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Kitchen design ideas

From kitchen layout to lighting, follow our design ideas to update your kitchen or create a new one
Hannah HealeyResearcher & writer
Kitchen with green lamps

There’s more choice than ever when it comes to kitchen design, which makes it difficult to know where to start. 

Once you have an idea of the colours and materials you like, consider how you use your kitchen, what you’ll need easy access to and where the busy spots are most likely to be. This will help you decide where your appliances should go and how much storage you’ll need. 

It’s also helpful to be familiar with typical kitchen layouts. Check out our kitchen planning and layout ideas


Before you even think about buying a kitchen, take a look at our best kitchen brands guide to find out which companies earned our Best Buy recommendation. 


Small kitchen ideas

Small kitchens are particularly tricky to design as you need enough space for appliances, food storage, and room to move around with ease.

Small kitchen storage

Storage is particularly important when you have limited worktop space as you’ll want to keep work surfaces as clutter-free as possible. 

Consider:

  • Corner cupboards with carousels for easy access 
  • Full height cabinetry - this will maximise shelf space and also draw the eye upwards to make the space seem bigger. However, bear in mind you’ll likely need to sacrifice worktop space
  • Open shelving instead of wall cabinets may open up the space, but it can look messy and whatever you store there is likely to gather dust and grime. Cabinets with glass panels will create a similar effect without the dust.  
  • Hanging storage such as wall-mounted utensil hooks or overhead racks for pots or pans
  • A breakfast bar or a fold-out table - this is an efficient way to add dining space into a small kitchen and it can also provide extra work surfaces for preparing meals

Small kitchen colours

Small kitchen design is all about creating the illusion of more space. Make the most of any natural light and keep your colour palette light, as this will make the space feel bright and airy.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with colourful accessories. Add pops of colour via a dramatic splashback, or even via your kettle, toaster, microwave or fridge-freezer.  

Glossy, reflective or mirrored surfaces will also help to bounce the light around the room. Consider high-gloss cupboards and a glass or reflective splashback.

Integrated appliances will also make your kitchen seem more sleek and spacious.

Small kitchen ideas - in pictures

A large collection of images displayed on this page are available at https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/fitted-kitchens/article/planning-a-kitchen/kitchen-design-ideas-a5ID36Y315bE


Check out our guide to the best kettle and toaster sets.


Kitchen colour ideas

Light colours make spaces look larger because they bounce light around the room. Beige, cream or even pale pink work just as well as white. Using the same colour across the cupboards and walls will give you a seamless look. 

Blue kitchens and green kitchens have proved very popular over the last few years. Navy blue cabinets look great with gold metallic handles and hardware, while forest green cabinetry works surprisingly well with pale pink tiles or splashbacks.   

Darker colour schemes add drama and warmth, but remember that if you opt for dark blue or even black cabinetry, they’re likely to show scratches and marks, so made need regular maintenance to keep them looking new. 

If you want dark cupboards without the upkeep, try stained wood. 

Remember to consider texture as well as colour when adding colour to your kitchen. For example, introducing tiles on some walls and paint on others can create a more visually interesting scheme. 

Kitchen colour ideas - in pictures

A large collection of images displayed on this page are available at https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/fitted-kitchens/article/planning-a-kitchen/kitchen-design-ideas-a5ID36Y315bE


Don't miss our pick of the top 5 kitchen trends for 2024. And if you're feeling inspired to make home improvements, sign up for our Home newsletter – it's free monthly


Kitchen splashback ideas

Kitchen splashbacks come in many shapes and sizes. Traditionally, it was a glass, stainless steel or tiled panel placed behind sinks or hobs to protect the wall from any splashes or grease. 

Splashbacks now come in a wide variety of materials, patterns and colours, making it easier to find one to suit your style and budget. Common materials include: 

  • Tiles
  • Back-painted glass
  • Stainless steel 
  • Marble 
  • Quartz
  • Acrylic
  • Laminate
  • uPVC

When choosing a splashback, consider:

  • The amount of heat it can withstand - some splashbacks are not appropriate for range cookers. 
  • How easy it is to clean - tiles require more maintenance than other materials; a single block colour will show dirt more easily; and very shiny surfaces  streak very easily. 
  • Costs - natural materials like marble are typically a very hard wearing splashback option, but they will also be more expensive. You can get imitation materials, like quartz, which also tend to be more sustainable.

Kitchen splashback ideas - in pictures

A large collection of images displayed on this page are available at https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/fitted-kitchens/article/planning-a-kitchen/kitchen-design-ideas-a5ID36Y315bE


Check out our kitchen costs guide to learn more about how much you can expect to spend on a new kitchen.


Kitchen island ideas

Kitchen islands have become a must-have in modern kitchens. There are many advantages to having one installed, including: 

  • Additional storage space
  • Space for extra seating 
  • More work surfaces
  • More room for cooking if you choose to fit an oven and/or hob into your kitchen island
  • A good way to 'zone' an open-plan kitchen-diner-living space

Types of kitchen island

There are many different types of kitchen island.

