Situated at the front of a townhouse, the kitchen perfectly complements the architectural layout of the home. Instead of making structural changes to open the space, Camilla and the homeowner crafted the perfect palette. “She wanted a kitchen that would truly inspire her to cook,” shares Camilla. “A space that felt inviting and creative.” As an avid art collector, being able to display beloved pieces was a must. This came in the form of solid timber open shelving, which also made the narrow space feel wider. Oranges in a Bowl by Sven Janssen and an 1869 painting by Oswald Brierly grace the shelves, while larger pieces by Charles Bryant and Les Bavardes are positioned at either end of the kitchen.

Quartzite benchtops

Even in a kitchen filled with quality materials, quartzite is undoubtedly the hero. On the benchtop, the soothing, light ‘Emerald Haze’ quartzite from Marella Granite & Marble feels expansive. This stunning stone continues upwards, creating a sizeable splashback that reaches all the way to the open shelves on either side of the kitchen. “The quartzite stone exudes a beautiful elegance – refined yet unpretentious,” says Camilla. “Paired with the darker timber veneer joinery, it creates a sense of balance, transforming this small space into one that feels both inviting and intriguing.”

The homeowner, who lives alone but entertains regularly, loves that the kitchen is a harmonious and artistic space. It’s easy to see why, with Camilla meticulously selecting every detail with intention and care, right down to the grain of the hand-stained oak veneer joinery. As Camilla says, “It feels like a piece of artwork in its own right!”

Bespoke detailing

Vertical lines were incorporated in the joinery, along the top of the base cabinets. “It adds a subtle layer of interest and texture to the space without overwhelming it,” explains Camilla. “The profile detailing creates a lovely transition between the benchtop and the cabinetry below, softening the visual weight of the materials. This can elevate cabinetry from being purely functional to something that feels bespoke and crafted.”

Galley kitchen design

Making a galley kitchen feel spacious is simple with a few key considerations. “We used light, reflective surfaces to bounce natural light around the room, creating a sense of openness,” advises Camilla, who opted for Dulux Natural White on the walls above the open shelves. “The cabinetry features clean lines and minimal detailing to maintain an uncluttered look. Storage was optimised to keep everything out of sight.”

Antique brass and bronze hardware

Dark tones ground the space and add grandeur. The American Oak veneer from Bord was hand-stained in Feast Watson Brown Japan. This deep tone allows the grain of the veneer to shine through. The ‘Pegasi’ M curve sink mixer from Faucet Strommen, in Antique Brass, and ‘Chelsea’ handles in Bronze, from Castella, provide patina and depth.

Interior design: Camilla Molders, camillamolders.com.au.

Joinery: Cabinet Smith, cabinetsmith.com.au.

Source book

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Instead, they craved bespoke and artistic touches, so enlisted the help of Kate Bath, interior designer at Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms. “The brief was functional and beautiful,” says Kate, “contemporary yet timeless. And not too many upper cabinets!” More natural light, a connection to the garden and a casual dining area were also top of the list.

Kate achieved this by opening up the space and adding French doors, which lead to the garden. To prevent the galley kitchen from feeling boxed in, she kept overhead cabinetry limited to one side of the space and used different materials and finishes for two lines of joinery. The result is a kitchen that dares to be different yet still maintains cohesion and class.

Introduce a touch of French bistro style

“The corner space offered a nice, cosy nook,” shares Kate. The benefit of using this space was two-fold: it made use of a corner and fulfilled the owner’s request for a casual eating space. The built-in banquette, reminiscent of French bistro style, was upholstered in Thomas Maxwell ‘Langham Leather’ in Spruce, supplied by Warwick. The dark fabric complements the dark tones of the ‘Crescent’ wall lamp from Allied Maker, with a Black Walnut bracket.

Get creative with galley kitchen design

“The kitchen was split in terms of function and finishes,” says Kate. One side focused on bench space, with joinery made from Elton Group’s ‘Evenex Sincro’ timber-look surface in Tuscan Oak. The other side has underbench cabinetry in Dulux Lexicon Quarter with a bullnose beaded detail. The overhead cabinetry has fluted glass fronts. The different cabinetry profiles add interest, achieve functional purposes and look harmonious together.

“Beaded details, ribbed glass and bespoke handles add decorative elements”

Kate Bath, interior designer

Add luxe accents of marble and brass

The Calacatta Viola marble, supplied by World Stone, is the showstopping hero of the kitchen with its off-white hue and deep, burgundy veining. It is used on the benchtops and the splashback, enhancing the dramatic effect. The stone pairs beautifully with Brodware’s ‘Manhattan’ kitchen set in Rumbled Brass Organic and Noble Elements ‘Riverstone’ knobs in Aged Bronze.

Interior design: Kate Bath, Blue Tea Kitchens, bluetea.com.au

Source book

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The cupboards you go with will also have functional impacts. “When deciding on the profile, consider how easy it is to clean,” says Kathryn. “Also consider what surrounding materials you plan on using near the cabinetry to ensure you don’t create lines that fight each other and make the space look busy.”

Kitchen cabinet door styles

We run through the most popular cabinetry looks, and the home styles they suit.

Fluted

Fluted or ribbed kitchen cabinets lend themselves beautifully to two-pack polyurethane finishes in your chosen colour. Some timber veneer profiles also come in fluted or ribbed slats that can be used to clad your cabinetry fronts. Try the look at home for a warm retro feel or as a highlight – for example, on your island bench cabinetry – within an otherwise pared-back space.

