The versatility of kitchen islands

Kitchen islands are older than you might think, and they’ve come a long way since they first gained popularity in the early 19th century! And while they’ve notably undergone some evolutions since their earliest designs, the core concept has proven to be a timeless one, and it still continues to be an essential component of modern kitchens today. Crucially, it’s also inherently flexible, which enables us to tailor their design to make them unique to each customer’s needs.

A kitchen island essentially serves as an extension of your cabinet workshop surfaces, giving you a useful space to prepare and cook meals. At its core, it typically consists of a countertop supported by a base, and it may also include cabinets or drawers for additional storage space. A classic kitchen island may also have bar-style seating on one side for casual dining.

The all-in-one solution

So that’s the classic kitchen island – a combination or multi-functional kitchen island, however, is a piece of furniture that integrates several functions into one. Interestingly, that’s where this trend seems to be heading! These all-in-one islands not only provide a workspace and storage, but may also include built-in appliances such as a sink or a Quooker tap. This combination concept opens up a number of interesting design possibilities – they can be used for extra storage, or as hiding spots for larger under-counter appliances like fridges and dishwashers to conserve more space.

A combination island can also serve as a dining table with comfortable all-round seating that encourages conversation, gatherings, and connection. That creates the perfect place to share meals with family and friends, reinforcing the kitchen’s reputation as the true heart of the home!

Compact charm

Not every home has unlimited space, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have unlimited potential. In areas where every inch of space counts, it pays to be thoughtful with your interior design choices, and that’s where combination kitchen islands can really shine. This multifunction kitchen unit fulfils a useful role as a jack of all trades, able to accommodate whatever you think your design needs – whether that’s extra storage, a meal preparation space, a dining table and / or a workspace. In some cases, that can completely eclipse the need for more than one piece of furniture, especially in open plan living situations.

Beauty beyond practicality

Despite their boundless functions, it’s not just the practicality of combination islands that has everyone incorporating them into their kitchen design plans. Like the other kitchen islands we’ve come to know and love, combination islands offer the same aesthetic elevations and can be found across all interior styles, whether you prefer minimalist contemporary designs, a classic traditional feel, or the charm of a rustic farmhouse kitchen.

So, if you’re thinking about remodelling your kitchen year and you’re looking for added functionality or simply an innovative way to make an island work for you, look no further than our talented design team. At Kitchen Design Centre, we’ve been offering unparalleled kitchen design and installation services for over 35 years. We offer a no-obligation Free Home Design Visit so we can assess your space in person and ensure our designs are perfectly tailored to meet your needs and preferences.

To see our work in situ, why not check out our case studies or pop down to one of our showroom locations today? You can find us in Manchester, Liverpool, Blackburn, or Barrowford and chat with one of our designers in person about bringing your ideas to life!

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The Blackburn showroom holds a special significance for Kitchen Design Centre, as it was the first store the company opened for retail. Following years of supplying kitchens directly to the trade, its success has ultimately allowed the company to expand into two adjacent buildings. The showroom encompasses a dedicated customer presentation space and is home to six large kitchen displays, all featuring state-of-the-art Neff appliances.

Over the years, the showroom has symbolised the company’s dedication to designing and crafting awe-inspiring, top-of-the-line kitchens, helping countless homeowners in Lancashire and beyond achieve their dream kitchens. With its commitment to quality and innovation, Kitchen Design Centre continues to set the benchmark for design excellence.

Will Hustler, Manager at Kitchen Design Centre Blackburn, embodies the company’s commitment to nurturing talent, having begun his career as a designer when the Blackburn showroom opened. His enduring dedication reflects the company’s focus on staff development and retention.

Reflecting on this achievement, Will remarked, “I feel incredibly grateful to have been a part of this amazing company for over 30 years. It’s been a privilege to grow and develop alongside the business, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for us.”

The company boasts a team of passionate kitchen designers with diverse interior design backgrounds. These designers attend regular training courses in Germany and London, ensuring their expertise remains at theforefront.

Acknowledging its commitment to excellence, Kitchen Design Centre has been honoured with the esteemed title of Neff Supreme Master Partner and several Neff Master Partner Excellence Awards. These accolades recognise the company’s tireless pursuit of quality and innovation, positioning it as a leading flagship company for the UK’s largest built-in appliance brand – Neff.

For further details, visit www.kitchendesigncentre.com

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We average 4.9 stars out of 5 from 361 customer reviews, and in the words of a recent visitor to our Urmston store:

“We actually walked into the KDC out of pure chance as we were passing. Our experience from that point to now has been nothing short of exceptional.”

