If you’re in the process of building a kitchen or renovating an old one, you’ll want to make sure the new kitchen is highly functional, allowing you to cook and entertain, while still being stylish and complementing the aesthetics of the rest of the home.
But don’t feel like you need to stick to a cookie-cutter kitchen design. From cabinet colours to storage solutions, you have endless design options that will help you create a kitchen you’re proud of, and love to spend time in.
Here are 5 great ideas for customising your kitchen.
Make Your Mark With Custom Kitchen Cabinet Colours and Designs
The kitchen cabinet design will set the tone for your entire kitchen, so it’s important to consider these first. Think about what style you’d like your kitchen to be. Is it contemporary with sleek lines? Or maybe you’d like a traditional kitchen with shaker style cabinets. Once you’ve chosen your style, a kitchen cabinet maker will be able to help you decide on the right colours and materials for the look you’re after.
Don’t be afraid to pair different materials when designing your kitchen. Marble and Caesarstone bench tops can go great with timber while coloured laminate can be paired with wooden bench tops. Have fun choosing a combination you’re happy with.
Change Up Your Kitchen Hardware
Once you have your kitchen cabinets chosen, you can customise your kitchen hardware to create a unique look. You would be surprised at how these small items can make such a difference to your kitchen design. There are so many different sizes, shapes and finishes to choose, from elegant brass doorknobs, brushed metal pulls or contemporary timber handles. Consult your kitchen cabinet maker to decide which is the best choice for the look and feel you want.
Add Clever Storage Solutions
One of the great things about customising your kitchen is the ability to create storage solutions for every item in the kitchen in a way that suits you. Some of the most popular custom kitchen storage options include:
- A slide-out spice rack so you can easily find your spices.
- A built-in microwave cabinet so that your microwave blends into your kitchen seamlessly and can be easily accessed.
- Pantry drawers so that you can easily see what you have in the cupboard.
- Built-in wine racks to store your favourite reds, whites and sparkling.
You can also add open shelving next to your enclosed kitchen cabinets so you can store your favourite kitchen items out in the open. Anything that can make your life easier is a must-have in the kitchen!
Integrate Your Kitchen Appliances
If you want a seamless, minimalist look in your kitchen, why not customise your design by including integrated appliances? This gives you the freedom to create the exact layout you want as you don’t have to rely on the stock standard appliance and cupboard sizes. They are perfect for small kitchens or kitchens with an unusual room shape and also help to keep the focus on your stylish kitchen cabinets.
You can choose to integrate a number of different appliances, including your fridge, dishwasher, oven, microwave, coffee machine, and even cutting boards.
Shine A Light Where You Need It Most
Often forgotten, lighting is an important feature of a kitchen and can completely change the feel and functionality of the space. Customising your kitchen lighting is one of the best ways to create your ideal kitchen.
Down lights provide a general glow, but you should work with a combination of lights to create the ambience you want and the functionality you need. Hang pendants and wall lights for enhanced lighting over specific areas like a kitchen island or over the sink.
Strip lighting can be added under wall hung kitchen cabinets as another light source to help you prepare and cook food, and they look amazing when the rest of the lights are dimmed. Down lights in glass cabinets highlight your favourite items on display. There are so many different ways you can change up your kitchen lighting!
When customising your kitchen, the possibilities really are endless so make sure you’re spending time going through all your design options, taking note of essential functionality and also the fun features that will make spending time in your kitchen something you’ll love for years to come!