“Many people and designers are starting to use multiple profiles in the one space,” says Kathryn. Here, NXN Interiors integrated appliances behind boldly ribbed MDF cabinetry, alongside motorised free-fold thin Shaker drawers, both by Scandinavian Profiles. The juxtaposition of the dark Dulux Castlecliff and bright Dulux Mt Aspiring completes the dramatic contrast.

Mesh

Cupboard doors with semi-obscured, mesh inlay panels are ideal to break up a run of plain cabinetry. Enduringly popular in farmhouse style, newer metal mesh designs can add a chic industrial note or a glamorous, brass-toned highlight to your kitchen. Rattan inlays are also having a moment – especially in coastal abodes – and instantly achieve a relaxed, tactile look.

Minimalist

Minimalist, unadorned doors and drawers suit a range of home styles, especially modern and contemporary interiors. “The smooth, flat profile is timeless,” explains Kathryn. It’s also the perfect backdrop for statement hardware and lets the finish do the talking. Textural materials, such as timber veneer or even microcement, can add interest to flat-fronted joinery. With no framing to distract the eye, it’s also great for small kitchens.

Founder of Humphrey Munson, Peter Humphrey, designed this kitchen with modern sensibilities in mind. Portman oak is used on the lower cabinetry, paired with brushed nickel handles. The upper cabinetry fronts are glass, with handles seamlessly integrated into the frame of the doors. Plates and glasses are stacked and stored in effortlessly chic displays.

Shaker

Shaker cupboards and drawers feature horizontal rails and vertical stiles that make up a clean surface frame. Their relaxed but elegant aesthetic is ideal for modern, Hamptons and coastal-style homes. The width of these rails and stiles is what can take Shaker profiles from one interior style to another. For a modern look, choose a thinner width; for a traditional feel, use a wider measurement. “There’s an emerging preference for sleeker, more contemporary interpretations of this style,” explains Giorgia Manenti, content lead at Kaboodle Kitchen.

Clear

Glazed joinery is a staple of Hamptons-style kitchens, but retro influences are making themselves felt here, too, in the form of fluted and reeded glass. This glazing is more forgiving than regular glass, which shows fingerprints and necessitates scrupulously tidy cupboards. While glass requires a little more maintenance, there’s something joyful about seeing carefully curated displays. “We’ve noticed a growing trend in kitchen designs integrating open shelving or cabinets, providing a platform to showcase cherished items,” says Giorgia.

Grooved

Ideal for country and heritage looks, panelled cabinetry delivers with its grooved fronts. Classic creams, whites and navy suit this style. As a statement look, it works better in larger kitchens, and you might find yourself getting out the duster more often to keep the detailing spotless. While V-groove panelling has long clad the walls of traditional homes, it has recently moved into kitchen cabinetry. The subtle routing delivers character and interest, and works surprisingly well in contemporary kitchens as well as country- or Hamptons-style homes. Talk about versatile!

What is a cost-effective cabinet material?

Melamine is usually the most affordable, followed by two-pack polyurethane finishes. Timber is a greater investment than veneer, though its longevity is reflected in the price. Lighting cupboard interiors adds an extra trade (and cost), as do special touches, such as fluting or mesh inlays.

What colour cabinets are in right now?

Using colour can make a kitchen uniquely yours, and while timber cabinetry continues to trend, painted looks are also in the spotlight now more than ever. Specifically, says Giorgia, “there’s a rising demand for soft green tones and blue hues as timeless alternatives that diverge from the traditional white aesthetic”.

Deep berry tones, bold burgundy, buttery yellows and warm browns are also popular, offering richness, character and a nostalgic nod to retro style. Bear in mind that the finish can change up the look, often drastically. “It’s important to know where your natural and synthetic light comes from, how it moves during the day and what parts of the kitchen are in direct light,” explains Kathryn. “Any areas that have plenty of light should be a matte or satin finish, as anything too high gloss will be glary.”

Can you just get kitchen cabinet doors?

You can certainly just replace your kitchen cupboard doors. You would do this if they’re broken, have rusty hinges or are in poor condition in some way. Before going ahead you’ll need to make sure the skeleton of the cupboards are in good condition so they’ll last for years to come. Fresh, new cabinet doors is also a way give your entire kitchen a new look without the cost of redoing all of the joinery.

Is it cheaper to just replace cabinet doors?

If sticking to a tighter budget is front-of-mind, replacing just kitchen cabinet doors rather than all of the cabinetry is an excellent way to update your kitchen in a more affordable way. You’ll save a significant amount by doing this. The cost of the labour to remove all of the existing joinery, plus the material costs adds up to thousands of dollars. Cabinetry is usually a large portion of a kitchen renovation budget, so if you have the option to just replace the doors and still get a look you’re pleased with, it’s financially beneficial.

More kitchen ideas

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20 glorious kitchen islands that steal the show

9 easy design hacks to totally transform your kitchen

How to clean your kitchen quickly (and properly)

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The post What you need to know before choosing kitchen cabinet doors appeared first on Home Beautiful.

1. Add a splash of colour

Add a lick of paint to your door frames, cupboards, splashbacks or even a few bold accessories like a bright red wall clock. Paint, or colour, can instantly brighten your space and transform the look and feel of your kitchen. Use bright colours for energy and a fun or quirky feel. Softer pastels tend to create a sense of calm, whereas warmer tones like terracotta and earthy tones create a welcoming and warm ambience.