“We are not exaggerating when we say our finished kitchen is far beyond what we could have imagined.”

“The whole process from that initial design, to recommending a builder to do all the work for us, to the entire build process, Rowan was there for us to ensure everything went smoothly.”

“If we could give 10/5 stars we would. Seriously, THAT GOOD!”

Find out how we can transform your space and make your dream kitchen a reality. Book A Free Design Appointment with one of our award-winning designers today. Our focus is simple: we want to learn about your vision for your dream kitchen, and we’re passionate about how we can make that vision a reality.

In need of some extra inspiration? Why not come pay our displays a visit in person at our Barrowford, Blackburn, Liverpool, Urmston or Failsworth designer kitchen showrooms? Alternatively, you could take a look at some of our customer kitchens to see the kind of incredible work we’ve done. Let’s make your 5 star kitchen dream a reality!

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Blackburn was the first showroom for award-winning kitchen company Kitchen Design Centre. Established in 1993 in the same building that houses the showroom today, the ethos of the company was to provide design-led, cutting-edge kitchens. Fast forward and the company has expanded throughout the North West with four more stunning showrooms.

It’s Blackburn where the heart of the company still lies and the recent renovation has seen new displays and appliances that keep the showroom at the very forefront of the kitchen design industry, ensuring it continues to evolve and adapt.

KDC is always responding to changes to the way we live – and the Blackburn showroom reflects this in the beautiful displays of traditional and contemporary kitchens in six different room settings.

The experienced team at KDC Blackburn are delighted to announce a number of new displays to the showroom, including the innovative new Hacker Concept130 collection.

Newly launched for 2022, Concept130 reinterprets the kitchen as a living space. Individual, tailor-made requirements and special ideas can be implemented with millimetre precision in a way that has never been seen before. The revolutionary product not only looks ergonomically sophisticated but creates significantly more storage space too.

The Concept130 new display at Blackburn sees new black concrete units combined with a new Sparkle White Corian worktop, beautifully finished with accents of walnut. The display has excellent eco-credentials too, being a 100 per cent carbon-neutral manufactured kitchen.

The showroom has always featured the very latest appliances and the new display also features the brand-new Neff Glass Downdraft hood – one of the latest innovations from this world-class manufacturer together with their new Graphite trim appliances.

Add to this the Liebherr tall wine cooler, large fridge and freezer with built-in ice machine and the new Quooker Cube and Quooker Combi and this state-of-the-art display not only looks incredibly impressive but has all the latest appliances.

Another new Concept130 display sees the colour of the moment, Ocean Blue in all its glory! With stunning grey quartz worktops this display looks sensational. The inside is just as impressive with a ‘hidden’ bespoke breakfast area that lies behind one of the cupboards. Complete with worktop surface, this magic cupboard enables appliances to be hidden away.

Visit the Blackburn showroom and meet the team – Designer Lou and Office Manager Lynne together with Showroom Manager Will Hustler, who has been with KDC for 29 years.

“Initial response to our new displays has been incredible,” says Will. “The collection really complements our other room displays. Many customers refer to the showroom as a ‘tardis’ because we have so many rooms with different displays to see.

“We have contemporary and traditional kitchens to give customers a wide choice and our presentation area is fantastic, offering customers the chance to see and select from an enormous bank of samples.”

The presentation area consists of a bespoke table, demonstrating a service that has proven exceptionally popular with customers. KDC can create the perfect dining table or desk area, to a customer’s exact specifications in terms of size and material and their range of Danetti chairs are incredibly comfortable and provide a real ‘pop’ of colour.

Will, Lou and Lynn are exceptionally proud of the showroom and rightly so. Customers often cite the showroom as a reason for choosing KDC as they are able to gain inspiration from the many displays on show. The two new ones have already seen customers ordering the exact blueprint of the displays.

Having been in business for 36 years, KDC’s name is synonymous with quality, well-built kitchens and exceptional customer service.

Head over to the Blackburn showroom and see for yourself – customers are welcome to pop in whenever they’re passing. If you want to speak to one of the Blackburn showroom designers book a free kitchen design appointment ahead of your visit. Just call the showroom to arrange. With easy access from Brownhill roundabout and ample free parking on the surrounding side streets, see what’s new at the showroom.

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Here’s a little more about what you can expect!

What’s the idea behind the Zuma Lumisonic?

