Choosing a kitchen style to suit your home

Choosing a kitchen style is as challenging as it is exciting. With a blank canvas to design exactly how you want, there’s brainstorming to be done and lots of decisions to be made. And as the kitchen is the heart of your home, it is worth investing in this process. Rushing into the project could cost you significant time and money if you get it wrong.
To help you get started, we have outlined the two most popular kitchen styles for you to weigh up, as well as some tips that will hopefully enable you to narrow down your choices.

POPULAR TYPES OF KITCHEN

Shaker kitchens

Shaker Kitchens are named after a mid-18th century religious sect called the Shaking Quakers (better known as Shakers) who pioneered simple, functional furniture with clean lines and exquisite craftsmanship. You will be able to spot this type of kitchen by looking at the units, which will have flat centre panels bordered by a raised rectangular frame. Refined and minimalistic, the Shaker kitchen is a timeless style that can be adapted to any home, whether it is a country farmhouse or a city penthouse. This is perfect if you want a space that is classic and unfussy.

Linear (Modern) kitchens

For a simple design that is a little more contemporary, you cannot go wrong with modern sleek flat-fronted doors and drawers with concealed hinges to create smooth, continuous lines. Linear kitchens are also very versatile, so you do not necessarily need a lot of space to make one work. In fact, even small, one-wall kitchens can become fresh and modern following this design.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST KITCHEN STYLE

By now you probably like the sound of some kitchen styles more than others. To further help in your final choice, consider some of the following factors:

The style of your home

There is nothing wrong with having a modern kitchen in a traditional home and vice versa, but generally, people choose a design in line with the style of the property. For example, a clinical, white Linear kitchen would look a bit out of place in a cosy cottage with exposed wooden beams. In this case, it would make sense to choose something more rustic. Saying that, a simple Linear design could still look great with a few tweaks, such as pairing with a traditional oak worktop or ornamental knobs and handles to blend modern style with traditional detailing.

The space

All two kitchen types we have outlined are indeed suitable for any home but analysing your space can help you make decisions about some of the finer aspects of the design. A small kitchen will look bigger if in a neutral shade. Another trick is to match the worktop with the splash back to create a seamless finish. And though an island may not be practical in a small kitchen, there are lots of alternatives that can maximise the room you have, like a neat breakfast bar.

Your personal tastes

The most important thing is that you love your kitchen. There is no point in choosing sleek and minimal because you think it is on trend when you actually prefer details and decoration. You are the person who will be in this room every single day so make sure it is a space that reflects your personality and style. That could mean having it in your favourite colours, exploring different materials and textures, and incorporating personal touches like pictures and other accessories.

What to consider when planning a new kitchen

Planning a new kitchen is an exciting domestic improvement job, allowing you to unleash your creativity and implement vital upgrades that make your home an even happier place to be. That said, it’s tricky to know where to start. From cabinets and colour schemes to sinks and splashbacks, there’s a lot to check off.
At Jonathan Wolfe Kitchens we are here to help you take the first steps by outlining exactly what you need to keep in mind when planning a kitchen upgrade. Whether it be a whole kitchen remodel, kitchen revamp, custom built in cupboards or a new bathroom vanities we will go through all the items on this list and you’ll be more than ready to start the transformation.

YOUR CURRENT KITCHEN

Understand what does and doesn’t work in your current kitchen before you start planning a new one. You don’t have to change everything just because you’re upgrading. For example, you might still love the colour scheme and where your appliances are positioned. However, it’s also important to be honest about the elements you don’t like — perhaps there isn’t enough storage space, the style is a bit outdated, or you keep catching your clothing on protruding handles. Making a list of all your likes and dislikes will show you what to retain and what to improve.

YOUR LIFESTYLE

Is your kitchen really meeting your needs? If you like cooking with your kids or would like to introduce a dining area, you may consider adding a bespoke custom island or replacement kitchen cupboard doors which can double up as an additional food preparation zone as well as a place to eat. Similarly, designing an open plan kitchen is a great idea if you regularly throw parties, or simply enjoy the thought of a free-flowing social hub rather than separate kitchen and living areas.

