When you imagine a classic, luxurious kitchen, visions of giant islands and spacious spaces filled with natural light may come to mind. Rather, “luxury” is about making thoughtful design choices that enhance the atmosphere and functionality of the entire environment, regardless of the amount of space available.
This week I asked several design experts for advice on how to create an elegant culinary hub, no matter the size.
“There are many ways to make a kitchen feel smart and spacious,” begins Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen company. “To promote an open feel, choose bright paint colors such as cream or sage green and reflective materials such as distressed mirror splashbacks to maximize light flow around the space. Consider installing glass display doors on floor-to-ceiling cabinets, which also let in more light and make the space more airy.
If you love deep, decadent shades, there's no need to shy away from them completely. Howley recommends offsetting his green cabinets and glossy white worktops with navy, charcoal, or laced.
Mol Krisher, head of product design at Caesarstone, a manufacturer of premium surfacing materials, added: This seamless look creates an open scheme with no cuts. It creates a sense of spaciousness, making the room feel more luxurious and larger than it actually is. ”
Alexander Shepel, co-founder of multi-brand design studio and furniture manufacturer SHEPEL', recommends investing in smart, customized storage solutions. He explains: “Bespoke joinery can transform a small kitchen. It makes the most of the available space, improves the kitchen's functionality and gives it a more sophisticated look. For example, custom cabinetry extends all the way to the ceiling. or fit into awkward corners to maximize storage possibilities. This is especially important for kitchens with special layouts that cannot be adequately resolved with existing ready-made products.
However, covering an entire wall with dense cabinetry can feel overwhelming in a small space. Pairing custom cabinetry with floating shelves will naturally expand the feel of your kitchen by revealing more of the wall. It's also a great place to display your collection of cute tableware and pottery.
Bo Helberg, CMO of Scandinavian modular storage pioneer String Furniture, explains: This is true, and shelves don't have to detract from this. To give your kitchen an airier feel without sacrificing storage space, choose shelves in the same shade as your walls. By combining open storage and cabinetry, you don't have to rely solely on open storage if you want to hide unattractive kitchen appliances, but you can add personality to your space by arranging your valuables and styling shelves. ”
Finally, “When choosing flooring, choose pale organic wood tones and narrow planks to visually open up the space. Try a slim parquet design. It adds a touch of decadence and makes a compact kitchen feel even more luxurious,” explains Neil Bradham, CEO of global flooring brand Parador. The diagonals and angles in this style help draw the eye outward, especially when the herringbone pattern is installed perpendicular to the room's longest wall.
