{"id":96,"date":"2019-11-14T10:16:47","date_gmt":"2019-11-14T10:16:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/home-improvements\/?p=96"},"modified":"2020-01-24T15:40:50","modified_gmt":"2020-01-24T15:40:50","slug":"15-of-the-best-design-ideas-for-your-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/home-improvements\/kitchens\/15-of-the-best-design-ideas-for-your-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Design Ideas For Your Kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The rise and rise of open-plan kitchen design reflects a basic human truth \u2013 kitchens are one of the best places to hang out. Designing a new one deserves some care… and creativity. Here are some ideas to start you off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Settle on a style<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you feel soothed by clean lines, flat handleless cabinets, smart technology, industrial finishes and no clutter, a modern minimal kitchen<\/strong> design <\/strong>is for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you like kitchens that are a bit more rustic \u2013 with plenty of wood, classic colours, raised cabinets and plenty of personal touches \u2013 a traditional kitchen design<\/strong> will suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you like a blend of the old and new \u2013 clean Shaker-style cabinets, neutral colours and a mix of materials \u2013 a transitional kitchen<\/strong> can be your own mix of the modern and traditional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find your focal point<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s a radical rangehood, candy-coloured cabinetry or a statement sink, a single focal point in your kitchen will anchor the whole room so choose yours wisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All other aspects of your kitchen design should support and complement this chosen focal point, instead of competing with it. If you\u2019re lucky enough to have a spacious kitchen, you can work with more than one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kitchen islands: own your own<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kitchen islands, aka island bars, are top of the list for people designing a new kitchen \u2013 they\u2019re functional and can give the room a heart. Bigger is better, but if your kitchen is small, a peninsular-shaped bar attached to the wall can tuck in nicely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose the best quality worktop material you can afford \u2013 you\u2019re going to spend a lot of time looking at this thing. At the budget end, laminate is easy to care for, especially compared to wood (which is attractive and nice to touch but high\u2013maintenance). At the luxury end, you can\u2019t beat a slab of marble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kitchen flooring: don\u2019t let it floor you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The surface of your kitchen floor has to be super hard-wearing, so don\u2019t choose yours on the look alone. If you love natural materials but don\u2019t have the budget, good-quality laminate, vinyl and rubber can be worthy imitations. Ceramic, porcelain and real stone tiles are options that competent DIYers can fit themselves. At the higher end, resin and concrete are the top choice for modern minimal kitchen floors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kitchen cabinets: beyond the flatpack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For a solid wood finish that passes for bespoke cabinetry, buy off-the-shelf kits \u2013 from somewhere like Ikea \u2013 and get a joiner to make solid wood door fronts for them. Ikea\u2019s kitchen furniture can be transformed with specially\u2013made doors, handles and legs from the Swedish\u2013based company Superfront and stylish plywood frontage from Plykea and Husk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to kitchen cabinets, handles matter \u2013 you can try swapping Ikea cabinet handles for others you prefer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kitchen seating: make a beeline for the banquette<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Seating plays a starring role in the design of an open-plan kitchen \u2013 and many people think banquette is best (basically, a padded bench, sofa, or booth-style seating arrangement). What\u2019s better than the cosy intimacy of a diner \u2013 in your own kitchen? Very hygge,<\/em> as the Danes say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With careful space\u2013arranging, even a small kitchen can accommodate an L\u2013shaped banquette. As a one-piece fixture, it will actually take up less ground space then bar\u2013stool seating. If space is very tight in your kitchen, a banquette could even replace the kitchen island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kitchen colours: set the mood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It can be a lot of fun choosing paint but when it\u2019s for your new kitchen, pause for practicality \u2013down the track, you\u2019ll be thankful for something easy to clean. Serene off-whites and faint greys are very popular shades for kitchens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kitchens which are otherwise white, look good with a bolder wall colour, such as dark grey or petrol\u2013blue or an elegant green, burgundy and blue. Muted orange shades can give a warm glow to a north-facing kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dark colours \u2013 like black, which is currently very popular \u2013 will work best if your kitchen gets lots of natural daylight and has high ceilings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eco kitchens: design with the planet in mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n