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When it comes to designing a kitchen, it requires a lot of practical decisions. From choosing worktops to designing an island, working out the best lighting to accommodating the needs of a family, the list can feel endless – and overwhelming. We put eight of Google’s most often asked kitchen questions to the experts
Anna Sadej from Kitchen Connections says: When choosing your kitchen style, start by thinking about what you like and the atmosphere you want to create. It’s important to choose a style that fits with the rest of your house. Consider key elements such as doors, countertops, lighting and colours that appeal to you. Think about how much maintenance you’re willing to do and pick a style that’s easy for you to maintain. If you plan to stay in your home long-term, you can be bold with your choices. However, if you might move soon, it’s better to choose a classic look that others will also find appealing.
Amy Hicks, Lead Designer, Blakes London, says: The traditional kitchen triangle concept still holds value, but homes and lifestyles have evolved. To achieve the best kitchen layout, it’s important to take a holistic approach that considers the entire home, including how and when the space will be used, access points, room proportions, and the movement of natural light throughout the day.
Kitchens are no longer purely utilitarian; they’re often part of open-plan, multi-functional spaces where people work, entertain, cook and relax. As kitchens serve more diverse roles, the variety of appliances has also expanded. Popular features now include hot water taps, breakfast stations, prep kitchens, bars, walk-in pantries, and multiple dishwashers or freezers. By considering these elements, you can design a kitchen that minimises bottlenecks and enhances usability, ergonomics and functionality, even if it means deviating from the traditional kitchen triangle layout.
Anna Sadej from Kitchen Connections says: Making the most of a small kitchen space requires thoughtful planning and a focus on functionality. In compact areas, every inch counts, so it’s essential to ensure that all elements serve a purpose and one of the best ways to achieve this is by creating zones within the kitchen. A minimalist design works particularly well in smaller kitchens, where bright whites and neutral accents can help maximise the area. If possible, consider opening up the space to create a more expansive feel.
Lighting is another crucial factor in small kitchens. Effective use of light can make the space feel larger and more inviting. Natural light, in particular, can open up the kitchen, while well-placed artificial lighting can enhance functionality and ambience.
Storage is often a challenge, but there are smart solutions to address this. One effective strategy is to install floor-to-ceiling cabinets. This approach provides a significant amount of additional storage, helping to keep the kitchen organised and clutter-free. To make the most of limited countertop space, integrating appliances is an excellent option. Built-in appliances, such as a stove or microwave, can save space and maintain a clean, uncluttered look. Similarly, hiding core kitchen appliances like the fridge and dishwasher behind cabinetry can create a seamless appearance, contributing to the overall aesthetic and functionality of the kitchen.
Helen Wood from Simply Construction Group says: Most of our kitchen extensions with islands will be roughly 30 square metres upwards. If space is at a premium, you could compromise and go for an island that is attached at one end to a wall or wraps around as part of a kitchen design.
Amy Hicks, Lead Designer, Blakes London, says: There’s no single ‘best’ countertop material – it all depends on what the user prioritises. The choice often comes down to aesthetics versus maintenance. As designers, we favour natural stones, especially marbles, for their unique patterns and veining that add depth, movement and interest. These qualities are unmatched by even the best man-made alternatives. However, natural stones are more challenging to maintain and can stain if not carefully handled, unlike man-made options, which are more stain resistant. Some homeowners appreciate these stains as part of the home’s history, while others see them as flaws. For those who prefer a flawless look, man-made stones or porcelains, which have seen significant advancements in printing technology, may be a better choice.
We often mix and match worktops to get the best of both worlds – using durable man-made stone near cooking areas and marble on splashbacks or islands for a balanced and functional design. While seemingly cost effective, timber tops are better avoided, especially around wet areas as they require regular maintenance to remain hygienic and looking good.
Claire Burrage from Clara Bee says: It is possible and perfectly acceptable to use the same metal finish throughout or a mix of different types of finishes. When choosing the design for your kitchen, if mixing metal finishes, decide on your preference for the overall look and select dominant and secondary accents. Decide on warm or cool tone preference. If warm tones win, make this your dominant accent and use this finish more than your other selected finish or finishes for the secondary accent.
The only combination which fails, in our opinion, is brass and chrome. Brass projects a warm tone, chrome a cool tone and together they fight. Good colour combinations include black and polished nickel; brushed bronze and brushed black; antique brass and brushed brass; and dark bronze works with any metal finish.
Helen Wood from Simply Construction Group says: Try and incorporate a utility room into your design. Even a small one will allow all the family ‘mess’ to be kept out of the communal family space. For clients who have space restrictions, Simply Extend has built a utility cupboard with sound insulation in which a washer and dryer can be run to avoid the kitchen space being dominated by noisy, heat-generating appliances.
Kitchen islands are a good way of dividing up the space to allow for more storage of family items and it creates a focal point for people to talk, sit around and socialise. Finally, don’t go for kitchen surfaces that show up smears easily, such as single colour composite finishes. Surfaces that have a ‘grainy’, natural effect hide the odd crumb or mark, which saves a lot of cleaning!
Claire Burrage from Clara Bee says: Without a doubt, good lighting in a kitchen is fundamental. Lighting can transform a kitchen’s mood, define zones and create atmosphere, and because the kitchen is a multi-functional space, different types of lighting are required for various purposes.
There are three types of lighting and the key to a successful scheme is to layer all three together: task, ambient, accent. Consideration around the following areas is important – for food preparation, go for task and/or overhead. For dining, pendant lighting works well, as it does when entertaining, especially if combined with wall lights. Washing up needs task or overhead lighting, as does homework, which is often done in the kitchen these days. Finally, because kitchens have become such lived-in spaces, it’s important to have lighting that creates a relaxing atmosphere, such as lamps and accent lighting.
Aim to run all lights through the same circuit to one switch plate, which can hold individual switches, so lighting can function independently or together – where possible, for flexibility, opt for dimmable solutions. When planning your lighting remember it needs installing at the beginning of your project, before plastering, decorating and fitting.
Anna Sadej from Kitchen Connections says: Getting kitchen island design absolutely right is vital because the entire space revolves around this central element. A kitchen island can be an opportunity to introduce colour, texture, new materials or, for the very adventurous, make it a show-stopper too. When planning to incorporate a kitchen island into a project, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind: will it serve for preparation, cooking, seating, or other functions? If it’s for food preparation, then knives, chopping boards, food processors, herbs, oils, mixing bowls and so on should all be kept within easy reach. If cooking on it, consider using drawers under the hob for easy access to heavy pans and all the utensils, and it’s important to think about powerful extraction for a hob placed on the island. For entertaining it should include a drinks or cocktail station with a fridge, wine cooler, wine racks and somewhere for cocktail glasses.
When designing the island, dimensions are crucial. An island should integrate seamlessly into the kitchen and should never make it feel crowded. Also, there are a few more design elements to consider, such as countertop material, height of the island, seating plan, lighting, electrical outlets, appliances and storage.
