it can also withstand usage over time.
11. A vanishing kitchen is ideal to have a clean and minimal setting.
Managing spaces in small settings is not always easy, so vanishing items can come in handy when designing the kitchen.
Wide and open space kitchen can be concealed and transformed, giving a clean and tidy look to the whole house.
Using sliding cabinet doors, retractable faucets, foldable tables and counters, these kitchens can be shown or hidden at the same time.
The sliding boards provide a proper worktop and this kind of fitting is ideal to gain space once retracted.
Foldable tables and tops are equipped with sensors to ease the opening and to avoid damage or excessive usage.
This kind of kitchen can be hidden with different shutters, which can close the whole or just some parts of the kitchen.
This choice is aimed at those who seek a kitchen always tidy and clean.
12. Open space kitchens
The designing of an open space kitchen comes from the will to unify and merge different rooms and settings.
Usually the kitchen gets together with the living room, becoming one singular space to use in different parts of the day.
Open space kitchens are both stylish and convenient.
Mostly, open spaces are chosen to make rooms wider and more functional.
This kind of kitchen can be fully integrated with the living room or partially separated, for example with a sliding wall or glass door.
Kitchen islands or peninsulas can not only provide a proper worktop but also work as a separation element.
Surely, the purpose of this kitchen is to broaden spaces both visually and functionally.
It also allows to make use of natural light in addition to light spots.
Open spaces kitchens are the perfect choice if you like industrial style.
The choice of materials, furniture and colours of the open space kitchen is fundamental to maintain a continuity with the style of the living room, creating a full space perfectly integrated with the style of different rooms.
It’s important to keep it always clean and tidy to offer the best welcome to your guests.
13. Kitchen trolleys are functional and stylish items
There are some pieces of furniture that can become both storage and worktop at the same time.
The many materials used for kitchen trolleys make them perfect to fit in every style and setting.
Among these materials, the most used are wood and steel, and often wheels are added to make them kitchen trolley carts. This allows the trolley to be moved according to the need.
The trolley can be a proper worktop, hosting a cutting board, a mixing bowl and drawers to store kitchen utensils.
It can also be equipped with a bottle holder or shutters.
Some trolleys are also foldable, in order to be put away after usage and to save space.
Kitchen trolleys are not only a decoration item but also a versatile and convenient tool for your kitchen.
14. Choosing the right countertop.
It is crucial to consider both practical and aesthetic aspects when it comes to choosing the materials for the kitchen countertop.
Among the most used materials we could find laminate, quartz, marble, ceramic and wood.
Laminate is a versatile material that comes in many colours, shades and finishes.
It is resistant to cuts, wear and tear, water and acid foods like lemon juice and it’s easy to clean.
Quartz is a modern material, elegant and natural.
It can be used as a base material for all the works that happen in the kitchen. It doesn’t get wet and it’s easy to clean without chemicals.
Marble is a resistant and refined material.
The many shades of colours available can suit every taste, and it’s an elegant and hygienic material.
It requires more care compared to other materials, but it’s definitely a stylish choice.
Ceramic is a lasting and elegant material.
It’s reliable, durable and it doesn’t fear the usual wear and tear.
Finally, wood is a versatile material, suitable for many uses, such as food preparation.
Special treatments make it resistant to water and humidity. It requires a little more care compared to other materials like laminate.
15. Kitchen sinks
The sink can be single or double, depending on the space available, and it can also have a section for the draining and drying of the dishes.
Apart from the size, it’s also important to choose carefully the materials to use.
The most used material is stainless steel, which is easy to clean and maintain. Other materials could be ceramic, granite, marble or natural stone.
To create a continuity in style, the same material of the kitchen countertop can be used for the sink.
There is a wide range of faucets available.
Some examples are retractable sink faucets, hose extenders and mixer taps that can be hidden in the kitchen top.
Being the sink a fundamental element of the kitchen it deserves the right care in the design stage.
16. How to design a small kitchen
Designing a small kitchen is surely a stimulating activity. The small space available requires an effort in terms of functionality and creativity.
A kitchen that has little space can be enhanced with bright colours to make contrast with the light shades of the walls.
Multi-purpose furniture is a key element. Cabinets that open on more sides, organized shelving, foldable tops and a minimal style are what makes a kitchen essential and yet stylish.
The dining table can be replaced by a long and narrow counter bar.
The same countertop can be used as a worktop to prepare food.
This few tips and trick to follow while designing a small kitchen are what you need to create a simple yet refined location.
Final thoughts
It is clear that the wide choice of kitchen types and ideas gives the chance to range between different styles, many materials and decorating details
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a house, one of the most lived spaces by the whole family and a place of welcoming and sharing with friends and guests.
Nowadays fitted and custom made kitchens are adapting to every space and size.
Kitchens are versatile, functional, elegant, refined, old-fashioned and modern at the same time.
Everything that dwells within a kitchen becomes a detail capable of making it unique.
