Sure, brown and burgundy are enjoying a moment in the spotlight when it comes to kitchens, but green has far too much going for it to ever surrender its place in our hearts (and homes). Full disclosure: My own kitchen is painted in Little Greene’s Obsidian Green, and it brings me joy every day.

The beauty of a green kitchen is that it can be fresh and sharp, deliciously murky, or rich enough to make even a modest run of cabinetry look fancy. Few colors are quite so accommodating of both a pale oak floor, a wildly veined slab of marble, or pretty much anything else you want to place near it. That versatility genuinely makes green one of the best kitchen colors, with enough scope to keep designers interested, regardless of the latest kitchen trends.

These 13 kitchens show just how much range it has, from sage Shaker cabinetry to more adventurous combinations that'll convince you to stop playing it safe. Above all, they prove green kitchens have the sticking power of Gorilla tape, not least because there’s always another way to style them.

1. Go for Green Stone

Green stone brings depth, variation, and movement that a flat paint color simply can’t match. It’s not a move for the cash-strapped, but it will produce a rock-solid kitchen that will feel cool forever. This Studio Duggan project is one of the best examples I've seen in recent years, and I highly doubt it will ever get old.

Note how the deep forest tones shift into brighter mineral greens across the sculptural kitchen island, while a slender metallic frame gives the backsplash slab the look of a large-scale artwork.

"The Verde Guatemala marble brings a huge amount of color depth and vibrancy — far superior to that of a painted finish," adds interior designer Tiffany Duggan, founder of the studio.

2. Load Up on Greens

Samantha Bartlett’s kitchen for Martin Moore at London’s most recent WOWHouse is an excellent study in why repeating green needn’t be boring. Fusion Green quartzite established the palette, joined by an Officine Gullo cooker in matcha, Arte vinyl wallpaper, aged-verdigris Porta Romana lighting and softer green seating. "I wanted the tones to feel as though they belonged to a landscape, rather than matching exactly," she says.

The trick is knowing which greens should command attention and which should fall back. "The matcha cooker, for example, has a real presence, whereas the verdigris lighting and softer greens in the seating reveal themselves more gradually," she explains.

Different materials further loosen the effect: "Stone, patinated metal, upholstery, and enamel all absorb and reflect color differently, so using subtly varied greens gives the room much more depth than repeating one exact shade," she adds.

The kitchen lighting control, directed by John Cullen Lighting, adds another shift, changing how those tones are perceived from fresh daylight to warmer evenings. Samantha’s guiding principle is pleasingly simple: "The colors should feel collected rather than rehearsed." And the burgundy rug prevents all that botanical harmony from merging into a blur. "For me, it’s about creating a sense of connection without everything feeling over-prescribed. That slight tension and variation is what gives a room personality and stops it feeling overly designed," she explains.

3. The Fifth Wall

A green kitchen doesn’t have to rely on cabinetry; taking the color overhead can be far more unexpected. The color green travels from the cooker to a wallpapered ceiling in this characterful kitchen, beginning with a Lacanche range in Tilleul and a custom hood color-matched by James Dawson. "The home has such wonderful storybook charm," says Sandra Lucas, founding partner of Lucas/Eilers Design Associates. "We wanted the kitchen to feel like a natural extension of that."

"From there, we selected a favorite Rule of Three fabric to recreate as wallpaper for the ceiling, fully customizing the colors to complement the range," she adds. "Its delicate pattern draws the eye upward and connects the kitchen to the adjoining breakfast area." White Carrara marble provides the pause: "I just love how it gives your eye a place to rest so you can fully enjoy the pattern overhead."

4. Give Pink a Greener Partner

Pink and green can quickly tip into confectionery territory, but earthier versions of both have far more interesting chemistry. This was one of the final projects from Maddux Creative, before founders Jo LeGleud and Scott Maddux established their independent practices. The palette grew from an extraordinary slab of Fusion Wow marble, with Paint & Paper Library’s Jaipur Pink on the base cabinetry and Edward Bulmer’s Pippin bringing a muddier green overhead.

"Pink and green are one of my favorite, slightly unexpected color combinations — they do appear together regularly in nature," says Jo. "I’d take my lead from there: find a shade you love and find its counterpart, a combination that helps each to flourish."

Timber keeps the combination grounded, while the curves prevent it from becoming too buttoned-up. The floor adds another layer: three colored marbles form an asymmetric tartan inspired by Villa Necchi, carrying green right across the room. "It’s not for the rigid and symmetry-obsessed," says Jo, "but a playful use of marble that provides an anchor and a beautiful sense of scale."

5. Sharpen Jewel Green With Black and White

Greens in bold jewel tones really come alive against something crisp. Here, black and white strip away any muddiness or heritage heaviness, making a deep green feel clearer, richer, and more graphic. Bright Designlab used Sherwin-Williams’ Dard Hunter Green on the cabinetry against Mosaic House’s Bordeaux encaustic floor, and the contrast makes the green feel particularly rich, almost like velvet against a patterned lining.

"The black and white floor came first, landing early on, and it heavily drove the decision to go for a rich cabinet color," recalls Katie Dahl, creative director at Bright Designlab. "In a smaller kitchen, we wanted a clear visual hierarchy, with quieter elements giving the eye a place to rest so the room wouldn't feel overwhelming or too busy." The restrained white hood does exactly that, while letting the jewel-green cabinetry remain the star.

6. Draw the Line With Green Tile

Taking green tile from floor to ceiling turns the color into part of the architecture, rather than simply a decorative splashback. Here, cream metro tiles wrap the walls, interrupted by a dark green horizontal band and deeper sections of green at dado height. Softer grassy-green cabinetry introduces another tone, keeping the palette layered rather than too neatly matched.

There’s also a lovely bit of history behind the scheme. "Chipped, curved tiles were unearthed from the renovation site, so the owners of this property decided to reinstate some new ones," says Helen Parker, Creative Director at deVOL. "That decision shaped the kitchen, a little something to get the design kick-started, and the satisfaction of putting a bit of history back into a building — we love that whole thought process."

When planning a border like this, set out the line across the entire elevation so it connects neatly with windows, shelves and corners. Pay attention to grout color too: a stronger contrast will emphasize each tile, while a closer match lets the green read as a more continuous band.

7. Give Green a Tailored Edge

When green runs across an entire bank of cabinetry, a little definition goes a long way. Here, La Cornue’s Brands Hatch Green is crisply outlined in stainless steel and brushed brass, framing the doors, drawers, and cooker with fine metallic lines. Against such a saturated backdrop, the effect is precise and polished rather than weighty, while the veined green stone introduces a looser, more organic pattern.

"Green continues to resonate in kitchen design because it has a natural warmth and timeless quality. This particular shade feels rich and sophisticated, bringing a sense of understated luxury," says Wafa Taktak, Kitchen Project Manager at La Cornue. "The enameled range cooker surface gives the colour exceptional depth and a luxurious, furniture-like quality."

If you’re introducing metal trim to green cabinetry (or any color cabinetry for that matter), use it to emphasize the shape and proportions of the doors and drawers rather than as decoration alone. Keep those lines consistent across neighboring cabinetry and appliances, and use changes in metal finish deliberately. Here, the warmer brass corners add subtle contrast to the stainless steel, without breaking up the overall composition.

8. Find Your Green in Aged Copper

If you’re hunting for a completely different way to bring green into your kitchen, verdigris copper is about as far from a neat paint swatch as it gets. Ledbury Studio went all in on the concept here, cladding all the cabinet fronts in hand-patinated copper. Against the terracotta wall, the richly mottled metal has an almost painterly quality, turning a run of straight-edged cabinetry into something closer to abstract art.

"The verdigris copper was never going to be one color. Across a single door it moves from a light turquoise to an iridescent sea green, and it shifts again with the light through the day," says Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio. "This was the effect we worked for many months to achieve, carefully developing each sheet by hand to ensure they looked both individually stunning and came together as a whole."

Copper isn’t the only metal that develops character with age: brass and bronze can also acquire rich patinas, although the color and rate of change will vary according to the alloy and finish. Ask to see larger samples rather than relying on a small swatch, and establish whether the surface will be sealed or allowed to continue evolving after installation.

9. Let the Grain Shine

Stained timber kitchens are how adventurous designers are delivering a serious dose of green without sacrificing the thing that makes wood worth looking at: its utterly unique grain. In this sensational kitchen for the latest Kips Bay Showhouse in NYC, Sarah Witkin of Bilotta Architecture commissioned a custom blue-green stain specifically for the scheme.

"The blue-green stain on flat-cut white oak was developed by Bilotta Kitchens to match the flashes of green that glimmer throughout the explosive earth-toned Patagonia quartzite slab. The blue-green stain was also chosen to act as a neutral contrast to balance the warm reds and whites in the stone," explains Sarah.

"Unlike solid painted color, the matte finish stain allows the natural oak grain to dictate the saturation of the color stain. The organically textured surface also has more depth and a more tactile quality in your hands, especially when paired with the integrated bullnose edge pull we designed for the space."

10. Blue and Green Should Definitely Be Seen

The old tale about how ‘blue and green should never be seen’ overlooks how naturally these neighboring colors sit together. ‘In this house, the kitchen sits closer to the garden, so we wanted to bring that fresh outdoor feeling inside by combining green with blue,’ says Michelle Jager-van’t Hof, Head of Design at Even Eleven Interiors. ‘The two colors create a fresh interplay, but introducing two distinct colors and contrast also brings just enough tension to keep the scheme interesting, while still feeling calm and cohesive.’

As unlikely color combinations go, Farrow & Ball’s Vert de Terre wraps the tall cabinetry, and Selvedge gives the island its stronger presence, while vintage bar stools upholstered in a fabric containing both shades help pull the palette together. Taj Mahal quartzite on the countertop and niche introduces a warmer neutral, while the niche’s rounded profile is repeated in the decorative molding on the tall cabinets.

"We wanted the green to feel soft and natural against the wall, while the darker, stronger tone of the island gives the kitchen a solid focal point," explains Michelle. "Together they create contrast without either color becoming overpowering."

Above the island, green glass pendants introduce green in a more translucent form. "They create a warm, atmospheric glow above the bar, complementing the more functional lighting provided by the three Serax spotlights placed in a row alongside them," she adds. "We like combining functional lighting with more decorative pieces to create different layers of light."

11. Go Pale but Make it Interesting

Too sassy for safe cashmeres and creams, but not quite ready for dark greens? Pale sage hits a very useful sweet spot in this Neptune kitchen, running across cabinetry, paneling and walls for a proper wash of color. Pale it may be, wishy-washy it is not.

"Sitting between a warm and cool tone, sage works comfortably as a neutral without dulling the space," agrees Fred Horlock, Design Director at Neptune. Sage’s muted character also makes it easier to use in volume. "The subdued, timeless feel of Neptune’s Sage paint works well in a busy environment like a kitchen, as its soft tones create a calming environment," he adds.

As ever, the antidote to all that softness is texture. "When using any pale green on the cabinets or walls, pair with different textures and materials to add warmth and interest without overwhelming the look; try light oak furniture, rattan lighting or wicker baskets, with brass hardware to elevate the look," Fred advises. In short, we’re calling it — sage green kitchens are still in style.

12. Let Lacquer Deepen the Green

Dark green looks far more interesting when the finish has a little luminosity. Lacquer gives color depth and subtle movement as light travels across the surface, which is exactly what makes the Empire Green cabinetry in Alessandro Moriconi’s French Riviera scheme feel so rich rather than flat.

Moriconi specified bespoke doors edged with rope-like moldings inspired by nautical detailing and Provençal basketry, adding another layer of shadow and texture. Black burgundy stone across the countertops and backsplash pushes the green darker still, while neatly absorbing the Lacanche range into the composition. A gray travertine-lined opening to the dining room cools everything down, making the kitchen feel like part of a bigger decorative story rather than a standalone color moment.

13. Go All In on Botanicals

Green cabinetry is only the beginning here, with leafy wallpaper and flower-like glass pendants taking the garden theme right up to the ceiling. The generous sweep of pattern gives this narrow kitchen an immersive feel, while solid cabinet fronts provide that hearty dose of green.

"This kitchen was designed for a client who is an herbalist and passionate about nature, so green felt like a very natural choice," says Emma Joy, co-founder of Studio Farra. "Of all the colors, green has perhaps the strongest connection to the natural world, which makes it particularly lovely to use in a kitchen, where you’re cooking and working with fresh ingredients, from colorful vegetables to seasonal fruits. We chose Stable Green by Paint & Paper Library, a deep, earthy shade that works beautifully with the Arts and Crafts character of the house and the botanical wallpaper."

Before committing to a similarly deep shade, try samples alongside your kitchen wallpaper and countertop materials, checking the combination in daylight and under your evening lighting.

"What I particularly like about using a darker green on kitchen cabinetry is how it changes throughout the day. In natural light, you pick up more of its green tones, while in the evening it becomes much richer and moodier," adds Emma. "Here, the contrast with the pale stone worktops and the colors in the wallpaper gives the kitchen plenty of character without making the space feel too dark or enclosed."

So, if you’re still nervously typing is green overdone into your search bar, these kitchens should give your fingers, and brain, a rest. Save that energy for choosing your shade (matcha green kitchen anyone?) — that’s where the real deliberation begins.

And for more design ideas for your kitchen and beyond, subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter, and all the latest will be delivered directly to your inbox.

Nobody is disputing the appeal of a kitchen-diner. You can cook while catching up, keep friends within wine-pouring distance and, crucially, actively enjoy the evening you’ve spent all day prepping for. Fitting everything in, however, can feel like a particularly high-stakes game of Tetris — especially when you’d quite like to open the oven without asking a dinner guest to move.

Different types of kitchen layouts create different opportunities for eating together. A long, narrow room might suit a table beyond the cooking zone; a wider footprint could accommodate dining alongside an island. A built-in bench can make a sociable spot out of an otherwise awkward corner. Your room’s size and shape will help steer you towards the right arrangement, but working out the best kitchen-diner ideas always involves giving the dining element as much attention as the kitchen itself. That means comfortable seating, flattering lighting, and enough space to get up without negotiating with three other people.

These popular kitchen-diner layouts show how to bring the whole arrangement together, so your kitchen isn’t compromised by dining or vice versa. Here's how interior designers make them work. Getting your guests to leave will be another problem entirely…

1. One-Wall for the Win

One-wall kitchen layouts leave room for a generous dining table without an island guzzling up space. At A.LONDON’s Hertford Street project, that suits a home where the social calendar is rife with dinner parties and entertaining.

"With the kitchen occupying one wall of the main living space, we wanted to soften its functional appearance and create a room that felt equally suited to dining and entertaining," explains Edward Bishop, interior designer at A.LONDON. "The freestanding dark timber table becomes the focal point, complemented by sculptural ceramic pendants."

Behind it, the kitchen’s orderly layout does more than look pleasing. "The existing arrangement places the cooking area centrally between two banks of full-height cabinetry, creating a strong sense of symmetry while accommodating essential storage and the apartment’s mechanical and electrical services," he adds. "We built on this balanced composition through the decorative treatment, using richly veined marble, carefully styled open shelves and a restrained palette to give the kitchen a more furniture-like quality, in keeping with the wider living space."

Borrow the approach by giving the kitchen the same decorative attention as the dining area, then check the less glamorous logistics: enough countertop for prep and room to open appliances behind occupied chairs.

2. End on a Breakfast Spot

A double galley layout’s long sightline deserves something good at the end, and this little breakfast setup delivers as a wonderful kitchen-diner idea. A fluted pedestal table and cushioned window seat give this long, narrow kitchen a café feel, with great odds of getting your favorite spot!

"The kitchen has a separate dining room adjacent to it, so we wanted to create a more informal breakfast area within the kitchen itself," says Tabitha Organ, founder of Tabitha Isobel. "The existing bay window provided a natural spot for this, allowing us to make use of the architecture while creating a lovely place to sit, enjoy a morning coffee and look out over the garden."

Making that invitation to linger work alongside a busy kitchen took some strategic appliance positioning. "We positioned the main appliances, including the fridge and dishwasher, along one side of the galley, together with the bins, to keep the practical elements of the kitchen in one area," explains Tabitha. "This helps to organize movement through the space, while the breakfast area at the far end remains easily accessible without getting in the way of cooking and preparation."

As a planning benchmark for double galley kitchens, allow at least 42 inches (107cm) between opposing work surfaces for one cook, or 48 inches (122cm) for multiple cooks. When adding dining, always check the route with any freestanding chairs pulled out: fetching a second coffee should be an easy trip, not an obstacle course.

3. Run Table and Island together

Placing a dining table parallel to a kitchen island keeps cooking and eating within conversational reach, with stools for those stopping by and proper chairs for those staying for dinner. In this kitchen by Laura Stephens, the positioning also gives the cook a particularly good outlook.

"The owner is a keen cook and wanted to be able to stand at the hob on the island and face the dining table, with the sofa beyond, so that she could cook while chatting to family and friends," explains Laura. "She also didn’t want to have her back to the garden, which lies beyond the dining table."

Making both seating areas comfortable comes down to planning the gap with everyone in position. "We allowed 1.5 meters between the island and dining table, which gives the space room to function comfortably when both are in use," says Laura. "It was important to consider how the kitchen would work when it was busy, rather than simply measuring the gap between the island and table when everything was pushed in."

With people sitting at the island and around the dining table, you still want to be able to move through the space without it feeling cramped or having to constantly ask someone to move their chair. "The parallel arrangement creates a clear, practical route through the kitchen-diner while keeping the island and dining table close enough to feel connected and sociable," adds Laura.

4. Position Dining Beyond the Island

Placing dining beyond an island in a kitchen-diner makes good use of a long room, especially when there’s a window worth settling beside. In her own home, interior designer Jess Cooney turned a former formal dining room into a kitchen, with walnut cabinetry leading towards an oval table and cushioned bench.

"The dining area at the end under the windows was a large cabinet originally. It was a great spot to add a long bench instead, then put an oval table there with a few chairs around," says Jess. "That space is light-filled and the best spot to sit and have breakfast."

Getting the proportions right meant planning the island and dining furniture together. "We gave four feet from the end of the island to the end of the table to pull a chair in and out and navigate around the space," she explains. "The scale of the island is balanced by the space around it, leaving at least four feet to each countertop on either side."

The long room also benefits from a few curves. "We used rounded fixtures over the island and breakfast nook to break up the long, straight runs of lines," says Jess. "We also put the large refrigerator in the pantry and used fridge drawers in the island to create more of a “hotel vibe” in the big, open, light-filled space, and we love it!"

5. Try a Split-Level Island Layout

Joining a dining table to an island puts serving space within arm’s reach and removes the need for an aisle between two freestanding pieces, so it can work well in small kitchens. In this project by Ina Rinderknecht, the timber tabletop also echoes the surrounding cabinetry, giving the spectacular marble a more relaxed companion.

"This solution gives the family a warm, comfortable dining space without the feel of a conventional bar counter or worktop experience," says Ina. "The marble worktop is set at a comfortable height of 93cm, while the integrated dining table sits at 74cm. The table is secured to the stone island by a concealed internal support structure and rests on a single leg, leaving the space beneath largely unobstructed so the chairs can be moved easily around it."

The trade-off is flexibility: an attached table can’t simply shuffle sideways when extra guests arrive. Alternatively, a freestanding design butted against the island gives you the option to pull it out or extend it when friends descend. Whatever you do, plan the seating capacity early and preserve an easy route around the outer end, particularly if it leads to busy exit routes.