2. Overhaul your kitchen with a brilliant benchtop

The three most popular materials used for benchtops are laminate, timber and stone. But, laminate is around a third of the price. Even better, it’s hard-wearing, durable, water-resistant, easy to wipe down and clean, and you can get anti-bacterial and fingerprint proof finishes – great for grubby little fingers eating afterschool snacks! It also contains little to no silica. 

Today’s laminates come in a whole spectrum of finishes, from mattes to glosses, marble and mineral looks to woodgrains, metallics and a plethora of accent colours to suit – and transform – any kitchen space.

3. Incorporate feature cupboard door panels

Swapping out kitchen cupboard doors is a cost-effective way to revamp your kitchen minus the complete cabinetry fit-out – a great solution for water-logged chipboard doors ruining your kitchen look. Today’s doors come in a range of widths, allowing you to create skinny broom cupboards from awkward corner spaces, as well as materials, finishes, textured looks and colours.

You can update the door frames using frosted glass doors, wire mesh, timber and metals, and you can even paint your own doors! 

4. Go for statement door handles

This small detail can have a big impact! Cupboard door handles and drawer pulls can bring cohesion to a kitchen look, add quirk, personality or interest, and make a style statement.

You can choose art deco handles, urban-industrial look clamps in galvanised steel, hand-painted porcelain and fine China knobs, kooky motifs, contemporary metals and more.   

5. Upgrade your kitchen with open shelving

Not much space or budget to work with? Use open shelves to express your personality or to feature your favourite collectables – from your teacup collection to fine china and spoons collected from worldly travels. Or, make it more practical with utensil holders, knives and hanging saucepans.

6. Replace your kitchen splashback

Who would have thought that splashbacks would become a style statement? The oil splatter-catcher?! The spaghetti bolognese sauce canvas? But it is! That wall, which frames all those fancy (and expensive) kitchen appliances is, in fact, a feature wall that can transform the look of your kitchen.

Opt for laminates that are easy to wipe down and clean, or glass splashbacks in bright colours like red, blue or green. Marbles featuring veins have a luxe mineral effect. For a contemporary look, try reflective surfaces – black glass or stainless steel.

7. Illuminate with sconce lights

Lighting can completely transform a space, and we’re not just referring to the brightness of the globe.

Pendant lights can make a huge impact, but you can still have a lot of fun with flush-mount lights (in the ceiling) and wall sconces. If you don’t want to commit to new lighting, consider adhesive LED strip lighting that can placed under overhead cupboards. 

8. Hang art in your kitchen zone

Don’t just relegate artworks to living rooms and hallways (although, they work well there too). You can make an otherwise utilitarian kitchen feel more personal and a bit bougie with some much-loved pieces.

9. Treat yourself to chic benchtop appliances

While they’re often concealed in a butler’s pantry, designer appliances, such as kettles and toasters, are made to be seen.

Often a permanent benchtop feature, you can get tabletop appliances featuring artwork, retro-style designs and a rainbow of colours including pastel pink, powder blue, cream, mint green, bright red and electric blue. 

Shop kitchen appliances and decor

01

Ashton wall light in Amber

$64.95 (now 49.95), Temple & Webster

Best for: Blending style and practicality

If you’re looking to add some gentle ambience to your kitchen, the Ashton wall light is a luxe but functional solution. With a vintage-style glass cover and a compact design, it’s perfect for layered lighting.

Colours: Amber, Blue and Clear.

Materials: Steel and glass.

Key features:

• Classic steel arm
• Ornamental glass cover
• Soft illumination

Shop Now

02

Chelsea pull handle in Satin Brass

$65, The Blue Space

Best for: Making a statement

It’s the small details that count, especially when it comes to statement hardware, and one thing you can’t overlook is texture. The Chelsea pull handle comes in a wonderfully knurled high-end brass for a luxurious and tactile appeal.

Sizes: 128mm, 192mm, 256mm.

Colours: Satin Brass, Matte Black, Dull Brushed Nickel and Bronze.

Material: Brass.

Key features:

• Lifetime guarantee
• Knurling detail
• Contemporary style

Shop Now

03

Luxe golden palms in navy frame with gold

$499 (now $349) for a set of 2, OneWorld

Best for: A touch of Hamptons or coastal style

These golden palm artworks, set in a decorative navy frame, ooze coastal chic. Simple but natural, the design brings that beachy feel into the home, best paired alongside a neutral palette for a timeless charm.

Size: 90cm x 2.5cm x 120cm

Colour: Navy Blue.

Materials: Fir wood and glass.

Key features:

• 25.54kg
• Hamptons style
• Gold details

Shop Now

04

Blue Andrea subway tile in Textural Gloss

$122 per sqm, The Blue Space

Best for: The perfect splashback

Subway tiles are always on trend, especially in sleek designs like the Andrea subway tile. Featuring a high-gloss glaze, durable porcelain and antique colouring, the Andrea tile is a simple way to elevate a kitchen splashback, laid either horizontally or vertically for a clean yet modern look.

Size: 75mm x 300mm x 8mm

Colours: White, Light Grey, Grey, Blue, Antique Red and Black.

Material: Porcelain.

