Above all, it’s a design that focuses on flow, and helps to create a more functional living space – and one that we have more than 35 years of experience with here at Kitchen Design Centre. Whether you’re looking for a more versatile space that allows for both cooking and socialising, more freedom of movement between your kitchen and dining area, or you simply want a greater space to put a more personal touch on your kitchen design, our designers are here to help.

Why would an open-plan kitchen suit you?

When considering what an open-plan kitchen can offer, it’s important to keep in mind what you want from it. We design kitchens that are uniquely suited to you and your lifestyle, whatever that might entail. For example, if you’re a keen cook who enjoys whipping up a storm in your kitchen, we can offer specific styles that focus on practical elements like easily accessible appliances and plenty of counter space.

If you’re more of a social butterfly, we can provide you with a space that gives you a fantastic blend of open-plan practicality and social space, where you can enjoy the company of your friends and family. Perfect for dinner parties and Christmas get togethers!

The point is; the way you choose to use your kitchen will have a direct impact on its design. For example, our customers Sarah and Heath were in need of a contemporary family kitchen for a narrow space, so we gave them exactly what they needed to suit their busy, family orientated life.

Open-plan kitchens let in the light

Natural light is a key element when it comes to improving the brightness and feel of your designer kitchen, and open-plan designs are much better suited for taking advantage of this. By opting for an open-plan kitchen, you can really maximise the amount of natural light that flows through the space, giving it a more welcoming, breezy feel that’s sure to lift the mood of the room.

Why is this important? Well, we’ll spare you the detailed science lesson, but basically humans are daylight creatures. That means we’ve evolved to be happier, more energetic, and healthier in direct sunlight. It’s why small, windowless rooms can make us feel quite so uncomfortable, and equally it’s why natural light is such an important factor of your kitchen to ensure that you’re able to maximise your enjoyment of the space.

If your kitchen backs on to your garden for example, consider adding some sliding, or bi-fold doors to give you easy access to it. These doors add so much more light to your space that it’ll appear more roomy than it actually is. If roof lights are a practical option for your space, you may find them a great way to achieve the same effect.

They provide options for clever design possibilities

We understand that a small kitchen space can present challenges when it comes to having ample room for all your equipment, appliances and so on. Open-plan kitchens are all about making the most out of the space in your home. Here at Kitchen Design Centre, we do this by incorporating a range of clever design ideas like integrated appliances, and hidden storage, ultimately helping you make the most out of your designer kitchen.

We have plenty of open-plan designs for you to peruse in our customer case studies, where you’ll find kitchens with sleek, contemporary looks from things like handleless pull-out units, as well as integrated appliances like Neff multi-function ovens. These cutting-edge appliances possess a stunning versatility to match their intuitive controls, and our status as a Neff Master Partner means we’ve got a great depth of expertise when it comes to smoothly integrating it into your kitchen design.

The options are endless, and depending on your specific requests, we can tailor these design features into any kitchen style, so it’s completely up to you to decide what you’d like!

Open-plan kitchens utilise islands in a fantastic way

Open plan kitchens are perfect spaces for the much-coveted kitchen island. In an open-plan kitchen, the island plays a vital role in separating the kitchen from the living room, while also connecting the two spaces. It does this by creating a place for the cook to interact with the rest of the room, providing an engaging, social atmosphere.

Of course, you’ll need to keep in mind what you’ll spend the most time doing on your island! If it’s cooking, consider placing a hob on top of it. If you’re thinking of it as a cleaning space, maybe install a sink, or think about integrating a dishwasher. The balance between practicality and aesthetic pleasure is really what makes an open-plan kitchen worthwhile. For us, they’re the quintessential option for anyone who wants to create the perfect kitchen-diner combination.

With 35 years of experience behind us here at Kitchen Design Centre, our designers are 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 Manchester or Barrowford) where you can sit down for a chat to let us know exactly what sort of requirements you have. We’re here to help!

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1. Vibrant splashbacks or accent walls

We’ve spoken plenty before about the incredible level of influence that colour has on a space – blue is naturally calming, for example, whereas using a bold red is a great way to energise an area. If you feel your space could be elevated further by a healthy dose of colour, a splashback is an easy and effective way to achieve it. You can opt for a single, solid colour to get the look you want, or get creative with patterned tiles and similar design pieces. If you want, you can go even bigger with an entire accent wall – but it’s a big job, so make sure you’re certain of the colour you want before you go ahead!