6. Build a Banquette Into the Island

An island with built-in banquette seating brings everyone together for dinner without making the table compete with the kitchen for floor space. In this collaboration between Blakes London and Joanna Williams Interiors, combining cooking and dining in one substantial piece solved a problem with the room’s proportions.

"This rectangular room was too narrow to accommodate a kitchen island as well as a dining table," explains Annie Burrows, lead designer at Blakes London. Backing the bench onto the island removed the need for chair pull-out space on that side, making plenty of room for both.

Specify the cabinetry, upholstery and table together, allowing for seat depth, backrest thickness and knee room, plus clearance for the loose chairs opposite. A pedestal table, as used here, helps people slide along without negotiating a forest of legs.

If you’re considering a cooktop directly behind kitchen island seating, plan its setback and the relationship between hot pans, countertop and upholstered backrest. A successful kitchen-diner is a comfortable place to linger, with the cooking safely on its own side.

7. Zone Dining With a Low Partition

A structural column in the middle of your new kitchen extension might not feature on the mood board, but in this project by Cor Domi, it gave the layout its direction. "Once we’d opened up the back of the house and added the side infill, it had to stay where it was to hold up the floors above," explains Greg Daulby, senior designer at Cor Domi. "We didn’t want to just box it in and pretend it wasn’t there, so we worked the layout around it instead."

The column now sits within a low partition, with a curved tan leather banquette tucked alongside it. Oak and brass detailing give the dining corner a suitably dressed-up finish, while continuous polished concrete flooring connects it to the kitchen.

"We worked out the partition height from sightlines; that way it screens the worktop from the table, but you can still talk to whoever’s cooking," says Greg. "For the seating, the table overlaps the front of the bench by about 100mm so nobody’s reaching and the curve and the pedestal base mean people can slide in from either side without getting trapped at the end."

That roughly four-inch overlap is a useful project reference, but you should also consider bench depth, back cushions, and table height, as they’ll all affect comfort levels in a banquette scenario.

8. Make Dining Open-Plan

An open-plan kitchen-diner makes spending time together easy, especially when cooking and eating have their own clearly defined zones. In this project by Kate Guinness, a wide opening connects the spaces while retaining enough wall to frame the view and give each area its own identity.

"We wanted to ensure that moving from stove to table was as easy as possible, so the dining area was located directly next to the kitchen with the seating area to the right, just out of shot," recalls Kate Guinness, founder of Kate Guinness Design. "We introduced a peninsula to the kitchen to provide some definition between areas without restricting movement and giving as much storage as possible. This also allowed for some stool seating for more casual eating/drinking/chatting."

The existing opening couldn’t be widened because it adjoins the staircase enclosure, but shared wood flooring and repeated timber finishes strengthen the connection. Meanwhile, a rug beneath the dining table marks out its territory without adding another physical boundary.

If you’re going for a similar open-plan space, choose furniture and cabinetry together, and check the route through the opening with dining chairs pulled out and stools occupied. Keep the peninsula clear of that passage and check that its doors and drawers can open without blocking walkways.

9. Separate With a Peninsula

A galley kitchen layout with a peninsula makes an efficient kitchen-diner, keeping the cooking zone compact and dinner within easy reach. In Martin Brudnizki’s own Sussex apartment, the peninsula forms one of two parallel kitchen runs, placing the sink opposite the cooking area and presenting a smart paneled face to the dining table.

Attached at one end, it needs fewer circulation routes than a freestanding island. "It works a bit like a counter in a restaurant, allowing those not partaking in the cooking to watch the theater of it instead," explains Martin.

To borrow the layout, allow enough room within the galley for bending to the oven and opening drawers, then plan dining-chair clearance separately on the other side. Keep the approach around the peninsula’s free end clear, positioning the dishwasher so its open door won’t block the route. Reserve a stretch of countertop near the table for plating up and passing dishes across.

Green cabinetry, peach walls and a spirited display of plates give the working side of this kitchen just as much decorative attention as the dining area. "Interiors should be beautiful and exciting, but they also have to function and be practical," says Martin. "I think this kitchen embodies that principle."

10. Try a J-Shaped Kitchen Layout

A J-shaped layout packs the working kitchen along one long wall and around the far end, leaving the main floor open for a generous dining table. In Suzy Hoodless’ west London home, that extended run provides cooking and prep space, while the sink sits beneath the window and a short return completes the tucked-away working zone. Red Børge Mogensen chairs bring a shot of color to the central ash table.

Leading off the living room, the kitchen balances everyday family life with space to entertain. Keeping the table at its center means the same generous surface can host homework, an impromptu lunch or a full dinner spread for 10, with pendant lights giving the dining a clear focus.

To make a J-shaped layout work, give the short return a specific job. It can provide extra prep space or storage, but its length needs to leave an easy route into the far end of the kitchen. Plan the corners carefully, checking that drawers and appliance doors on adjoining runs can open without clashing. Keep frequently used items within easy reach along the straight sections.

For more ideas to make your kitchen a sociable dining space, these are the five things interior designers always include in eat-in kitchens that also hides the mess when hosting.

And for more design ideas, subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

When I first heard about the KitchenAid Luminaire, I'll be honest, I was a touch dubious. I mean, has anyone ever really needed their stand mixer to glow in the dark? It all seemed a bit gimmicky to me. But as soon as I saw it in the flesh, glimmering in all of its glory, I knew I'd be eating my words.

You don't have to be a pro baker to know that KitchenAid is one of the best kitchen appliance brands out there. It's the Rolls-Royce of stand mixers, known for its quality, performance, and longevity; you'd be hard-pressed to find a chef who doesn't swear by one. Renowned for quality, yes, but it's not quality alone that's secured KitchenAid its cult-like following; for many, it's all about that iconic design.

First developed back in 1936, the original KitchenAid was designed by Egmont Arens, designer and editor of Vanity Fair, and little has changed in the 60-plus years since. Of course, there have been tweaks and adjustments along the way, but the core design has remained practically unaltered. So, when KitchenAid introduces something new, we take notice. And this glow-in-the-dark, shimmering mixer was pretty hard to ignore.

In many ways, I was probably the prime target for this product — one of the few things I love more than baking is looking at pretty things, and this piece combines my two loves with ease. But, as I've had to remind myself, all that glitters is not gold, and are good looks alone enough to make this product worth it? I put it to the test to find out.

First Impressions

When I think of my childhood modern kitchen, a bright, cherry-red KitchenAid is one of the first images that springs to mind. It was a fixture in my home, always on display, so I wasn't convinced that a new machine could improve on its iconic appeal. However, as soon as I pulled it out of its box and was met with that softly shimmering blue finish, I was won over.

The brand-new finish, Peppercorn Blue, was described as having a 'velvet-like crinkle finish', a textural contrast to the typical ultra-smooth finish we find on KitchenAids. As such, I expected some sort of dimensionality and tactility to it, and, truthfully, I wasn't expecting to like it much. So it was a shock to me that the finish ended up being one of the things I like the most about this product. What the description doesn't capture is the softly shimmering effect this velvet-like crinkle brings.

But this shimmering blue finish is just the warm-up act for the main event: the glowing LED lights integrated within the machine. This is the real selling point, and it's easy to see why. The classic stainless steel bowl is replaced with a fluted glass design, which, when combined with the integrated bowl light, casts a glorious pattern of shadows and light atop your worktops.

It's a lovely, soft, calming shade of blue, too, and when paired with the glowing bowl and the shimmering finish, it looked to me like what Cinderella's dress might look like as a kitchen appliance — the belle of the ball in stand mixers.

What It's Like To Use

Not one to miss an opportunity to make a mess of my kitchen, I immediately put this beauty of a mixer to good use. In order to get a thorough and accurate view of how it is to use, I made a variety of different bakes, testing all the attachments to see how it fared at each task.

Whether it was whipping up a fluffy cream cheese frosting or saving me the arm workout of kneading my sourdough, the KitchenAid Luminaire made every step an absolute breeze.

My last KitchenAid experience was with a machine that my parents had been gifted for their wedding, so it's safe to say there had been quite a few advancements in the 30 years since then, perhaps most notably with the speed selections. Although I never found myself struggling with the old model's speed setting, which ranged from 1-10 in increments of 2, the new and improved settings you'll find with their Artisan Plus mixers are undeniably impressive.

Not only are there an impressive 11 preset speeds available, but for even more control, a simple twist of the knob allows you to switch over to Precision Speed Control, so you can adjust the speed to suit your needs exactly. There's even a handy half-speed setting, perfect for working with the most delicate batters.

The mixer comes with a classic whisk attachment, flat beater, dough hook, and a clever silicone-wrapped beater that scrapes down the bowl as you go; pretty much everything you could ever need for your stand mixer. If you did want even more from your machine, though, this design is compatible with a wide range of KitchenAid add-ons, including a meat grinder and a pasta maker.

The LED light, one of this design's selling points, doesn't just serve an aesthetic purpose; it also comes in surprisingly handy while you're baking, especially if your kitchen lighting leaves something to be desired. It makes the interior of your bowl far easier to see, allowing you to keep track of the state of your batter with far more ease.

It's speedy, smooth, and powerful, all without feeling remotely intimidating or overwhelming to use.

Is The KitchenAid Luminaire Worth It?

Ok, so now let's get into the nitty-gritty: is the KitchenAid Luminaire worth it?

As you can likely tell, I was very much a fan of this machine, but that isn't to say I thought it was entirely without fault.

My one real gripe with this design actually came down to the beautiful fluted glass bowl. Positioned as the selling point, and the reason behind the beautiful illuminated effect it offers, it's the one feature I wasn't completely sold on. Compared to the stainless steel bowl you'd find with a classic KitchenAid, this bowl was considerably heavier, especially when filled with dough or batter, and it made it feel slightly more precarious than I would've liked.

The original bowls came fitted with a sturdy handle, which made transferring the contents into their respective baking vessel relatively easy, but without the grip offered by a handle, I found myself feeling slightly nervous as I attempted to empty the batter from the bowl into the baking tin. There are two lips on either side, which are easy enough to hold on to, but because this large bowl has such a considerable weight to it, it's not really a one-handed task.

There was also something quite nice about the seemingly indestructible nature of a metal bowl, and although I didn't run into any problems, I did find myself feeling slightly nervous about the relative fragility of this fluted glass design.

Despite this, I must admit that the glass design did have its benefits too. Of course, the magnificent patterns of light it cast along my kitchen worktops were the obvious one, but I also enjoyed the fact that I could see exactly what was going on with my batter at any point, and could keep a close eye on any patches that had not been properly incorporated yet.

Finally, to address the elephant in the room, yes, this machine is expensive. At £899, there's no pretending this is a budget purchase. It's a luxury item, and it carries a luxury price tag. But whether or not this machine is worth the cost really comes down to what you're looking for.

It's important to note that the classic Artisan Plus design, which offers all the same features except for the fluted glass bowl and sparkling blue finish, is considerably less expensive, at £699. So, if you're mainly concerned about performance, I would probably suggest sticking to that. However, if you're looking for a complete showstopper design that you'd feel proud to have on full display in your kitchen, it may be worth splashing the extra cash and opting for the gorgeous KitchenAid Luminaire.

After years of trying to keep all our appliances as hidden from view as possible, perhaps the next kitchen appliance trend is all about moving in the opposite direction and embracing hyper-aesthetic appliances that demand to be displayed.

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Japanese homes are designed to exude calm energy. In a culture where seasonal ingredients, hearty meals, and home cooking play a crucial role, the kitchen has a reputation for being cleverly organized.

From considering each container, refraining from buying organizers without decluttering first, using cookware that can have a seat at the table, prioritizing counter space for frequently used items, and ensuring every item has a purpose — these are the kitchen storage rules to borrow from Japanese kitchens.

It'll help you restore peace to your kitchen and prepare it for the busy hosting season ahead.

1. Stop Overloading Storage as a Solution

Although the instinct before a season of entertaining is to buy kitchen organizers, interior designer Yoko Kloeden tells me that it isn't always wise to overload your culinary space.

"Japanese kitchens never had that option. On a footprint most British and American cooks would find unworkable, every container has to justify itself," she says. "Before you add storage, take one shelf and ask what each thing on it is for."

Seasonally decluttering your kitchen cabinets will save you both money and space.

2. Every Container Should Have a Job

Organizing your food storage based on its task is a simple lesson that goes a long way in any kitchen.

"Dried goods and tea go into paulownia boxes, also known as kiri. The wood is porous enough to buffer humidity and carries natural insect repellents, which is why museums store textiles in it," Yoko advises.

"A clear plastic box does one thing — it lets you see in. So, it's important to choose your organizers based on what the material does to the contents."

3. Give Anything You Reach for Mid-Cooking Its Own Vessel

If you look at any chef's kitchen design, you'll notice that the layout makes a major difference to the running of the space. And this doesn't apply solely to the counters of the space, but even to the spices and utensils you often reach for.

"Salt and sugar clump, so they live in ceramic jars rather than the bags they arrived in. Cooked rice goes into an ohitsu, a lidded ceramic pot that draws off steam so the grains do not turn wet," says Yoko.

"The same goes for anything you open repeatedly. Decanting is not about matching jars. It is about a lid you can lift with one hand." And that's why I always favor easy-to-handle pieces, like this Marble Salt Jar from H&M.

4. Buy Cookware You Can Put on the Table

"The idea Nakagawa returns to is ichibutsu tayō — one object, many uses. A porcelain vessel stores leftovers, reheats them, and goes to the table. A bowl in porous, flameproof clay sits straight on the burner and is carried through still bubbling," Yoko notes.

"This quality is what earns its keep when you are feeding a family or a table of guests. It means fewer transfers, less to wash, and food that arrives hot because it never left the pot."

In design-led homes, dopamine decor cookware takes this lesson one step further.

5. Leave Out Only What Passes Both Tests

"Nakagawa calls this dashite totonou, 出して整う — out, and in order. An object earns its place on the counter if it is used daily and has presence," says Yoko. "Think a shigaraki stoneware utensil holder or a row of condiment jars. Branded packaging fails the second test and goes in a box."

Tasuku Ogino, executive vice president of Nakagawa, calls the result merihari. "This translates to a deliberate contrast." And it's a concept of visual decluttering that instantly calms the space.

If you're all set on storage but your kitchen needs some clearing out, the Japanese 5S method will help you ditch the clutter.

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It's easy to obsess over your kitchen design. From countertops to hardware to cabinetry, there are seemingly endless options to pore over, each one offering a slightly different effect. Yet, with all these options, there seems to be one crucial design element we've all overlooked: the floor.

All too often, kitchen flooring is an afterthought, a practical decision that rarely receives the time and attention it deserves. Some boring variation of wood or a plain, neutral stone; it's generally treated as little more than a backdrop for the rest of your kitchen design. Which is exactly why so many kitchens end up feeling rather lacklustre. Throw some color on those floors, though, and it's a whole different story. Suddenly, your kitchen springs to life, emanating a bold confidence that a classic floor finish never could. It's a simple move that sets your kitchen apart and makes it feel truly original.

There's a certain cool nonchalance to a brightly colored kitchen floor. It's impactful without trying too hard. And in this neutral-dominated design climate, there's something quietly rebellious about integrating color in such an integral, permanent way. Whether you opt for a pastel pink, poured-concrete base, or a sleek, red linoleum finish, there are countless ways to make this look your own; these are a few of our favorite ways to make the most of a kitchen's '6th wall'.

1. Bauhaus Brightness

Inspired by Steinholzestrich, a flooring finish found in many buildings in the former German Democratic Republic, including the iconic Bauhaus building, Gisbert Poeppler modernized this historic design feature, opting for a neon red linoleum for this modern kitchen, as opposed to the cement mix of the original material.

"We were drawn not only to the distinctive colors of these floors, but also to how naturally they belonged to their surroundings," explains Gisbert of the classic Bauhaus color. "With the red linoleum, we wanted to reference this history while translating it into a contemporary and welcoming atmosphere."

Although red can often be thought of as an intensely bold, powerful color, in this home, it provides a surprisingly comforting base. "Unlike traditional tiles or a concrete floor, the red linoleum brings warmth to the space and creates a cozy atmosphere," explains Gisbert.

In this room, where natural light was limited, the floor provides its own kind of sunny warmth, adding an energy that it could have otherwise lacked.

The bright red floor sets this kitchen apart from the average kitchen, but this is exactly what Gisbert wanted. It wasn't meant to be a 'conventional working kitchen' but rather a social gathering space, with a welcoming, playful energy. "The colorful floor reinforces this character and gives the space its own distinct identity."

Contrasted with the rich, royal blue painted ceiling, the kitchen is designed as a sandwich of intense primary colors, with a bright, neutral base sitting in between. "For us, the key is to create an overall atmosphere that feels coherent without being too perfect or overly designed."

2. Pastel Pink Edge

Proving pastel pink doesn't have to be overly flouncy or feminine, in this home, pink concrete floors add softness to this cool, industrial design kitchen extension.

For Dickon Hayward, from Material Works Architecture, this flooring style provided a relief to the warm, natural materials that dominated the kitchen. "We looked at different ways we could bring a contrasting color and extra warmth to the space," explains Dickon. "When we found a sample of the pink concrete flooring and showed it against the other proposed materials, it was an obvious win."

In this light-filled space, where exposed-timber beams and raw plaster walls provide the core material palette, the soft pink floor helps ease the utilitarian nature of the space. While in some rooms a colorful kitchen floor acts alongside the other colors in the design, in this home, it becomes the focus. "We used it more as an accent feature against a neutral backdrop — where it can really pop, define a distinct character for the space, and become a conversation piece," says Dickon.

It adds a sense of depth that can often get lost beneath the clean lines and straight edges. In contrast to the textured finishes of plaster and oak, the poured concrete flooring feels smooth and consistent. "For us, it’s all about getting the right balance of texture and color — thinking about the space as a whole and developing a balance that is stylish and contemporary but also warm, natural, and welcoming."

3. Minty-Fresh Foundations

In this home, the idea for a colorful floor in the kitchen actually came from the homeowners' impressive collection of Jadeite dishware, a feature that became central to the design, displayed on a suspended plate rack along the wall.

Wanting to further highlight the milky green tones of the jade dishes, designer Tim Cuppett, from Cuppett Kilpatrick, opted for a minty, pale green Marmoleum sheet flooring, a beautiful echo of the unique shade.

In this newly-built kitchen extension, Tim was keen to bring a more vintage feel to the space, making it more cohesive with the 20th-century home it's attached to. It was with this in mind that Tim chose this flooring: "This particular color recalls early modern design to me; we imagined the kitchen to be a mid-century addition to an early 20th-century home."

With neutral kitchen colors used across the cabinetry, this mint tone becomes the predominant color in the space, repeated across the dishware, the floors, and in the Patrick Pucket painting on the far wall.

4. Milan-Inspired Vibrance

When we think of white kitchen cabinetry, more often than not, the image is one of a bleak, minimalist kitchen. Ruined by the spaceship white kitchen of the early 2000s, this look has been somewhat of a no-go for modern kitchens in recent years. However, as this kitchen proves, there are times when a bright white cabinet is exactly what a kitchen needs.

In this space [above], it provides a necessary point of contrast to the boldness of the rest of the design. The two elements need each other; without the blue floors, the white cabinets could seem sterile and dull, and with a colorful cabinet finish, the blue floors would be fighting for attention, making the whole space feel suffocating.