According to the visionaries at Zuma, the underlying concept of the Lumisonic is a simple one – it’s about bringing better, more immersive and even more enjoyable listening experiences to everyone throughout your house.

Rather than listening to sound emanating from a fixed point, such as your radio or TV speakers, Zuma Lumisonic speakers are designed to ‘envelop’ you, so that you’re completely bathed in sound. It’s been likened to standing in a concert hall, or walking through a forest.

Some portable speakers often strive for the same effect, but with those there’s a catch – the various connection points around your kitchen are already in high demand, occupied by small appliances, phone chargers, or other consumer electronics. On the other hand, Zuma Lumisonic speakers have none of these connection issues, since they’re installed in a set of downlights – and of course, that makes them absolutely perfect for a kitchen.

Why choose Zuma Lumisonic speakers for your own kitchen?

True to the original vision behind their design, Zuma Lumisonic speakers offer a listening experience like no other, and it’s all under your control. The nature of this experience is entirely up to you – for example, you can connect your phone to the speakers to play your favourite music, or you can connect your TV for the ultimate immersive viewing experience!

There’s some truly stunning technology underpinning these capabilities – each Lumisonic features a next-generation HD-audio Class D monolithic amplifier, controlled by a best-in-class audio quad core processor with advanced DSP features. As we’ve covered above, it’s wirelessly synchronised, so there are no trailing cables, wires, or obtrusive speakers.

What’s more, the speakers have been fitted with optimal high performance light emitting diodes, designed specifically to offer energy efficiency (a major kitchen design trend for 2022), and an excellent natural colour experience. If you’d like, you can also choose a custom Circadian rhythm app that automatically adjusts the light to ensure it remains finely in tune with your body’s natural rhythms and responses to natural daylight.

That’s the Zuma Lumisonic in a nutshell – if you want more details on what it can do for your kitchen, don’t hesitate to ask one of our friendly kitchen designers! Each one has all the talent, skill and passion they need to help turn your dream kitchen into a stunning reality. Feel free to visit any of our showrooms across the North West in Failsworth, Urmston, Blackburn, Barrowford, or Woolton, and we’ll be only too happy to see how we can help.

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Maximise your unused space

You can start by tapping into any unused corners in your kitchen to create a delightfully seamless look. How? Well it’s worth considering adding office features that fit in with your current kitchen style. Our expert designers can do just that, by utilising your already beautiful kitchen worktops as a desk, while integrating units of a similar look and feel to achieve a flawless pairing of kitchen and office elements.

Consider using your deep pan cupboards as a storage point for large office equipment like a printer, as this will allow you more worktop room to play around with. Or you might even want to think about adding something as simple as a suspended unit with a stool, and some artwork to make a feature out of your cosy office space.

Why not integrate a few smart storage solutions? These can be a great way to reorganise your current kitchen layout so you can make way for office equipment, while also serving as a good excuse to have a proper clear-out of any old or unnecessary items. For example, why not use a muffin tray or a cutlery insert as a stationary organiser?

Integrate some hidden kitchen worktops

One of the latest trends for 2022 has been the introduction of hide-away workstations. These can be fitted seamlessly into your kitchen top or island, and provide a really clever way of creating a modern minimalist look that we just adore. As well as being a great way of creating an office space, they also provide the fastest way to hide kitchen clutter whenever you have unexpected guests. Perfect for providing more space on your kitchen tops!

Another consideration that you need to keep in mind is how you choose to light this new hybrid space. We’d recommend setting up your workspace in an area that’s close to the window, so you can benefit from the natural light as much as possible.

Double up your kitchen table or island

Short on kitchen space? No problem, our designers are more than happy to help you come up with clever ideas to double up your dining table, or kitchen island as a desk. Keep in mind though that you will need plenty of leg room in order for this to be a comfortable solution. As a general rule of thumb – for a dining table you’ll need about 40cm of leg room, and for an island (at conventional worktop height) you’ll only need 25cm to 30cm of leg room.

We love an island here at Kitchen Design Centre. They play a vital role in separating the kitchen from the living room, while also connecting the two spaces. They create a place for both practical use and social interaction, making them the perfect spot for an extended office space. As a side note, consider having plenty of plug sockets installed so you’ve got plenty of charging options for your equipment. You don’t want to run out of juice while on the job!

