Key Kitchen design styles
As is the case with all things Interior Design, social media is riddled with ‘kitchen trends’ - with content creation within peoples’ homes giving us a steady stream of beautiful kitchens in the background.
If you’re considering a new kitchen for your home, we’ve put together a variety of different styles you can pick from to help get the inspiration ball rolling…
Flat panel
Exactly as described, the flat panel kitchen is a minimalists’ dream. Whether they be from lower or higher budget suppliers, quite a variety of colours are now available, allowing people to bring a dose of strong personality into their spaces.
Handled or handle-less, gloss or matt, and timber or non – there are quite a few ways these can be personalised in your home. With the right materials, these can work just as well in a period property as a modern flat: L-R
Matt green flat panel doors combined with reeded glass, marble and stainless steel: sumptuous and ergonomic, modern while also complementing the original features of the space.
A matt white flat panel kitchen in a listed Islington townhouse – simple, beautiful and timeless, and paired with beautiful flooring and appliances to finish the space.
Taupe doors with a striking marble and mirror splashback – complementing the other finishes in an open plan living and dining area.
Shaker
A timeless classic in the world of kitchens. Having previously seen a dip in popularity in the early 00’s – as people streamlined/glossed everything – there’s been a relatively recent resurgence of the panelled door.
Shaker style kitchens have an outer ‘frame’ around the edge of each door, deriving from traditional construction methods for timber doors (e.g. to prevent warping).
Having previously been only really made in whites and soft greys, the Shaker kitchen is now becoming freshly popular in rich, dark and moody tones – particularly shades of black, dark brown and green. There is also the option to jazz these up with glazed inserts for wall cupboards, or use unexpected ironmongery to add interest.
From L-R:
Olive green shaker doors with walnut details span the full width of this large open plan kitchen diner.
Neutral shaker doors with brass ironmongery complement the other finishes in this Earl’s Court basement flat.
Dark blue panelling and oak details give this kitchen a traditional charm.
Shaker straddles modern and traditional beautifully. For a more traditional look, you can use detailed beaded doors, add panelling, or use an ‘in frame’ design, where the doors are set into the frame of the cabinet rather than sitting on the surface:
Timber
Previously looked down on following a huge jump in popularity in the 90’s (in various shades of high-gloss, orange-tone pine) timber kitchens have seen a recent resurgence. People increasingly want to include a more sustainable material in their homes, as well as layering warm, organic finishes – a timber kitchen ticks both boxes. We expect this resurgence in popularity is also aided by people moving away from having light, white and bright kitchens; initially a response to seeing too many dark, timber kitchens 30-40 years ago, people are now craving cosiness. As is always the case – it really all does come back around again (in a fresh format!). From L-R:
Textured timber doors in natural and dark blue finishes combine beautifully with brass and copper details in this Clerkenwell kitchen –
Plywood has an enduring popularity (despite price hikes since 2020 moving it firmly out of the cheap and cheerful bracket and into luxury). It works brilliantly in this flat alongside vintage lighting and furniture.
Walnut doors with reeded details and a dark green slate worktop make for a gorgeous kitchen in the basement of this Camden townhouse -
Metal
For those who are looking for a more sustainable kitchen but want a more industrial or luxe finish, poured metal doors and worktops are an interesting option. Previously only seen in restaurant kitchens, we are now seeing these more and more in peoples homes. They can be extremely long-lasting and the metal components are recyclable. In stainless steel, the look is quite industrial, a sign of a serious cook.
If you love the thought of a metal kitchen but want something more luxe (and have a big kitchen budget) – a brass or other poured metal kitchen door could be the perfect fit. These are certainly an investment but are beautiful, a true statement part of the home. As is the case with ribbed wood kitchen fronts, having only some or a few of the doors in this finish would be a great way to bring this style into your home without completely breaking the bank.
A brass worktop and splashback with rich patina complements the timber doors in this Belsize Park kitchen.