Hannah McKnight, from Fawn Galli Interiors, knew the bright blue floors would have to be the star of the show. "A colorful floor gives a kitchen depth and a jolt of color," she says. And to allow it to shine, the rest of the space had to feel markedly restrained. "I like that contrast: something unexpected within a room that still feels light and airy. The surrounding materials and softer colors are what give the bold color room to work."

In this Upper West Side apartment, Hannah blends the original, prewar features with a bolder, more contemporary design style, drawing on mid-century modern designs to develop a transitional style that feels like a natural fit in this impressive New York home.

It would be easy to write this style off as hyper-modern, almost futuristic in effect, but, as Hannah says, "This project shows how well it can work in a kitchen that mixes classic and contemporary elements. The apartment kept its prewar character, while the kitchen brought together custom cabinetry, marble, subway tile, a Saarinen table, and vintage chairs. The blue floor is part of that mix of old and new."

5. Tension in Turquoise

With warm wood cabinets and elegant marble countertops, this kitchen could very easily have stuck with a traditional flooring style and passed by as just another stylishly neutral design. However, with the addition of the turquoise tiles, this space is elevated far beyond the average kitchen, becoming something far more interesting.

"In the kitchen, the oak and marble create a warm, restrained base, while the turquoise ceramic floor introduces a more unexpected sense of tension and energy," says Samantha Hauvette, one of the founders of Hauvette and Madani.

The floor color allows the otherwise simple design to develop a deeper sense of character and depth than a neutral floor would have allowed for. It highlights the texture and warmth of the wood, making the minimalist kitchen design feel more intentional and considered.

It comes back to Samantha's approach to decorating with color. Instead of allowing the colors to lead the space, in her projects, she uses color to accentuate. "We like the idea of color acting as punctuation rather than as an overly obvious decorative gesture," she explains. At Hauvette and Madani, colors are chosen based on how they interact with the existing materials and architecture, allowing the home to choose the colors, rather than forcing a space to adapt to a new color palette.

There's no interest in following design rules here; color is incorporated based on intuition, finding what works for the space most honestly rather than simply following what others would do. So while many would have opted for a colorful tiled backsplash, Samantha found she preferred a different approach. "On the floor, it anchors the space and influences the entire atmosphere, while allowing the walls and other materials to remain calmer," she explains. "It is quite a subtle way of introducing a bold color: it has a strong presence, yet still feels integrated into the architecture."

Colorful floor not your thing? Perhaps you'll have better luck with the fifth wall, and our collection of designer-approved kitchen ceiling colors is a great source of inspiration.

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With 1.2 million followers, 3 multi-million businesses, a podcast, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 feature under her belt, it's safe to say that Grace Beverley is no stranger to hard work. So tackling a full-home renovation while carrying her first child was just another project for her to take on head-first. But, of course, multitasking has never been much of a problem for Grace. Right from the start, when she was still known as GraceFitUK, Grace built her following by posting about her fitness journey while juggling a degree at Oxford.

Since then, Grace has pretty much become the poster girl for productivity. So much so that when she first announced her brand of daily planners, The Productivity Method, there was a 75,000-person waiting list before the product even launched. It's no surprise then that Grace approached this modern home renovation with the same focus and determination. Ever the over-achiever, Grace tells me, "I made a 60-page deck for Louise and Matt at Studio Braw, going room by room with all my visual inspiration and practical requests." Luckily, for the team at Studio Braw, this clarity only made their job easier.

Together, they set out to transform a modern, if slightly soulless kitchen into a rich, warm family space. Shiny white cabinets and straight, sharp lines were swapped out for natural materials and a vintage-inspired feel. The finished result is exactly as Grace envisioned: inviting, timeless, and cozy — another resounding success for the influencer-turned-entrepreneur to add to the list.

The Brief

When designing a space from scratch, the best approach isn't always to dive straight in with material swatches and color ideas. Sometimes, starting with a vision of the way you want to live in the space and the duties you'd like it to fulfil can be a more helpful starting point. And for Grace, that vision was clear from the jump.

"We absolutely love hosting, so I knew from the start that the kitchen and dining area had to be a really homey social space," she tells me. Even prior to the renovation, the large, open-plan kitchen layout made a natural fit for a hosting home, but with the harsh, sterile finishes and sharp corners, it wasn't exactly an ideal design for the expecting mother.

With this in mind, Grace and Louise from Studio Braw set out to find a way to maintain this large, social layout while adding all the warmth and character that the original design lacked.

Although there is certainly still an audience for the minimalist kitchen look, for Grace, it couldn't be further from her taste. "I've always been drawn to homes and hotels with character and unique pieces rather than pure minimalism, so I wanted the kitchen to feel warm and collected rather than brand new," she explains.

While kitchen trends were once dominated by the spotless minimalism of an all-white design, nowadays, people are increasingly seeking spaces with more depth, with natural materials and traditional kitchen features at the forefront.

But while these finishes are undeniably present in the design zeitgeist of today, this was not what drew Louise towards these choices. "We tried to steer away from anything too trendy or fashionable," she explains. Instead, they were looking for something a little bit more timeless.

Looking beyond their direct surroundings, when developing this design Louise and Grace found themselves drawing inspiration from their travels, taking a more global approach to the space.

Classic European-style kitchens were a definite point of reference here, as seen through the grand, impressive proportions and unique, vintage finds scattered throughout. France, in particular, provided ample inspiration, with Grace saying, "I love French design and wanted to use as many vintage pieces as possible."

Having spent months curating 60 pages' worth of ideas for Louise to draw from, Grace was able to build more clarity around her own personal style, figuring out what worked for her, even if it wasn't what everyone was doing online.

With such a large, loyal following, it can be hard not to be swayed by outside opinions, but ultimately, Grace knew that when it came to her home, the most important opinion was her own. "When I asked my Instagram followers, almost everyone told me to go for light wood, but I went with dark, and I'm so happy I did."

The Process

At first glance, this dark wooden kitchen could easily pass as a rich, storied period property, with all the detailed millwork and natural materials; the look is more Edwardian home than it is modern new-build. And when you see what the space was like before, with its glossy finishes and white cabinetry, it's hard to believe they could be the same home. This is, of course, a testament to the level of detail and care put into this design. Looking at it now, it's hard to imagine anything having come before it.

Not only does it feel like such a natural use of the space, but there's an illusion of history with this design, as if it had been there forever. And Louise agrees, "The home pre-renovation was the complete opposite of the final design."

What's most impressive is how few structural changes had to be made to accomplish such a total and complete transformation. "The location of the kitchen did not change with the exception of the cooker, as we had a very tight deadline and were unable to move multiple different services," explains the designer.

Although the modernity of the original design wasn't exactly in line with Grace's style, what drew her to the home in the first place was the open, social layout, perfect for building her family home, and this provided a strong foundation for the team to build from, without having to make too many major changes. As Louise says, "The original space, which was aesthetically very different, was a warm family home — I think that is the only element that informed the space we created for Grace."

But while the major structural works were kept to a minimum and the layout remained broadly unchanged, the same can't be said for much else in the room.

"The space was completely transformed — the only element that remained was the timber floor, and even that was stained a different color," says Louise. The kitchen island, cabinetry, and all the appliances were removed in favor of something more in line with Grace's style.

Across the design, the ultimate goal was creating a space that went beyond trends, finding a style that felt truly timeless. Grace was searching for a home that could stand the test of time, and, as Louise says, "The decorative door fronts, choice of rich dark timber, the plinth around the base of the kitchen, large farmhouse kitchen table, ticking stripe from Penny Morrison on the banquette seating and the antique Georgian glazed unit all contribute to that feeling."

The Design

"Hosting was a huge part of the brief, so the open-plan layout was designed for gathering, with a big rustic reclaimed wood table from Pepper Mill Interiors and banquette seating from The House Upstairs, so there's always room for more people," explains Grace.

But a complete home renovation wasn't the only major change Grace was going through during this period: "We were also expecting our daughter during the renovation, so we spent a lot of time thinking about our routines once she arrived and how we'd move through the space as a family." The design was, of course, informed by this new life stage, with all the appropriate additions a new baby requires. "Every room had to be baby-proofed," says Grace.

A new child and a new home would, one would imagine, be quite a lot to juggle, but now she's out the other side, Grace says, "Now we’re in, and she’s here; I’m so excited for our first Christmas here together."

An open-plan kitchen and dining room, with both bar seating and a larger, banquette-style dining table, this kitchen was thoughtfully designed to offer a number of different seating opportunities, with a communal, social feel running across the space.

Instead of a traditional, straight run of bar stools for the kitchen island seating, they opted for a more social L-formation, explaining that "for small dinners or date night this set up feels more romantic." From there, they chose to shift the dining table to sit parallel to the kitchen, allowing for open, easy communication between guests and the host, even when you're running slightly late putting dinner on the table.

The dark timber cabinetry formed the primary palette for this space. "The other materials were chosen to complement the dark timber," explains Louise. "The hardware is the Greenwich range from Hendel and Hendel, and the finish is burnished brass waxed — this is a living finish that will continue to patina over time." And this worn, rustic metallic finish is carried through to the tap and pot filler, both from family-run British business, Bidbury.

To make the traditional, vintage-inspired joinery feel cohesive, Louise sought out other vintage features. "The Georgian glazed unit was a standout piece for us," she says. "This was paired with the ceramic and silk wall lights as well as the mirror to keep the space feeling fresh and cool."

For the kitchen worktops, they chose a beautiful Taj Mahal quartzite, a robust natural stone, the same beauty as marble but with far more durability.

Though this was firmly not a minimalist kitchen, this by no means meant this was a clutter-friendly space. "We kept the surfaces clear as far as possible, as well as displaying glassware behind glass doors. We included a small shelf for Grace’s cookbooks. We also included a pantry that houses all of the day-to-day appliances — coffee machine, toaster, etc. This has bifold doors, so it can be open during the day but closed to hide everything if you're hosting."

Shop The Look

If you love the rich intensity of this dark wood kitchen, there's a high chance that you're going to be a fan of the espresso kitchen trend too. It's a beautiful way to get the intensity of a black kitchen, with a whole lot more warmth.

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How many times have you been sprung by a red sock lurking in your whites and been left with pink clothes? Or switched on the oven to cook dinner, got waylaid by another job, and ended up with burnt food? Well, there's a new generation of super-smart appliances that promise to help. The AI-powered kitchen — appliances that 'see' and 'think' for you — has well and truly landed; this year's IFA (Innovation For All) show was packed with futuristic kitchen kits touting big claims about making our lives easier.

Short of sorting your laundry for you or going to the shops to buy food, these new appliances pretty much take care of everything else. Expect ovens with built-in cameras that ensure your food is cooked to perfection and washing machines with three drums so you can get through your laundry at breakneck speed.

Sounds clever, right? But the big question is, are these genuinely genius features you’ll actually use or extra gimmicks to decode and worry about? Because don’t forget these high-tech ovens, hobs, and washing machines all come at a cost. Plus, they will add extra layers of tech to our already tech-laden lives.

The premise is pretty clear, say the appliance brands. This technology takes the guesswork out of cooking and cleaning, making everyday kitchen tasks even easier. The aim is to save you time, cut back on waste, and improve energy efficiency, which all sounds super helpful. But are smarter kitchens the way forward, or are these new appliances just a little bit bonkers and, well, a tad unnecessary?

To help you make up your mind, here are six new things appliances will be able to do in 2027 — and whether I think they’re actually worth it. (As a disclaimer, I haven’t tested any of the appliances; it's just based on my first impressions.)

1. An Oven That 'Cooks for You'

What Is It?

How Does It Work?

The AI camera called Bionicook sees what food you’ve put inside, then automatically adjusts cooking time and temperature for the best results.

The main features include:

• No more guesswork: Rather than you setting the oven and hoping for the best, the AI camera analyzes what food is inside and oversees the cooking process for you
• Promises less burnt or undercooked food: The oven automatically switches off when the food is properly cooked
• Learns your cooking habits: The AI camera learns how you cook and uploads them as presets to your oven
• App-controlled: You can check if your pie is golden or your cake has risen all from your phone
• Matching hob and hood: An induction hob that moves the power to wherever you place your pans and an app-controlled hood for the ultimate smart cooking zone
  
  

Do You Need It?

If you regularly cook roasts and other dishes that need specific timings then, yes — sure. But if you’re a confident cook you probably won't need this level of intervention. The oven also needs to learn how you like certain foods cooked (for example, super crisp roasties or lightly golden Yorkshire puddings), but according to the brand that doesn't take too long.

2. A Dishwasher With 'Eyes'

What Is It?

Miele’s new top-of-the-range dishwasher, the G8C920G Vi OS230, comes with a built-in camera to monitor, wash, and dry your dirty dishes.

It will cost £3,299 and is due to be available from May 2027.

How Does It Work?

AI eyes (called Autovision) 'watch' how full the dishwasher is and detect what sort of items are inside. You stack, close the door, and the machine takes care of everything else, so all you have to do is get ready-to-put-away dishes the next morning.

The main features include:

• Sees what’s inside: The camera uses image processing and AI-based recognition to detect what’s inside the machine and how full it is
• Tweaks the cycle: After seeing what’s in the machine it adjusts the wash and dry. For example, for dirty pots, you’ll get a more intense cycle; for plastic kitchenware it will select a suitable drying temperature
• Ends hand drying: Every pot, bottle and dish is clean, dry and ready to put away
• Automatic detergent dispensing: Releases just the right amount of detergent at just the right point in the programme
• App-based convenience: Timetable your dishwasher to turn on when you want or depending how full it is with the Miele app
  
  

Do I Need It?

Busy households with large mixed loads of dirty dishes (such as lunchboxes, plastic bottles, cutlery, and crockery) will probably benefit most, especially from the drying feature. And if you’re a keen cook, the AI-adjusted wash settings might be handy for tackling greasy pots and pans. But this sort of tech does come at a price (roughly 6.5 times the average price of a dishwasher in the UK).

3. A Three-Drum Washing Machine

What Is It?

How Does It Work?

Haier’s MultiWash has three separate drums in one appliance, so you can wash different laundry loads and different fabrics at the same time. Two mini 1kg drums at the top are perfect for smaller loads like delicate fabrics and sportswear, and there's a larger 10kg drum for everyday laundry.

The main features include:

• Flexibility: You can wash three different laundry loads at the same time, including colors in the main drum and wool in the smaller one. It's rated A for energy efficiency, too
• Space-saving: Fits into a standard washing machine footprint
• Easy installation: A freestanding model that needs just one power connection and one water connection, so a simple upgrade for the machine you already have
• Clear displays: It has light-up control panels. The left drum is controlled independently, while the right display manages the upper drum and the larger drum below
• Connected experience: A dedicated app allows you to monitor and manage your laundry remotely
  
  

Do I Need It?

I really like the look (and sound) of this. Being able to wash three separate loads simultaneously (say, baby clothes, gym kit, or delicates in the mini drum and everyday clothes in the main one). Or, if you have one thing that needs washing but don't want to waste a full wash — you can just use the mini drum. It's pricey, sure, but I think it'll pay dividends in saved water bills (and sanity).

4. A Fridge That Fits an Extra Trolley-Worth of Food

What Is It?

Liebherr’s XL and XXL built-in fridge-freezers allow you to store up to an extra trolley's worth of shopping. They'll be priced from £1,399 and are due to be available at the end of 2026.

How Does It Work?

The big-size fridge-freezers stretch to 194cm high (standard fridges are 178cm tall), giving you way more cooling storage.

The main features include:

• More space for more food: Max out storage so you can do bigger weekly shops (or not shop so often). The XXL fridge offers up to 100 liters of extra storage
• Switch temperature settings: VarioTemp allows the freezer compartment to switch to a fridge or cellar for complete flexibility
• Seamless silhouette: Fully integrated for a sleek, kitchen look — perfect if you don’t want a big freestanding American-style fridge-freezer
• Fresher food: Smart fresh technology to keep food in peak condition for longer
  
  

Do I Need It?

I think large households and bulk shoppers will love the extra capacity. It would be a good option if you’re renovating a smaller kitchen and want built-in appliances that store more food, too.

5. A Washing Machine That Spots the Red Sock

What Is It?

Haier's freestanding Vision 15 washing machine has a camera built into the door to understand what's happening inside the drum. It is set to launch in October 2026 and will cost £1,200.

How Does It Work?

The AI Vision Sense camera detects how many clothes are in the machine and suggests the ideal programme to optimize time, water, and energy consumption. It also flags if mixed colors are in the machine, so if there's a black or red sock in with your whites, it'll let you know. Genius.

The main features include:

• Intelligent washing: AI, advanced sensors, and algorithms work out your laundry load and learn from your washing habits for personalized garment care
• Extra eyes on your laundry: The built-in camera modifies the wash depending on what clothes it can see. It monitors excessive foam and checks if any garments have been trapped or left inside the drum
• Smartphone-style control panel: Full-color interface for a clean user experience
• Energy-efficient: A-75% energy class to help keep electricity bills down
• Matching tumble dryer: The Vision 15 tumble dryer does a 3D scan of your load and adjusts the cycle until the clothes are completely dry. The camera will alert you if there's something in the machine that may shrink with a chosen programme
  
  

Do I Need It?

If you're a busy household that does regular mixed loads, then the built-in camera is useful for catching laundry mistakes inside the drum. And if you're heavy-handed with your detergent and there's too much foam in the machine, the camera will trigger an extra rinse so you won't get soapy clothes. But if you're a couple with fewer clothes to wash or you're already super vigilant with your laundry, then maybe the extra expense isn't worth it.

6. An AI Kettle You Can Schedule

What Is It?

How Does It Work?

The Halo Alexa Kettle from Morphy Richards is voice-controlled and connects to the Alexa app and compatible speakers, so you can ask it to boil water, ready for your morning tea or for exactly when you arrive home each day.

The main features include:

• Hands-free boiling: You ask Alexa to boil the water without needing to operate the kettle manually
• Six cup capacity: Holds 1.5L of water for brews throughout the day
• Different temperature settings: The LED touch panel has six temperature settings for fully boiled water through to 80°C for green tea and 40°C for warm water
• Keeps the water warm: The Halo kettle automatically keeps the water warm for two-hours (not for 100°C though)

Do I Need It?

Hmmmm... if you love gadgets and you're into smart home technology, then you'll really like this. And I do quite fancy the idea of having boiled water ready and waiting in the morning. But obviously you'll still have to fill the kettle and make your own coffee...

Smart kitchen appliances that aim to take the guesswork out of cooking and cleaning are certainly on the rise. And while these high-tech pieces of kit are becoming more mainstream, they remain at the top of the price bracket, so the key is to weigh up whether the extra features are worth the extra expense.

That said, there's something to be said about the good looks of these examples, because these days, it's all about how well you can hide it — just like how specialist company Equippd managed to integrate tech into a heritage property recently.

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When superchef Yotam Ottolenghi updated his kitchen recently, not much changed. He asked Roundhouse to keep the layout as it was, with new white cabinet fronts replacing old white cabinet fronts. "The biggest difference was the tiles," he says. These cover the wall above the cooker and behind the shelves and are daubed in a hand-painted mural by artist Cecilie Maurud Barstad of Gilles & Cecilie.

"It makes me so happy," Yotam says. "Cecilie suggested including little illustrations of things that are meaningful to my children. So there's a taco, a Dungeons & Dragons logo because they play so much of it, and a cartoonish portrait they did of their cousin. I'm hoping that when they come home to visit in their 20s, it will feel like a wall of memories."

Yotam's approach of making a kitchen backsplash as decorative as, say, the living room rug or cushions on the bed, is part of a growing trend. More designers are daubing murals across kitchen walls, turning away from the space being one of pure function, and towards something more personal.