We love the fact that so many people are choosing to combine their kitchen and office space. It presents a unique challenge for our expert designers, who are more than happy to tackle it head on. We’re passionate about helping you get the kitchen of your dreams. If you’re in need of some extra inspiration though – drop by our Blackburn kitchen showroom (or our other designer kitchen showrooms in Liverpool, Manchester or Barrowford) where you can pop in for a chat and let us know exactly what sort of requirements you have. We’re here to help!

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But, of course, it can be a challenge finding exactly the right way to implement it. For example, you might be asking yourself – how can I make the most out of my space? Can I have an island? And, what sort of lighting do I need to consider?

That’s where we can help – we’re here to help guide you on your journey to the perfect white designer kitchen here at Kitchen Design Centre. Our award winning designers pride themselves on our creativity and attention to detail, which is how we consistently produce stunning spaces for our customers in a huge variety of styles. That means you can trust us to know exactly how to take your white kitchen to the next level. Here are some of our top tips!

Colour won’t compromise your spacious feel

As we touched on above, white is a fantastic colour for making a small space feel a lot larger than it is. That’s not to say you can’t use other colours though! Injecting another colour throughout your kitchen can be a brilliant way of adding another layer of character to your space. Just be sure to do it carefully – choose a single colour to complement your white shade, and be very selective about where you apply it. As a general rule, any designer kitchen should contain no more than two or three key colours in its design scheme.

For example, you could try out some charcoal grey injections in your appliances, or even play with some of the materials by adding lighter wood finishes to a few of your surfaces. This can really invoke an inviting contrast to your white backdrop, without sacrificing the spacious feel. If you’re working with a small kitchen space, you’ll obviously be conscious of adding too much vibrant colour to it – but don’t let that prohibit you entirely! The trick with vibrant colour is to keep it sparing initially, and work your way up until you’re happy. With neutrals and cooler colours, you’ll probably find you can afford to be a bit more liberal with them right from the off.

Consider different lighting options

So, we’ve established that white is one of the best colours for making a small space appear larger. That’s largely because cooler and brighter colours tend to have fantastic light-reflecting qualities, which is great for helping natural light bounce around your space, and making it feel brighter and more spacious. The flipside, of course, is that because it’s so reflective, it’s important to keep in mind the sort of lighting you use in your kitchen.

If your lighting is too cool, you might run the risk of creating a cold, sterile atmosphere. This is why it’s so important that you think about the type of artificial lighting you use in your kitchen, as the aim is to create a warm, inviting space that you’re happy to spend time in. A warm white light tends to be a pretty universally popular option, as you’ll see from the soft, recessed lighting used in so many of our real customer kitchens.

Create a larger feel with your floor tiles

A smaller kitchen requires careful thought and consideration to give the impression of a larger space. Obviously, colour is a big factor, but size matters too. But by carefully considering the size of your floor tiles, you can completely change the dynamic of your kitchen. Quite simply, if you want your kitchen to give the impression of more space, go big on your kitchen tiles. Larger tiles reduce the amount of visible grout joints, and are therefore much better at creating the larger than life atmosphere that we’re looking for.

It’a not just colour and lighting that can have an effect on the overall feel of your designer kitchen. As we’ve just discussed, certain kitchen fixtures are worth considering to make the most out of your space. Tiles are one, but we’ve got some recommendations on other aspects you can take into account as well.

Save space with bi-fold doors

Get creative with your kitchen cabinet ideas and think outside the box when it comes to your door fixtures. Bi-fold doors are an attractive alternative to outward-opening doors. They’re an incredibly useful design feature for any kind of kitchen, as they can open without taking up too much work space, and they’re far less invasive when compared to other types of door fixtures.

In a kitchen where space is at a premium, clever storage solutions like this are brilliant for keeping your kitchen as spacious as possible. As well as these, we’d recommend you consider a pull-out pantry for all your dried goods and sauces, as these are great for making the most out of your storage space, as well as providing easy access to your goods.

Make good use of space with an island

When it comes to smaller kitchens, you’ll need to be smart with space – which is where a kitchen island can come in handy. Sure, it takes up its own share of space, but it more than earns its keep by ensuring more storage, prep space and a place to gather and socialise. An island is a great feature to incorporate into any kitchen, no matter the style. It provides a great centrepiece, and does wonders for creating a buzzy, social atmosphere that the whole family can enjoy.