Key features:

• Made in Italy
• Gloss finish
• Cushioned edge

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05

Smeg 50’s style toaster in Red

$329, Myer

Best for: Adding a pop of colour

Smeg’s 50’s style toaster is for nostalgia lovers, blending a bright, retro red with soft curves for a stylish benchtop addition. Better yet, it has all the modern conveniences such as three pre-set toasting programs, a backlit knob and easy-to-clean crumb trays. For a minimalist look, the toaster also comes in white.

Sizes: Comes in four-slice and two-slice sizes.

Colours: White and Red.

Key features:

• LED lighting
• Easy-clean
• Pre-set programs

Shop Now

06

Morphy Richards Ascend electric kettle in White

$149.95 (now $139.95), Kitchen Warehouse

Best for: Simplicity and elegance

Who says kitchen appliances can’t make a style statement? The Ascend kettle bridges style and function with beautiful gold accents, rapid boiling and a limescale filter to keep your kettle clean. While the Ascend is easy to use, we love the classic colourways, finished in gold and rose gold.

Size: 1.5L capacity.

Colours: Stain Black, Matte Black, White.

Material: Stainless steel.

Key features:

• 360 degree base
• Limescale filter
• Gold trim details

Shop Now

07

Reef Blue Layne Waves feature tile in Gloss

$119 per sqm, The Blue Space

Best for: A feature splashback

These Reef Blue Layne tiles bring waves into the kitchen, literally! The curved design is inspired by the ocean and comes in a range of cool blues and soft neutrals with a durable porcelain composition. No matter which colour you choose, the enchanting shapes are bound to make a statement.

Sizes: 120mm x 120mm x 6mm

Colours: Black, Reef Blue, Dove Grey, Teal, Mint, Pink, Cream.

Material: Porcelain.

Key features:

• Cushioned edge
• Coastal inspired
• Soft and flat surface

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08

Copper Moladi wall sconce

$79, Temple & Webster

Best for: French provincial charm

Want to create a cozy kitchen nook? The Moladi wall sconce has a delicate pleated shade to gently diffuse light, creating a comfy glow that’ll make even the darkest corner, warm and welcoming. It also comes in an antique brass finish with an extended arm to direct light.

Size: 140mm x 245mm x 280mm

Colour: Antique brass finish.

Material: Copper.

Key features:

• 12-month guarantee
• Pleated cover
• 50+ wattage

Shop Now

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There’s nothing ‘black and white’ about monochrome kitchens these days. The design world has moved on a little from the chessboard lewk, so think ‘marle’ (yes, like the sweaters), greige (grey meets beige), almost-black (such as Dulux Domino) and every shade in between. Mixing textures will add depth, such as natural stone, VJ panelling, stainless steel and sheer curtains.  

Check out these inspirational kitchens for tips on how to carry off the monochrome vibe with catwalk prowess.

A monochrome kitchen shines with a marble island bench

Luxe Carrara marble from Gladstones Granite evokes a stormy sky in this Melbourne kitchen, above, in a renovated home that was built in the Spanish Costa Del Sol style. The 2-pac cabinetry is in Dulux Natural White and the Grazia & Co ‘Dita’ stools add a black accent to this calm, monochrome kitchen.

Dark cabinets add texture to this monochrome kitchen

The fluted cabinets in this striking kitchen on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, above, work harmoniously with the island bench of Calacatta Statuario marble, which sits on a Scandinavian Profile base in Dulux Mt Aspiring.

A dark and moody home bar to die for

Technically, this is a home bar (above) and not a kitchen per se, but the edgy joinery in Dulux Monument paired with a dramatic Talostone bench in Super White meant it deserved a place in our list. The rest of the home adheres to this magic monochrome scheme, allowing artworks and soft furnishings to shine.

A Hamptons-inspired kitchen in Perth with depth and drama

‘Hamptons’ doesn’t always mean white, as seen in this striking Perth kitchen, above. The dark cabinets are finished with Polytec Thermolaminate in ‘Tempest’, while the Polytec ‘Venette’ cabinetry in Ultra White is sleek and pure matte. Kethy ‘Fornel’ gold handles give the kitchen a Midas touch, contrasting with a Franke sink in Onyx. Herringbone marble tiles pull it all together.

A practical black and white kitchen with a Tuckey table

A bespoke Mark Tuckey dining table is the hero of this monochrome kitchen (above): because it’s on castors it can be easily moved to the island bench, making the bench super-sized. Takahashi Asako ‘170’ dining chairs from Curious Grace complement the dark floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, from New Age Veneers in ‘Smoked Ash’.

A cosy kitchen is given a striking monochrome makeover

The challenge for interior designer Chelsea Hing was to incorporate a living zone, pantry and cooking space into a compact but chic kitchen (above). She succeeded, including a luxurious honed Carrara marble benchtop, Corporate Culture ‘Caravaggio P2’ pendant lights, stainless steel workspace, dark cabinetry and whitewashed timber floors.

The post 7 great ideas for a monochrome kitchen appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Here are some of the best small kitchen layouts and tips for designing your space effectively.

1. Minimalist

When it comes to small kitchen ideas, keeping it simple is your best bet. Embracing minimalism in your kitchen design can help establish a feeling of order and create the illusion of space. Opt for light colours, clean lines, similar textures and tones, and simple accessories.

