At Ideal Home we're obsessed with kitchens and always look forward to the annual Ideal Home Kitchen Awards – not only is the awards a chance to see the latest designs and innovations from our favourite brands, but it's also an opportunity to discover new brands to add to our inspiration board.
The 2024 Ideal Home Kitchen Awards did not disappoint, with so many fascinating kitchen ideas, appliances and products to choose from. Whatever the size or style of your kitchen, there was something for everyone in this year's entries and for our expert editors who judged, choosing the winners was a real pleasure.
2024 Ideal Home Kitchen Award Winner
From worktops and flooring to appliances of all sizes, Ideal Home's expert judging panel has picked the best of the best when it comes to all things kitchen related.
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Ideal Home Kitchen of the Year Winner: Olive & Barr
This handmade Shaker kitchen from Olive & Barr is truly stunning. Not only does the unique combination of blush pink and coral complete the kitchen's color scheme, it also provides a relaxed look that's perfect for open-plan spaces where you don't want a functional cooking space to feel oppressive or dominating. “With its chic look and vibrant colors, this gorgeous kitchen is the ideal family space,” says Heather Young. We can't wait to sit on that barstool right now!
Highly praised: Wicks Natura; Shaker, John Lewis of Hungerford
Best Classic Kitchen Range Winner: Howdens
Howdens' Linen Bridgemere Kitchen boasts a luxurious look at an affordable price. “Linen shades are having a moment right now,” says Heather. “They offer a warmer, more inviting option than classic white.” To accentuate the classic feel, the Shaker-style doors in the versatile linen shade also come in a wood grain finish. Create your dream island with this range. We love how the curved doors in this island design give the whole space a smart, tailored feel.
Highly praised: Chester Kitchen, Wickes
Best Modern Kitchen Range Winner: Wren
Wren's Milano Japandi kitchen exudes understated elegance and the beauty of natural materials that fit perfectly with modern kitchen ideas. “We love this modern Japandi style and the gorgeous updated ribbed finish,” says Holly Cockburn, content editor at Ideal Home.
Highly praised: Costina by Symphony
Best Use of Color Winner: Magnet
Hand-painted in Magnet's Burlington Red, Chalk Brush, and Harvest, the kitchen is a wonderful celebration of color. “The tonal combination in this kitchen from Magnet is varied on paper, but we love the fun combination of red, pink, and yellow,” says Heather. “It's the perfect example of how much can be achieved when you're bold with color. This room has such a happy vibe and shows how color can transform a functional space, instantly imbuing it with personality and character.”
Best Kitchen Flooring Winner: Ted Todd
Furrow from Ted Todd's Warehouse Collection is a beautiful, warm engineered oak that boasts lots of character thanks to its natural properties, including knots and colour variations. It's a versatile floor for any space, from spacious country kitchens to minimalist invisible kitchen spaces. “This luxurious range offers a huge range of options, from patterns to plank sizes, all backed by a 30-year guarantee,” says Ginevra Benedetti, deputy editor at Ideal Home.
Highly praised: Amtico Décor x National Trust Luxury Vinyl Tile Collection
“Small Steps for Sustainability” Winner: Len
Sustainability continues to be a big focus in interiors, and at Ideal Home, we're always looking to spotlight brands that are making positive change. “Wren Kitchens has switched to using water-based paints for all their products,” says Heather, “so we now have over 2,000 solvent-free shades to choose from.” This means it's easier for everyone to make a more sustainable choice when choosing a new kitchen.
Best Kitchen Worktops Winner: Cullifords
Choosing the right worktop is a key design decision when remodeling your kitchen, and there are plenty of options to choose from. The judges were captivated by Culliford's Fusion Green Quartzite. “With subtle green veining, this stone has a warmer, softer feel than the traditional look of marble. We love pairing it with the on-trend sage green kitchen – it's a classic look with a modern finish,” says Ginevra.
Highly praised: Laminam Diamond Series
Best Kitchen Tap Winner: Caple
Caple's Ember Bridge faucet caught the judges' attention thanks to its versatile design. “This outstanding faucet design is cleverly customisable, making it ideal if you want to customise your faucet to match the style of your kitchen. The body is matte black, while the faucet's accents – the cog-shaped handle, spout edge and base ring – can be chosen to match or contrast in a black, copper and gold colour scheme,” says Holly Cockburn.
Best Hot Water Faucet Winner: Pronteau
A boiling water tap is a great investment for your kitchen, and there are some great designs to choose from. The top entry in this category is the Pronteau Scandi-X. “Available in three colors — white, black, and grey — with an FSC-certified beechwood handle, this ultra-chic design brings new style options to the classic hot water tap,” says Molly Cleary, who has the inside scoop on the best models.
Highly praised: Wodar Luxurious Deck Mounted Boiling Water and Filter Faucet with Pull Out Hose
Best Kitchen Retailer Winner: Smile Kitchens
This is a new category introduced to the Kitchen Awards this year to recognise outstanding service. “While some people consider a visit to a showroom a must when buying a new kitchen, they may want to think again and see if they can trade it for an online service that will make the purchase more affordable,” says Heather Young. “Smile Kitchens offers a complete end-to-end service, from a full design consultation with free samples to immersive 3D plans that allow you to really visualise the look. What's more, Smile doesn't ask for any payment up front, you only pay on delivery of your new kitchen.”
Genius Kitchen Innovation Award Winner: RAK Ceramics
A hidden hob offers a whole host of design possibilities for your kitchen. CookingRak by Rak Ceramics is a great kitchen solution that blurs the boundaries between cooking and living spaces. “This futuristic design combines a sleek porcelain worktop with an induction hob hidden underneath. Once you've finished cooking, you won't even notice the hob is there. Genius,” says Ginevra.
Highly praised: Ren's Barrier-Free Kitchen
Best Small Space Design Solution Winner: La Cornue
If you're after classic design but have limited kitchen space, La Cornue's Castel 60 is just the thing. “If you've got a small kitchen but still want a range cooker, there's no need to compromise. This gorgeous model is just 60cm wide and is available in 40 colours and 16 trim options,” says Holly Cockburn.
Highly praised: Abode Synchronist Collection
Must-have Large Appliance Winner: Stoves
The Stove Deluxe Collection features a super clever zoneless induction heating system that can hold up to six pots, making cooking for a crowd a breeze. And it looks businesslike, too. “This hardworking choice for busy families comes in a huge range of colours, plus the entire cooktop is one induction heating surface, making cooking as easy as possible,” says judge Molly Cleary.
Highly praised: Aga era; Caple's Tela 900 range hood
Must-Have Small Appliance: Sage
Molly Cleary, e-commerce editor at Ideal Home, coffee enthusiast and Kitchen Awards judge, used Sage's Barista Touch Impress to brew the perfect cup of coffee and was so impressed (she even gave it five stars in our product review): “This is the ultimate bean-to-cup coffee machine. We personally tested it and gave it our highest rating in our Best Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machines Buyer's Guide.”
Highly praised: Smeg espresso coffee machine with grinder
Must-Have Cookware Winner: ProCook
ProCook's cast iron range impressed all of our judges, especially Ideal Home's Associate Editor Ginevra Benedetti, who is always on the lookout for the best pans. “This category was a really easy one to judge,” says Ginevra. “I have this one casserole dish and I love cooking with it. It's so versatile and works great on all stovetops and in the oven. Plus, it's a lot more affordable than other big-name brands. I really recommend it.”
The level of entries was so high this year that we are excited to see what 2025 brings.