Those are just a few of our ideas – you might already be buzzing with some of your own! Whatever your vision for your dream kitchen, rest assured that we can make it a reality here at Kitchen Design Centre. Our designers have years of experience creating beautiful, bespoke designer kitchens to suit any style. So if you’re looking to take your kitchen to new heights with a new look, we’re here to help. Pop down to one of our showrooms in Blackburn, Liverpool or Manchester where a member of our design team will be happy to start you on your journey to your dream kitchen.

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Be gone with bills, keys and wallets

Your phone, wallet and keys are all examples of items that probably seem to end up making their way onto your kitchen counters, over and over again. Happily, you’ve got plenty of options to help you free up some counter space. You could try a key hook by the front door, or a console table if you have the space. If neither of those are a viable option, you might want to consider allocating a drawer in the kitchen that can act as a space for your everyday items. Speaking of everyday kitchen items…

Clear up culinary equipment

Storing your cooking utensils in a jar on your counter top is a popular look. Plenty of our customers here at Kitchen Design Centre find it attractive and it can also be pretty convenient too! But if it’s not for you, floating shelves are always a beautiful (and practical) alternative. Seamlessly fitted shelving can really open up your kitchen space, saving you from storing cooking utensils like spoons and whisks in jars. For knives, consider a magnetic wall strip over a knife block – not only does this save space, but it also looks fantastic.

Out with out-of-date spices and oils

One of the finer details! Now, this is one of our more subjective points – there are plenty of customers who enjoy having their spices and oils on display. Even if they’re not used in recipes, things like cumin and parsley can bring a pop of colour to your space and give off a more inviting and welcoming feel.

If that’s not the look you’re going for though, when you’re starting to clear out your kitchen then a good place to start is with any out-of-date oils, spices and condiments. If you won’t ever consume them, and they don’t add anything to the room, there’s no place for them in your kitchen!

Kick unwanted kitchen gadgets to the curb

We all know the sort. If you’ve got a smoothie maker that’s never been put to use, or a sandwich toaster which has forever remained waiting on the side, it could be time to move them on. Kitchen gadgetry tends to spend a lot of time hanging around our kitchens, often partially out of a sense of obligation (we’ve all unwrapped our fair share at Christmas!). Also though, there’s always that vague sense that they’ll come in handy one day. Trust your instincts – if you’ve not used them in the last few months, chances are you never will. They don’t have to go in the bin – but they don’t have to go on your counters either!

Find a place for your pots and pans

Pots and pans are undeniably useful, but they’re also bulky. That can make them a challenge when it comes to storage. Once again though, there’s plenty of solutions you can try! A hanging rack can be a great way to utilise space around the kitchen – and it opens up some intriguing design opportunities too. You can play around with the colour of your pans to create contrasts or complementing effects in your kitchen, especially if you experiment with different materials like copper or ceramic.

Don’t drown in your drink selection

Let’s be honest – lots of us up and down the UK love a glass of wine with their evening meal. That’s hardly surprising, as it can be an enjoyable way to unwind after a long day. The flipside is that you’ve got to find the space for them, and preferably a storage solution that doesn’t detract from the carefully cultivated impression of your dream kitchen.

An integrated drinks fridge is one option, but if that isn’t for you, a simple wine rack can really improve the utility of space within your kitchen. These don’t have to be expensive, and add a delightful element of sophistication to your already exquisite design.

Mull over miscellaneous appliances

Speaking of drinks… for many of us, there’s nothing we enjoy more than a cup of coffee or tea – whether that’s for a social occasion, to get us ready for the day, or just to kick back and relax. With that in mind, it’s easy to see why coffee machines and kettles hold such treasured places in so many people’s hearts.

If that’s not something that overly concerns you though, you can trust us to come up with alternatives. It’s worth giving thought to a Quooker tap for your dream kitchen – it instantly produces boiling water, eliminating the need for a kettle, and saving you time that you might normally be spent waiting for your water to boil. (Our ultra modern designs thrive on their functionality!)

The same with the microwave. It’s a particularly handy appliance for those of us constantly pressed for time, brilliant when you just want to whip up something quick and easy! But if it’s taking up a lot of space on your kitchen counters, lots of solutions allow you to enjoy all the benefits without sacrificing any space. For example, an integrated microwave like the one we installed for one customer in Hale. Equally, you could consider mounting your microwave on either a flat wall surface or the underside of a countertop – both solutions that we’ve successfully implemented for previous customers.

Our designers have years of experience creating clever storage solutions in order to seamlessly integrate your household appliances, ensuring you’re able to make the best use of your kitchen space. So if you’re still looking at clearing some space on your kitchen counter tops and need some inspiration, Visit one of our showrooms in Blackburn, Liverpool or Manchester where a member of our design team will be happy to assist you!

