Design Counsel
October 1, 2020

Design Tips to Take Your Kitchen to the Next Level

By: Anna Popov

Design Counsel
October 1, 2020

Design Tips to Take Your Kitchen to the Next Level

By: Anna Popov

Having an updated kitchen is often a top request for those looking to buy a new home and a primary goal for people looking to make home improvements. More than 50% of Americans spent between 30-60 minutes in their kitchen a day preparing dinner in 2019. For avid foodies and chefs, this amount of time can be much higher but it’s clear that kitchens are rooms we spend time in every day. With more people working from home now, it’s safe to say this number will increase in 2020, so having a beautifully designed room can make a world of difference.

From careful color selection to ideal material sourcing, there are key things you can do to elevate this rooms’ aesthetic. We put together some of their favorite tips to help you take your kitchen to the next level. These are all great design tips to remember whether you’re buying a new home or wanting to upgrade an existing space.

Combining colors in your kitchen can be a game-changer

Studio Mcgee

The best color combinations truly depend on the actual space and your preferences but there are a few we love. One of the most popular combinations is light, soft whites/ creams or light grays with natural wood. If your kitchen design is minimalistic, contemporary, or modern we love to use crisp white with white oak or soft white with walnut. If you’re looking for a bold exciting look, switch out the white for strong color and combine with wood. What’s great about wood is the sky is truly the limit when it comes to color matching.

Another interesting combination we love that people don’t use very often is combining two materials with different textures. Putting a bleached maple wood next to a smooth painted material can lead to an extremely interesting aesthetic. No matter what combination of colors and materials you choose, the new look can really elevate your space.

Make sure your countertops blend well with the space

Studio Mcgee

The most popular way to select countertops is by basing them on the colors of existing cabinetry. If you happen to fall in love with a specific countertop, it’s also possible to design your kitchen around it. The most important thing to consider when choosing your counters is the function of the space. How your family operates, how often you use the kitchen, and what your lifestyle looks like are all factors that should go into your decision-making process.  

One great thing to note when picking your countertops is that they don’t all have to be the same material. Sometimes, depending on the space, it might be nice to use stone throughout and opt for an island butcher block. Another great way to bring in two tones is through man-made quartz on the perimeter with a beautiful accented dark granite creating a baking station. If your kitchen is a smaller space, it might be best to pick one great material and use it throughout to keep a cohesive vibe. 

If you’re looking to incorporate a two-tone look, consider architectural elements first

Suzanna Scott Photography

Depending on the architecture of your kitchen, a two-tone look could give the room a whole new aesthetic. With super tall ceilings, a trick we might use is to pull deeper and darker tones towards the top. This allows us to achieve a more intimate and cozy space. In contrast, if the space has a low ceiling or interesting architectural details we are looking to de-emphasize, we might use a lighter color on top in order to blend the space. Another two-tone look that is simple to execute but offers amazing results is using a different color on the island.

All of these design tips can make a world of difference in taking your kitchen to the next level. One crucial thing to remember when selecting finishes and colors is that the materials and paint you choose make a very big difference. Skilled interior designers are able to guide you in the decision-making process, so you achieve both function and beauty in your space. Our team at Interiors by Popov specializes in creating modern spaces with European luxury in mind. If you’re in the Seattle area and are looking to elevate your kitchen, we’d love to help. Check out our portfolio for design inspiration and give us a call at (425) 403-6060 to get started today! 

 

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