2. Concealed

One of the biggest emerging trends in small kitchen design is concealed kitchens. The cabinets are so stylish it’s easy to forget they’re designed for storage, appliances that disappear before your eyes, and touchable textures that make you think you’re in the living or dining room.

More and more, designers are giving us the ability to hide or camouflage parts of the kitchen at our own choosing. There’s a big push towards creating concealed work areas, like the Inside System by Ernestomeda and Logica Celata by Valcucine, which boast sliding doors that close and hide the entire kitchen structure.

3. Freestanding modular

Flexibility in the kitchen once meant a butcher’s block on wheels. But with renters on the rise and homes getting smaller, there’s an increasing demand for modern, multifunctional, flexible kitchens. Opting for a custom creation will give you the ideal kitchen design for your small space.

4. Galley

The galley kitchen was originally designed for compact cooking zones on boats, so it’s ideal for smaller homes. It’s made up of two parallel countertops with a walkway in between.

5. One wall

One-wall designs are particularly popular in smaller apartments and homes. As the name suggests, all of the appliances and cabinetry run along one wall, giving the kitchen a greater sense of openness.

Careful planning is required, however, to ensure that adequate room is available for food prep, as the sink, cooktop and refrigerator can take up most of the space. One solution is to use the dining table for extra workspace or include a wheeled butcher’s block.

6. Cut clutter

Minimalism may be the word on everyone’s lips but the concept behind living with less is the key to not only a stylish home but a sustainable one. Buying only what you need is the best way reduce your footprint and save time, stress and money.

Cull unwanted items and from your drawers, cupboards and pantry and make a rule that moving forward items only come in to your kitchen to replace something that breaks or runs out.

7. Savvy storage

Use your space wisely. Built in storage makes the best use of available space and wherever possible, try to make spaces do more than one job:

• fix racks to the inside of cupboard doors to hold spice racks or pots lids
• fit shelves into corners and take them right up to the ceiling for seldom-used items
• use your island bench as a breakfast bar and store mugs or cutlery in drawers beneath

8. Utilise utensils

Make your kitchen stylish and functional by investing in cookware, utensils and appliances that are nice enough to leave on display. Mount knives together in a block or on a magnetic wall strip. 

Seek out a matching set of mixing bowls in commercial stainless steel or colourful ceramic that stack inside one another neatly and look attractive when stacked on open shelves. Take inspiration from professional food preparation space and have everything close at hand.

9. A cohesive colour palette

Choosing all one colour to create the illusion of space doesn’t have to mean white everything.

Borrow from surrounding spaces by continuing kitchen colours to finishes in adjacent zones, extending them to create a combined footprint.

10. Keep it light

Adding a skylight or window splashback can give your small kitchen a bright, airy feel and create the illusion of a larger space.

11. Creative shelving

Not everyone with a small kitchen is blessed with built in storage. If you fall in that camp, it’s important to ensure you have ample and effective shelf space. 

Floating shelves make for a modern and minimalist storage idea, while utilising wall space with creative cabinetry can help.

The post 11 small kitchen design ideas and how to make them work for you appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Luckily, some kitchen design elements will never go out of fashion, but the most important consideration is to stay true to your own style to make it truly endure.

Here are eight examples of timeless kitchen design and clever future-proofing tips to get you started.

1. A white or neutral colour scheme

White and neutral tones are popular choices in the kitchen for one reason: they don’t date. Before you start to worry about it being boring, remember the more bold your design choices in the kitchen are, the bigger chance there is of you changing your mind down the track.

Classic is the goal here and, if you’re looking to make a statement with must-have trends, more personality can be brought in with accessories.

2. Shaker style cabinets

Once an essential ingredient for the farmhouse kitchen style, now the perfect choice for Hamptons-style kitchens, shaker-style cabinets are a popular choice because of their simplicity and ability to complement most styles.

Pick up details by using a darker paint colour on lower cabinetry or your kitchen island for added interest, or stick to all-white for a clean and classic look. 

3. Appliances that complement your lifestyle

Do you like to entertain? Or perhaps you want to enjoy a cafe-quality coffee in the morning as soon as you wake up? Whatever your wish, there is an appliance to meet all of your kitchen needs.

When it comes to choosing appliances like a coffee machine or double oven, and French door fridges, factoring them in at the design stage of your kitchen can help you make the right choice to suit your space and lifestyle.

4. Natural accents

The kitchen is the hub of any home and your choice of benchtop material matters. Choose materials that give off a natural vibe, and you can be confident that your kitchen will never go out of style.

For an ageless appeal, look to timber-look veneer in cabinetry and engineered stone benchtops, both of which are practical and low-maintenance choices.

5. Subway tiles

The popularity of subway tiles continues to feature in kitchens of all shapes, sizes and styles. Simple and sophisticated, their size makes them a versatile choice and that they come in different shades means they can be matched to any colour palette.

For the ultimate in timelessness, however, white would be an excellent choice, with options to add a textured finish or coloured grout.

6. Cabinet hardware

Probably the most underrated design element in any kitchen, handles (or the lack thereof) can have a massive impact on the overall look of your kitchen.

When choosing kitchen handles, consider the look and feel of your kitchen design as well as the size and material needed to open and close your cupboards and drawers with ease.

7. A kitchen island

An island bench is a beautiful addition to any kitchen for many reasons. It works for most layouts, is perfect for entertaining guests on those less formal occasions and for having a quick meal with family. Plus, the extra storage makes it do double duty in this busy zone.