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1. Pantone Colour of the Year

When it comes to talking about new trends, we’d be remiss not to mention Pantone’s colour choice for 2022. This year, the colour connoisseurs have selected Veri Perri as the shade we should all look out for. With undertones of red and violet, it’s somewhere between a mellow and lively blue, evoking creative thinking and joy for the year ahead.

2. Getting back to nature

Sustainability is a trend that’s been making its way into our homes over the past few years. As the general population become more eco-conscious, this is only set to rise. Keep your eyes peeled for more natural materials (wicker, natural stone, and wooden utensils will all be popular choices) and earth tones in the kitchen. Neutrals like beige, stone, and slate grey will be offset with emerald greens and dark blue. There’ll also continue to be a rise in the number of eco cleaning products and reusable solutions throughout the home.

3. Zoned open-plan spaces

Open plan living spaces have been increasingly popular on the designer kitchen scene. This year, there will be a greater focus on creating zoned areas in these spacious rooms. In terms of the kitchen, expect to see islands helping transition the living space to the cooking area, and design that focuses on flow. With plenty of people still working from home, places in the kitchen that can be used as a home office will also increase, with small zones a fold-out desk helping create a more functional living space.

4. Patterned floor tiles

If your kitchen floor is in need of a makeover, you might want to consider patterned floor tiles. This striking design feature is set to be all the rage in 2022. Use coloured tiles to brighten up your space or stick to a two-tone, neutral tile for a contemporary designer look. Full of character and confidence, a great floor tile can instantly lift a space.

5. Smart tech for smart homeowners

We have to give an honourable mention to smart technology. Though not a new trend, smart tech continues to be used across more and more kitchens across the country. From ambient lighting and heating that you can control on your phone to integrated surround sound AV systems, bring your home into the future with smart tech.

If you think your kitchen could do with a renovation this year, these trends are sure to spark your creativity! But they’re just the start. Get more inspiration by looking at our real customer kitchens online or pop into one of our showrooms in Blackburn, Liverpool, or Manchester to see our designs in person. Say hello to our team whilst you’re here and let them know of any way they can help. We look forward to seeing you!

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1. A super tough sink

It’s wise to focus on the areas you’ll use the most in your kitchen, especially those that will see lots of wear and tear. These are the spots to invest in, and no area sees more hard work than your kitchen sink. Blend beauty and function with a high-end sink that’s built to last and comes with several add-ons. Great sinks often have colanders, drying racks, and cutting boards that sit on the sink’s lip, making your life in the kitchen a lot easier.

2. Versatile lighting for a versatile space

The kitchen is a place to cook, and your design should first and foremost reflect that. One way to create a more functional space is by adding a variety of lighting for different purposes, covering every area. For example, a warm pendant light is ideal if you have a dining area, whilst bright spotlights are perfect for food preparation areas.

3. A modern kitchen island

If there’s a kitchen trend that’s creating a huge buzz in the world of design, it’s the kitchen island. Kitchen islands are a fantastic way to blend cooking and socialising, making your space more flexible. If you have an open-plan kitchen and living room, it’s also perfect for bridging the gap between the two and creating a seamless transition into either space. Entertain guests, mix drinks, and cook delicious home-cooked meals, all from one space.

4. High-quality cooking appliances

The aesthetics of your kitchen will always be a huge factor when planning a space. But, it’s important to remember that this is a room to cook in before anything else. For that to go as smoothly as possible, you need high-quality appliances. Invest in items you’re going to use frequently, like a reliable Neff oven that will cook your dishes perfectly and Quooker taps for boiling water on demand. The better your appliances, the more joy you’ll get out of cooking with them!

5. More storage than you think you’ll need!

You’ll always need more storage than you think you do. Add an extra cupboard and draw to your space, and you’ll thank yourself for it when wondering what to do with that new mixing bowl! Make sure you have plenty of different storage styles, including deep and shallow drawers and cupboards with varying shelves.

Creating designer kitchens isn’t always an easy task, but when you’re baking cakes or making your first coffee of the day in a space you love, it’s all worth it. At Kitchen Design Centre, we make planning beautiful kitchens easier. Take a quick look at our real customer kitchens, or pop into any of our showrooms in the North West, including in Blackburn, Manchester, and Liverpool, to see our award-winning kitchens for yourself, and our team will help you with any questions you may have.

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