Possibly the most common type is a fitted kitchen island with base cabinets and a countertop that matches the rest of the kitchen.

An appliance island, where you can have a sink and/or oven fitted, cost a lot more as they need to be plumbed or wired in.  

Freestanding kitchen islands are not built into your kitchen. The advantage of these is that they can be moved or replaced quite easily if your needs change.

Kitchen trolleys are a kind of kitchen island on wheels, which is a great option for a small kitchen because they can be wheeled out when needed, and tucked away when not. The disadvantage of these is that they may not actually provide a lot of space, or be difficult to manoeuvre if they are heavy. 

A kitchen peninsula is similar to an island but attached to one wall. This works well in smaller spaces, or long-narrow kitchens, and usually lends itself to creating a breakfast bar. 

Kitchen islands

A large collection of images displayed on this page are available at https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/fitted-kitchens/article/planning-a-kitchen/kitchen-design-ideas-a5ID36Y315bE

Kitchen lighting ideas

When planning your kitchen lighting, there are three key types to consider:

  • Ambient lighting: this is general lighting - the combination of your overhead lights and natural lighting in the room. The key is to create a comfortable and even level of light throughout a space. If you don’t have much natural light, you will need to install more ambient lighting. If your dining table is in your kitchen, consider hanging pendant lights above it.
  • Task lighting: this is used to illuminate functional areas. Spotlights are common, but LED strips that run under cabinets to help illuminate work surfaces are also popular. Consider additional task lighting if you work from home in the kitchen.
  • Accent lighting: this is more of a ‘mood lighting’ feature, used to highlight visually appealing areas, like a beautiful painting, display shelving or a cabinet.

Kitchen lighting ideas - in pictures

A large collection of images displayed on this page are available at https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/fitted-kitchens/article/planning-a-kitchen/kitchen-design-ideas-a5ID36Y315bE


Check out our guide to buying the best lightbulbs.


Kitchen tile ideas

Tiles are a great way to give style and character to your kitchen. Coloured tiles can add personality to your kitchen, whereas patterned tiles are better to jazz up what could be a more traditional kitchen, without it becoming overwhelming.

Kitchen tiles are popular as part of a splashback. Geometric tiles have become a popular trend in recent years.

Tiles can also be a cost-effective way to renovate your kitchen. Ceramic tiles are generally cheaper to buy and have fitted than porcelain or stone. You can buy cheap tiles for less than £10 per square metre.

Kitchen floor tiles

When tiling a high-traffic area you'll need easy-to-clean and durable tiles. 

For a unique design choice opt for patterned tiles (think geometric or ever-popular chevron style) or checkerboard.

If you're less keen on experimenting, large monochrome tiles are also fashionable. 

Wickes Sofia Cream kitchen

Kitchen paint ideas

Whether you have lots to spend on your kitchen or are on a shoestring budget, paint is a great way to transform the space and inject your personality. 

However, you need to make sure you choose paint that is moisture resistant, durable and wipe-clean (especially if you have children!). Kitchen-specific paints should do these jobs. 

If you struggle with damp in your kitchen, you could opt for a mildew and mould resistant paint. However, specialist paints like this often have limited colour options. 

Another option is to use a semi-gloss or high-gloss paint. These will still repel moisture and you can wipe away any mould that appears.

How to paint kitchen cabinets

Painting your kitchen cabinets is a great way to update your kitchen design and refresh old fittings. 

However, you need to follow a process to ensure you achieve the best results:

  1. Start by removing any hinges and handles.
  2. Fill any dents with appropriate filler, and then sand the surfaces. 
  3. Apply a primer - this is a very important step as it will help the paint to adhere to the cabinets. 
  4. Time to paint! Use a paint roller for the larger flat areas, and a brush for the edges and final touching up.
Wickes Glencoe kitchen
Wickes Glencoe kitchen

If you are looking to renovate your whole kitchen, find out more about the best washable paints.


Kitchen sink ideas

The sink is a key part of your kitchen, so you want to choose a material that will prove durable, especially if you cook regularly.

You should also think about type, size and style.

For example, a double sink is handy if you don't have a dishwasher. When you wash dishes, you can fill one with hot water and use the other for rinsing dishes off.  

You'll also need to choose between an inset and an undermount sink:

  • Inset: this the more traditional option. The bowl of the kitchen sink drops down into your kitchen worktop. 
  • Undermounted: the sink fits underneath the worktop. An undermounted sink usually lacks a sink drainer, so they are more in line with a minimalist look. 

Types of kitchen sink material

When you chose the material of your sink, remember that they typically take a hammering. It's wise to go for a durable option. 

  • Stainless steel - one of the most popular options, stainless steel will endure plenty of hardship in a busy kitchen and makes for an affordable option.
  • Granite composite - will add character to your kitchen and is durable, but can get pricey. 
  • Ceramic - this option is durable and looks traditional.
  • Composite - these are similar to, but more affordable than, granite.

Ready to get started? See our guide to kitchen installation to learn about the best ways to fit your kitchen.