8. A large sink

Particularly in an entertainer’s kitchen, when it comes to your sink, the bigger the better.

Whether a feature ceramic sink or an underbench stainless steel style, the benefits of a large sink go beyond the generous bowl size to include the ability to hide clutter and dirty dishes at peak times.

The post 8 essential ingredients for a stylish kitchen that won’t date appeared first on Home Beautiful.

When designing a kitchen island, it’s important to think about how you’ll use it on a day-to-day basis.

3 kitchen island design tips:

• Keep seating localised in one area, so everyone can have access to the island without getting in the way. 
• When entertaining, set up plates and cutlery at one end and food at the other to create an instant self-serve buffet, perfect for feeding a crowd. 
• Maximise storage on all sides. Drawers on the kitchen side and open shelving where it faces the living room to display objects and cookbooks.

Here are 20 homes with glorious kitchen islands that elevate the entire room to new heights, without compromising on functionality.

Hamptons style kitchen islands

1. All white Hamptons kitchen island

Bespoke joinery makes this kitchen island an absolute winner. The owners selected the shade ‘Alabaster’ by Resene to create a clean, white space that will always look current. A trio of pendant lights from Emac & Lawton add texture and overhead task lighting. On the other side of the island, four wicker cafe bar stools (not pictured) add a touch of warmth.

2. Tonal grey Hamptons island

Grey is a versatile shade that can bring depth and interest to a predominantly white kitchen. Here, the kitchen island has been painted in a soft shade of grey which both echoes the veins in the Carrara Bianco marble splashback tiles and allows the all-white accessories to pop. To allow the ‘Goodman’ pendant lights from The Montauk Lighting Co. to be the hero, kitchen hardware on the upper cabinets has been kept to a minimum.

3. Entertainer’s extra-large Hamptons island

Interior designer Delilah is also a keen entertainer, so not only is her Hamptons style kitchen extremely beautiful to look at, it’s highly functional too. The extra-large central island features bespoke joinery and is topped with marble from CDK Stone. A pair of elegant ‘Darlana’ lanterns from Visual Comfort brings tie in the stainless steel elements including a Sub Zero fridge and a La Cornue oven.

4. Island that maximises space for food preparation

When it comes to kitchen islands, there are roughly two design camps: those that believe an island should be packed with as much functionality as possible (i.e. fitted with a sink or even a stove) and those who believe it should be left as a complete, uncut slab that maximises space for food preparation and casual dining. In this kitchen, the island’s Caesarstone bench in ‘Frosty carrina’ is entirely unadulterated, paired with shaker cabinets in Dulux Natural White and enamel T-pull handles. 

5. Minimalist Hamptons kitchen island

Hamptons style and minimalism rarely go hand-in-hand, but this kitchen somehow marries the two brilliantly. A dual-tone colour palette emphasises the veining in the natural stone from SNB Stone. The central island is painted in Dulux Domino, which has the effect of grounding the otherwise fresh, white kitchen.

6. Hamptons island with natural stone benchtop

Interior designer Melinda Hartwright selected natural Carrara marble for her kitchen benchtops, but says the material is “hard to maintain. I’d probably use engineered stone next time.” Despite its undeniable beauty, marble is prone to stains and scratches and demands special care when cleaning. Here, the Hamptons style island has been kept simple with all attention being drawn towards the ‘Majorca sky blue gloss’ tiles from Teranova Tiles surrounded by cabinetry in Dulux Vivid White. 

7. Hamptons meets farmhouse kitchen island

Before renovations, this kitchen felt small and poky. Opening up the ceiling, custom cabinetry by The Kitchen Maker and applying a neutral, natural colour palette have made it feel spacious and luxurious. The generous kitchen island is now a central feature of the home, painted in a deep shade of warm grey.

8. Hamptons style kitchen island with a French provincial twist

The Sydney home of Dusty Luxe founder Jackie combines her love of French provincial style with a timeless Hamptons aesthetic. The kitchen is no exception, with a simple, square island bench topped with marble. The clean white cabinetry is an ideal backdrop to the statement pieces in the room such as the ‘Petal’ pendant from Urban Lighting, traditional range hood cover and Bianca Carrara ‘Cabochon’ floor tiles.

Coastal style kitchen islands

9. Coastal style peninsula island

During renovations of this Gold Coast apartment, walls that once encased this u-shaped apartment kitchen were removed, giving the peninsula island a newfound prominence. Extending the benchtop with brackets and adding a trio of comfy bar stools means the space can now be used as a breakfast bar. VJ panelling and a fresh coat of white paint add to the relaxed, coastal vibe.

10. Coastal Hamptons style kitchen island

“We basically live in the kitchen,” says the owner of this refreshed 1920s family home. The large marble island bench is perfect for cooking, family life and entertaining. While the kitchen’s bones are quintessentially Hamptons, four Thonet bar stools imbue the kitchen with an airy, coastal atmosphere.

11. Coastal meets country kitchen island

A timeless colour palette of Dulux Natural White and polished concrete floors allow the timber central island in this coastal-meets-country kitchen to shine. Skylights overhead mean the island is always well-illuminated during the day, while at night, shadows cast by statement basket pendant lights create drama.

12. Simple coastal styling

Simple, earthy accessories imbue this clean, white kitchen in a Gold Coast home with a seaside resort quality. ‘Scandinavian’ bar stools from Replica Furniture and brushed brass tapware from ABI interiors add warmth to the central island, which is painted in the Dulux Lexicon Quarter.

