kitchen
Windows
18 Amberth
Windows
Rest and reflectIf you’re concerned that dark cabinets might make your room feel cramped and dreary, here’s a solution. Fit a mirrored splashback to reflect the light and create a sense of space.The tinted glass here is particularly effective, as a thin LED light has been fitted along the top to really illuminate the space. The mirrored surface bounces the light around to create an added ambient glow.* To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.Tell us…Have you chosen dark blue cabinets for your kitchen? Which of these splashback options is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Go in at an angleFancy a twist on the classic metro tile? One solution is to lay out simple white ones in a herringbone design, as here. The pattern is particularly effective combined with the contemporary, slab-fronted kitchen, as it helps to add character and texture.What’s really interesting about this layout is that, although the tiles are the same as in the previous image, the effect is reversed – the patterned splashback is the standout feature and the dark blue units form a frame around them.
Make a vein attemptIf you’re after a more luxurious look, a marble splashback – or a quartz lookalike, as here – is a good option. The glossy white surfaces on the wall and worktops provide an interesting contrast to the matt blue units.The beauty of a marble design is its veining, however, and here it helps to tie in the dark and light surfaces to give a harmonious balance to the overall look.
Work in feature tilesA strong injection of pattern or colour can often provide personality in a contemporary kitchen. Tiles can be a practical way to do this; you get to create a resilient surface as well as a striking feature in one go. That said, tiling is a skilled trade and unusual tiles can be quite the investment, so call on your architect or designer to advise you on what might work and why. They’ll be able to suggest just the right – and not always obvious – colours to tie the area into the rest of your kitchen and allow your tiles to be a beautiful stand-out detail.To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.Tell us…Which of these approaches most appeals to your style? Share your thoughts and any other tips in the Comments section.
At number 5…A side-return return extension helped to widen this narrow Victorian house, but there was no need to eat into the the garden too much…
Vamp up with vintageAdd a surprise element to your kitchen by contrasting the standard units with a vintage piece of storage furniture. Just one unusual cabinet can be enough to give the whole room a different look.The units in this kitchen are in a traditional Shaker design, but the glass display cabinet brings an eclectic feel to the space.
Work with woodA simple wood stain was enough to create a huge contrast between these kitchen cabinets. The timber on the wall units has been left bare, while a black wood stain has been added to the base units. The cabinets have the same texture, but the difference in colour has made a striking visual contrast.Tell us…Have you gone for two-tone kitchen cabinets? Or have any of these ideas inspired you to try it? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
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