Our edit of clever colour schemes, layouts and materials to copy for your kitchen this year
Regular readers of House & Garden will be familiar with the feeling of spotting a charming kitchen and wanting to know how to recreate it at home. Unfortunately, there is not always a break-down available of the exact surfaces, colours, fabrics and products that have come together to create the finished, brilliant scheme. That's why we have carefully selected 27 of the most inspiring examples from brands and designers alike, and examined the different elements that make each so good.
The kitchens below range in style: from ultra-contemporary, youthful and playful and classic and sophisticated. They may each have a different take on how best to layout the space, what makes a cupboard both pretty and functional and how to light the work surfaces for maximum pleasure while cooking. What they have in common – whether the work of an interior designer or a kitchen specialist – is that they all exemplify how to make a utilitarian space just as functional as it is beautiful. If you are looking to refresh your kitchen but don't know where to start, we suggest you take a look at the below schemes to help you on your way.
Michael Sinclair1/27Klas Hvllén
Design notes
This kitchen in the Haha House by architect Klas Hyllén, owned by textile artist Alice Kettle and her husband Orlando Goodden, was designed around a stainless-steel sink found on Ebay. Stainless-steel worktops are offset by birch ply units, while the black cabinetry draws the eye through the picture window.
Nuts and bolts
Birch ply units in Osmo stain and varnish, from CM Pretlove Cabinet Maker. Shelves, from Tom Graham Workshop. Stainless-steel worktops, from Freshlook Engineering & Products. Tap, from Franke. 'PH 5' light, from Louis Poulsen.
2/27DeVol
Design notes
The plate rack provides a striking alternative to wall-hung cupboards and sits neatly within the recess in this brick wall. The deep red cabinetry against the soft pink walls makes for a warm combination, the fabric skirt further softening the plain joinery and adding a hint of pattern to this utilitarian space.
Nuts and bolts
'Heirloom' units, plate rack and 'Dairy' table, all in 'Refectory Red'; 'Bella Brass Georgian Pull' handles; Welsh slate and Carrara marble work-tops; and polished brass sink; all from De Vol. Walls painted in 'Dead Salmon', from Farrow & Ball.
3/27Nicola Mardas
Design notes
The green used in this kitchen by interior designer Nicola Mardas was a response to her client's wish to infuse their seaside home with vibrant colours. 'I really wanted to create a sense of theatre that reflects their profession as an actor, and bring in fun and energy,' says Nicola. Recessed handles create a seamless look.
Nuts and bolts
Timber kitchen, by Camu & Morrison. Kitchen painted in ‘Woodland'; and chair and ceiling painted in ’Ceviche'; both from Little Greene Paint & Paper. ‘Camembert’ chair; with seatpad in ‘Leaf’ (teal), by Kirkby Design, recycled wool; from Howe London. Table, from Fleur Delesalle. Rug, from Caravane. Walls painted in ‘Middleton Pink’, from Farrow & Ball
4/27Neptune
Design notes
This scheme demonstrates how to use colour in a way that packs just the right amount of punch. The warming terracotta on the panelled walls allows hits of bold green to stand out and is the perfect backdrop for an array of decorative plates and personal pieces. The rich red of the island creates a strong centrepiece.
Nuts and bolts
'Henley' oak units; wall units and walls, painted in 'Burnt Sienna'; and island painted in ‘Burnham Red’, all from Neptune. Polished Breccia Sarda marble worktop, from Anything Stone. Pendant light, from Fritz Fryer Lighting.
5/27Sophie Rowell
Design notes
Traditional white units are enlivened by blue window frames and brown chequerboard linoleum floor tiles, custom-made in three shades. The pattern is echoed in the blind created from an antique tablecloth. 'Opting for a Howdens kitchen allowed us to allocate more of the budget elsewhere,' explains interior designer Sophie Rowell of Côte de Folk.
Nuts and bolts
'Elmbridge units in 'Porcelain'; worktop; and sink; all from Howdens. Taps, from DeVol. Linoleum flooring, from Sinclair Till. Range cooker, from Bertazzoni. Spotlights, from Corston. Wall lights, from Holloways of Ludlow. Walls painted in ‘Cotton Street’; and window frames in 'Boathouse': both from Mylands.
6/27Officine Gullo
Design notes
This is a masterclass in how to harmonise three materials that also sing beautifully on their own. Units crafted in stainless steel are combined with dramatic quartzite worktops and wooden shelving to create an inviting yet arresting look. The layout follows the work-triangle principle, which allows easy movement between washing, cooking and storage areas.