2. Beautiful artwork or happy memories

Another wonderful way to express your creative side is through some beautiful artwork, which can be carefully chosen to match the mood and aesthetic of your kitchen. A restrained contemporary style kitchen can be enhanced by a quietly beautiful monochome piece, for example, whereas a more vibrant space might demand something bursting with colour and energy.

On the other hand, you could take the same approach as some of our customers did in Rochdale, in their traditional kitchen with a sophisticated style. A happy family picture has pride of place above the hobs, emphasising the kitchen’s function as a family space. If the idea of placing it above the hobs appeals to you though, it’s worth making sure that the picture and frame are sufficiently protected against moisture, as steam can wreak havoc otherwise!

3. Open shelving for elegant displays

Open shelving is a particularly versatile addition to a kitchen, used as a practical home for crockery just as much as a proud display area. Floating shelves in particular can help emphasise the pared-back appearance of a minimalist contemporary kitchen. If you’re thinking about using open shelving, it’s worth thinking about your favourite items that you’ll want to display, and how often you’ll likely want to access them. Family heirlooms can be ideal for this sort of thing, whereas the salt and pepper shakers perhaps less so!

4. Spruce up your kitchen island

Perhaps one of the more unorthodox ideas, some customers have enjoyed fantastic results from painting their kitchen island in a different shade to the rest of the units. As it’s quite a self-contained area of the kitchen, you can often afford to choose a bolder shade than you’d normally be able to elsewhere in the kitchen. The result is a functional, beautiful space which makes a stunning impression on your visitors – the perfect space to entertain!

These are just a few ideas of course – you might well have plenty of your own! Whatever your vision for your dream kitchen, our talented designers have the skills, experience and the passion to help you achieve it. If you’re looking for inspiration, you can take a trip to your nearest designer kitchen showroom in Manchester, Blackburn or Barrowford, where one of our designers will be only too happy to sit down for a coffee and a chat!

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A blend of kitchen styles on display in our Manchester showroom

First up are our displays in our Manchester showroom, created by our talented designer Paul Harrington. The first display is modern traditional; an eclectic mix of the two most popular kitchen design styles. One of the most striking features of this kitchen is the contrast between the Laser Soft white door on the kitchen island with the darker shade of Bristol Blue Velvet on the doors of the taller units. Meanwhile, the dark, rich hue of Toronto Cognac on the centralised breakfast bar and sink run adds a lovely feeling of texture and warmth, beautifully complementing the Marrakech panel and Calcutta Quartz white stone worktop.

Our second display is designed in a more contemporary style. A mix of grey tones and dark pine adds texture while providing the ideal surround for the Laser Soft white sliding wall units, which themselves make a particularly striking statement feature. Meanwhile, the Cemento Spa Suede Silestone (with a lava grey channel handle feature) is the perfect complement to the sleek, clean look of the Everest Corian worktop which zones the cooking and hosting area. Both kitchens are outfitted with a powerful array of kitchen appliances from leading supplier Neff, with the modern traditional kitchen even featuring a limited edition Faber Lybra extractor.

True handleless modern style in Blackburn

Our displays in our Blackburn showroom are equally making quite the impression on our customers already, especially our newest style in putty concrete graphite. The high-gloss lacquer blue walls embody one of this display’s standout features, offsetting the distinctive brick feature wall and white marble effect of the quartz worktops. The tall bank island and integrated bar provide a handy seating area, which would normally be used for dining. Here at Kitchen Design Centre, we actually use it as a presentation area, using the television to show clients how we plan to bring their dream kitchens to life!

Our second display in Blackburn (a modern kitchen with handles) might well be familiar to some customers already, and we’ve given it a fresh lease of life with a colour scheme in sophisticated Taupe. The ever-popular breakfast bar is one of its defining features, surrounded by expansive larder cupboards. A new range of Neff appliances includes a Neff wine cooler – always popular amongst our customers! – which joins an American fridge freezer to round off the kitchen’s aesthetics with a flawless functionality.

Of course, as with everything in our designer kitchen showrooms, they’re here to give you just a taste of what we can achieve for your dream kitchen! Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your own vision, or you’re looking for experienced designers to help you finalise your ideas, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here at Kitchen Design Centre. Why not pop into your nearest local showroom in Blackburn, Manchester or Barrowford, and sit down with one of our designers to see how we can help?