"It's a real wow moment when someone sees this commitment to joy in your space," says muralist Charlotte Fuller, whose work has appeared on backsplashes. "I have a tile mural in my own kitchen to make me feel positive and inspired as I make the first cup of tea of the day. Under the boldness, there's a connection to nature and the abstract, to energize and relax. I like to think of my work as portals for dreaming, providing a moment to pause, find calm, and reflect."

Backsplash murals come in many forms — hand-painted on tiles (Yotam's was done off-site, fired, then affixed to the wall), daubed directly onto walls, or even as stained glass or wallpaper.

For the latter, extra care is advised. "We have protective finishes that can be applied to textile grounds, such as dyed silk or hand-painted fabrics, but these are not heavy-duty and can dull design elements and colors," says Harald Donoghue of luxury wallpaper brand de Gournay. "It's sensible to add a backsplash or protective barrier in glass or Perspex to allow for maximum protection."

If you're considering a decorative backsplash, take a lead from Jules Gallop, founder of JAM Design Works, a design studio that used stained glass for one.

"Start by thinking about the backsplash as part of the overall design, rather than as a decorative addition," she says. "The colors, patterns, and scale need to work with the cabinetry, worktops, and lighting. Accurate templating is essential, particularly around sockets, switches, and cabinetry, and you need to ensure it is specified for an area that will be exposed to heat, water, and cleaning. Samples are invaluable, as colors and textures can look very different alongside the other finishes."

While kitchen backsplash murals don't have to be big, this is not a moment to hold back. "A design this bold needs room to breathe," says Charlotte. "Now is the time to go big and create immersive spaces for expression and dreaming."

1. Meadow Mood

Sophie Ashby of Studio Ashby commissioned Anna Glover to create this floral-themed mural in a London kitchen. The tiles are from Balineum, and Sophie wanted to evoke the feel of an English meadow, even in such a functional space as a kitchen.

2. Silver Screen

In a kitchen in Shanghai, de Gournay's hand-painted Uki Hana wallcovering gleams above equally metallic cabinets. It is printed on tarnished silver-gilded paper, and the brand recommends that if you go down this route, you should cover the wallpaper in Perspex to protect it properly from splashes and humidity.

3. Glass Act

This stained-glass splashback was designed and commissioned by JAM Design Works Ltd and produced in collaboration with specialist stained-glass maker Tenby & Penny. JAM created the pattern specifically for the clients, incorporating personal meanings, colors, and references within the design.

"This piece was incredibly heavy, so we had to reinforce the wall behind it and encase it in a way that the LED panels within could be accessed if ever necessary," says studio founder Jules Gallop.

4. Color Therapy

Muralist Charlotte Fuller is a big believer in the uplifting power of a backsplash artwork. "To decide what you want, start with how you want to feel in the room, and the wider context: the tones, materials, and light you already have, and where in the space the mural will sit," she says. "Choose colors already in conversation with the room. They might be lightly reflected in your countertop, cabinetry, or even a rug. And think about what sits in front of the wall — a shelf, a tap — so the mural works comfortably with that."

5. Wild Thing

Paris-based designer Pierre Yovanovitch commissioned artist Matthieu Cossé to create this mural on the tiles of a celery-green kitchen in an apartment in France. It is intended to evoke the natural skyline, and shows how even an ultra-modern space can be given a hefty slice of whimsy.

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But the kitchen backsplash isn't the only place tiles are starting to tell stories in the home — hand-drawn bathroom tiles, in a modern Delft style, help make these once purely functional spaces feel hyper-personal.

Design is meant to be exciting. A unique expression of personal taste, with each home displaying a glimpse into the mind of the person who designed it. So when every kitchen looks the same, with the same neutral scheme and the same marble countertops, it can start to feel slightly... uninspired.

I look at countless beautiful kitchens every day. And after a while, they can begin to blur together, an indistinguishable mash-up of hyper-trendy styles, culminating in one beautiful but ultimately uninspiring mass. So, when I come across something genuinely different, it always piques my interest. And lately, no kitchen finish has intrigued me more than these brilliantly blue kitchen countertops.

Swapping out the white, veined marble finishes we see in every kitchen for something far more striking, these swirling blue stone counters bring that same touch of nature-inspired beauty into our home, but in a way that feels wholly original. It may sound completely out of the box, but it's already become a fast favorite amongst designers in the know, and I'm predicting it won't take long for this look to be in all the most exciting modern kitchens.

Calming yet sometimes energizing, blue is a color of contradictions. It challenges our expectations without seeming wholly out of place, creating an air of creativity and intrigue in the home.

When there's such a clear focus on referring back to nature in interiors (as shown through the trend for earthy color palettes and natural materials), but in kitchen design, this generally translates into warm neutral tones, wooden kitchen cabinetry, and natural stone counters. No less beautiful, but expected.

That's exactly what makes a blue countertop feel so unusual. When given the natural movement and texture of a stone, blue takes on a whole new quality — bringing the ocean waves and bright blue skies right into your kitchen, providing a whole new way to draw upon nature in your home. This is what inspired designer Anna Carin to use a Pallido Blue calcite for the kitchen pictured above: "Rather than introducing blue as a purely decorative color, the stone allowed us to bring the feeling of water, sky, and nature into the interior in a very tactile way."

When you're working with natural stone or a material designed to mimic the appearance, these blue counters take on a unique sense of fluidity and variety that can add a lot of depth to a kitchen. "We love the natural variation and uniqueness of the material; knowing no other worktop will ever be quite the same," adds Ester Corti, from Mitchell + Corti Architects, who also chose a unique, deep blue stone for a recent kitchen renovation.

Despite being such a statement shade, a blue countertop can also be surprisingly versatile. At least, this is what Matilde Valagussa (of Atelier Zero) found when using blue quartzite in a Milanese apartment kitchen. "It can feel very rich and almost meditative, but it is also an extremely versatile color," she explains. "Depending on what you place around it, it can work naturally with other cool tones or create a very beautiful tension with warmer colors."

The kitchen can so often be one of the most chaotic rooms in the home, constantly brimming with energy and activity, so finding ways to diffuse some of this energy can help bring balance to the home. And, as Anna points out, "There is something inherently calming about blue." It's a color of gentle relaxation and peace, a perfect addition to busy family kitchens.

"I think there is a growing appetite for kitchens that feel more individual and less formulaic," suggests Anna. "We're moving away from the idea that a kitchen has to be completely neutral to be timeless."

There seems to be a degree of fatigue with the same-same look we've been seeing in kitchens over the recent years. A lot of kitchen trends are actually just a reframing of one that came before, and rarely will anyone adopt anything other than neutral kitchen colors in a space that's so expensive to design.

So, something truly original, like a blue countertop, couldn't be a more welcome change. It's a way of challenging the idea of what a modern kitchen is meant to be, creating something that feels authentically unique, while keeping the space feeling welcoming and enjoyable to be in.

It's this balance between neutrality and surprise that makes this color such a beautiful fit for kitchen worktops. As Anna says, "Blue is particularly interesting because it has that balance of color and calm. It can feel contemporary without being trend-driven, and it connects naturally to ideas of water, sky, and landscape."

How to Style Blue Kitchen Countertops

For such a unique finish, a blue countertop can be surprisingly versatile when styling. In fact, depending on what you pair it with, it could work in practically any type of kitchen design.

"With the right combination of materials and colors, it can work in a very contemporary interior as easily as in a more traditional one," agrees Matilde. For her, it was more about considering how it would relate to the other finishes and colors in the space: "A material or a color becomes convincing when it has a clear relationship with everything around it."

The way you build your kitchen color palette around blue will also make a difference. If you want to make it the accent, try layering the counters with other shades of blue, creating a more layered, cocooning look. Or, for a more contrasting effect, make blue the counterpoint against other warmer tones, as Matilde did in the kitchen pictured above.

And while it can work in any style or kitchen layout, if you want to highlight the material's relationship to nature, this will be particularly effective in brighter, lighter homes. "I particularly like blue stone in homes with a strong connection to natural light or landscape," says Anna. "It can echo the colors outside without becoming literal." When the blue counters can bounce off the blue skies outside, the relationship becomes more inherent to the design and intensifies the natural effect.

When picking out the finishes for the rest of your kitchen, consider whether you want the countertops to be the accent or simply a part of a broader visual language for the space. If you prefer the sound of the first option, Anna suggests pairing "blue stone with warm, tactile materials that allow the natural variation in the stone to come through. Timber, warm whites, soft neutrals, natural linen, and aged metals all work beautifully with it," she says.

However, there's no need to get too bogged down with what does and doesn't work with a blue counter. Even smaller details like the metallic finish of your kitchen hardware leave plenty of room for experimentation. "It is actually quite versatile and works well with brass, stainless, or nickel," adds Ester.

If you love the idea of a kitchen that feels both calming and energizing, but a countertop feels like too much of a commitment, there are plenty of other blue kitchen ideas worth considering, from paint to decor.

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If you've spent enough time on Instagram, you're likely already very familiar with the owner of this newly refurbished North London home. Alfie Steiner, perhaps better known by his Instagram handle @alfiecooks, has spent the past few years growing an impressive 5.2 million following, drawing crowds with his delicious-looking plant-based recipe videos. And now, after a lengthy renovation, we can expect vegan meals served with a side of serious interior inspiration.

While we'll all see a stylish modern kitchen, only a few months prior, the space told a completely different story. Having initially viewed the property back in 2025, it's safe to say it wasn't exactly love at first sight: "My first thought was, I can't live here," shares Alfie. After 10 years as a student rental, the house was a far cry from the sleek, modern home it is today. Run-down, dark, and dingy, there was plenty of work to be done. But with the help of Tom Guy from Guy Piper Architects, they managed to do exactly that — transforming the rundown rental into a light-filled, Scandi-inspired space, with a fully kitted chef's kitchen to boot.

Ripping out the entire ground floor and starting from scratch, this home is a true manifestation of Alfie's vision: a space that can function as his studio and backdrop, as well as a home for him and his fiancée, Angelica. And, as Alfie discovered, there was plenty to be learnt along the way.

The Brief

Before the renovation was even underway, there was one clear priority for this space: introducing more light. As with many of the city's period properties, the home was overwhelmingly dark, with a closed layout that prevented any natural light, leaving the whole space feeling dingy and unwelcoming.

For Alfie Steiner, the ability to open up the layout was make-or-break for this home. "The only way I felt comfortable buying the place was if we could knock down the wall and let more light in," he explains. As a full-time content creator, natural light wasn't just a preference; it was essential. His home doubles as his office and set, and without good lighting, shooting high-quality food content is close to impossible.

Along with an open-plan layout, sliding doors leading directly onto the garden have also helped bring more light into the kitchen, as well as some much-needed scenery for long work-from-home days.

"The plan was always for it to be open plan, with the kitchen running into the living room, so the space would work two ways: a home for hosting family and friends, and a studio where I can film and work," Alfie explains of his choice of kitchen layout.

This theme of enhancing light carries through into the interior design of the home, too. "The main inspiration was Scandinavian style: clean, minimalist, and built around light wood and bright, neutral colors," explains Alfie.

Opting for a bright, neutral color palette allowed the open-plan space to feel cohesive throughout, building warmth and texture through accessories and details, like a rust-colored sofa and colorful cookware displayed on the open shelves in the kitchen.

When working with a calming color palette like this, there's more room for experimentation when it comes to the finishing touches; you can add layers of personality and character without worrying about clashing with your overall design.

"Above all, I wanted it to feel homely and vibrant, but also sharp and smart enough to work as a home kitchen studio, where everything has its place, and the space works as hard as I do," says Alfie.

The Process

Despite his first impressions, it didn't take long for Alfie to see the potential in this home. "The kitchen was a decent size and had everything it needed functionally," he said. But in order to get it to a place where it would work as a backdrop for his career, seen daily by over 5 million people, some changes were in order.

But beyond the kitchen, there was also the issue of the student-friendly layout to work through: "On the other side, where the living room is now, there were two bedrooms separated by partition walls, because the landlord had squeezed in as many bedrooms as he could," he shares.

Perhaps if the home had been left in its original form, it would have been easier to embrace the home's existing layout, but with these newer additions, clearly made with student living in mind, a fresh canvas was required. So, they ripped out the entire ground floor and started from scratch.

From there, they began to construct the foundation of the home, a large, open-plan space where the living room, kitchen, and garden flow from one another seamlessly. The neutral palette remains consistent throughout, as does the tiled floor running across the entire ground floor, making for a more cohesive finish.

Every element of the home introduced new challenges and surprises to work through. Even the ground-floor bathroom — one of the smallest rooms in the home — came with its own kind of learning curve. "You don't realize how much goes into a bathroom until you start with an empty room," says Alfie.

Luckily, the team at Roca guided him through the process, finding the perfect fittings to give that dream spa bathroom finish. "The rain shower gives you full coverage, which matters when you're as tall as I am, and the Roca Plenum hand shower has three settings," says Alfie, adding, "I always finish on the last one, a single soft stream that feels almost like a massage."

When they first purchased the house, there was only one small bathroom, cramped into the corner of the ground floor. As part of the renovation, Alfie added a secondary bathroom on the upper level, offering them a private ensuite bathroom right off the main bedroom.

With limited space available, there wasn't a clear spot for the bathroom at first. But with some clever planning, they found a way to make it work: "There was a corner of the main bedroom that was just part of the room, and Tom [Guy from Guy Piper Architects] worked out that with a pocket door it could be closed off as a small ensuite bathroom," explains Alfie.

While renovations often reveal several challenges, Alfie was surprised to discover that the biggest challenge of all was finding a way to live normally while the renovation was happening. "My office is my home, so I was filming, managing people, and starting some big projects while all the building work went on around me," he explains.

Though the result makes it all worth it, building a home from the ground up isn't exactly the most relaxing process, and many underestimate the emotional toll of renovating, especially while still living in the house. With builders constantly coming and going, your space is not really your own, and a constantly changing timeline can force you to adjust your plans and expectations. Not to mention the logistical difficulties it can introduce: "For the first month we had no shower, so I showered at the gym, and at first we had a toilet that didn't work, so we used the loos in local restaurants," he recalls.

And, though many people may brush over it, there's a certain level of doubt that can inevitably creep in after such a major commitment. After the months of hard work and money spent, it's impossible for expectations not to be high, and oftentimes, the reality of it all can feel a little different from what you may have anticipated. "We'd built all of this, and it was our home, but it didn't feel like it, particularly through the first winter when it was darker and colder and you wonder whether you've made the right choice," he admits.

Eventually, though, it all began to fall into place: "It took six to nine months. We went away in February, and when we came back, I thought, 'This feels like home.' That was the first time," says Alfie.

The Design

It's common for the kitchen to be labeled the heart of the home, but in this space, it couldn't be more true. Not only does it function as the central hub of activity — the natural gathering space for friends and family — but it also plays a central role in Alfie's work, serving as his home office, studio, and backdrop for his recipe videos.

It's perhaps unsurprising then that his vision for the space was clear from the jump. "I always pictured an open design: neutral and Scandinavian-inspired, with light woods and bright, neutral colors, then open shelving to show off pops of color so it feels homely and vibrant." By blending open shelving with traditional closed kitchen cabinetry, they were able to find space for decorative, character-adding "clutter" while keeping any true clutter hidden away.

"We went to Wickes for the kitchen cabinets and, with all the above in mind, chose Natura Dawn, an oak veneer, to create the light wood look we wanted," explains Alfie. The wooden cabinets were complemented with white kitchen worktops — Wickes's hard-wearing Metzo White surface — for a bright but neutral finish.

Maintaining as much countertop space as possible was another priority for Alfie, as was a centrally-located kitchen island. "Through making content, I've learnt that the more worktop space, the better," he explains. "There's always lots going on when I'm shooting, so being able to move from hob to board seamlessly is so important. Having an island as a filming space has been brilliant, too. It allows for more front-on filming and talking to the camera, which is great for YouTube and longer-form content."

Having to consider how the kitchen would look on camera, as well as day-to-day, added a whole new dimension to the design process.

"The open shelving has become a real backdrop for my content; it lets me display things and bring some color into the shot, so it's visually identifiable as my kitchen," he says. Undercabinet lighting with strip LEDs helps add extra warmth to the backdrop, too.

The kitchen appliances and finishes were also chosen with content in mind. "The Zip hot water tap has been a game changer too — instant hot water for quick cooking, and the spray function makes cleaning up after shoots so much easier," Alfie explains.

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Want to get some more kitchen tips from the people who know the space best? Check out these chefs' kitchens for even more inspiration.

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Of all the parts that make up a kitchen, there's one feature you can have more fun with than possibly any other: the island. We constantly see designers pushing the boundaries of this feature, elevating it through bold choices in color, material, or shape. And recently, there's a distinctive trend making its way into some of our favorite schemes: the rise of the strikingly angular kitchen island.

Ever since we featured Polish design studio Akurat's ‘chopped' kitchen island, we've had angular kitchen islands on the mind. At the time, creative director and founder Maciej Ryniewicz told us that playing with the shape of this kitchen staple made perfect sense for the property. "We were faced with a challenging space that was highly irregular in shape," he said. "By offsetting the directions set by the walls, we defined a shape that felt in harmony with its surroundings, no matter from which direction you approached the furniture piece."

Since then, we've noticed angled islands featuring more and more in designers' projects — be it a subtle ‘nip and tuck' of a rectangular block or something more dramatic in shape.

It's clear modern kitchen islands lend themselves to experimentation. "I think there are certain moments where you can really treat interior utility items like sculptures — kitchen islands, powder room vanities, fireplaces, and stairwells," says Romaine Alwill, director of Sydney studio Atelier Alwill. "These items resonate as they are moments to set a design tone for the house."

But why choose one over a regular island? "It challenges your thinking about what a kitchen bench needs to be," says Romaine. More than just a design talking point, an angular island can help shape the flow of the room, toughen the edges of a softer color scheme, offer an unexpected but welcome contrast to bog-standard cabinetry, and ultimately make a kitchen feel like a creative space as well as a functional one.

With any such island, the shape should be the focal point. "We often use a very neutral stone to let the form do the talking," says Romaine. "It has impact without shouting 'look at me', but catches the eye and speaks of the intent and thought given to the interior and architecture coming together as one considered, holistic item."

Of course, there are some practical considerations with an angled kitchen island — design elements such as storage space, seating, and work surfaces all become more complex when you're working with a non-standard shape. Unless you're after a monolithic block, you'll need to work with your kitchen designer or architect to integrate all the features you need.

"It took some work, especially as we needed functionality for the family," says Romaine of her own design. "Clearances for legs and allowance for dishwashers and storage all took fine-tuning. Not having a sink on the bench helped a lot, and we had the luxury of space in the room to add more depth for the angles, but it took some massaging to get it right." Plan carefully, though, and the result will be worth it, as the following examples prove.

1. Material World

Composed of terrazzo with a wood base, the kitchen island in this project by Madrid studio Plutarco is materially rich — but the effect still allows the hexagonal shape to shine.

"Mixing materials was essential," says co-founder Enrique Ventosa. "We worked with five main ones: two types of wood — cherry, for its reddish tone, and pine stained dark blue, an experiment with a new Danish material; a terrazzo island, specially made for this project; a floor of another type of terrazzo reminiscent of the portals of Milan; and blue tiles with red grouting."

2. Architectural Edge

The impetus for this angled kitchen island was the architecture of this Australian home, designed by Atelier Alwill with architecture by KA Design Studio.