Nuts and bolts
Powder-coated stainless-steel units in soft sky blue (RAL 7006 matt) with burnished brass profiles; burnished brass handles; Patagonia quartzite worktop; steel countertop sink; brass tap; and arched spray; all from Officine Gullo.
alex macleod7/27Plain English
Design notes
In a kitchen at Lundies House, a boutique art hotel on Scotland's north coast, muted green - selected to reflect the surrounding countryside - is paired with brass accents to bring the colour to life. The contrasting grey stone worktop connects with the local slate used for the floor, and the open shelving and lack of upper cabinetry give the kitchen an airy feel.
Nuts and bolts
'Spitalfields' units with 'Wilkes' doors, painted in 'Invisible Green', from Little Greene Paint & Paper; antique brass knobs; and Derbyshire fossil stone worktop; all from Plain English. Brass sink and mixer tap with arch spout (burnished); all from Officine Gullo. Range cooker, from Molteni. Walls painted in 'Off-White', from Farrow & Ball.
Mark Anthony Fox8/27Phoebe Clive
Design notes
'It was a makeover of the existing cream contract kitchen,' says Phoebe Clive, founder of Ledbury homeware shop Tinsmiths. 'Space is tight in the cottage, so I kept much of what was there and added flourishes.' The Eastern European-style pediment gives the cabinetry the look of a dresser and chimes well with the display of slipware and ceramics. The lively green is a great foil for the undersink curtain and the rug.
Nuts and bolts
Units painted in 'Invisible Green', from Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. Indian blockprint fabric; and rug; both from Tinsmiths. Stool, from Ikea.
Simon Brown9/27Sims Hilditch
Design notes
A classic kitchen is given depth with various warm neutral shades on the cupboards, walls and worktop, while brass hardware adds elegance. Creating distinct working zones can help with efficiency. Here, the prep and cooking areas are in the run of cabinetry with the range cooker, while the sink is in the island, painted a playful pink to inject a burst of colour.
Nuts and bolts
Units painted in 'Comfrey', from Tom Howley. Island painted in 'Rhubarb', from Neptune. 'Cotswold Cup Pull' handles and 'Cotswold Bun' knobs (satin antique brass), from Armac Martin. '4600 Organic White' worktop, from Caesarstone. 'Fusion Round 3-in-1' boiling water tap, from Quooker. ‘Cluny Classic’ range cooker, from Lacanche. 'Fleming Holophane' pendant lights, from Felix Lighting Specialists. Walls painted in 'Shaded White', from Farrow & Ball.
mary wadsworth10/27Roundhouse
Design notes
Metallics can be a striking alternative to more traditional finishes like wood, but here they are combined for a warm yet sophisticated look. The patina of the table and island adds character, and using the same material for the chairs and cabinet gives a sense of unity.
Nuts and bolts
Oak-veneer units; island with patinated silver front; Nero Assoluto granite worktop (leather finish); and bespoke table; all from Roundhouse. Chairs and bench, from AxoMan Design.
11/27Studio Vero × Martin Moore
Design notes
This is a fine example of how to make a material the star of the show. The green granite - on the extractor hood, splashback and worktops - provides an eye-catching contrast to pale timber, enhanced further with bronzed-mesh cabinets. Pattern has been introduced with the stool fabric, which picks up the colours of both the quartz and the walls.
Nuts and bolts
Units; and 'Oliva Italia' granite worktop; both from Martin Moore. Brass sink, from Julius Baller. 'Henry' brass pot filler, from Waterworks. ‘VA 232 220’ natural gas two-zone hob; ‘VG 231 220’ natural gas wok hob; 'VI 262 120' induction hob; from Gaggenau. Light, from 1st Dibs. 'Wave' stool; with seats in 'Backgammon' (autumn haze), by George Spencer Designs, wool mix; from Rachel Donath.
12/27Sola Kitchens
Design notes
Dark cabinetry adds a hint of drama without overpowering the space, and the herringbone flooring and pale marble countertops bring warmth and contrast. The grain of the wood on the painted cabinet, the floor and the stools is a continuous thread that subtly connects all the pieces. Reeded-glass on the cabinet fronts helps to obscure the contents, while still allowing light to bounce around the room.
Nuts and bolts
Units, painted in 'Obsidian Green', from Little Greene Paint & Paper; and Carrara marble work-top, both from Sola Kitchens. 'Cotswold' handles, from Armac Martin. Herringbone flooring, from Solid Floor. Pendant light; and stool; both from Pinch. Walls painted in 'Salix', from Little Greene.
Will Houghton Ltd13/27Chamber Furniture
Design notes
A dark wooden island with an extended black granite top provides ample space for seating and is the showpiece of this sleek and serene kitchen. A minimalist kitchen is only ever as good as its joinery, and here the floor-to-ceiling cabinets ensure there is plenty of useful storage to keep the space clutter-free. The sculptural stools, which are in wood of a different, lighter tone in order to provide a contrast, add a final contemporary note.