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We Should All Take The Time To Enjoy Our Food

This one’s simple: if you love your food, it’s only logical to take the time to enjoy it. This is especially the case if you’ve cooked your meals. It would be a shame to go to all that trouble preparing that food if you can’t take the time to savour the fruits of your labours! But it goes deeper than that, too – from TV to newspapers, we’re surrounded by media that, for some reason, often turns eating into some kind of challenge. Entertainment magazines are particularly notable culprits, with headlines capitalising words like DIET or SLIM NOW. That’s not a healthy way to think of it! First and foremost, food needs to be enjoyed. It’s a pleasure, not a punishment. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight, for example, but demonising food in general isn’t the way to do it.

If you want, you can be selective in choosing your ingredients, and get creative with innovative kitchen appliances to pursue new meals, but the key thing to remember is that you can find beautiful, delicious food to suit any lifestyle. You shouldn’t ever feel like outside pressures (which includes lifestyle changes or tight schedules) get in the way of allowing you to enjoy your mealtimes at home. If you want, you can think of them as your daily reward for successfully dealing with everything that’s thrown at you all day – you deserve something special!

You Eat Better Food

One of the most marvellous aspects to eating at home is that, by making time for quality mealtimes in family kitchens, you’ll often be eating better quality meals by default. Corner shop sandwiches and supermarket ready meals are pretty notoriously high in calories, salt and fat, which is one of the many reasons why eating on-the-go can be so bad for us, especially if they appear quick and easy fixes.

On the other hand, if you’re using your own kitchen appliances and utensils to whip up some lovely meals from scratch, you know exactly what’s going in your food, and how much of it there is. Ultimately, the whole family eats better, making you all fitter and healthier in the long run – and possibly saving you a bit of money in the shorter term, too!

You Love Spending Quality Time With Your Loved Ones

Our designers regularly achieve feats of kitchen design in all sorts of styles. And whether we’re creating contemporary kitchens, traditional kitchens or something new entirely, one requirement we hear the most often from our customers is to make their spaces family-centric. It’s no wonder – the dinner table acts as a unifier for family, a daily meeting place for you all to gather and share stories and laughter together, while bonding over delicious food.

You might be interested to know that as well as being wonderful for you, regular dinnertimes with your family even have mental health benefits. Taking the time to unwind with your loved ones each evening can relieve daily stresses and tension – according to some studies, parents are amongst the people who feel these benefits most keenly. You can’t get quite the same effect from a bowl of microwave rice at 10pm!

Here at Kitchen Design Centre, every one of our talented kitchen designers has a singular goal in mind: to realise every inch of your perfect kitchen. That way, creating your meals can be just as fulfilling as eating them! Pop into any one of our designer kitchen showrooms in Blackburn, Manchester or Barrowford, and one of our designers will be only too happy to sit down with you and see how we can help you achieve the vision you have for your space.

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It’s another week, and another blog on one of the hottest and most requested styles of kitchens at the Kitchen Design Centre. So far we’ve looked at retro, hi spec, traditional and minimalist kitchen ideas – and this week it’s the turn of the very popular Shaker kitchen design.

What is a Shaker kitchen?

Unlike most other kitchens, the term ‘Shaker’ doesn’t intuitively give away a lot about its style. That’s because this style of kitchen was named after the religious movement that developed it, the Shakers. The Shakers migrated to the United States from Manchester in 1774 and created their own simple, functional, high quality kitchens. They valued open-plan living space that was uncluttered and simple, and believed that every object in the home should have a function. This simplistic theory gave way to the clean lines and functional layout of Shaker kitchen design that we all love today.

Top tips for your Shaker kitchen design

One thing that’s much admired about the Shaker kitchen is its versatility. The key concepts of this style can be brought to a traditional kitchen or a more modern kitchen.

1. If you’re looking to achieve a classic Shaker style, you’ll achieve a simple and clean result, with everything in its right place. The chic modular units give you the freedom to re-arrange the layout if you fancy a change. And with wood playing a major role in Shaker style, it’s a good idea to incorporate some lighter colours into your design to keep your kitchen bright – for example, lighter painted cupboards and pale flooring. Popular colours for a Shaker style kitchen are creams, pale blues, yellows, greens and red.
2. For a country style Shaker kitchen, be sure to keep the colours light and take inspiration from features such as oak beams. At the Kitchen Design Centre, we can even build in rustic touches like large oak beams, or built out old stone walls to fit in with the design and style you have in mind.
3. A modern Shaker kitchen needs to feature more modern materials – so cabinets should be given a shimmering white high gloss, for that stylish modern twist. The use of stainless steel bar handles rather than wooden ones and the introduction of granite worktops are also great ways to modernise the traditional Shaker style.
4. For a traditional Shaker kitchen, keep in mind the classic design, but enhance it with features such as pilasters and pewter handles. Little touches like this can completely transform the classic plain Shaker kitchen. When it comes to colour, choose rich creamy colours to give your kitchen a cosy, comfortable, homely feel. You can also incorporate peg rails in traditional or country style Shaker kitchens – for hanging blackboards, aprons and anything else you might need for smooth running of the kitchen.

