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SOLID WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS BLOG

Kitchen Colours For Winter: Our Top Picks For The Colder Months

Posted by admin on October 30, 2017 at 4:22 pm. Filed under: General

As the nights start to draw in, it’s time to wrap up warm and get ready for the changing colours of autumn and winter. If you are currently considering a kitchen redesign, this time of year is perfect for revamping your interior with warm and homely kitchen colours.

This October, we have chosen a cosy colour palette for the colder months: a selection of uplifting shades that are sure to keep your kitchen bright and cheery throughout the winter months.

Brassica

Dark doesn’t mean dingy, this colour has warmer undertones for a costy feel.

Citron

Bright and cheerful, perfect for more southerly facing rooms due to the warmer light

Dimity

When considering a neutral palette, warmer whites prevent spaces looking clinical

Brassica is not just a simple grey, and is described by Farrow and Ball as having “rich lavander tones”. This sophisticated hue is more warming than many other grey tones, which helps to lift cold rooms without looking overtly red. It’s perfect for walls in kitchens with light Kitchen cabinet frontals, or can be used as a feature colour alongside bright whites for a rich, contemporary look.

For brightening darker rooms with a welcoming shade, consider Farrow & Ball’s Citron. This kitchen colour looks superb alongside worktops,other woodwork and when combined with sharp whites or contrasting shades such as Brassica.

If you want to bring a little warmth to your home but have yet to pick the kitchen colours, why not order one of our painted cabinet door samples

 

Using Shaker Kitchen Cabinets In A Contemporary Design

Posted by admin on October 23, 2017 at 1:51 pm. Filed under: General

There are a variety of styles to consider for a contemporary kitchen design, with many different colour schemes and layouts to consider. Shaker kitchen cabinets are a popular choice in modern settings thanks to their sleek, minimalistic design that looks fantastic in any number of kitchen designs. We have compiled a list below of colour pallets for up-to-date shaker kitchens in a variety of the latest styles.

These shaker kitchen cabinets show that dark does not equal dingy in this bright shaker kitchen featuring tuxedo cabinets

Credit: Pinterest

Dark Shaker Kitchen Cabinets

Darker colours have been an increasingly popular option for shaker cabinets over the last year and this trend looks set to continue into 2018 with deep blues, greens and aubergine shades. Whilst such a dramatic look may seem intimidating, dark cabinets can work to create a number of different effects. By contrast, light shades are often recommended in a smaller kitchen to make the room seem bigger and brighter than it is. Consider the direction your kitchen faces and the lighting you use and a darker palette could be used to create a warm, cosy look that is perfect for the winter months but will continue to be bright and cool – in both senses of the word – throughout the warmer parts of the year. Tuxedo cabinets are a fantastic option for those of us not brave enough to tackle such a striking look.

The leather pull handles in this kitchen are an unusual option for an eye-catching look

Credit: Pinterest

White for a Clean, Contemporary Look

White shaker kitchen cabinets are a stylish companion for marble worktops (or marble-effect laminate) to create a clean, contemporary aesthetic. Using a darker shade on the walls can prevent a kitchen with white cabinets from looking cold or clinical, whilst the estate eggshell Farrow & Ball paint that we use for any of our bespoke kitchen doors provides a more timeless look than a high-gloss finish. Selecting accessories is important when considering a white kitchen – warmth can be added with gold or copper fixtures and fittings. For a slightly bolder look, leather pull handles are a striking and unusual choice that pair fantastically well with the natural wood grain of our cabinets.

The pale blue-grey shade of these shaker kitchen cabinets is highlighted by brighter blue accessories for a contemporary look

Credit: Pinterest

Pastel Kitchen Colours

Often pastel shades are used in kitchens for kitschy retro or shabby chic designs but more muted or neutral pastel hues can work incredibly well for contemporary designs featuring shaker kitchen cabinets. Varying shades of grey have been the go-to shade for interiors for some time now, and still provide a fantastic option for those looking to create an up-to-date feel. Muted blue and green shades are a fantastic option and look particularly good paired with modern subway tiles. Our hardy copper cup handles are a good way to add a warmth to paler pastel shades.

Do you have shaker kitchen cabinets? We would love to see how you have styled yours – feel free to tag us in pictures on Facebook and Instagram!

