Don’t be a square – introduce a bit more shape into your kitchen with stunning results.
Off the shelf kitchen designers rarely think outside the box – and for good reason. squares and rectangles are the foundation of cheap, mass-produced interior design, as they’re easier to manufacture, store and transport. But by looking beyond quadrangles, you can create a fabulous and functional kitchen. We’re taking a look at how shapes can elevate your new kitchen ideas.
Three is the magic number
Triangles might not be the first shape that comes to mind when you’re thinking about kitchen design, but bear with us! A triangular kitchen island is certainly a conversational piece but has a number of practical applications too. It provides additional seating spaces and adding a centralised sink means that you can stay in the conversation while doing the dishes. It can also help to define areas in an open plan layout.
Spin me right round
Curved kitchen units look instantly high-end and are especially effective in modern kitchens. If you have space, a high gloss round kitchen island makes the perfect location for family gatherings. If you have a more compact kitchen, try incorporating curves with clever rounded cupboards and or luxe circular light fixtures.
The next steps
We love stepped kitchen surfaces, both for their aesthetic appeal and the way that they define the areas of your room. Stepped kitchen surfaces are great if you want a designated area for children to work and eat, or perhaps want to keep smaller hands off of higher surfaces. A lower stepped dining area leading on from a higher countertop is a practical and stunning feature, especially in smaller kitchens.
The L-word
Although open-plan kitchens are still highly sought after, designers are currently celebrating the flexibility and function of the L-shaped kitchen. When designing a functional kitchen, the ‘working triangle’ should be kept in mind – that is, the distance between your sink, your cooker and your fridge. An L-shaped kitchen lends itself perfectly to this triangular tip, being two sides of a triangle already.
An L-shaped kitchen also lends itself to having pre-defined areas – half for cooking and food prep, half for eating and relaxing.
Top tier kitchen design
Some of the first questions that we ask customers are about how they use their kitchens, and where those activities take place. Adding tiers to your kitchen surfaces can help to define your spaces, especially where space is at a premium. We use lower tiers for sitting and dining, and utilise higher ones for storage and food prep. A tiered kitchen island can offer a number of designated zones in a limited area.
Are you interested in adding new shapes to your kitchen? Let Willow Kitchens bash out a few ideas with you as part of our comprehensive kitchen design service. Our Buckingham showroom has reopened by appointment only and we’re also offering consultations by phone or online. If you’d like to discuss your next kitchen project, give us a call on 01280 822749 or use our contact form.