H&G It Yourself: Design Styles That are Perfect for a Kitchen Refresh
How to Get the Shaker Kitchen Look
Named for the 17th-century offshoot of the Quakers, the Shaker kitchen still shares many of the virtues upheld by its namesake, particularly an unembellished yet highly skilled approach to carpentry. A focus on craftsmanship is the key, particularly in the case of the ‘Shaker door’ – simple, panelled cabinet doors – perhaps the cornerstone of this humble style.
When it comes to materials, maple, pine and cherry would score you points for staying true to tradition, but these days you are just as well off with sustainable timber such as oak. Similarly, countertops in granite or engineered quartz make for a more practical option without compromising the aesthetic.
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Ergonomic design comes up trumps in this pared-back style, which champions reflective materials – marble, glass, steel. Given the uncluttered nature of the look, appliances are ideally integrated into the kitchen, while a black and white scheme is ideal. The success of a neo-classic kitchen relies on symmetry to give it wow-factor. Think of the blueprint in terms of a central island with a separate cooking station flanked by storage (open shelving can be incorporated, providing the opportunity to display key pieces and add informality).
How to Make Your Kitchen More Colourful
Colour-lovers rejoice, after a lengthy reign as the hue supreme all signs are pointing to grey (and ash, greige and any other grout-adjacent pigment) finally making its exit. In its place, greens and blues come to the fore; think crisp mint, cocooning olive and sage, and retro turquoise, to name just a few options. While the temptation might be there to go all out with statement primaries, there is panache – and longevity – in more subtle hues. Opt for gradient wall and splashback tiles and painted cabinetry as a grown-up way to execute trending shades.
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This hardworking style is perhaps best suited to smaller kitchen spaces, where its form-meets-function ethos really shines.
Exposed brickwork and pipes (and even ventilation ducts), a profusion of steel and concrete, open spatial planning and a gritty colour palette is par for the course in an industrial kitchen, cleverly transforming the utilitarian objectives of its components into a striking visual language. When it comes to appliances, a mix of old and new is ideal, with decorative pieces evoking an ‘upcycled factory’ aesthetic.
