What are the best ways to renovate your kitchen?

Renovating your kitchen can add up to 4% to the value of your property, according to an article by Clifton Private Finance, and make a huge difference to how your home works for your daily life – so there’s a good reason it’s often called the heart of the home. From apartments with compact galley kitchens to expansive properties with dream open-plan concepts, here we take you through the best in kitchen design.

Kitchen design ideas for small spaces

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When it comes to city apartments with diminutive kitchens, design and layout are key – ensuring every inch is optimised for cooking, dining and hosting. Opting for the right cabinetry and utilising multifunctional furniture will transform even the most compact kitchen into an elevated yet functional space - as we can see in the above Barcelona apartment. Even strategic use of lighting, such as under-cabinet illumination, can enhance the ambiance and functionality of a small kitchen. Below are a few key things to tick off your renovation checklist…

Maximise Storage

‍Maximising storage space with smart cabinetry is an easy way to update your kitchen. Opt for floor-to-ceiling designs against one wall for the best way to make use of the space. Plus, choosing a modern pantry cupboard will keep countertops clear of everyday clutter. 

Utilise Seamless Design

‍Draw in as much light as possible by embracing light colours and reflective surfaces to create an illusion of more space. Materials like marble, granite and quartzite are perfect for this – beautiful to look at and extremely long-lasting, consider taking it up onto the walls as a backsplash for a truly streamlined look. 

Integrate The Appliances

‍Opting for appliances that can be built-in is an ideal way to prevent your kitchen from looking cluttered. Everything from microwaves and ovens to fridges and dishwashers can be cleverly incorporated into cabinetry, maintaining easy access and a harmonious appearance.

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Modern kitchen designs for country homes

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‍The best country kitchen renovations blend rustic charm with contemporary functionality, often featuring natural materials like reclaimed wood for cabinetry, stone countertops, and farmhouse sinks that evoke a quintessentially English countryside feel. However, state-of-the-art appliances, relaxed open shelving and minimalist touches can help to balance out the cosy warmth with clean lines – creating a space that works for country living today.

Retain Original Features‍

If your home is lucky enough to boast original features like floorboards, beams and fireplaces – our advice? Whatever you do, don’t remove them. Acting as an excellent foil to necessary modern appliances, they are also an easy way to bring interest and character to your home for free! Work with them and we guarantee you’ll have the perfect result. 

Create Contrast

‍Timeless materials such as oak and pine are perfectly suited to a country home but it can be easy to slip into overly traditional design. A handmade, timber-frame kitchen works beautifully but remember to offset it with something unexpected. For example, choosing a bold paint colour for classic cabinetry will bring a feeling of modernity that will look just right. 

Update Your Lighting

‍Consider a range of different lighting. A small table lamp on a countertop will create an intimate glow while modern wall lights in brushed steel can be used in place of spotlights for more focused work and will toughen up a picture-perfect country kitchen. Finally, a single overhead pendant light brings some drama to a charming space – an oversized design in rattan would be ideal.

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Open-plan kitchen designs

Requiring any space to seamlessly integrate cooking, dining, living and socialising is a big ask. The best open-plan kitchen design is one that is able to combine all four, without sacrificing any one. The above space is a prime example of a renovation done right, in one of our Paris apartments. Though a small kitchen, it appears lofty and is practical in every way too. Enabling enhanced socialising and entertaining, open-plan rooms boast minimal barriers and a fluid transition between zones, allowing for flexible use of the space. Typically featuring sleek countertops, multifunctional islands that serve as both cooking stations and gathering spots, and innovative storage solutions to maintain a clutter-free environment, choosing this design for your kitchen renovation encourages a sense of openness, making it ideal for contemporary homes.

Zone Different Areas

‍Although being able to circulate and socialise with guests is at the top of the priority list, in order to stop the space feeling overwhelming it’s a good idea to create zones of separate areas. Use a hard-wearing jute rug, or even a well-placed pattern of tiles, in the kitchen area where practicality is key; a wool rug for the seating area where spillages are likely to be kept to a minimum; and a flatweave rug under the dining table to add interest while still being easy to clean. 

Have Multiple Seating Options

‍It’s important to think about all the different ways this space needs to work for your family, and include a variety of seating options. A few sofas and armchairs positioned around a low coffee table for relaxed gatherings, a generous dining table that works for any occasion, and, of course, an island is a must-have for any open-plan kitchen. Although it’s perfect for guests to gather round while you put the finishing touches to the meal, our top tip is to go for a ledge design that will cleverly conceal the bar stools and allow you to tuck them out of the way when not in use. 

Choose Elevated Materials

‍For some, the kitchen being on show all the time sounds high-maintenance – this is where clever design and luxe finishes can make all the difference. Select a wow-factor material for your countertops (you can’t go wrong with marble), conceal bulky appliances in custom cabinetry, and try not to economise on fixtures and finishings. These are the things most prominently on show that you’ll see and touch every day, so it’s worth spending the money if you can.

Whether you own an apartment with a compact kitchen, a countryside cottage with stunning original features to incorporate, or a modern property with an expansive floor space that’s perfect for open-plan living – our guide to renovating your kitchen showcases the best of August’s expert design team and shares useful tips for ways to improve your spaces.

‍Schedule a call with a member of our Advisory team today to understand more about our August Collections and discover the perfect homes for you.