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.