"The windows at the front of the house had blades chamfering back into the home, and I thought it was a nice intent to pick up on this and take it through the interior," says Romaine. "The island was an opportunity to use this idea and create more of a sculptural piece. I feel so tired of a rectangular block."

3. Geometry Lesson

In this Belgian home, owner Eline De Bruyne worked with interior designer Oskar De Roover to create a kitchen island that combines angles and curves into one tidy package.

"Our desire was for the island to feel sculptural rather than purely functional, less like a traditional kitchen, more like a piece of furniture or an object living naturally in the room," says Eline. "The curved edge adds warmth and softness to such a large volume, while the angled sides keep it grounded and architectural. The shape also helped us make the most of the space and keep the walkway open and easy to move through. All in all, the well-considered geometry keeps everything feeling visually calm and balanced."

4. Carved Out

With many points of angular interest, including an inverted bevelled underside and pedestal-like base, the marble island in this kitchen by Studio Duggan is an example of how to bring the angular trend to a monolithic design.

"I wanted the kitchen island to feel almost otherworldly, appearing as if it were one huge block of marble," says Tiffany Duggan. "We clad the island structure in Verde Guatemala stone, which brings a huge amount of color, depth, and vibrancy."

5. Sociable Shape

The shape of this kitchen island by BeAr, an architecture office based in Bilbao, was informed by how the owners wanted to use the space.

"The kitchen is [one of] the defining features of the house, a reflection of the cooking of its inhabitants: a conversation with friends, a celebration of everyday life, culminating in a large polygonal island of Brazilian granite that embraces the pillar and rests weightlessly on mirrored doors," the studio says. "[It's] a kitchen for cooking while enjoying the views, with friends, and for friends."

It's official: traditional waterfall countertops are out, and interesting, angular shapes are in when it comes to the latest kitchen island trends.

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Lots of people want a period home, in theory. But in reality, these historical properties are not always so compatible with the way we live now; they were built for a different time, and adjusting them to support our modern ideals while still maintaining the charm and character that drew you to the property to begin with is no easy feat.

In this Georgian home, the client had a clear vision for the kitchen, which they enlisted the help of Naked Kitchens for in the design. "The brief was to design a modern Shaker kitchen that would look fresh and contemporary today while maintaining timeless appeal for years to come," says Jayne Everett, the creative director at Naked Kitchens. The Shaker style is beloved for its classic look, but as an inherently traditional style, making it feel contemporary isn't always easy.

It was achieved through the entire design, but maybe most interestingly through the mix of cabinet doors, each a slight riff of the classic Shaker — arches and half-arches sit alongside glass-fronted and beadboard styles, on top of those more traditional cabinets. It's the sort of idea that doesn't sound like it would work on paper, but will leave you questioning: am I doing enough with my kitchen doors?

The Brief

Finding a way to take the classic Shaker style and rework it in a way that feels fresh and new is no easy task, but luckily, the Naked Kitchen team had the luxury of a beautiful space on their side.

The period property didn't just provide a strong foundation to build on, but it also simplified the challenge of working out the right kitchen layout. As Jayne Everett explains, "Blessed with abundant natural light and expansive Georgian windows overlooking tranquil green space, the room naturally dictated that the layout be centered around these architectural assets."

With this clear outline already mapped out, the design process grew from there. "The design evolved organically, layering rich details to create a twist on the classic Shaker," says Jayne. With a large, open layout and classic Shaker kitchen cabinetry, it was largely down to the color and the finishing details to supply this element of surprise.

Careful to build intrigue without straying too far from tradition, Jayne opted for a rich, two-toned green palette, a subtle play on the traditional sage-green kitchen trend. "Our deep Marsh Green color grounds the base cabinetry, drawing the eye outward toward the leafy views, while the lighter Burnham Green is used for the tall and wall units to frame and anchor the overall architecture," she explains.

From there, they built upon the earthy color scheme, contrasting the soft green tones with rich, dark pops of burgundy and stained oak, adding depth and intrigue to the space.

The Process

A true Georgian-period property, with the signs of wear to prove it, Jayne says, "While the original space was dated, its magnificent windows provided the ideal bones for an extraordinary room." There were updates to be done, but the potential was clear from the start.

The challenge was in finding a way to make the layout work for modern family life, making the space feel more open and sociable. But as the Naked Kitchens team soon discovered, everything they needed was already there.

First up, and perhaps the most significant change to make this room successfully function as a modern kitchen for the young family, they needed to find more space. Luckily, there was plenty of room for the kitchen to expand into. "The small room off the kitchen was incorporated into the overall space, which enabled a larder to be located close to the main kitchen," says Jayne.

With the additional space provided by extending into the adjoining room, Jayne was then able to rework the layout, introducing a more sociable, open-plan design. "Changing the layout of the cabinetry away from being solely around the perimeter of the kitchen and introducing a centrally positioned island with seating was essential to optimizing the flow and functionality of the space," explains Jayne. The kitchen island forms a central gathering point, providing a base for friends and family to orbit around.

It may all sound like relatively simple changes, but this is not to say that they were without their difficulties. One problem the team ran into was the narrow doorway along the oven run, which resulted in a restrictive pinch point. "To accommodate the client's desire for a one-meter range cooker while maintaining balance, we sacrificed corner access and cleverly offset it by introducing a stunning counter-standing cabinet that has since become a cherished focal point," explains Jayne.

The Design

While the open-plan layout and warm, social feel provide a solid foundation for a beautiful family kitchen, it's in the details that the brief was really brought to life.

Perhaps the most crucial detail of all is the unique curved detail included on the Shaker doors on the kitchen cabinetry, creating a contemporary spin on a classic Shaker design. "The curved Shaker profile introduces an elevated layer of interest," says Jayne. The tall, arched doors create a statement without feeling overbearing, and to create more cohesion in the space, Jayne explains, "These gentle arcs are harmoniously mirrored in the mantel surround and the island open shelving, weaving a cohesive design thread throughout the room," she adds.

While curved corners in kitchens have become one of the defining trends of the past few years, these arches feel less expected, while still adding a touch of softness.

Continuing this merging of modernity and tradition, in the corner of the kitchen is a striking, freestanding larder, with a cabinetry style that feels starkly modern against the updated Shaker doors surrounding it. "Conceived as a freestanding piece of furniture, the larder stands apart through its distinct V-groove cabinetry style, unified with the rest of the room via color continuity," says Jayne. But while the pantry is modern and sleek with its burgundy slatted wood finish, the adjoining open shelving brings it back down. "Its curved shelving softens the kitchen's transition points while providing an inviting space to house books and treasured items," says Jayne.

The striking red, repeated on both the larder and the interiors of the upper cabinetry, is perhaps the most notable feature in the room. A beautiful example of how the unexpected red theory works in kitchens; the unexpected addition brings a burst of new life to this kitchen.

Explaining this design choice, Jayne says, "The green palette called for a vibrant, anchoring contrast, for which our dramatic Sharrington Red was the natural choice. Painting the counterstanding drinks cabinet's interior this striking hue creates a theatrical 'showstopper' moment when opened, while simultaneously establishing a visual bridge to the freestanding larder and purposefully integrating it into the overarching design narrative."

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If you're still searching for how to make shaker cabinets feel more modern, we have a few ideas, from color updates to skinny profiles and bevelled edges.

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Banquette seating is a great way to maximize space, add flexibility, and, of course, extra seating to a kitchen, dining, or living area, serving not only as a practical design decision but also an opportunity to show creative flair. Banquettes also improve flow and create a cozy, comforting vibe that makes a space feel instantly warmer and more inviting, often softening hard edges and corners.

While 'banquette' is defined as 'a long seat covered with cloth or similar material and put against a wall', these interior designer-styled spaces prove that you can get really creative with your banquette seating ideas, meaning you don't need a wall or corner to make them work hard. There are, however, many examples of cozy dining and breakfast nooks, which take full advantage of awkward corners and alcoves, too.

I had the pleasure of poring over the Livingetc articles to find the crème de la crème of banquette seating designs that are a masterclass in styling built-in seating. From using color, pattern, curves, and more, these projects show how you can add intimacy, versatility, and a whole host of style to your space. Here's how it's done.

1. Go Tone-on-Tone

In this mid-century holiday home designed by Michelle Boudreau Design, the banquette seating off the modern kitchen is a total wow factor. A custom MBD design, this curved banquette plays with geometric patterns and a tone-on-tone warm pink style. "She really wanted to feature the Palm Springs sunset tones and bring the outdoor landscape inside," Michelle Boudreau explains. "You can sit here, have your breakfast while enjoying tea and the vistas."

2. Bring It Into the Living Room

Interior designer Jessica Gersten reimagined this Tudor home, previously a Country Club, into a warm family retreat in Rye, New York, where wood tones and warm neutrals feature throughout the property with a strong sense of flow — which is why this corner banquette works so well. Not only does it add extra space for lounging in this modern living room, but it also improves circulation, allowing their kids to run freely through the space to other areas of the house. The owners are also particularly fond of how the 'cloud-soft' banquette works with the ceramic wave wall structure, which echoes its sinuous curves.

3. Style It in the Center

"Living in London taught me to embrace color, personality, and bold design choices," explains owner Giulia Felicani of this Parisian apartment designed by ARGIA Architecture. "London interiors are often less constrained by convention and more willing to take risks." This is evident in this dining space, as much as it is in the rest of the home, where the elegant curved banquette becomes a cocooning retreat in the center of the space — who says banquettes are only for corners?

4. Go Long

In this 5,000-square-foot Upper West Side pre-war penthouse in New York, the warm, neutral-toned banquette seating is a main event and is as functional as it is stylish. Designed by CA-based interior designer Lindye Galloway, the idea behind connecting the dining space to the kitchen island was to promote more intimacy within the large open-plan layout. "It also gave the great room two designated areas, which felt more appropriate for the size of the penthouse, versus lots of furniture floating in the middle," she explains.

5. Make It Black

The bold black banquette makes a statement in this space, acting as a wonderful contrast with the white walls and ceilings, while also being a practical choice for a family home. Fabricated by Archistoric, a local studio in Chicago, and upholstered in a Knoll fabric designed by David Adjaye, it adds texture and tones with the wood flooring. With no overhead lighting, designer Jennifer Kranitz improvised with this custom fixture, which begins at the half-wall behind the banquette and attaches to the ceiling for stability. "It pivots, allowing for directional lighting across the entire area”, she explains — and it finishes off the space perfectly.

6. Bring the Bar Vibes Home

Yes, this is actually a home — and a magnificent one at that. Designed by award-winning Irish interior designer Róisín Lafferty, this penthouse in London's Embassy Gardens is a welcoming retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city below. And what better space to retreat to than this banquette seating area that's perfect for both lounging and hosting? The warm tones of the upholstery are part of a wider earthy color palette used throughout the home, bringing coziness and a wonderful layer of texture to the space.

7. Anchor the Space With Art

Crafted by Teerlink Cabinets, this corner banquette is both the client's and the designer's favorite space in this Utah mountain retreat, designed by Jennelle Butera of Park City-based Bloum Design. "It was actually added later in the building process, and I'm so grateful we made room for it," explains the client. "Every morning, I sit there with my coffee, work on my travel business, and look out over the sweeping views of Deer Valley. It's become my favorite ritual in this house." The cozy, characterful nook was created by repurposing exterior square footage from the original architectural plans and is anchored by a custom Greg Palombo table, an Urban Electric Dome Pendant, and art from the client's collection, which completes the space.

8. Opt for a Bold Pop of Color

Appropriately named Joy Haus, this Australian home is full of personality, character, and playful energy. Realized by interior designer Ruby Shields, the key to this joyful project is color, which was a carefully choreographed detail in the home's storytelling, helping not just to add visual interest but also to define spaces, as the beautiful burgundy of this corner banquette shows. The playful pop of color cocoons the dining area while working in perfect harmony with the rest of the space. As Ruby explains, "Function and beauty are never opposing ideas."

9. Lean Into Texture

“The dining seating was initially more neutral, but the client encouraged us to make it bolder,” says interior designer Juliette Arent, co-founder of Arent & Pyke, who designed this inner-city Sydney apartment. Upholstered in Pierre Frey ‘Palladio’ fabric, the vibrant turmeric-hued banquette adds softness, warmth and tactility to the space, as well as an extra seating area for guests within the wider living area, for the owners who entertain family and friends often.

10. Anchor the Space With a Pendant

"Without a doubt, the breakfast nook is my favorite vignette in the whole project," says Kathryn Porter, the Belfast-based interior designer who designed this London family home. "We wanted to create an intimate everyday dining space that was both beautiful and family-friendly," explains Kathryn. "We used this stunning botanical print from Pierre Frey that is reminiscent of an old French tapestry to wrap the curved backrest, along with a washable linen union for the seat cover, which is perfect for sticky hands. I love how the plaster pendant really anchors the space and provides a sculptural element."

11. Choose a Statement Wallpaper

Effortlessly layered, emotive, and inviting, this dining area is an entertaining lovers' dream. The expressive wallpaper makes a statement without overwhelming the space or detracting from its architectural beauty, and the earthy neutrals and moss greens pay homage to the desert landscape. "Inspired by the Arizona desert and Bali, balanced with an effortless California ease, these colors create a home that feels grounded, warm, and naturally inviting," explains Dvira Ovadia of Dvira Interiors.

12. Embrace Curves

Flexibility was key in this London home designed by Uncanny Studio's French duo Églantine Sicat and Pauline Dellemotte, and seating areas like this dining nook are a perfect example of a flexible space for clients who "cook and host often, and hold wine tasting sessions," says Dellemotte. "The shape of the apartment is very geometrical with sharp angles," Sicat explains. "We wanted to bring some curves." Embrace curves, and the curves will embrace you, softening harsh lines and angles, and creating a more comforting, forgiving space.

13. Incorporate Integrated Storage

One of Livingetc's Unlocked homes, this elegant Clapham residence was designed by couple Charlie and Josh Karlsen for entertaining. Running luxury catering company Opus 11, with a roster of clients including rock stars, they were no strangers to hosting. “We actually designed the house around the kitchen table to prioritize hosting friends and family," explains owner Charlie. With a wall-to-wall built-in bench that packs a punch for extra home storage, never mind extra seating, this space-saving design is the epitome of functionality that doesn’t compromise on style.

14. Carve It Into an Island

Curated by design icon Bryan O'Sullivan, this kitchen dining area in an Art Deco riverside apartment in London’s Embassy Gardens is a lesson in restraint with the perfect amount of quiet drama. "Our intention with the banquette was to maximize the space and carve out a dining area without disrupting the kitchen's flow, forming a comfortable, convivial corner where people would naturally linger," says Bryan. Cleverly zoned, this cozy seating area is a great way to break up an open plan space and to bring the party to the kitchen when cooking for guests.

15. Opt for a Sculptural Design

"Built in 1956, the house naturally guided us toward midcentury architectural gestures and furniture silhouettes," says Staver Gray, one half of NYC-based design firm Ward + Gray with Christie Ward, who designed this LA home. "It was such a golden age for design in Los Angeles, and we found endless inspiration in that spirit — embracing clean lines, sculptural forms, and a sense of effortless living." And no space says this more than the banquette seating area. With its plump, sculptural cushioned seating and relaxed elegance, it’s a space that is as much about feeling as function.

16. Break Up a Wall

You don't need a nook or alcove to create a statement-making banquette seating area, as this space in an 1865 Brownstone in Boston shows. Designed by Cara Fineman, owner and principal of DAG Design, the dining area sits within a compact open-plan kitchen and living area, serving as a space of quiet repose or warm gatherings, and is defined by color and pattern. Using a banquette in this way helps to maximize space and improves flow in a small footprint.

As we increasingly seek spaces that are comforting, personal, and encourage human interaction, it's understandable that banquette seating has continued to gain popularity in recent years. It is, however, worth knowing what not to do when planning one of these built-ins for your home, as these banquette seating design mistakes show.

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When you start getting into the big leagues of kitchen countertops, things start to get interesting. Yes, these materials will take a bit of a chunk out of your kitchen renovation budget, but for the price, you get to bring a new dimension to your space. And it's all about touch.

Yes, polished and honed (or matt) are your standard choices when it comes to specifying finishes, but both have their issues. Gloss, once the standard, can sometimes feel too reflective, especially when under a light source like a large window, and is more prone to show fingerprints. Honed countertops are undoubtedly the most common today, but there's a dullness to their flatness in the wrong scheme.

Plus, now there are plenty of options on the market right now that bring a more interesting sense of texture to your surfaces. Not only do they bring a little more nuance overall to your scheme as a kitchen countertop, but are also the sort of materials you'll enjoy touching every day. Here are just a handful of the ideas you should get to know.

1. Leathered Surfaces

Leathered surfaces have a distinct texture achieved by a brushing technique. It's a process that can be applied to many natural stones, but each reacts in a different way. So, while one 'leathered' stone might not appear exactly the same as the other, each should have a soft, textured look and feel.

In the kitchen above, the Taj Mahal quartzite used in the kitchen has been leathered, something that designer Allison Lynch from Roundhouse thinks suits this stone's structure. "It works well for the natural formation of the stone because of the layering of quartzite," she says, "with it leathered, it matches the look."

"Your eye catches the surface being uneven and heavily textured, so you want to stroke it. The way it catches light makes the texture more pronounced," Allison adds.

2. Antiqued Surfaces

Allison describes antiqued surfaces as "a weathered finish that is softer than leathered." It's a little more distressed, or aged, in its intention, and not as uniform as the leathering technique through the use of a mix of brushing, washes, and sandblasting. It sounds extreme, but most natural stone is hard enough to weather to a subtle finish.

In the kitchen above, a granite countertop called Nero Assoluto has been used, which Allison suggests is the perfect candidate for the process.

3. 'Flamed' Surfaces

Flamed countertops might be less familiar, but they are what they sound like: natural stone treated with extreme heat until the crystals within it expand and create an intriguing texture.

In the kitchen above, Kitchens by Holloways used a Flamed Zimbabwean Granite kitchen countertop material for the island as a contrast to the simpler quartz worktops on the main run. "Matt, non-slip and incredibly tactile, the granite is incredibly durable, making it an ideal choice for food preparation areas," explains design consultant Emily Newmarch.

However, practicality depends on how heavily the surface is flamed; on the heavier side, the texture can be hard to wipe clean and a little too rough.

Yes, kitchen countertop trends themselves are leaning more towards bold, interesting, textured ideas, and this is just the tip of the iceberg for what's out there.

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Do you remember the days when everyone's kitchen was completely unique? A distinct display of personal style, shaped by the person living within it. No? Neither do I.

For so long now, there's been such a clear blueprint for what a modern kitchen should look like, so much so that every design ends up feeling like a copy-paste of one another. Just look at Pinterest or scroll through Instagram; you'll see what I mean. Sure, the dimensions might be different, or the exact materials used, but at the core, they're all just reworked versions of the same model. I don't say this to shame you — quite the opposite. It's just the way the trend cycle works. When you're designing your kitchen, it's only natural to be inspired by the designs you've seen online or in a magazine. What you mightn't realize, however, is that everyone else is looking at the same references.

That's the magic (and in a way, curse) of social media. Once you see something enough times, you start to forget that other options exist. It's something Matthew Andrews, the head of design at bespoke kitchen company Cor Domi, has noticed. "It’s very easy to become too attached to a particular account’s aesthetic, materials, appliance sizes, sink, or tap," he says, "but just because something works beautifully in someone else’s space doesn’t necessarily mean it will work in yours."