 

Galley Kitchen Designs For Families

Posted by admin on October 16, 2017 at 12:50 pm. Filed under: General

There are a number of common kitchen layouts, and – more often than not – they will be dictated by the size and shape of the kitchen in a home. Galley kitchen designs feature two opposing runs of cabinets, and are a common feature in smaller properties, such as Victorian terraces. If correctly planned, a galley kitchen can be a highly-functional design, as the limited space within the kitchen triangle can work favourably. The downsides of this design are that it can present difficulties for busy families as typically, there is not much space for more than one person to occupy the kitchen at any one time. We have put together some key points to consider when planning your kitchen that can help integrate a gallery layout into a family home.

Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining area in this home has really opened up the space, giving the galley kitchen design a much larger look

Credit: Apartment Therapy


Can the space be opened up at all?

open and broken plan kitchens have seen an increase in popularity and this can be attributed to their social aspect. Whilst an open or broken plan design can be fantastic for entertaining, they are also great for families as it provides space for children and teenagers to be close-by, regardless of the activities they are doing. Whilst incorporating seating or dining space in a galley kitchen design may be impossible due to the limited space, the simple act of turning a door into an archway can really open up the room-integrating the kitchen with the next room, and allowing a closer eye to be kept on the inhabitants of it!

The sink positioned at the end of the kitchen and maximised use of vertical space allow room for a small seating area in this galley kitchen design

Credit: Ladny Dom

Do you really need two runs of cabinets?

Most galley kitchen designs will feature two opposing rows of cabinets to make the most of the space available, but if the space is there, removing unused cupboards along one side of the room could provide a small seating area. This may seem counter-productive as the storage space may be needed, but consider the possibility of a full height or larder unit to compensate for the loss of base units. The worktop surface area lost can be retained by using a small table, Which also provides an area for family to sit whilst food is being prepared.

Our blogs and information guides are a fantastic source of inspiration if you are planning a new kitchen and our showrooms have a number of examples on display if you would like to see our oak kitchens before making a purchase. Alternatively,our sample service offers miniature cabinet frontals and sections of any of our kitchen worktops. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss any aspect of our service further!.

 

Small Kitchen Design Ideas for Compact Kitchens

Posted by admin on October 2, 2017 at 9:42 am. Filed under: General

There are a variety of factors to consider when planning a new kitchen, most importantly of which is deciding how to maximise the available space. In more compact rooms, it is important to ensure every space is used as effectively as possible, and small kitchen design ideas often incorporate clever storage solutions to provide maximum capacity in the minimum space. We have compiled this list to provide some ideas that can be incorporated in your design.

CABINETS

This kitchen uses a tall cabinet to make the most of the available space and light available

There are a number of different ways that kitchen cabinets can be configured to make the most of a small space. Our cabinet wirework is perfect for ensuring that every inch of every cupboard is utilised, even when they are fitted in tight corners or other awkward spaces. By using only base cabinets, you can create the illusion of additional space in the top half of the room.

If you need the extra storage space, using shelving in the top half of the room is a great solution, and – for a similar effect – white or light cabinets with glass frontals are also an ideal when planning small kitchen design ideas. At the opposite end of the scale, tall cabinets can be used effectively to provide additional storage without losing space in the middle for a worktop, provided you have sufficient surface space.

COLOUR

The two-tone cabinets in this compact kitchen are a fantastic design idea as they create the illusion of additional space

Credit: Pinterest

Using colour to make your small kitchen appear larger is a common route to explore when considering different designs. The obvious choice is white or a light colour when trying to create the illusion that a room is bigger than it actually is, but darker colours can be used just as effectively in small kitchen design ideas without creating a cave-like atmosphere. ‘Tuxedo cabinets’ have been gaining popularity, and are a fantastic alternative to an all-white kitchen design. This is where lower or base cabinets are painted a darker colour and a lighter colour is used for the wall cabinets. Don’t forget to consider the colour of your walls when thinking about the palette for the entire room – the visible wall area will vary from kitchen to kitchen but it is an important aspect of the design that often gets overlooked.

SMART STORAGE

Our solid oak spice racks fit neatly to the inside of a cabinet door, leaving valuable space inside free - a small kitchen design idea not to be overlooked!

Cabinets are not the only storage to consider in your small kitchen design ideas. We have a variety of solid oak storage solutions, from spice racks to kitchen trolleys. Adding these optional space savers can be a stylish and functional way to make sure every inch of your kitchen is utilised in the most effective way possible.

If you are looking for more inspiration, we have written guides on creating solid oak kitchens in small spaces and also provided small kitchen design tips if you wish to read more about creating a beautiful kitchen in a compact space!