Universal Kitchens: South Africa’s Boutique Kitchen Expert

Smart appliances have been sitting on the horizon for some time, focusing on great results for all cooking abilities. Ovens with pre-programmed cooking functions ensure success, and most allow you to add your own recipes too. Look for interactive control screens and interior cameras that let you keep an eye on the cake from your smartphone.

A simple roller shade on the kitchen window provides privacy while letting light flow through. A dramatic pendant light hanging over the marble effect quartz waterfall edge island gives this bright black-and-white kitchen from Urbanology Designs a modern feel. For an elegant yet playful kitchen aesthetic, borrow some ideas from this beautiful space dreamed up by CM Natural Design. Fun patterns infuse a healthy dose of texture, while pale blue cabinetry, rattan pendant lights, and a restaurant-esque bench, table, and chairs make for an especially inviting dining area. A true classic never goes out of style, as this très chic old-world kitchen proves.

Layer Terracotta Tones

One of the easiest ways to update just about anything is with a fresh coat of paint. More and more, homeowners are expanding their cabinet palette to include more color. Two-tone cabinets allow you to add color without going all-in, plus it adds contrast to your kitchen.

  • With a centralized dashboard, all details and communications are clearly laid out in one place.
  • All the cabinetry and drawers are kept at the bottom to allow the large windows to take center stage.
  • The top updated elements of a modern kitchen design were benchtops at 94 per cent, cabinets at 90 per cent and taps and other plumbing fixtures at 88 per cent of renovators.
  • If splashy colors aren’t really what you’re aiming for, but all-neutral isn’t quite it, either, opt for a color that feels extra earthy.
  • Complete your decor with wood serving boards, glass jars and vintage buckets.

Thismidcentury modern kitchenfeatures natural materials that warm up black base cabinets gilded with Art Deco knobs. The ceiling features preserved tongue-and-groove wood, and the open shelves are magnolia. Complete with potted plants and ample natural light, this kitchen has a warm and cozy feel while nodding to the past. The countertop in this kitchen stretches across the entirety of one wall, leaving ample space for the maple-topped island. With original dark wood ceiling beams and rustic wood finishes throughout the shelving, island, and floors, this kitchen features a perfect blend of natural materials. Warm brass finishes on lighting and hardware complete the cozy kitchen.

Tips for Designing a Functional Kitchen

This super soft gray shade is a nice alternative because it gives you the light, airy feeling without feeling clinical. A simple lighting swap can make the difference between a basic kitchen and one that looks Insta-worthy. This starburst style instantly elevates the look and feel of this space. The matte black walls, paired with matte black cabinetry and black appliances looks stealth, but thanks to the large windows, this kitchen still looks open and bright. It’s possible to design an entire kitchen in a single color and still have a space that boasts dimension and visual interest. This design looks sleek, without being boring, thanks to the many textures from the backsplash to the stools, and caning on the upper cabinet doors.

  • Any color can work in a modern kitchen, as long as you pair it with the right cabinetry profile.
  • Take note from the masters of designing a kitchen that embraces simplicity and the beauty of imperfection with this book by deVOL.
  • A midcentury light fixture by Gio Ponti is positioned above a Boffi breakfast bar and stools from Design Within Reach in the kitchen of aLondon rowhouse decorated by Veere Grenney.
  • Placed strategically above islands or dining areas, these statement lights not only provide functional illumination but also contribute to the overall aesthetic by creating a captivating visual impact.