Modern kitchen island benches

13. Glamorous modern farmhouse island

An island topped with Super White Quartzite adds a touch of glam to this modern farmhouse kitchen in a newly built home in the Gold Coast hinterland. With seating for up to six, the island allows the cook to mingle and meal prep during gatherings. “This is a great home for entertaining,” says owner Leanne.

14. Modern family-friendly kitchen island

This modern, open-plan kitchen was designed for a family of seven in mind. The central island, dubbed ‘snack central’ is the heart of the space, with enough bar stools for the entire family. Because the island needed to withstand plenty of wear and tear, the owners opted for Smartstone Statuario Venato rather than natural marble. “It looks like the real thing, but I don’t have to worry about staining from beetroot or wine,” says homeowner Victoria.

Double kitchen island benches

15. Hamptons kitchen with double islands

What’s more luxurious than a kitchen island bench? Two of them! This kitchen is an entertainer’s paradise, with two Hamptons style islands painted in Benjamin Moore Hale Navy. Each island is topped with Laminam Arabescato porcelain slabs from Embassy Stone. “There’s space for everyone to get involved in Christmas lunch preparations,” says homeowner Kirsty. 

16. Modern farmhouse kitchen with two islands

In this home – which belongs to a pair of keen cooks with an extended family that also loves to cook – double islands are not just a luxury, but a necessity. “We can have my mum, my sister, my husband and myself, all in the kitchen, all doing different things and no-one’s getting in anyone’s way,” says Louise. The central island was handmade in oak by Reid Brothers, while the second island, which also doubles as a casual dining space, is topped with Super White Dolomite marble. 

Curved kitchen islands

17. Curved marble kitchen island

It took three months to build this crescent-shaped island for a newly built home on the Gold Coast. “It took eight men to carry in the benchtop,” says interior designer and stylist Dominee. It is clad with Super White Dolomite marble tiles, while the benchtop is a CDK Stone benchtop with integrated sinks. Designing the kitchen may have been a massive undertaking, but the end result speaks for itself. “People will walk around the island and run their hand around it. It’s one of those things that they just want to touch,” says Dominee.

18. Mid-century inspired kitchen island bench

Curves are subtly repeated throughout this restored heritage home in Sydney, all the way from the arched entrance hallway to the rounded kitchen island bench. The island bench is filled with so much detail that styling it without overwhelming it became the real challenge. In the end, lighting was kept simple and bar stools low key. 

19. Curved coastal kitchen bench

The original kitchen in this coastal home needed a complete overhaul. So, after reconfiguring the floor plan and adding an upper-level extension, the kitchen was transformed into a space fit for a family of five. On one end of the island bench is a butler’s pantry, and on the other, a powder room. The island is clad in kit kat tiles from Tile Cloud, one of owner Megan’s favourite design features. 

20. Sleek curved kitchen centrepiece

Couple Kellie and Scott visited their home frequently during renovations, and one decision they made after seeing their design in the flesh was to upsize the kitchen island. “Often it’s not quite until you’re physically in the space that you get a true sense of the size,” says Kellie. The island is clad in two-pac timber and topped with a blend of Hebel and micro-cement render.

The post 20 glorious kitchen islands that steal the show appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Are white kitchens still trending?

White kitchens are always a classic but to make them feel modern, look at easy kitchen updates such as new tapware and light fittings. The white-on-white palette was chosen to give the illusion of space, as were integrated appliances. The farmhouse sink and tapware from The English Tapware Company were decided on as the hero pieces of the new modern white kitchen, and the rest of the design was built around these pieces. “Given the very small space, we kept colours and material variation very simple to avoid visual clutter,” says Sarah. “The cabinets and walls are the same shade of white, but we added interest with the shaker-style profile on the cabinetry doors.” Finally, loose sheer Roman blinds were added to provide subtle pattern and colour.

The existing hardwood floors were sanded and re-polished in a clear matte seal, and the white kitchen cabinets were custom-designed for the space by Sarah, then constructed by Yarrow Build. The benchtops are Frosty Carrina from Caesarstone, paired with tapware and sink from The English Tapware Company. The lighting is by Light Co, blinds and curtains are from Northside Window Coverings and the handles are by Hepburn Hardware. 

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In the connecting laundry, the existing floor tiles were kept and Yarrow Build constructed the new custom cabinetry. Caesarstone benchtops were paired with tiles from Tile Bazaar, with tapware from Winning Appliances. The once-dated spaces have been transformed into a fresh white kitchen and adjoining white laundry.

Design tip

“The laundry is connected to the kitchen but my parents wanted it to be ‘invisible’. I added bi-fold doors that can be closed to neatly hide away everyday mess. We also wanted to keep the design consistent with the kitchen, so despite it being a utilitarian laundry, it still has the elevated, timeless look we strived for in the kitchen,” says Sarah.

“Don’t try to add too many ‘hero’ or feature pieces into the space otherwise you’ll lose the effect … we used the fireclay sink and tapware as our hero.”

Sarah Yarrow, interior designer

Source book

Interior design: Sarah Yarrow, Sarah Yarrow Interiors, (02) 8581 5286, sarahyarrowinteriors.com.au.
Builder: Tim Yarrow, Yarrow Build, (02) 8581 5286, yarrowbuild.com.au.