So, if designers were to pull out one detail that strongly suggests your kitchen has been copied from a social account, showroom, or particular style, what would it be? What's making our kitchens look exactly the same? I asked designers, and while they shared a few, there was one that they all agree it is time to retire: waterfall edges. Here's why.

Why Designers Are Over Waterfall Edges in Kitchens

I'll be honest, I was surprised to hear how united designers were against the humble waterfall edge, once a signifier of polish and style. But when I really thought about it, it began to make some more sense to me.

It's one of those kitchen trends that became so popular, so quickly, that it practically became the default choice. So much so that I didn't even notice every quiet luxury kitchen sported the same straight-lined edge. But now, I can't unsee it.

Now, this isn't to say there's anything wrong with a waterfall edge; it's more that it's become an 'expected' choice. "The waterfall island has become almost a shorthand for a high-end kitchen, and I think we’ve become so focused on making the safe or expected choice that many kitchens are starting to feel interchangeable," explains interior designer Chanel Sansregret of Studio Miles Design. Instead of taking the time to explore what resonates most with your personal taste, or what would work best in your space, we've all defaulted to the design we think is most desirable, leaving us all with kitchens that lack any real identity or personality.

It's understandable why this happened. There's an obvious appeal to the look of a waterfall edge on a kitchen island. When the trend first came about, it felt like a real statement-maker. It was a way to draw attention to the beauty of the material, turning the island into a real focal point in the kitchen. And when you've invested in a beautiful kitchen worktop, like a natural stone or marble, it makes sense that you'd want it to be the main event.

But, according to designers, it's time to find something new. "They had their moment, but I think we’re ready to move on," argues Brianna Untener, from Brianna Scott Interiors. She always prioritizes her clients' unique point of view for design over trends. "When every kitchen has the same waterfall edge, it can start to make spaces feel a little too similar," she says.

What To Do Instead Of a Waterfall Edge

There are plenty of ways to make your island feel like the main event, or at least a special feature, without having to revert to a waterfall edge.

Chanel suggests treating it like a piece of furniture, rather than a traditional island. "Beautiful legs, thoughtful millwork, an interesting edge profile, or a material with character can make it feel much more considered and specific to the home," she says. Even a subtle fluted or bullnose edge can help elevate it without overpowering your space, and feels much more unique than a classic waterfall edge.

Brianna agrees. "I love a more classic island paired with a beautiful countertop or an unexpected edge detail," she says. "It gives you an opportunity to make the island feel more custom."

Introducing unique millwork is another beautiful way to add more interest to your island, and you can change it according to your style for a truly unique design.

How To Avoid Designing A Kitchen That Looks Like Everyone Elses

Before you even begin to design your space, it's worth taking some time to consider where you've found your inspiration. As Holte co-founder Fiona Ginnett says, "Instagram and Pinterest are brilliant for inspiration, but they can also be a bit of an echo chamber. The algorithms naturally serve up what’s already popular, so before long, you’re seeing the same colors, finishes, and details repeated everywhere. It’s easy to start thinking that’s what a kitchen should look like, when there are so many other directions you could take it."

Instead, go straight to the source and look for the kitchen materials and finishes that speak to you. Zooming in on the specifics can help you get a better grasp on the line between your personal style and the trends you've consumed.

You want your kitchen layout and design to be a true reflection of your lifestyle, so take the time to map out what that looks like. At Roundhouse, this is always the first step. Allison Lynch, one of Roundhouse's many talented designers, says, "I like to ensure the design reflects the client’s personality and will complement the rest of their home. Discussing this from the outset will allow you to produce a design tailored to the individual and follow through to the other rooms."

Diving into what makes your interior design unique, and what materials and finishes appeal most to you, is also a valuable step when designing a kitchen. It may lead you towards things that aren't necessarily 'on trend', but are truly reflective of your tastes, which, ultimately, should be the goal. As Chanel so aptly puts it, "The goal shouldn’t be to create a kitchen that appeals to everyone — it should feel like it belongs to the people who live there."

It's not just a style thing, either; there are problems with waterfall countertops that are really worth considering before you commit, like being more prone to chipping and the lack of seating options.

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Adding lighting into your kitchen cabinetry doesn't just make your space more functional; it makes it feel more stylish, too. Providing that lovely, atmospheric warmth after dark and a little extra light to help you identify the abandoned back-of-the-cupboard goods, it's become an absolute must-have for any new kitchen, but that doesn't mean it's always done right.

In fact, perfecting your kitchen cabinet lighting can be trickier than you might expect, requiring some serious attention to detail that's all too often skimmed over or altogether abandoned. As lighting expert Vanessa Macedo from John Cullen Lighting tells us, "LED strips can transform open kitchen shelving, but their position is key to creating a considered look rather than simply adding more light. The best location depends on the desired effect, as even moving a strip a few centimetres can significantly change how the shelf and objects displayed on it are perceived." Should LED lighting go at the bottom or the top? The front or the back? How bright should they be? How many do you need? They're all valuable questions, and ones that can be the line between a perfect finish and one that just about gets the job done.

Thankfully, no one knows this better than our experts, and they were more than happy to lay out the facts for us and lead us towards a better-lit kitchen. They've shared the three essential spots to add a little light, so you can give your cabinetry the upgrade it deserves.

The Most Aesthetic Choice for LED Lighting

In kitchens, your lighting can fulfil either a practical role or an aesthetic one, and in the best designs, there's an even balance of the two. Identifying what lighting is for function and what lighting adds atmosphere is one of the easiest ways to begin to define your design. And when it comes to getting the most visually pleasing effect from your LED lighting, the answer is all in the positioning.

"For a soft, atmospheric glow, I would generally position the LED strip towards the back of the shelf, ideally concealed within a recessed channel where possible," suggests Vanessa. "This allows the light to wash gently across the wall behind, creating depth and a subtle halo effect without making the LED itself the focus. It works particularly well when highlighting decorative objects, ceramics or glassware, giving the shelving a warm, layered quality."

For Matthew Andrews, head of design at Cor Domi, which specializes in creating luxury, bespoke kitchens, atmospheric lighting is all about softness and subtlety. "If the aim is more aesthetic, you can point the lighting upwards to create a soft wash of light on the wall above the shelf," he suggests. Opting for this upward wash, as opposed to a downward-facing light source, can help create a more diffused warmth, ideal for highlighting the material of your kitchen backsplash.

This doesn't have to be done in isolation, though. Oftentimes, Matthew will combine this upward light with some accompanying downlights, too. Or, he says, "If you're clever with the design, as we have been, you can light both up and down from the same LED strip. With a truly floating shelf, where there's nothing connecting it to its surroundings, I'd point the light upwards, which again creates a lovely wash up the wall."

The exact lights you use will also make a difference: "If you choose the right LED detailing, you can also add color temperature control or a dimmer to get exactly the mood you're after."

Where to Position LED Lighting for Task Lighting

While aesthetic lighting will lend your kitchen that inviting, welcoming look, it's task lighting that will make your space function at its best.

Task lighting is all about making the cooking process easier, so finding ways to keep your prep surfaces illuminated will be key. For this, Matthew recommends directing your lights downwards, which he says "is particularly helpful when you’re prepping and cooking food or using the sink."

Installing LED strips beneath your upper cabinets is a technique that almost all designers swear by — you could use something like these Under Cabinet Strip Lights at Amazon. It brings an extra, atmospheric warmth to your room, while also acting as task lighting for the countertops beneath to aid the cooking process.

When the goal is to light your kitchen worktops, it's always best to position your lights towards the outer edge of your cabinets. By positioning the strip towards the front edge of the cabinet, Matthew says, "You get better task lighting, and it shows off your belongings. It can also make the shelf feel deeper than it is, because the light creates depth and shadow where the shelf meets the wall." If you place the strips towards the back of the cabinet, it will do a good job of lighting your backsplash, but will offer you little in the way of functional task lighting. Generally, most experts will recommend somewhere between two to three inches from the front edge of your cabinet.

Strip lighting is often a better choice than concentrated spotlights for this area, says electrical expert Marvin Adams, who frequently turns to LED strips in his kitchen designs. As he explains, "LED strips generally work better than individual spotlights here because they give you a much more even spread of light without creating lots of bright and dark patches." An even spread of light will also prevent any awkward shadows along your countertops, which can quickly detract from your design.

Where to Position LED Lighting in Drawers and Pantries

While almost all experts recommend installing lights underneath your cabinets, opinions aren't quite so united when it comes to adding lights inside your cabinetry.

Unlike under-cabinet lighting, this technique is far from essential, but there are exceptions — most notably, if you have large, deep cabinets where you constantly find yourself losing things. In these cases, adding in some LED lights can be a true game-changer.

Having worked on several luxury kitchen remodels, Shelly Yoder is very familiar with this issue. When faced with deep drawers that don't receive any light, Shelly opts for hidden, sensor LED strips. As she explains, "A motion-activated LED strip inside a pull-out pantry or a base cabinet with deep shelves means the back of the cabinet is visible when the door opens."

By using motion-activated lights, you can cut out any unnecessary energy use while still benefiting from the convenience of a fully illuminated cabinet or pantry. These Motion Sensor LED Lights at Amazon are rechargeable, magnetic, dimmable, and have three color temperatures.

The Most Common LED Lighting Mistakes

First of all, one of the most important lessons you can take from this is that not every kitchen cabinet is equally deserving of lighting. In the aforementioned circumstances, the addition of LED lights can transform your kitchen, but adding lights into every cabinet just for the sake of it can actually end up making your space look more cluttered and confused. Only include lights where it actually serves a purpose.

Shelly explains this point further, saying, "Interior lighting inside solid-door base cabinets for storing pots and pans isn't worth specifying because you open them, grab what you need, and the light makes no practical difference." Instead, focus on fewer, more intentional placements for your kitchen lighting. "The locations that justify the cost are undercabinet strips above work surfaces, interior lighting in glass-front or open display cabinets, and lighting inside pull-outs or pantries where depth makes the back of the cabinet hard to see." These additions make a difference to how your kitchen looks and operates.

Placement and positioning aside, the other element that can make or break your design is the temperature and brightness of your lighting, which is where understanding lightbulbs comes into play. The tone of your bulbs will dictate the feel of your space: "Warm white, between 2700K and 3000K, works with most cabinet finishes and reads as inviting. Cool white at 4000K and above looks clinical in a residential kitchen and creates a visible mismatch if the overhead fixtures are warm," explains Shelly.

Adjustable lighting is key to a successful kitchen lighting design. If you can, it's always best to have your cabinet lighting on a separate dimmer from the rest of your kitchen lighting, so you can control and adjust it for the time of day.

The best kitchen lighting comes down to finding a balance between form and function, blending task lighting with decorative pieces for a space that works hard and looks beautiful. And when it comes to adding a little extra design flair, there's no better place than your kitchen island lighting. Keep it simple with a pendant, or opt for a striking chandelier; this is the spot to get a little creative.

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Once an absolute go-to design feature in almost all kitchens with an island, it seems that when it comes to ways to light this space now, the trio of pendants are becoming less necessary and more of a safe option. But don’t panic! We aren’t saying that pendant lights are suddenly bad; the issue lies in how predictable and sometimes dated this look is, especially above the island.

“The mistake is treating the island as the starting point. I look at the ceiling first, because its height and the way daylight moves across it decide if pendants belong there at all,” says Artem Kropovinsky, founder and principal designer of Arsight Studio. So rather than automatically opting for the trio of pendants above the island, you should first consider the overall design of your space, followed by your lighting scheme, including your kitchen island lighting ideas.

Furthermore, today’s kitchen lighting is most certainly leaning into a more atmospheric era. So making it flexible is key to tailoring your setting to different times, and using different light sources that can work together, complement each other, or work independently will contribute in such a positive manner. With this in mind, we’ve called on the experts to talk us through how to approach lighting this area now.

1. Layered Lighting Is Key

The secret to making a kitchen feel beautifully lit isn’t necessarily choosing the perfect pendant (or three) — it’s making sure you have more than one source of light to work with to give you options for different moods at different times. Rather than relying on a trio of the same fixture to illuminate the kitchen island and provide the room's main decorative feature, designers are increasingly looking at the kitchen as a space that needs several layers of lighting, each serving a different purpose.

“Good kitchen lighting sits at three or four different heights, not one. Once you have under-cabinet task light and something decorative on the wall, the ceiling stops needing to prove anything,” reassures Artem Kropovinsky. Once the practical lighting is covered, there’s more freedom to think about the atmosphere you want to create.

Wall lights are highly recommended to add plenty of character and a warm glow wherever they’re placed, and the next layer should ideally consist of a few occasional lights for added ambience. “A little pool of light in a dark corner is the perfect way to create lovely little spots in a room; an unexpected light and a little styling in an otherwise dark corner can be the making of a room,” says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens.

Rechargeable lamps, plug-ins, or even LED candlelit areas will transform supposedly gloomy spots into inviting low-lit, cozy corners. Helen explains, “The ability to plug in a light source without the need for permanence can really enhance a room for a special occasion or a specific purpose; but our guess is that once you have created an extra corner of moodiness in your home, you won’t want to take it away!”

Erik Munro, founder of Munro Design, agrees, suggesting, “You could also use architectural lighting tailored for function and cleverly concealed, like LED strips under floating shelves or hidden uplighting behind ceiling cornices, which wash surfaces in a soft, ambient glow.” This, of course, depends on your unique space, but think outside the box.

“Then introduce a sculptural or decorative light above the island to anchor the space. That contrast between practical lighting and a statement piece creates both atmosphere and focus.” It's not about cutting off the island lighting altogether, but ensuring there are other layers of light present is a good idea; then you can view the island pendant (singular) as an artistic element instead.

2. Opt for TWO Pendants

If you are set on including pendant lighting, Helen suggests keeping them subtle: “Even though the urge to really make your mark with these is hard to resist.” She says, “Try to be less obvious and go for simple, understated, and beautiful.” Aiming for a timeless design should keep the kitchen from feeling dated as well as dominated by them. She also recommends dimmer switches for ultimate versatility.

“Two larger pendants read as intentional where three read as a formula,” says Artem, “And in a lot of kitchens the honest answer is none at all; just recessed light doing the work quietly and a beautiful sconce somewhere you'd actually notice it.” Hearing this from a designer like Artem totally simplifies the process for a lot of homes.

3. Opt for Alternative Lighting Over the Island

If you want to avoid the generic three pendants over an island, but you feel the need for some kind of illumination up there, Chelsea Tallentire, senior designer at Makers Furniture, suggests installing directional spotlights on a track or a linear adjustable bar.

“Both options provide flexibility while creating a more considered and contemporary look.” This can also act as your task lighting, so you won't need so many inset ceiling lights, if any. However, it is quite a different look, so be sure it's in keeping with your style goal before the final decision is made. Either way, there are many alternatives to kitchen grid lighting so that your space doesn't end up feeling like a dentist's office.

4. Relocate the Pendant Lighting

Whereas Tom Raffield, creative director and founder of Tom Raffield, suggests using a pendant over the dining table instead, “The soft glow of a pendant over a dining table or the subtle downlighting from wall lights can add a sense of intimacy and depth, not to mention that dimmable lighting can allow for even greater flexibility to create the desired ambience.”

Depending on the size of the light and the size of the table, you may even get two over it without it looking overcrowded, but I'd always map out the options before committing.

Lighting is a vital part of any design, yet is often a bit of an afterthought. It should be layered and interchangeable, so that you're able to create different moods and appropriate lighting for different tasks and events throughout the day. Moving away from the predictable trio of pendants doesn’t mean your kitchen has to be any less considered. In fact, taking the pressure off the island as the star of the show allows that area to breathe, opening up more potential for a layered space, way more personal, and the ambience you really want in your own home.

Think about how you want the kitchen to feel at different times of day, and build your lighting around that. A well-placed light, softly illuminated shelves and architectural features, or even a small table lamp in an overlooked corner will have just as much impact as a statement pendant, or perhaps even more. And if you do decide to hang something above the island, it doesn't have to come in a three!

The key is to stop thinking of kitchen lighting as separate items to tick off the list. By combining practical illumination with softer, more decorative light sources, you can create a kitchen that works hard when it needs to but feels warm and inviting when the evening rolls around. This is exactly what will make the space feel timeless.

If you want to see how lighting trends are shaping up for 2027, we delve into how this decorative element is evolving in all the best-designed homes.

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Last week, after a several-year hiatus, Livingetc Unlocked made its official return, and let me tell you, we were back with a bang. In a two-day-long event spread across the leafy Clapham Common, our readers were invited to step inside some of the area's most beautiful homes, with free rein to experience their beauty firsthand — a dream come true for any design lover. But if you didn't manage to make it this time, don't despair. I spent a whole day in what might just be one of the most impressive kitchens in the city, and I took notes.

'The Modern Family Home', on one of Clapham's loveliest roads, mere steps away from the sprawling Common, was a beauty from top to bottom. With a basement gym and kids' rooms more luxurious than most primary bedrooms, there was no shortage of inspiration. But it was the modern kitchen that really stole the show. Now, as Livingetc's resident kitchen writer, I'm no stranger to a beautiful kitchen design; however, there was something about the way this open-plan space was designed that set it apart from the rest. The level of detail was truly astounding, and everyone who entered it seemed to agree.

Designed by the fabulous team at Naked Kitchens, alongside the talented Millie Turner, founder and creative director of Millie Turner Designs, this space blended traditional styles with modern sensibilities in a way that perfectly complemented the renovated Victorian property. Eagle-eyed and nosy as ever, I snooped around every nook and cranny of this gorgeous kitchen, making sure to take inventory of all the clever little features and designs you might just have missed, and these are the five that impressed me the most.

1. The Clever, Concealed Fridge-Freezer

Typically, I'm a believer in saving the best for last, but this feature deserves nothing less than the top spot. It wasn't the first thing I noticed when I walked into the room, but that's exactly what makes it so special.

In most kitchens, the fridge is one of those ugly-but-necessary features we all just put up with. And while the idea of a concealed fridge is nothing new — in fact, they pop up in almost every quiet luxury kitchen around — this design did it in a way that felt truly original.

Usually, the concealed fridge is designed to blend in with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry, finished in the same color and with the same hardware. In this space, however, it was quite the opposite.

As Jayne Everett, the creative director of Naked Kitchens, describes it, "The design was inspired by the desire to create an architectural furniture piece rather than a standard functional appliance cabinet. The dramatic curved housing enhances the freestanding furniture feel within the open-plan space, providing a striking focal point."

Designed to look like a standalone piece of furniture, the beautiful, curved cabinet was painted in a soft, creamy shade and finished with eye-catching bamboo handles — a contrast to the brassy metallic finish used across the rest of the kitchen. The effect is such that it appears to be entirely separate from the space, a clever piece of kitchen storage that just so happens to sit across from the main kitchen area.

So, when you open up the curved cabinet doors to reveal a fully concealed fridge-freezer unit within, the immediate reaction is nothing short of complete awe. And if that wasn't enough, they even managed to squeeze a hidden kitchen pantry unit on either side, too. In building this fantastically detailed, gorgeous design, this kitchen turned what is usually an eyesore into a genuine design moment, perfectly blending form and function with effortless grace.

2. Mix-and-Match Cabinetry

Throughout the home, there was a clear appreciation for the art of decorating with neutrals, in a way that felt cozy rather than cold, and that was just as prevalent in the kitchen. It was the largest room in the home, and the overall feeling was of a bright, airy space, with soft, neutral tones. It felt clean and simple, but still warm and inviting.