OTHER PEOPLE’S KITCHENS

Looking at pictures of other kitchens can help you think outside the box and discover unique design flourishes which you can combine or put your own spin on to create a space that’s truly yours. Flick through magazines and brochures, and explore image-focused social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram for kitchens in real homes to give you inspiration. You should also be sure to create a scrapbook or mood board to refer to while planning your new kitchen. View some of Jonathan Wolfe Kitchens as a starting point for inspiration and to view our most popular designs.

YOUR BUDGET

It’s certainly worth investing as much as you can in your kitchen, considering how much use you will get out of it in the long run, but it’s still important to be realistic about what you can afford. Set a budget (including installation fees) so you can work out how much of your vision is achievable. Once you have a rough figure in mind, you can then identify areas where you can splash out, and what you’ll be able to cut back on. For example, if you want an expensive material for your countertops, you could cover the cost by sacrificing appliances you don’t think you’ll use much, like a coffee machine or a wine cooler.

THE LAYOUT

As important as features such as your cabinets and surfaces are, the overall layout of the space is just as significant, impacting things like traffic flow and your storage options. The perfect kitchen layout will ultimately depend on the size of the available space. An L-shaped design, for instance, leaves plenty of space, and is therefore ideal for smaller kitchens. If you have a larger area to work with, you could consider planning a kitchen with a U-shape to divide the space up.

YOUR PLUMBING, HEATING AND ELECTRICITY

Are your current systems suitable for the kitchen you’re planning, or will you need to make some changes? For example, underfloor heating will need to be installed before you can lay the flooring. Plumbing will be simpler if your sink, washing machine and dishwasher are all close together, and you must ensure there are plug points near to where you plan for your appliances to go.

STORAGE OPTIONS

Clever storage solutions will make the best use of the space available, giving you more room to manoeuvre, and helping create a kitchen that’s as functional as can be. Although off-the-shelf drawers and cupboards may be fine for your needs, it’s worth exploring tailor made storage solutions which are designed specifically for the layout of your kitchen. These include the ‘magic corner’ mechanism, which makes use of empty spaces in the corners, as well as our beautiful pantry larders, where you can store non-perishable food items and kitchen equipment.

COLOURS AND MATERIALS

Choosing colours is arguably the most fun part of planning your kitchen. As well as reflecting your personal taste, you should also think about how best to complement the space and specific design features at your disposal. For example, lighter shades can make a small kitchen look larger, while a vibrant hue will draw attention to a stylish kitchen island. The combination of materials you select is also important, on both an aesthetic and practical level. Bear in mind that some will be higher maintenance than others, so consider how much time you’re willing to spend on cleaning and upkeep. Granite, for example, looks stunning, and is as durable as it is easy to clean. However, it will need to be treated with a high quality sealing product every few years.

Kitchen Trends

1. Colourful cabinetry. White kitchens aren’t going anywhere, according to both designers and Houzz research. But designer Jane Lockhart admits that we’ll start to see more colour in cabinetry, including navy, black, deep charcoals and cream colours. “Navy and dark colours will be on lower cabinets and islands to contrast with lighter neutrals on uppers,” she says.

Designer Gail rury also foresees greys and taupe’s remaining popular choices for cabinets. “These colour families are here to stay for a while, she says. High contrast is out, subtle calming combinations are in.”

2. Personalization. Homeowners won’t shy away from incorporating colours, patterns and decor they love into their kitchens in 2017. As a result, Lockhart anticipates more personalized kitchen spaces. “While white is still popular, it’s not personalized, so we’ll see more individualized kitchens through colour and materials,” she says. Colours will range from pink and black to jewel tones, while materials will emphasize geometry and texture. You can also expect to see decor items such as area rugs and runners to add even more personalization to a kitchen.

3. Jewel tones. Chic and sophisticated tones such as ruby reds, golds, turquoises, emeralds and sapphires will appear throughout backsplashes, fabrics, hardware and more. Don’t be surprised to see range hoods donning these colour tones too. “They will be made to look like jewellery in interesting shapes,” Lockhart says.

Source Credit: Houzz