To enquire about Shaker kitchen design at the Kitchen Design Centre, contact us online, or drop into one of our designer kitchen showrooms throughout the North West. A member of our kitchen design team will be happy to talk you through some of our existing designs or discuss more bespoke design ideas to suit you.

What’s your favourite style of kitchen that we’ve covered in our blog so far? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ModernKitchens

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A warm, welcoming style characterises country kitchens. The traditional feel is very much different from the modern, minimalistic style of kitchen that has increased in popularity over the years. However, traditional doesn’t have to mean old fashioned or impractical. At the Kitchen Design Centre, our country inspired kitchens focus on natural materials, elegant colours and fine craftsmanship to create that create a warm and comfortable kitchen design you wish for. A space where guests will feel welcome and want to spend plenty of time.

So, what features characterise a country kitchen?

One of the most obvious is of course natural wood finishings. From beech wood for a light look, to walnut for a darker feel; wood kitchens – as opposed to granite or high gloss – are a great way to achieve a country look. Whilst solid wood kitchens are expensive, there is also a more affordable option for those wanting to achieve the look for less – by using wood veneer rather than solid wood. Pine gets its own special consideration for country kitchen designs too. Its natural and rustic appearance makes it particularly well-suited for these type of kitchens.

Country colours are also important to keep in mind when designing your kitchen. Choosing the right colours to complement the wood (giving a layering effect) help to create that lived in, country style. Popular colours, which emulate the look, are sage green, creams, pale yellows or duck egg blues.

A country kitchen wouldn’t be complete without a kitchen island. If you have the space, a kitchen island can be a great way to maximise and use the space in your kitchen. It’s also a great focal point, drawing attention to the excellent craftsmanship of the wood and overall style of the kitchen. Adding a kitchen island into your country kitchen design gives the room a stylish, practical touch, combining both the old and the new.

Country style pattern and fabrics give the perfect finishing touch to a country kitchen. Think gingham, toile and plaid for your curtains, placemats or tablecloths.

The impact of kitchen flooring should never be underestimated. Opt for real stone tiles, like terracotta, travertine or slate, or for a more affordable option, choose vinyl tile-effect flooring.

Start planning your country kitchen now!

Like to browse some of our more traditional country kitchen designs? All of our beautiful traditional kitchens are on show at our Blackburn kitchen showroom, Colne and Manchester kitchen showrooms, so come and take a look. One of our expert kitchen design consultants will be happy to talk you through the designs, discuss your kitchen dreams and explain how we can help to create the perfect kitchen for you.

What do you love about the country kitchen? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ModernKitchens

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The comfort of a classic traditional kitchen adds a warm and cosy heart to any home. And while quality craftsmanship and materials are the key to their success, traditional kitchens can easily be tailored to include a pleasing, contemporary touch as well.

In this article, we explore some of the best ways of creating beautiful traditional kitchens with a modern twist.

Modern materials in a traditional setting

Chrome, glass, Perspex – and even concrete – can be surprisingly attractive additions to traditional kitchens, adding interest and texture that plays wonderfully against the moulding and fine details of a classic room.

Bring modern materials into the room in the form of counter-tops, cupboard handles, cupboard fronts, and panelling, to break up the overall look.

Say contemporary with colour

One of the quickest and easiest ways to add a modern twist to your traditional kitchen is with colour. A quick lick of paint in a fresh, vibrant shade, or elegant wallpaper with an eye-catching print can really transform your room. And it’s up to you how far you go – you can opt for an all-over injection of colour, or make a feature wall really pop.

If you’re looking for a less permanent solution, or if you’re not 100% sure that a wall of colour is for you, why not opt for a splash-back or panelling in bright, easy-to-clean glass or Perspex? Alternatively, stools, utensils or seat covers in a lively shade can lift a room from traditional to modern with a twist!

Contemporary Kitchen Appliances and Furniture

Sometimes, just a few modern touches can be enough to give your traditional kitchen a different feel. From chic fridge-freezers and extractor hoods in brushed chrome to statement lamps and bespoke LED spots shining through glass-front cupboards, there are plenty of ways to bring a high-tech touch to your traditional room.