There was a simplicity to the space, so it came as a surprise when I noticed that a total of four different colors were used across the kitchen cabinetry. So often in kitchens, people think you have to stick to one color across all your cabinetry, or else the space will look cluttered or overly busy. However, this space proved quite the opposite.

With a dark green island, oak shaker doors, an off-white upper cabinet, and, of course, the previously mentioned freestanding pale cream unit, there was so much variety in the joinery throughout this kitchen. But because all these colors sit within the same soft, earthy color palette, the result doesn't feel confused or cluttered; it feels completely harmonious.

What this offers, that a single finish wouldn't, is that sense of depth and character. It's an excellent trick for building intrigue in a space while still keeping that bright, neutral finish.

3. Clutter-Prevention Design

If there's one thing that has seemed to dominate the world of kitchen designs in recent years, it's the desire for discretion. While it was once the norm to have your kitchen appliances out on display across your kitchen counters, over recent years, the goal has been to keep as much out of sight as possible, and that's something this kitchen has done so well.

Walking through this space, you won't see a single plug socket on display; no coffee machines or toasters cluttering the kitchen worktops. Every item you see is intentional, a delicately placed finishing touch in antique brass or ceramic. By removing the clutter a kitchen typically invites, they made space for you to fully appreciate the beauty of the design.

It's not just the fridge-freezer either; every appliance is hidden behind a cabinet door, sliding open to reveal a perfectly positioned appliance garage or coffee nook. It's minimalism without sterility, and it's a must-do move for anyone who loves to host.

Every element of this comes down to the careful, thorough planning done by the Naked Kitchen team. "The kitchen was designed around practical layout mapping—identifying hardworking zones and clutter hot spots," explains Jayne. After identifying these zones and hot spots, they built up solutions to these problems and worked them into the design. For example, Jayne says, "It incorporates undercounter deep storage and concealed countertop appliance stations so small appliances and daily essentials have a dedicated home, keeping surfaces pristine. The cabinets standing above the counter are open at the base so items can be tucked away without opening doors, keeping the worktop fully usable."

4. The Uninterrupted Island

It's become commonplace for the kitchen island to exist as a dual-purpose surface — you'll often see a hob on it, or a kitchen sink installed on one edge. However, in this design, the large, central island was left completely clear, and I think that might just be the way to go.

You see, when you decide to add an extra feature onto your island, such as a hob or sink, you immediately invite a whole wealth of clutter to exist on this surface. Whether it's a drying rack or cooking utensils, these items will detract from the aesthetic appeal of this large, central feature in your kitchen.

And it's not just visual consequences; these additions will also detract from the much-needed prep space that an island can offer.

By allowing the island to be just that, the design becomes calmer. It's a central spot for guests to gather around, with a generous amount of space that can be used for serving food, prepping while cooking, or even a makeshift home bar setup.

5. The Finishing Touches

When it comes to designing this space, so much attention is placed on the kitchen layout, materials, and appliances — and as important as these features are, sometimes the things that make the biggest impact are the smallest details. And this is exactly what this kitchen does so well.

Every element of this design shows so much care and consideration; you can see the level of thought throughout. One of my favorite examples is the hardware and the kitchen handles.

While so many kitchens opt for a one-and-done approach to hardware, using the same knob or handle across the entirety of the cabinetry, in this kitchen, the variation is what gives the space character. With a combination of knobs, handles, and latches, all in the same antiqued bronze finish, these elements really do function as the jewelry of the room.

And I'd be remiss not to mention the gorgeous bamboo handles on the fridge unit. A welcome contrast to the bronze finish throughout the kitchen, these handles bring a textural intrigue that feels decidedly modern compared to the traditional kitchen features surrounding them.

Equally beautiful are the antiqued bronze grates used across the upper cabinetry, and the matching gallery rails running along the open shelves; details which add warmth and character to the space. So, too, do the accessories, such as the antique salt and pepper mills and the ceramic vases that serve as countertop accessories. They look far more elegant than any air fryer ever would.

Get the Look

Still feeling the Unlocked fomo? Luckily for you, Livingetc's editor and style guru, Hugh Metcalf, helpfully collated his top 10 details spotted in the Unlocked homes, so you can still get your dose of design inspiration.

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I made a strange discovery recently. I'd have thought the social media app I spent the most time using on my phone would be Instagram, surely, or TikTok, perhaps. But upon checking my phone's app usage, it turns out it's actually Pinterest.

Pinterest doesn't lead to endless doomscrolling as much as the previously mentioned apps, and it feels a little more additive to life. It's about inspiration more than comparison, and I often use it to moodboard my own home projects.

However, it's not without its own problems, especially when it comes to designing a space like a kitchen. Yes, we're all, often, served a lot of the same images algorithmically speaking (and if we're all taking the same inspiration, that specially curated kitchen color moodboard is going to look awfully similar to a lot of other people also in the process of planning a kitchen), but Pinterest only gives you the inspiration, not the 'context', kitchen designers warn.

"Relying too heavily on Pinterest or Instagram rather than letting the house speak for itself is a risk," says Matthew Andrews, head of design at kitchen design studio Cor Domi. "There's a real tendency to try to recreate something you've seen online because you can see it works — but it works for that space, which might face a completely different direction, in a different part of the world, with completely different lighting."

So, how do you choose a scheme that will really work for your space, while feeling personal, original, and right for the context of your home. Let's figure it out.

What Does the 'Context' of Your Home Mean?

Ignoring the context of your wider home is one of those kitchen color mistakes you'll come to regret. " Not considering the flooring, worktop, and tiles alongside the color is one example," says Allison Lynch, senior designer at kitchen design brand Roundhouse, of the biggest mistakes she sees. "Not considering daylight, evening light; north vs. south facing. Not considering the rest of the home; the colors do not have to match other rooms, but they should speak the same language."

It's not quite as simple as just whether you have a north-facing kitchen or south-facing space — it comes down to details including how the light enters at different times of day, how it reflects off of other materials and colors, and how the colors that sit near it change your perception of it.

Ignoring the 'context' when choosing a color is one of those things that sometimes works out; sometimes it doesn't. "Going into a project with your heart set on one specific color or aesthetic before it's even begun can go either way," Matthew Andrews of Cor Domi explains. "You're either thrilled because you got exactly what you pictured, or disappointed because the reality doesn't quite live up to the image in your head, and that's heartbreaking after everything a renovation can take to get over the line. You can be standing in a beautiful, brand-new kitchen and still feel deflated."

How to Choose a Color With Context in Mind

Figuring out what a color will look like in your kitchen isn't really something you can do with imagination alone, unless you've got a lot of experience. "My advice is always the same: trust the professionals you appoint to assess the site properly and advise on a scheme that actually works with the house," Matthew suggests.

If you're not working with a designer, or a studio that offers home visits for the design consultation, then you can often borrow sample packs to assess the colors at home yourself, though you're still at the mercy of fluctuations of light at different times of day and year, and what you already have in your kitchen. However, you will get a better read on how a color will feel, and which undertones are most prominent in your space.

You might think that the answer lies in AI mock-ups, as many people turn to generating images of what their kitchens might look like in different colors; however, the issue remains the same. "AI can be helpful too, up to a point, but its idea of 'photorealistic' is fairly loose," Matthew says. It will faithfully recreate whichever color you feed it, but again it can't recreate the lighting context of your home. Well, yet, anyway.

But most of all, you need to keep an open mind. "Some of the most successful kitchens I've designed ended up completely different from what the client walked in wanting," Matthew says. "We found what actually worked for the space as we went through the process together. That's the fun part."

How to Detach Your Moodboard From the Algorithm

Relying on Pinterest isn't just an issue of context though; it's about separating your own taste from what the algorithm is feeding you. "The current bold kitchen color trends are here today and gone tomorrow," says Jayne Everett, founder of Naked Kitchens. "Yellow reared its head recently; this can look fresh and vibrant, but I'm not sure you'll feel the same about it in a few years. It's not easy to change the color of a kitchen, and it can be quite a costly exercise, so you need to be confident with your choice."

My advice? Try to figure out if you really love the color and it appeals to your personality, or it just feels right for now. If you find a color that has meaning to you, or is ingrained in a memory, then you'll be able to make choices that skirt the Pinterest machine.

And look for that inspiration away from your phone screen. "At art exhibitions, I’m drawn to color combinations that shouldn’t work on paper but do in real life," suggests Design Lab by Livingetc stylist Iokasti Sotirakopoulou. "Deep, saturated tones next to something faded, how a single color is given space to breathe."

"When I travel, I focus on light and material, how the sun warms up surfaces, how shadows move across a room, how stone, wood, or plaster picks up tone throughout the day. That's where depth comes from, not from adding more, but from how everything interacts," she adds. It's those real world interactions that give you more of a sense of how it feels to live with a kitchen color palette, not just how it looks.

Timeless kitchen colors are, perhaps, what you want to look for, but only if they're timeless for you. Often, those colors referred to as timeless are the least adventurous, too, which might not suit your own decorating spirit.

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Have you ever seen something and immediately thought, 'That's completely ridiculous, I have to have it'? A tiny mother-of-pearl caviar spoon, perhaps. Or a modernist, color-blocked nut-cracking tool.

There's a special kind of joy that these entirely unnecessary but extremely endearing pieces evoke. When the modern kitchen is so dominated by functionality, with every appliance claiming to be a life-changing 8-in-1 tool, there's a kind of quiet rebellion in something that serves one sole (preferably hyper-niche) function. You can keep your all-in-one microwave air fryer hybrids; I'd much rather have an Italian, stainless steel pasta measurer, thank you very much.

Some may write these pieces off as silly or frivolous, but those just happen to be two of my favorite descriptors. Plus, if using your ceramic garlic grater at the end of a hard day brings a smile to your face, doesn't that alone make it worthwhile?

These products may not change your life; you may not even use them more than four times a year, but for some of us, owning something incredibly and undeniably design-y is reason enough to add it to your collection. Plus, you might just find yourself surprised by how much use you actually get from your professional truffle shaver. Just saying...

It won't be long until the festive season rolls around again, and these items would make the perfect gift for the design lovers in your life. Or to yourself- we won't judge.

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In what could be called the quintessential Sussex village of Horsted Keynes, you'll find an equally quintessential country home and kitchen. A vision of rustic wood and textured warmth, the kitchen may only have been installed recently, but the new and old blend together so harmoniously that they have become part of one complete whole, neither entirely new nor old, so that you can't imagine a time before this kitchen came to be, or the home without it.

This space was all about finding ways to honor tradition while supporting contemporary life. The homeowners wanted a modern kitchen that felt in line with the architecture of their historic home, bringing together contemporary features and traditional elements in a way that felt harmonious and natural. Luckily, this is something the team at Inglis Hall has perfected as a fine art. "Creating a modern traditional kitchen might sound like trying to balance two competing priorities, but it’s something we encounter often," explains Jenna Spicer Lumb. In period properties, the kitchen essentially has to straddle two worlds: providing the modern functionality we expect from our homes today, while still feeling connected to its surroundings.

Instead of fighting the existing architecture, this kitchen intentionally embraces it, actively incorporating it into the new design, reimagining the space in a way that pays homage to all that came before. A design steered by genuine consideration and care for the home's history, as well as a true excitement for modernity, this is a kitchen where old and new become one.

The Inspiration

In period homes, there can often be an underlying duty to honor the history of the property, which at times can begin to feel like a kind of shackle, preventing you from exploring the full breadth of your desires and design ideas. In this home, however, it was clear from the jump that this was not going to be the case.

"Our very first conversations with the client quickly established that this would not be a project politely bound by tradition," explains Jenna. The house was already so rich in history, with a life that stretched far beyond the current homeowners. That said, when they were designing the space, it was important that it felt true to them, reflecting their lifestyles and habits in a way that was authentic and natural. And, as passionate cooks, nowhere was this more important than in the rustic kitchen.

This duality presented a challenge for the team at Inglis Hall. They had to create something that felt in keeping with the rest of the home, but also specific to the current homeowners' needs: "A cook's kitchen that feels unmistakably contemporary, yet completely at home in its surroundings."

To achieve this, the team began by creating a clear outline of priorities and intentions for the space.

First and foremost was functionality. "This kitchen needed to work hard," says Jenna. "Its owners are serious cooks, so generous kitchen storage and space for the equipment, ingredients, and paraphernalia that come with that were essential."

The family's passion for food stretches beyond the confines of the kitchen: "They grow produce in their kitchen garden and preserve their own food, as well as regularly cooking and entertaining for family and friends." The space needed to be dinner-party ready, as well as suitably practical to support their agrarian pursuits, too.

The Process

The team at Inglis Hall had quite the task set out for them, but they were more than ready to rise to the challenge, and the natural first step in the journey towards a contemporary chef's kitchen was, of course, choosing the right kitchen appliances.

Sourcing appliances is one of the most crucial steps in building a true chef-worthy kitchen, making it a natural starting place in the design process. "Finding the perfect range was an early priority, as was incorporating an industrial dishwasher and a generous walk-in pantry," Jenna explains.

In such a large, rustic space, a range oven was a natural choice. In recent years, it's become one of the most popular traditional kitchen features, and can become a true focal point of the home. For many, it doesn't get much better than a traditional Aga oven. So, the decision to remove one from this space could feel like sacrilege to many.

But in the original design, the traditional Aga had been built into the chimney breast and was positioned away from the main kitchen. Ultimately, the Inglis Hall team found that in removing the Aga, they were able to open up the space, making the overall kitchen flow more naturally.

This, in many ways, became the turning point in the design process. By removing the Aga, they suddenly had a whole extra block of space to work with, opening up the opportunity to build a concealed kitchen pantry within the former chimney.

"The pantry occupies the former inglenook and is lined with two-inch-thick stone, which helps to keep the space naturally cool. It turns what could have been redundant space into a hardworking part of the kitchen, while keeping a considerable amount of storage discreetly out of sight," says Jenna.

Finding ways to incorporate the existing architecture into the new design became one of the core principles of this process. "The former inglenook chimney became the setting for the walk-in pantry, while the leaded windows provide a natural home for the daybed and relaxation area," says Jenna.

And it didn't end there. Even elements that could have been seen as restrictive became integral to the design, like the supportive timber column, which became the central mark for the kitchen island to be built around. Explaining this choice, Jenna says, "Rather than butting cabinetry up against it and allowing the two elements to fight for space, we built around it so that the island and architecture feel naturally connected."

Positioned in the bucolic countryside, the surrounding setting becomes a key player in the design, too, and the choice of colors, materials, and even the kitchen layout was selected with the outside world in mind, creating a sense of natural continuity between the interior and exterior world.

The Design

In this design, there was a natural harmony between the aesthetic properties and the functional ones. Across the design, there was a consistent desire to find a balance between modernity and tradition, finding ways to honor both at every step of the process.

This becomes particularly clear when looking at the materials used across the kitchen, from the kitchen worktops to the wooden flooring; each element blends modernity with tradition in a way that feels wholly natural and authentic to the space. "The material palette deliberately brings contemporary and traditional elements together," says Jenna.

For the countertops, they opted for Richlite, a durable, composite surface that brings a surprising depth to the space. For the rustic effect, wood was the only way. "Band-sawn oak introduces texture and natural timber; it feels fresh against the aged structural beams while being essentially the same material," says Jenna.

From there, burnished brass kitchen handles and natural stone details round out the palette. "These are materials chosen not just for how they look when new, but for how they will age: developing patina, marks, and character through use," says Jenna. "This project was a joy from start to finish, and captured so much of what we’re about: a kitchen made to be lived in, that will tell its story with every passing year".

It's this combination of modern and traditional materials that makes the overall effect feel so cohesive. "Rather than trying to replicate the existing architecture, we used materials that could sit comfortably alongside it and develop their own character over time," Jenna explains. "Color, texture, proportion, and vista were all important in bringing the old and new together as a cohesive whole."

Get The Look

In this setting, the natural texture and warmth you can find only in wood kitchens were essential to achieving that rustic, country feel while maintaining a contemporary feel, too. But even if rustic isn't your style, there are so many different looks you can create using wooden cabinetry as your base.

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Often, in darker kitchens, there’s a real temptation to make everything as light and bright as can be.

But if you’re concerned the space may feel dark and gloomy, then perhaps, controversially, you might want to rethink overbearing kitchen lighting and give the moody ambience a chance, and here’s why.

Sticking to the light, reflective surfaces and pale finishes can strip the space of depth and character, explains Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra. “The trick is not to confuse dark with gloomy,” she says. Because dark doesn’t necessarily mean this; think more along the lines of low-lit, atmospheric, moody and romantic.

Read on to find out exactly how to take the dark and atmospheric look in the right direction and achieve the perfect ambience in your most-used space.

1. Layer your Lighting

Perhaps the most obvious solution to a dark kitchen, yet also one of the easiest to get wrong. Rather than flooding the space with bright overhead lights, modern lighting trends look to a mix of different light sources that you can use independently (if you need or want them to).

“The key is not to rely on harsh task lighting that can cast shadows and create an unbalanced design,” says Erik Munro, founder of interior design studio Munro. “Instead, layering lighting is paramount. You need a strong base, then many added layers, and finally, clever use of indirect, soft lighting to create a warm, atmospheric feel.”

The idea is to ensure the kitchen works at every point of the day. Cover the practical task lighting and illuminate areas such as the countertops, sink and hob, while softer light sources can take over when the kitchen becomes a space for simply relaxing and entertaining.

“Dark kitchens don’t need to be flooded with light to feel inviting,” agrees Tom Raffield, creative director and founder. “The key is to layer warm, considered lighting throughout the space.” He recommends combining the task lighting with other ambient lighting, such as: “The soft glow of a pendant over a dining table or the subtle downlighting from wall lights can add a sense of intimacy and depth. If possible, include a dimmer switch, as being able to adjust the brightness can quite literally transform the space, making the darker elements of the kitchen an appeal rather than something you need to overcome.

2. Pair Lighting With the Right Colors and Materials

"Lighting has a profound influence on both the aesthetic and functional qualities of interiors,” says Massimo Buster Minale, founder and creative director of Buster + Punch. “Just as the positioning of a room may inform the color palette, lighting determines how those colours appear within a space.”

He explains that in darker kitchen color schemes, a thoughtfully structured and layered approach to lighting can guide how each zone is experienced, meaning whether you want to achieve a cocooning and intimate environment or a more industrial, dramatic tone, lighting can create each and every look when planned properly.

But what Massimo really recommends is installing a dimmer switch. It may sound like a small detail and is usually an afterthought, but having the ability to soften the ambience and shift the environment with ease will impact your day-to-day instantly and give you room to work out which levels of lighting work best and when.

The materials of your lighting also play a significant role in your kitchen design. Wall lights are known to introduce a decorative element of lighting with character and style, pairing perfectly with a chandelier and spotlights to create a cohesive and tonal balance throughout. As Massimo suggests, “Steel and brass finishes complement darker schemes by balancing cool and dark hues, further enhancing depth and visual contrast."So it’s not only what the light puts out, but how the source looks itself; consider this when it’s both on and off.

3. Consider Using Candlelight

'My kitchen is easy to make feel cozy,” says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. “It's not a particularly bright room and tends to be quite dark, so it lends itself well to candles.” There are a lot of opinions on candles, but even if you don’t opt for the real thing, there are some really good alternatives available nowadays to create an equally cozy feel.

