Like moths to a flame, we always gather in the kitchen; the heart of the home.
There comes a time when we can all feel disinterested in our homes. Fed up with looking at the same surroundings. Rooms seem outdated, no longer fit for the purpose. A great example of this is kitchens. Technology and the way we use this space has changed dramatically over the decades. Back in Victorian times, typically they used to be a small scullery at the rear of the property. Fast forward, and now they are large open plan spaces filled with light and the smell of freshly baked bread! They have become sought after family spaces for sharing and gathering. When this room feels outdated for whatever reason, it’s time to break open the bank, refresh and remodel.
If you’re planning to install a new kitchen, are looking for some inspiration for your new dream kitchen of the future or just after a quick refresh, you’ll be interested to see the latest looks for kitchens.
It’s long been realised that one of the rooms that brings the greatest value when selling a home, is the kitchen. These rooms are reportedly the most expensive to decorate, meaning it’s well worth giving it due consideration -well before starting a project. It will pay dividends to ensure you have the basics right before spending a penny.
Of course keeping all the pipes and units in the same location makes things a darn site easier when fitting a new kitchen. However, easier doesn’t always result in the ‘wow’ space that you hope for. If you’re after a quick refresh you can simply update cabinet doors, add a lick of paint and buy a new set of lights for the kitchen. Making it fresher and brighter can often give a tired space a new lease of life. If however, you’re ripping the whole sorry thing out and want to make the most of the budget you have, this is a must read article.
Lighting a Kitchen
We mentioned brightness, this single most important element is the lighting, consider it at the start. Often light is given the least consideration, but it should not be downplayed, light can make all the difference. Light enlivens a drab room and makes it feel more modern. Light filled rooms can be achieved by increasing natural light, using lighter colours and reflective surfaces in addition to investing in a good bright lighting. To light the space correctly, the overall layout of the kitchen should be decided. If you have a table in the kitchen, then ideally you’d want an electrical point above allowing a light to hang above. Groups of pendants look fabulous gathered around the table.
Which lights are best for kitchens?
It’s not so much which single light it’s more a case of multiple light fittings. Depending on the size of the room you may need to consider a variety. Functional spotlights, decorative over-table lights and under wall cupboard lights gives a balance to adequately light the surfaces. Lighting is a big topic but you’ll find many a guide within The Lighting Company blog to help. Recommended reads:
Windows, Extraction and ventilation
Kitchens are hardworking rooms, the cooking oils, smells and condensation brings with it the cleaning rituals we all so enjoy!! Who doesn’t love the satisfaction of a day spent trying to revive the cabinets, cooker, tiles.. the everything. Having a good extractor really does help move the yuk in the air out of the room. Opening windows and moving air out quickly whilst cooking up a storm will keep a fresher home. The smaller the room the more consideration to extraction you need to make.
Size up the space.
If you have a small kitchen with an underused adjoining room behind, this may give you scope to knock a wall out and create a family room, kitchen dinner or just a supersized kitchen (providing the wall is not a load bearing wall, you should need not need planning permission). Of course, if you have a listed building you will need consent before beginning any work.
Extending or adding a conservatory may afford extra space and it’s fabulous having your kitchen extending and opening into the garden.
When two be come one…
Making a large room out of two smaller rooms, or extending a room brings the joy of a larger space. Making a cohesive look from mismatch spaces can be tricky, so you’ll need to redecorate the whole space to unite it. Running the same flooring and colours between the combined spaces goes a long way to unifying the space. It’s also key to light it as one whole room, don’t simply add a different set of lights without ensuring they co-ordinate. It’ll torment you forever if the lighting doesn’t have the same rhythm. If the kitchen end has pools of light, make sure that you echo that in the extension.
Trends for kitchens
Marble and metal
Luxury materials elevate the humble workspace to a refined grandeur
Dark and Dramatic
Mood blue, dark greens teamed with brass
White and Grey
Soft neutral tones with hints of scandi wood work
Modern and Vintage Mix
Old style tables, odd chains and modern units showing a value in handed down heritage and antique treasures.
Colour Pops
A bright lively burst of colour in a otherwise basic kitchen, shows a confidence and optimism that brings a bit of joy and why not?! After all kitchens are creative spaces.
Island Life
The most envied statement to make in a kitchen space permitting is an attention grabbing island. Luxury but also a social gathering point. The most popular by far for lighting over this space is either a row of (odd number) ceiling pendants, or if you only have one electric point in the ceiling, a ceiling pendant bar.
Glass
Glass lighting is look that we’ll see in kitchens throughout the twenties too. It teams with any colour scheme and you can get styles to suit every era of home too.
So, get the kettle on and start planning your new kitchen space anew!