The kitchen is the beating heart of any home, where you prepare meals, make your morning coffee, and gather with family members to chat and make memories. Renovating your kitchen can breathe new life into your home and can be a chance to let you express your personality. There is a wide range of design options available, so let’s look at some kitchen design ideas to get the creative juices flowing. The three main kitchen designs we’ll explore are Hamptons, Country and Contemporary, and we’ll be focusing on ideas that balance both aesthetics and function.
Unlock the Secrets of Easy Living with These Beautiful Designs
Hamptons Style
The Hamptons style originates from the holiday houses of New York’s elite, but its casual yet luxurious vibe has become a staple in Australian houses across the country.
Kitchen island
The kitchen island is a common element in many Hamptons layouts. Some of the most popular materials used on islands and benchtops include stone or marble. Lighter colours and hues will provide the desired warmth the Hamptons style is known for. For extra value, storage can be built into the island to help reduce clutter in your kitchen.
Kitchen cabinets and drawers
Storage space is one of the most useful, yet underestimated components of any kitchen design. The look of your cabinets will have huge sway over the overall aesthetic of your kitchen layout, so if you’re going for the Hamptons look, the cabinets need to fit the part. Think shaker-style doors for cabinetry made from timber, natural materials and panted cabinetry doors. Drawers for your utensils, cookware and dishes should follow a similar style to the cabinetry.
Colour scheme
Hamptons is all about the luxurious beach vibe, so use a light palette for all kitchen elements. Plenty of whites, pale blue, or neutral colours for your decor, while the flooring uses dark timber, with the timber accents creating a nice contrast. Add a touch of colour through decorations or ornaments. Adding features and art will offer a pop of colour and can have a significant impact. When in doubt, use neutral colours.
Lighting
Hampton-style homes are all about allowing natural light into the home through well-placed windows or skylights, so your kitchen should be able to achieve this as well. Large oversized pendant lights, especially in conjunction with high ceilings, are a classic Hamptons look that will help light up your kitchen space.
Tile
Tile is commonly used in Hamptons-style kitchens, serving both as an aesthetic choice, as well as an easy-to-clean material for your splashback. A subway tile splashback or ceramic tiles can add nice finishing touches to the backdrop of your new kitchen.
Country Style
Bringing the rustic charm of the sprawling countryside to your home, the country-style kitchen mixes traditional charm with modern touches.
Natural materials for fixtures
Country kitchens are all about creating a more down-to-earth character, which means incorporating natural materials into all facets. This includes ceramic faucets, sinks and stone or marble countertops.
Open shelving
Open shelves are a popular choice in country kitchens as they create an open, welcoming atmosphere. Perfect for glassware, dishes, pots, and pans, you can really add to the homey vibe by displaying cookbooks, art, or decorative items on these shelves.
Vintage style
Quality craftsmanship and a feeling of an older, classic style are what a country kitchen is all about. Anything artificial or made of plastic is out, while new vintage-style ovens and durable, natural materials like timber and stone are in.
Space for quality appliances
Any kitchen design should value functionality as much as style. Your layout can include a pantry and space for your microwave, toaster, blender, mixer, dishwasher, refrigerator and more.
Add a modern twist
The idea of timber finishes, exposed beams and other country kitchen tropes may sound a little old-fashioned, but your kitchen can maintain the old-school charm of a country kitchen while giving it a modern twist. Though traditionally sprawling affairs, the country-style layout can be adapted to smaller spaces.
Contemporary Style
The contemporary style incorporates the latest technology and techniques into a sleek, stylish decor in your kitchen.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is an incredibly durable material that is easy to clean and provides a modern, sleek look to your kitchen. It’s perfect for appliances like your dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee maker, food processor and stove, but can also be used for your benchtop, sink and faucets.
Splashback
Splashbacks are often an afterthought, but they’re another opportunity to make a stylistic choice in your kitchen. There are plenty of kitchen splashback ideas that can be incorporated into the architecture.
Flooring
With contemporary kitchens, your flooring should be sleek and bare like the rest of the kitchen. Hardwood floors, tiles or polished concrete are all fantastic options for a contemporary kitchen floor.
Furniture
When it comes to furniture choices, you have a range of options. Barstools are a popular choice for seating around the breakfast bar, but if you’re building a larger, open kitchen, you can also incorporate a dining table and chairs.
Timeless interior design
The key to contemporary style is to make choices that feel modern and sleek, with a minimalist feel. Integrate your appliances, such as your dishwasher, refrigerator, and coffee maker, to maintain your kitchen’s seamless layout.
Renovate Your Kitchen with Easy Living Kitchens
Looking to renovate your kitchen and give your home a new lease on life? If any of the ideas above have grabbed your fancy (or maybe you have a few creative inspirations of your own), get in touch with the team of Easy Living Kitchens. With years of experience and plenty of satisfied customers, we’re certain we can create a kitchen that will be the talking point of your home for years to come.
To discuss your kitchen renovation and get a free quote, get in touch with our friendly team today.