The same goes for furniture: sculpted plastic chairs juxtaposed against a solid oak table; a bright, oversized clock above a traditional mantle; or some dramatic planters with spiky, tropical foliage – little touches like this can have real visual impact.

And if you prefer to keep your kitchen looking traditional but performing like a high-spec modern kitchen, we have a wealth of stylish kitchen appliances from leading brands like Neff and Quooker that can be fitted discreetly into your home.

Get inspired by the experts

Kitchen Design Centre has three beautifully appointed showrooms across the North West.  Our expert kitchen designers are always on hand to talk you through the kitchens we have on display, highlighting the unique details that could work in your home, and helping you to get inspired.

Creating traditional kitchens with a modern twist is one of our many specialities when it comes to custom kitchen design: we’re always working to find new ideas and reinvent the classic kitchen so that it works the way you want it.

Why not stop by one of our showrooms today and see for yourself how we bring contemporary and classic together?

Got some bright ideas on how to bring a modern twist to a traditional kitchen? Tell us in the comments, or tweet us @ModernKitchens!

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Here at Kitchen Design Centre, we have a beautiful range of expertly crafted kitchens, including a beautiful collection of homely painted kitchens.

Painted kitchens are a stylish choice for any home, but particularly for customers who are seeking a warm and rustic feel. Our painted kitchens add a touch of colour – sometimes a very bold one! – to a room while highlighting, rather than eclipsing, the wonderful craftsmanship that is the hallmark of our traditional and classic kitchens.

Our Tips For Choosing A Painted Kitchen

If you’re considering a painted kitchen, there are a number of things you need to bear in mind.

Firstly, are you looking for a neutral finish or are you ready to go bold? A neutral painted kitchen can bring a warm, harmonious feel to a room and will tie in easily with natural textures.  Think warm cream, gentle nutmeg, pebble grey and moss green – while they’re not as breathtakingly bold as vibrant shades, these colours are easy to match with one another and won’t overwhelm the senses.

Vibrant colours such as daring scarlet, rich midnight blue or zingy apple green, can give an otherwise neutral space a real lift. Bright and vivid colours aren’t for the faint-hearted but as long as you’re careful to choose a shade that you can live with – and one that isn’t inspired by a passing fad – this could be the perfect way to create a traditional kitchen with a modern twist.

And remember, it’s not just the colour of your cabinetry you have to pick – you’ll need to decide on your accessories, kitchen appliances, walls, floor and work-top finish too.

Other Things To Consider When Choosing A Painted Kitchen Colour Scheme

Browsing too many colour samples can do funny things to the mind! Sometimes, too much choice can blind you to what’s a good idea and what isn’t, which is why our expert kitchen designers are on-hand to advise on you on the kinds of colours and textures that will work well together – and those that won’t!

If you’re considering investing in a painted kitchen but you’re not sure which colours to opt for, there are a couple of things – besides personal taste! – that should help to inform your decision:

– The Size Of Your Room

Colours and textures can have a big effect on how big a kitchen feels. As a general rule, dark colours and rough textures make a room feel smaller, while light colours and high gloss, smooth finishes reflect light and open up the space.

So, if you’ve got a large airy kitchen that you’d like to feel a bit cosier in, why not opt for a deeper colour on your cabinetry and a beautifully textured work surface. On the other hand, if you’re dealing with limited space or low ceilings, high gloss cupboard fronts and sleek Corian worktops could be just the thing.

– The Light In Your Room

The amount – and the type – of natural light in a room has a huge impact on the way we perceive colours. If your kitchen doesn’t get a lot of natural light, it may be best to avoid rich, deep tones as these will close off a dim room and make it feel oppressive. However, if your kitchen is blessed with a lot of natural light – or bright LED lighting, for example, you may be able to get away with a bolder punch of colour.

Light temperature also comes to bear – if the light in your kitchen is generally cool, consider countering this with warm shades: anything from a creamy off-white to a vibrant shade of red. On the other hand, if your room often catches the sun, it may serve you well to opt for a cooler shade. Always think about balance.

Let Kitchen Design Centre Help!

If you think a painted kitchen could be just the thing to brighten up your home, come and talk to a member of the Kitchen Design Centre team today. We have three beautifully fitted-out designer kitchen showrooms across the North West, and expertly trained kitchen designers at each who’ll be happy to advise you.

Have you got any imaginative ideas for a painted kitchen? Tell us your ideal colour scheme in the comments below, or tweet us @ModernKitchens!

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