If you’re planning to design a new home, or are looking to upgrade your existing kitchen, here are some ideas to get you inspired. 

Nestling kitchen counters, sinks, bars, ice-makers, coffee machines or microwaves within built-in cabinetry are a great way to give your kitchen a sleek and compact look. Interior designer Clifton Leung, of Clifton Leung Design Workshop, says that nook-style kitchenettes or pantries commonly found in Hong Kong nano flats are popular this year and are particularly suitable for small homes.

“It’s also possible to have such kitchens hidden behind doors, so the kitchen can be fully concealed when not in use,” Leung says.

JJ Acuna, founder of JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio, adds: “When designing a concealed kitchen ensure the door panels seamlessly align with the finishes and millwork around it.”

The subtle use of bright bold colours can enliven even the simplest kitchens and imbue them with a fun and festive vibe. “White-themed kitchens work better with pops of colour than darker schemes,” says Acuna, who usually adds splashes of colour on the cabinets or backsplash in his clients’ kitchens. 

Photography: Greg Cox/ Bureaux

Another way to bring colour into the kitchen is with RGB colour lighting. Leung says: “You can use RGB colour lighting above kitchen counters, bars or concealed kitchens to change the mood for cooking, cocktail hour or dinner. RGB lighting allows you to change the colour according to different occasions so you won’t have to commit to a single colour.”

Strong-veined marble surfaces add a touch of drama and sophistication to any kitchen. Not only are such surfaces aesthetically engaging, according to Leung, marble counters, because of their cool temperature, are also ideal for making pastries and chocolate.

Photography: Dekton by Cosentino

“When choosing a marble top, make sure the colours match the rest of your kitchen. For example, if you have grey kitchen cabinetry, white marble with grey veins would be ideal.”

Marble, however, can be costlier than most other surface materials. If you want the marble effect, but would prefer a more affordable and less porous material, Dekton by Cosentino’s Opera, which is inspired by Italian Carrara marble, and Natura, with soft grey veining, are highly durable and easy to maintain alternatives to real marble.

Acuna says: “When choosing a strong vein marble surface, make sure that you really like the colour because you will have to live with it for a long time. If you can’t find the colour you like in natural stone, consider using marble-effect ceramics as these are stain-resistant and can often withstand heat and moisture well.”

Photography: Clifton Leung Design Workshop

Cabinets that are free from knobs and pulls are easier to clean, and emphasise the linear profile of modern kitchens. The Trim kitchen system created by Argentinian designer Dante Bonuccelli for kitchen brand Dada, which combines LED-lit back panels with handle-less sliding glass doors, is a good choice if you want a kitchen with a neat and polished look. 

Photography: Dada by Molteni&C

“Handle-less kitchens are good looking and also easier to clean after use as you won’t need to wipe down all the knobs and handles. Another benefit of handless cabinetry is that when you are standing next to the counter, the knobs and pulls won’t press into your body,” Leung says. 

The colour black can give kitchens a minimalist and masculine look. Stains are less obvious on black surfaces than on lighter surfaces, so black is also a very practical and low-maintenance colour for kitchens.

Photography: SieMatic

Photography: SieMatic

A stunning option for a dark kitchen system is SieMatic’s PURE, which has delicate black aluminium frames, dark lacquered wood-grain laminate, and almost opaque tinted black glass.

When designing a black kitchen, Acuna says it’s important to stick with a maximum of two colour tones. “Think about the various ways that the panelling on cabinets and walls can bring out the nuances of black. Be creative with the design of panelling and walls in terms of form and material. For instance mix black wood with black tiles to add textural interest to the space,” he says.

Photography: Clifton Leung Design Workshop

Metallic finishes bring a hint of glamour to kitchens, and work well with both modern and traditional-themed kitchens. There are many precious metals that work well for handles, pulls, faucets, lighting and storage fixtures in kitchens, and these include brass, bronze, gunmetal or chrome. 

Photography: Greg Cox and Warren Heath | Bureaux; Production: Sven Alberding

According to Acuna, if you have the space for it, above your stove you can include an antique, decorative metal faux hood as a dressing for your modern hood. For a futuristic-themed kitchen, Leung suggests using heavy-duty steel, which brightens kitchens, and is also easy to clean.