Nuts and bolts
'Fumed Chipped Oak' units, and Indian black granite worktops; both from Chamber Furniture. 'Round Fusion' tap, from Quooker. 760mm oven; and 760mm steam oven; both from Gaggenau. Pendant light, from Ochre.
14/27Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler
Design notes
In this kitchen, designed by Philip Hooper, joint managing director of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, dark accents ground the mustard cabinetry and the central oxblood island. Red and yellow is a brave combination to use, but knocking back the intensity of the shades helps to avoid any childlike primary-colour associations.
Nuts and bolts
Units and island, from Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler; both painted in custom colours, from Papers and Paints. Handles, from Optimum Brasses. Worktop, from Caesarstone. Butler's sink, from Aston Matthews. Brass mixer tap, from Barber Wilsons & Co. Door painted in 'Bark', by Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, from Fenwick & Tilbrook. 'LBBO1' suspension lamp, by Lina Bo Bardi, from Nemo Lighting.
15/27Inglis Hall
Design notes
The kitchen in this cavernous space has been anchored by a canopy of oakjoists. Black accents add strong visual interest, showcasing the wood. Open shelving provides an opportunity to inject personality, while the lighting introduces curves to counteract the strong lines.
Nuts and bolts
Raw-oak-veneer units, from Inglis Hall The Kitchen Maker. 'Black Diamond' worktop, from Richlite. 'Flex' tap, from Quooker.
16/27Studio Duggan
Design notes
A curved island is a brilliant option for smaller kitchens and also breaks up the rigidity of sharp angles. In order to make the most of the space available, a fridge was built into an alcove and an open shelving unit provides an interesting way to store and display kitchenware.
Nuts and bolts
Oak-veneer units; and green granite worktop, both from Studio Duggan. Handles and knobs, from Optimum Brasses. 'Rey' bar stool; with seat pad in performance fabric, by Zak+ Fox; from Hay. Handmade ceramic pendant lights, by Baradax Ceramics, from Etsy. Walls painted in 'Paper II', from Paint & Paper Library.
17/27Ledbury Studio
Design notes
Designed by founder Charlie Smallbone, this kitchen's neutral palette is given a hit of glamour with quartzite, fluted details and clever lighting. 'To prevent the solid fronts from overwhelming the space, I added ribbed-glass wall cabinets, bringing lightness and texture, and visual interest,' he explains.
Nuts and bolts
Units; Cristallo quartzite worktop and breakfast bar; and aged brass handles and kickplates; all from Ledbury Studio. Stainless-steel sink, from The 1810 Company. 'Flex' tap, from Quooker. ‘400 Series Combi-Microwave’ oven, from Gaggenau. 'Celestial Pebble' pendant lights, from Ochre.
18/27Studio Atkinson
Design notes
The brief that interior designer Susie Atkinson was given for this back kitchen was simple: 'To design a space that looked as if it had always been there.' Cue aged oak bordered with brickwork, Delft tiles from Holland and flagstones from a reclamation yard.
Nuts and bolts
Antiqued oak cabinet door fronts and shelves, from Rupert Bevan. Tap, from Barber Wilsons & Co. Brickwork painted in 'Wimborne White' from Farrow & Ball.
19/27Pernille Lind Studio
Design notes
The buttery cabinetry in Pernille Lind's own kitchen is a celebration of neutrals. 'The room faces south and is filled with wonderful natural light - I chose the colours to complement the ambience,' says the interior designer. The fireplace was opened up to accommodate the range cooker, with Arabescato marble at the back of the alcove introducing drama.
Nuts and bolts
'The Real Shaker Kitchen' units; painted to match 'Cord', from Farrow & Ball; and 'Oval' knobs (heirloom brass); from De Vol. Arabescato marble, from Fontanili Marble UK. Ceramic sink, from Villeroy & Boch. 'La Chapelle' lever kitchen bridge mixer, from Lefroy Brooks. Range cooker, from Ilve. ‘Lollipop Globe’ light, from Hector Finch. Walls painted in 'Wimborne White', from Farrow & Ball.
20/27Herringbone House
Design notes
This large island contains drawers and shelving for kitchen equipment and cookery books, as well as incorporating a dining space. 'Stained oak goes so well with soft pink and adds depth and warmth,' says William Durant, owner of Herringbone House. The brass bow handles add a playful note.
Nuts and bolts
Painted units; stained-oak island; Verona quartz worktop; and oak flooring; all from Herringbone House. ‘The Bow’ handles, from Shoppa by Beata Heuman. Range cooker, from Lacanche. Stools, from Where Saints Go. ‘Christie’ pendant lights, from Original BTC.