She describes her space, housing two beautiful vintage candle sconces on either side of the window, and when the candles are lit, it becomes beautifully inviting. “I think candles on walls are so much better than any other type; they really do create something special,” leaning into another time, long ago. “I also have a little rechargeable lamp on my dining table; it's been such a wonderful thing. I love having a small atmospheric little pool of light in an otherwise dark room; it feels very bistro.” Helen explains how she often adds foliage into the room in winter to make the room feel different to the summer when it's all geraniums, and that adds to the coziness too.

“And don’t be afraid of shadow," adds Grazzie. A kitchen diner doesn’t have to be uniformly bright to feel welcoming. In fact, allowing some areas to feel deeper and moodier can make the whole room feel more considered. It’s that contrast between light and dark that gives a scheme atmosphere.”

4. Embrace a Darker Palette

When you’ve got an already dark space with shady corners and very little natural light, I’m all for embracing this and rolling with that theme to make it one to remember. A dark kitchen doesn’t need to be bright to feel inviting. “Deep cabinetry, darker worktops and warm lighting can create a more intimate setting, particularly in the evenings,” says Kate Duckworth, a styling expert for Kutchenhaus.

So rather than trying to lighten everything, Kate suggests using the darker palette as your starting point; we're talking walls, floors and perhaps even the cabinetry in that one color, and then introducing contrast through the countertop, splashback and lighting. “The result is a kitchen that feels confident in its personality."

5. Curate a Palette of Materials

Curating a palette of materials that not only look good but also feel good together will naturally exude a rich environment, engaging anyone who enters the space, including an atmospheric color palette.

Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr, suggests reds, blacks, and deep earth tones such as brown, green, and burgundy. Then move on to combining materials: brass countertops, oak cabinetry, paired with painted units and decorative stone surfaces. Al ensures this will add further character: “A layered design that will be highly sought after in the coming years."

Grazzie agrees, “I always think it’s better to introduce warmth rather than simply whiteness. Timber, aged finishes, veining, irregular surfaces, and earthy tones all help a darker scheme feel layered and lived-in, rather than flat."

It’ll always be difficult to preempt your atmosphere for every possible scenario, but embracing that moody romance and cozy darkness will create an experience, rather than a dull, light space trying too hard to be something it simply isn’t. It’s as easy as considering task lighting for the essentials and ambient lighting in materials and colors you are unlikely to get bored of. So own the drama and work it into the interior architecture you've got for a unique cocooning effect.

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Trends are a tricky one when it comes to interiors — especially in kitchens. They are tempting to follow, and when a new color, statement material, or even clever storage idea feels completely 'of the moment', it's understandable to want it in your space — but when everyone starts doing the same thing, what was once new and exciting suddenly loses its sparkle.

And in the kitchen, where we spend so much of our time, replacing countertops, tiles, or cabinetry isn’t usually a quick or inexpensive fix, so the design approach for this space should be a timeless investment that will last for years to come, rather than being beholden to the latest kitchen trends.

The most enduring kitchen is the one that doesn't try too hard to be on trend. So I spoke to designers about which trends they think are most overdone in 2026 and which you'll likely regret in the not-too-distant future — here's what they said.

1. Too Many Statement Surfaces

Let’s start with those statement surfaces we all crave to feature boldly in our kitchens. This space can certainly benefit from a standout material — it's a trend for a reason — but when it's overdone, it all becomes too much. Multiple surfaces end up competing for attention, and the space reads confused and will likely feel dated before long, too.

“The thing I think people will regret isn’t choosing a dramatic stone or a bold tile. It’s giving every surface in the kitchen the same level of importance,” says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra. It’s something we are seeing more of — heavily veined kitchen countertops carried up into the splashback, waterfalls down the island sides, and then paired with another statement floor material. “The problem is that when everything is designed to be noticed, you stop noticing any of it.”

Instead, Grazzie recommends creating a hierarchy. “Decide what the hero is and let the other surfaces do a quieter job around it.” For example, if you’ve chosen a dramatically expressive stone for the island, you will most likely gain more impact from pairing it with a calmer but complementary floor and a more restrained kitchen backsplash, rather than by repeating that same drama in all three areas.

One thing to note, Grazzie explains, “I also think people can underestimate how quickly an instantly recognizable ‘look’ can date a room.” Now, that doesn’t mean playing it safe. She reassures us that character, color, and pattern can age brilliantly, but what tends to date the kitchen is when several trends from the same year have all been layered together.

“My rule is simple: if you removed everything else from the room, would you still genuinely love that surface? If the answer is yes, it’s probably a much better long-term choice than something you’ve selected because it happens to be everywhere at that particular moment.”

2. Overly Repetitive Textures

Texture is key to a successful design, but too much of the same texture across too many elements is not a good thing. Gareth Hull, design lead at Hendel & Hendel, advises against choosing texture just because it happens to match something.

"The strongest kitchens don’t necessarily repeat the same detail verbatim," he explains. "They create a relationship between materials,” and this must be felt throughout the space, right from the start of the design. “That distinction becomes more important over time. Decorative treatments can come and go very quickly, but good proportion, tactility and the feeling of something well made tend to have a much longer life.”

A fluted kitchen island, reeded glass, grooved cabinetry and ribbed panels can turn what may have been an intentional design detail into an overly repetitive motif. Gareth recommends being a little more thoughtful and creative, particularly where it has a tactile purpose. Be intentional with your use of texture, incorporating it where it makes sense in your space, rather than feeling you need to add it everywhere.

3. Going Overboard on a 'Theme'

Now, let’s talk 'themes' in general. When every element is chosen to fit one look in particular, there is a sense of personality and individuality that is lost — which is the opposite to the type of spaces we hope to create in 2026. It’s much warmer to allow the room to evolve naturally.

“Avoid gadgets and trendy ‘in’ looks and don’t go full-on with a theme or have a shopping spree to accessorize the whole room all in one go,” recommends Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. She explains that there is nothing wrong with exploring kitchen wallpaper ideas, as you can change it in a couple of years, but spending lots of money on statement lighting rather than a timeless classic can be a big, costly mistake.

“The key to transcending fashion is to go for simple, beautifully made classic cupboards, fittings and worktops and then add small, well-chosen pieces gradually,” and ensure they are things you do love and will continue to love, rather than just because they're popular at the time.

4. Taking Minimalism Too Far

Also one of this year's most outdated kitchen trends, over-the-top minimalism is definitely overdone. While pared-back kitchens can feel sleek and sophisticated, (clear kitchen, clear mind, and all that!) taking minimalism too far can leave you with a bland ambience. One-color handleless cabinetry and completely concealed appliances can become overly uniformed when altogether and prevent any character from making its way through into the final design.

As Ntola Obazee, brand director of Kutchenhaus explains, the key is to introduce some contrast without losing that calm and clean aesthetic. Warmer finishes, statement lighting, distinctive hardware or varied cabinetry tailored to the architecture leans into a much more design-led, intentionally minimalist look.

"It’s about creating a foundation to build upon and evolve with. Ideally, “The room will continue to feel like your own rather than a snapshot of a particular moment.” Plus, it's worth establishing if you are actually a minimalist, or just overwhelmed in your space — whether you like the style, or are just trying to beat the clutter, it's important not to take the trend too far.

5. All-White Cabinetry

Seen as a safe option for years, all-white kitchens are frankly overdone. We’re hearing more than ever from designers that all-white cabinetry isn't the way to go if you want to avoid a potentially stark space with very little character. If you want a light, neutral kitchen, there are better ways to go about it.

We’re seeing a move towards layered, tonal schemes that introduce color subtly, explains Massimo Buster Minale, founder and creative director of Buster + Punch. “Tri-color kitchens bring depth, contrast and texture to your space, working just as well with neutral tones as they do with darker schemes.” He tells us it’s less about following rules and more about creating a kitchen with real character and warmth, natural materials, and you'll have a kitchen that feels welcoming and lived-in for years to come.

From cabinets and countertops to walls, ceilings, lighting and hardware, each element can be curated to connect, contrast and push the look that much further into a design-led kitchen that offers so much more than simply function.

It's always going to be hard to know which trends are going to fall out of favor quickly, and which ones get totally overdone, so creating a kitchen that you won't regret in the near future is about curating a palette and layers of materials that you like, and that work for your space. The trick is to know where to embrace a trend and where to hold back, especially when it comes to the more expensive elements of the room. And when it comes to color, these timeless kitchen colors will help you future-proof your space, too.

But hey, just because a trend may be overdone, doesn't mean you have to change your space or not do or buy something anymore — if you like it, that's what counts after all.

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I like to think I'd be able to resist the pull of a cult (Netflix has taught me better), but there is one idol I'll happily worship at the altar of: Le Creuset. And with the release of the iconic cookware brand's latest colorway, the pull has only become stronger.

Having grown up with weekly one-pot dinners served straight out of a Bamboo Green Le Creuset casserole (my mother's prized possession), my love for the French cookware brand was instilled in me early on. So, when Le Creuset invited me to preview its newest colorway, Forêt, you can imagine my excitement. Over a night spent at the gorgeous Wilderness Reserve, with dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chef Merlin Labron-Johnson, I was fully immersed in the wonder and beauty this new shade offers.

And it's wonderful. Drawing inspiration from nature, this deep, matte green evokes images of dense, verdant forests and luscious, woodland plains. Despite being the newest addition, this shade has a timeless quality that feels as though it's been around forever. The rich green makes for a natural pairing with the soft, gold hardware, while the matte finish provides a subtle contrast to the metallic shine.

True to the essence of the brand, this is a color that will stand the test of time; a piece to prize for generations. So whether this is the start of your Le Creuset collection or just the latest addition, the Forêt collection should be at the very top of your wish list.

Established in 1925, Le Creuset has cemented itself as a necessary piece in professional chefs' kitchens and novice cooks' homes alike. Aptly named after the landscape that inspired it, Forêt brings a beautiful nature-inspired warmth into your home that feels both timeless and super current. It's the perfect complement to the earthy color schemes that have reigned supreme over recent years, while still feeling true to the brand's long-standing heritage and history. It's the kind of color you could easily imagine being part of the collection for decades.

So much of what makes Le Creuset so beloved is its heritage. Crafted out of cast iron and coated in a vibrant enamel glaze, these are dishes that are built to last — the type of piece you pass on through generations. I still use the same Le Creuset pots my parents were gifted for their wedding, well before I was even born. And with each new release, Le Creuset has found a way to build upon this heritage, ensuring the brand remains at the forefront of the zeitgeist, without sacrificing the history behind it.

But you're not just limited to the iconic casserole pots. This new shade has been applied across the brand's complete collection, with over 15 different products to pick from, all in the same gorgeous matte green finish; the only tricky part is resisting the urge to buy it all.

This dreamy collection is sure to find its way onto many a wish list, and with its rich green hue, it would make a particularly appropriate Christmas present. Whether you go for an impressive casserole or a petite butter dish, anything in this gorgeous colorway would be a worthy addition to any design lover's gift guide.

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We all know the kitchen is the heart of the home, the central hub of activity, where friends and family naturally gravitate — and for no one is this communal space more important than an extrovert.

For an extrovert, this social, convivial energy isn't just nice to have; it's essential, and finding ways to support this in your design process can have a profound impact on how your modern kitchen feels. It may all sound slightly abstract, but for designers like Johnny Grey, this idea is nothing new. "There are simple ways of creating a kitchen for an extrovert, a person who likes dynamic environments where conversations happen easily," says Johnny, who has been designing kitchens for extroverts for over forty years now.

When designing a kitchen, the space is led by the client's personality and habits, and when you're designing for an extrovert, a few surprisingly simple tricks can make all the difference. So, we asked the experts to share their favorite tips for ensuring your kitchen is the kind of space people want to sit around and chat in, and I'm already thinking of ways to include them in my own design.

1. Central Island

A classic design feature, and for good reason, when it comes to creating a social layout, nothing will make quite as much of a difference as a centrally located kitchen island.

In fact, Johnny goes so far as to call it "the most effective design intervention." And it makes sense why. By providing a centralized location for completing the majority of your kitchen tasks, it allows for a constant, uninterrupted flow of conversation.

With many regular prep surfaces, where the cook stands facing a wall, with a central island, they can look out into the room. Ensuring the majority of your kitchen prep space is orientated towards the rest of the room should be a key consideration when designing a kitchen for an extrovert. "You can’t have a proper conversation if your back is turned, so obviously a cooker or even a sink facing the wall are likely to be no-nos for an extrovert," says Johnny.

2. Island Seating

So, we've established that a central island is key, but it doesn't end there. If you really want to foster a sociable atmosphere in your space, you need to make sure people feel comfortable, providing plenty of opportunities for them to perch and make themselves at home. Which is exactly why Claire Watson, a kitchen designer at Harvey Jones Harrogate, always recommends carving out some space for kitchen island seating, too.

"An extrovert should prioritize features that make it easy for people to gather and spend time together," says Claire. And, to do this, ample seating is key. "Generous island seating works particularly well because it allows family or guests to sit and chat while someone is cooking, and the space can shift effortlessly from an informal breakfast in the morning to drinks with friends in the evening," she explains.

There's a casual informality about a bar stool that makes it perfect for socializing. It allows you to pull up a seat wherever you please, shifting it around to suit the flow of conversation. It allows the chef to remain part of the conversation while offering your guests a comfortable place to rest.

3. Bar Area

Now, I'm by no means saying all extroverts have to drink, but chances are, if you're a frequent host, a dedicated drinks area might get quite good use.

The benefit of a home bar area is that it offers your guests a space to congregate and enjoy themselves without disrupting the host. "A dedicated drinks area is another great addition because guests can help themselves without interrupting the main cooking zone," explains Claire. It's a way of making your own life easier, while ensuring your guests are having plenty of fun.

It's all about creating as many opportunities for socialization as possible; "Ultimately, the most successful sociable kitchens give people several places to gather rather than expecting everyone to congregate in one spot."

4. Colorful Finishes

It may sound silly, but there is proof that extroverts and introverts choose different color palettes. For an extrovert, being surrounded by brighter, bolder colors and finishes can actually help improve energy, so it only makes sense to include them in your kitchen design.

Of course, you can create a colorful kitchen by painting the walls, but there are several more creative ways to integrate color into your space too: "Eye-catching chairs, artwork or decorative patterns for the walls and furniture, and a cleanable rug on the floor" are just a few of Johnny's suggestions.

It's all about finding new ways to communicate your personality and character through design, and, as Claire says, "A confident color on an island, luxurious natural stone or a display area for glassware and ceramics can give the kitchen a sense of character without overwhelming it."

Color doesn't always have to be in your face either; these accents can be just as powerful when done subtly, and even just a small pop of boldness can be enough to wake up a space.

What good is a kitchen designed for socialization if you don't make good use of it? Knowing how to throw a dinner party is key, and our experts have all the best tips for leaving your guests feeling wowed.

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People will happily splash out on a marble worktop, or invest in a state-of-the-art stove, but when it comes to expensive cabinetry, people often feel less inclined to spend the big bucks. But when it comes down to it, your cabinetry is the backbone of your kitchen, and it's well worth spending a little bit extra for the clever functions they can bring into your kitchen.

You may think the standard offerings are good enough for your kitchen drawer planning, and while they will certainly do the job, there's a lot to be said for the convenience, beauty, and ease a custom design can offer. "Most kitchens are based on standard modules, which inevitably creates compromises," explains Søren Lundh Aagaard, who not only owns Danish kitchen brand Garde Hvalsøe, but is a cabinetmaker himself, giving him an in-depth understanding of exactly what a custom cabinet design can do. Instead of forcing your kitchen to fit these standard modules, Søren says, "As cabinetmakers, we can work with the dimensions that are actually there, using the space fully and creating something intended to remain relevant for many years."

From hidden internal drawers to inserts designed specifically for your favorite utensils, there's an endless list of genius, customized features you can integrate into your kitchen drawers when you're willing to spend a little bit more on your cabinetry. And no one knows that better than kitchen designers, which is why I asked them to share their favorite genius drawer features to include in luxury kitchens. So if you're planning a remodel any time soon, you may want to take notes.

1. Internal Drawers

The best thing about custom cabinetry is that a drawer never has to be just a drawer, despite how it may look at first glance. Just take internal drawers as an example. Though they may look like your standard, deep drawer from the exterior, once you open it up, you'll be met with layers of smart, organized kitchen storage.

It's a technique you'll often find popping up in luxury, modern kitchens, and is a favorite of Rachel Davis-Zavala, who frequently includes them in her designs at Harvey Jones Islington. As she explains, "Internal drawers can make particularly good use of a deep cabinet because they retain a simple exterior while creating several very practical layers of storage inside."

They can help simplify the way you organize your kitchen drawers. You could combine a deep lower drawer for chinaware with a hidden internal drawer above for cutlery, or a deep pan drawer with space for utensils to be stored above.

It's these kinds of details you can discuss in depth when working with a bespoke cabinetmaker. “These are details we spend a lot of time exploring with clients in our showrooms because opening a drawer and seeing how the internal storage works is very different from looking at it on a drawing."

2. Clever Customizations

The benefits of custom-made kitchen cabinetry go far beyond looks, and oftentimes, the smartest features are the ones you don't even notice at first.

For Søren, the marker of a truly exceptional drawer is in how it reflects the clients it's made for. Or, more specifically, "It is when a drawer has been designed around the person using it," he says.

The design of your drawers should be catered specifically to you and your unique needs, reflecting how you cook and use your space. "This might mean a drawer made to the exact dimensions of your favorite kitchen utensils, integrated knife storage, or simply using a few extra centimeters that would otherwise have been lost." It can look different for everyone, and therein lies the beauty.

As Søren so aptly puts it, "True luxury, to us, is when something feels completely natural to use because it has been made specifically for you."

3. Pan Drawers

"Good drawer design removes lots of tiny frustrations from everyday life," says Rachel, and there is no kitchen issue quite as frustrating as figuring out how to store your pans.

In small kitchens and large ones alike, the one consistent thing seems to be the lack of logical spots to keep your pots and pans, and no matter what, you're left with a precarious tower of cookware, constantly one gust of wind away from clattering to the ground.

Which is exactly why, in her custom designs, Rachel always specifies deep drawers for storing pans. This simple inclusion can completely transform how you use your space, making cooking enjoyable rather than stressful. "Instead of stacking pans at the back of a cupboard or searching through utensils, everything comes towards you and has a logical home," she says.

As well as deeper dimensions, Rachel also often recommends opting for full-extension drawers, which she says "are particularly useful because you can see and reach everything inside," and also save you from awkwardly shimmying your favorite frying pan out from the back of a cupboard.

4. Habit Drawers

One of the best things about investing in custom cabinetry is that you can shape it to support your unique habits and patterns, whether that be tea drawers or a built-in coffee nook; these specialist additions are the little things that make your kitchen feel uniquely your own.

This is one of the features Rachel loves adding to her designs, saying, "I also love bespoke drawers designed around a particular ritual, whether that’s a perfectly organised tea and coffee drawer beneath a breakfast station or spices positioned exactly where you prepare and cook food." With this feature, the more personal it is, the better. It's an opportunity to do something that feels truly reflective of your lifestyle.

No matter what form it takes, the hope is that it helps to make your life easier, removing some of the friction from your day-to-day. As Rachel puts it, "The real luxury is having storage created to suit how you genuinely use the kitchen rather than expecting you to adapt to it.”

Custom-Vibe Kitchen Buys

Not ready for a full kitchen refurb? These helpful buys can help you bring a bit of that luxury feel to your home for less.

While the experts certainly make a strong case for bespoke cabinetry, we know that it's not always a feasible option for all. But there are still plenty of budget-friendly, rental-safe ways to bring a little more structure and order into your kitchen storage. And this tiered cutlery organizer is one of them.

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