#Contemporary Kitchen Design Ideas, Renovations & Photos

So where do you start? When it comes to kitchen planning, considering layout is vital, as is making the most of the space you have to work with and optimising for the daily activities you use it for. Are you more of an entertainer? An open-plan kitchen might be just the thing. Or is your kitchen the place you retreat to for some calm? A breakfast bar or a cosily furnished eat-in kitchen could be your oasis. Your kitchen design ideas should take into account how your kitchen units and appliances will serve your needs to ensure it becomes one of the most cherished (and most useful) rooms in the house.

How do I plan my kitchen?

Begin by taking a look at our kitchen design ideabooks, and browse and save the photos for inspiration. Your will find every kitchen, of every conceivable size and budget, is catered to, and as you collect images your new kitchen will begin to take shape. Do make use of on-site experts and their know-how; using an online kitchen planner and knowing broadly what you want from your kitchen layout is a great place to start, but for the next, more technical aspects of kitchen design and installation, a professional kitchen designer will help turn your dream kitchen into a reality.

I have a small kitchen - how do I maximise the space?

Any kitchen can be luxurious - whether compact or spacious, you can have the kitchen you want that also fits everything you need. Small kitchen spaces benefit from vertical storage solutions, so ensure your kitchen cabinets and units maximise the floor-to-ceiling space and make the most of storage on your worktops - if there’s no room for storing pots and pans, ceiling racks are also a great solution. Kitchen accessories such as baskets, trolleys and bottles are both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Kitchen appliances like a fridge or dishwasher can be tucked away in built-in units so they blend in to your layout, whilst others like an AGA or microwave can be made into features if you select the right designer appliance. If you have room, a kitchen island can work as both a style statement and an extra worktop and storage. Open plan kitchens create the illusion of space throughout the whole house, and a kitchen extension is one of the best ways to add both floorspace and value to your home.

How do I select the best materials and finishes for my kitchen redesign?

The beauty of redesigning your kitchen is that it can look and feel just how you want it to, with an endless variety of materials and finishes to choose from. While neutral and monochromatic designs for kitchen units are popular, adding contrasting colours and textures with accents such as a tiled or mirrored kitchen splashback will immediately lift the mood of your space. Kitchen flooring offers countless ideas to play with - terracotta tiles add warmth, linoleum is great for adding hard-wearing smoothness to uneven floors, and you can’t beat a wooden floorboard underfoot for a country kitchen feel. For your worksurfaces, granite worktops continue to be the most popular choice for luxury kitchens, but why not consider Corian or even wooden worktops for a beautiful finishing touch. Even everyday items like kitchen sinks can be a feature in themselves if you choose a piece in a finish that stands out - just look at the rustic charm a Belfast sink adds to a kitchen. Finally, adding finishing touches with kitchen accessories such as brightly coloured textiles and utensils will complete your kitchen design.