21/27Smallbone
Design notes
A showstopping curved island creates a luxurious focal point in this scheme. 'It draws inspiration from two treasures cherished by the client - an ornate 19th-century brass-plated fireplace and a marble sculpture of Greek goddesses Aphrodite and Athena,' explains Iona Dias, senior creative designer at Smallbone. The rounded island is echoed by the stools.
Nuts and bolts
'Blenheim' units; Calacatta Gold worktop; and Calacatta Viola sink; all from Smallbone. 'Carlo - High' upholstered wooden counter stools with chromed footrails, and 'Drop' blown glass globe pendant light with polished brass stem; both from Bryan O'Sullivan Collection. Panelled walls and cabinetry painted in 'Stone III', from Paint & Paper Library.
22/27Tom Howley
Design notes
A palette of blue and white creates a calming feel in this light-filled room. The alcoves flanking the range cooker provide storage for everyday crockery and small appliances, and can be neatly hidden away using bifold doors. Black accents - from the hardware to the lights and vases - balance the look.
Nuts and bolts
'Butler' units and island painted in 'Azurite', from Tom Howley. ‘4600 Organic White’ speckled polished quartz worktop, from Caesarstone. Sink, from Shaws of Darwen. Tap, from Quooker. Double cooker, from Bertazzoni. Wine fridge, from MQuvée. 'Etruscan Round' alabaster pendant lights, from Eichholtz.
23/27Artichoke
Design notes
The subtle two-tone palette of sage and grey in this kitchen is inspired by the interiors of grand Edwardian houses. The design combines the elements of a hard-working preparation space with understated period charm. At its heart is the 'Cook's Table' with a quartzite inlay top and aged brass details.
Nuts and bolts
Units, painted in ‘Dry Sage’ and 'Gray Mirage', by Benjamin Moore; oak 'Cook's Table'; with ‘Taj Mahal’ quartzite worktop, by Stone Age; all from Artichoke. Handles, from Optimum Brasses. Pietra del Cardosa worktop, from Stone Age. Sink, from Kohler. Taps, from Perrin & Rowe. ‘Kline’ light, from Felix Lighting Specialists.
Anna Batchelor24/27Naked Kitchens
Design notes
A splashback featuring a kaleidoscope of hues injects colour into this kitchen. Above, a floating shelf emphasises the width of the space, accentuates the height of the ceiling and encourages a curated display of objects. The flower lights pick up the pink in the splashback and enhance the overall look.
Nuts and bolts
'Slab' frameless units in 'Seal Pup White', from Naked Kitchens. Aged brass handles, from Armac Martin. Worktops and splash-back in marble pigmented concrete, from Tosco. Sink; and taps; from Reginox. Range cooker, from Aga. Frilly Cranberry Lights from DeVol. Walls painted in 'Joa's White', from Farrow & Ball.
25/27Pluck
Design notes
Colour and pattern have been combined to joyous effect here. The pink acts as a soft neutral, complementing the yellow island while allowing it to take centre stage, and the terrazzo surface and the runner add decorative flourishes. Fluted-glass cabinet fronts reflect the light, making the space feel bigger, and the recessed handles add a clean, contemporary touch.
Nuts and bolts
Units painted in ‘Ruskin Blossom’; island painted in 'Market Mustard'; fluted-glass-fronted, wooden-framed wall cabinets; and recessed curved elm cabinet handles; all from Pluck. Terrazzo worktop, from Diespeker & Co. Inset ceramic sink, from Shaws of Darwen. Glass globe pendant light, from Pooky. Vintage Turkish kilim carpet runner, from Nain Trading.
Kasia Fiszer26/27NW3 Interiors
Design notes
With a wall of cupboards and a substantial island, this modern kitchen is certainly not short of storage. Grey-green cabinetry is paired with a bronzed island for an elegant, luxurious look. 'The “Unique Calacatta Black” worktop is a particularly striking feature,' says Espresso director Andrew Hamilton Barr. 'And the smoked bronze handles add a subtle touch of warmth.'
Nuts and bolts
Wall units, painted in 'Mizzle', from Farrow & Ball: and 'Bronzo Scuro' liquid hybrid metal island; all by Key Cucine, from Espresso. Bar handles, from Buster + Punch. 'Unique Cala-catta Black' quartz worktop, from Compac. White undermounted sink, from Blanco. 'Flex' tap (ancient bronze), from Quooker. Black induction cooker, from Bora.
27/27Boffi
Design notes
Non-porous, heat-resistant and easy to maintain, stainless steel is a durable material for a hardworking and timeless kitchen. This example, in a house in Norway, demonstrates how a sleek stainless-steel island can be paired effortlessly with materials such as glass, stone and wood - in the form of parquet flooring here.
Nuts and bolts
'APR 60' handleless kitchen with stainless-steel island and cabinets in ‘Lasermat Kos White’: and Corian worktop; from Boffi. 'Donzelletta' dining chair, from De Padova.