The post How to create a modern white kitchen appeared first on Home Beautiful.

We’ve asked an expert for the best kitchen organisation tricks and clever kitchen storage tips for surfaces, kitchen drawers and cupboards to help you find a place for everything – from your slow cooker to your snacks, plates to party supplies, saucepans to sauce bottles. Here’s how to have your kitchen storage working for you, not the other way around.

How can I maximise my kitchen storage?

1. Planning ahead is the key to adequate storage anywhere in the home. “Seek the advice of an interior designer or kitchen designer when formulating your kitchen plan,” says Interior Designer Victoria Waters. “The configuration of your kitchen should consider the best layout and maximise storage opportunities.”

2. Collect ideas when you come across them and use tools like Pinterest to save visual references so you can brief your cabinet maker or kitchen specialist. Keep an ideas folder handy to note details of kitchens you see with clever storage. Visit showrooms and retailers for new innovations and canvas your friends and family for their kitchen storage success stories. Then, take the time to plan carefully to make the most of what you have.

3. Be creative. Clever storage doesn’t have to break the budget. Be patient. Once you’ve done your research, keep an eye out on Marketplace, Gumtree and free community sites for items you’re looking for. One person’s trash…

Kitchen island Storage  

4. Often a very under-utilised storage area in a kitchen, why not incorporate storage into a kitchen island? “Consider utilising the front of your kitchen island bench for concealed cupboards to house all your entertaining items,” suggests Victoria. “Utilise the depth of your island for maximum storage and install concealed push-catch locks on your cabinets so the storage is concealed.”  

5. Add even more handy kitchen storage with shelves on the ends of your kitchen island to store cookbooks, serving dishes, or other kitchen essentials.

Kitchen benchtop storage

6. Wanting to increase the amount of kitchen benchtop storage? The first step is to remove everything to clear the clutter and start fresh. Then assess what you really need. When in doubt, leave it out of reach. You can always bring it back but, chances are, the space you gain outweighs the real estate it took up.

7. “You can also install a shallow box shelf for oils on the end panels on either side of your cooktop,” Victoria suggests. “And utilise smaller spaces near your oven/cooktop for pull-out drawers to house spices and oils used frequently in cooking.”

Kitchen cupboard storage

8. Don’t settle for off-the-rack kitchen storage ideas when often in a kitchen design, there is some space on the end of a bank cabinets where you can customise extra storage. “250-300mm is all you need for a useful shelf in a kitchen,” says Victoria.

9. Make the most of awkward or unused spaces by utilising tubs and baskets. “You can easily remove the basket to view the items,” says Victoria, also suggesting hooks on the inside of the cupboard doors, pull-out shelves and corner carousels to make things efficient and easy to access. 

10. Installing tension rods vertically inside your cabinets is a great way to separate your dishes or baking sheets. This uses less cupboard real estate, avoids digging around and helps prevent items from falling over.

11. Remember the area under your kitchen sink to store cleaning supplies, garbage bags, and other items. Install a pull-out drawer or basket for maximum space-saving and accessibility.

Kitchen drawer storage

12. Opt for wider drawers where possible under the bench and consider the depth of your drawers to ensure you can house your appliances in the cupboards below.  

13. Organise your drawers properly, making a place for everything using dividers to make the most of every centimetre. Then put everything in its place. “Stack the height of drawers so you don’t waste space and consider an inner shallow drawer inside a larger drawer to house utensils,” says Victoria, suggesting another clever trick is to add some kickboard drawers to house serving platters.

Pantry storage ideas

14. Trends in kitchen storage design extend into the pantry too and we think there’s nothing more satisfying than organising your pantry by decanting your items into similar glass jars and containers. “I think it’s important that we all try to eliminate plastic items so I love seeing my clients embrace using glass jars in their kitchen,” says Victoria. “A pantry organised with all clear glass jars always looks so visually appealing.”

15. Pull-out drawers installed in the lower section of your pantry provide easy access and use space efficiently but can be compartmentalised to maximise storage space inside the drawers too. “Install shelving above with labelled baskets or clear enviro-friendly plastic tubs to house food items to easily pull the tub out when needed,” suggests Victoria. “A lazy Susan is also very useful for storing and accessing condiments on upper shelves.”

Small kitchen storage

16. Storage is key to efficiency so balance your storage needs with aesthetic considerations to fit in with the rest of your home. “When designing your kitchen it’s important to mark on the plans where you will store all your items to ensure you have the space,” says Victoria. 

17. “In a smaller kitchen it’s important not to introduce too many design elements,” says Victoria, recommending sticking to a streamlined colour scheme and limiting glass or see-through cabinets as these can restrict your ability to store items. “Items on display should appear aesthetically pleasing which is not always possible when storage space is limited,” says Victoria.

18. Pull-out pantry shelves can be built-in or retro-fitted to optimise storage space and bring items within easy reach and decorative storage solutions like pegboards are a great way to store frequently-used kitchen tools and utensils. Hang pots, pans, and other items from hooks on the board to free up valuable cabinet and benchspace. 

19. Think outside the box and look to other areas with potential for storage – hanging over the cooktop or workbench, inside cupboard doors or on walls. In the pantry, take shelves right up to the ceiling to store seldom-used items out of the way.

The post 19 clever kitchen storage ideas to leave space for food and people appeared first on Home Beautiful.