The kitchen is often regarded as the most important part of the home and it is easy to see why. More than just an area for cooking, a luxury kitchen is a space around which a family and the events of your life revolve, from daily meals to dinner parties and grand events with friends and visitors. Modern kitchen design remains the heart of the home, and therefore, considerate homeowners should give due consideration to how it is adorned to make the area a perfect blend of elegance, homeliness and functionality.
Owing to the rapid advancements that have been made in the world of appliances, the look of the modern space has also evolved rapidly. This has introduced several more factors to take into account when working to design your space. First of all, the layout of the space needs to be considered and designed so the space allocated is used most effectively, then comes the layout, and finally the materials, functionality and finishes.
Luxury designs not only focus on stunning aesthetics but also efficient use of space and how the area will be most used in your lifestyle. Hence, it is imperative to choose the sort of furniture and surface finishes that suit the grander aesthetic of your home, and make you feel most at home. There are several variables that need to work together like materials, size, colour and storage options. Other factors to consider would be the lighting, types and style of countertops, colour schemes and work zones. Demarcation of specific zones is a major aspect of luxury design since it ensures that the space remains easy to navigate and isn’t frustrating to work within.
In this feature, we provide you with a breakdown of the elements of luxury kitchen design, so you’ll be better prepared to turn your space into a haven of comfort, functionality, stunning aesthetics and elegance.
Many designs may be marketed as luxury but in actuality, they fall short of the high-end expectations of luxury homeowners.
Certain attributes define luxury and some of these include attention to the smallest detail, custom cabinetry, use of high quality materials, bespoke colour schemes, effective space manipulation and high-end personalisation.
The last factor is one of the most significant defining elements, since customisation takes into account your specific tastes, preferences and aesthetic sense and makes a space truly “yours”. It allows you to have a bespoke space, tailor-made for your home and is very often the hallmark of luxury design.
FCI is very proud to be one of the leading luxury furniture and lifestyle shops in London, boasting highly skilled designers who can provide you with guidance, time and cost-saving advice and drastically reducing the time and effort required to achieve your ideal design.
Now that we have explored the elements and definition of luxury designs, it is time to dive into some of the ideas that can make your dream kitchen stand out as the epitome of luxury.
The evolution of luxury is a continuous process and the creative artistry of design never stands still; however, it is always a good move to have a fair idea about the direction of evolving trends. There’s a mix and match of several ideas that collectively provide a clear guide of what you ought to look for when you start designing your new kitchen.
Modern, sophisticated homes treat the kitchen as part of the wider living space and embrace functional open plan layouts, which have become a strong signifier of luxury. Kitchens are no longer a separated part of the house but very much integrated into the active living area, instead of being a busy corner to be hidden away. This modern design facilitates openness and camaraderie, and open plan designs are a key factor here. Want to cook the latest exotic recipe you learned in the presence of your visitors? An open-plan kitchen is the best way to keep busy without sacrificing time with guests.
The leading luxury furniture and furnishings houses in London are best known for their bespoke luxury offerings. As far as your luxury design is concerned, the cabinetry is one of the more important aspects of this kitchen space; both in terms of functionalities and aesthetics. These cabinets are expertly made to be tailored to your specific needs. Choose high-quality materials like solid hardwoods with luxury finishes and present a classic look. You can also choose eco-friendly options like high-end manufactured material for a much wider array of colours, finishes and textured accents.
The kitchen island is generally placed in the centre of the space and not only delivers visual appeal but offers significant functionality as well.
A customised kitchen island with bespoke colour schemes and storage options could be the ideal option for creating a unique space.
Additionally, you should also consider opting for high-quality materials generally associated with luxurious pieces like hardwoods, solid wood, granite, quartz and marble.
These appliances are now a fixture in luxury designs and can even remain hidden from sight inside your cabinets.
As a consequence, none of the appliances are visible and your kitchen takes up a minimalist and clean look, aligned with modern luxury design.
Luxury appliance brands are often integrated at the design stage, with careful care given to their best placement within the space, and the best access for when they’re most likely to be used.
Contrasting colours are a great way of further enhancing the visual appeal of your space and that remains a key aspect of modern kitchen design principles. The rule of thumb is to use darker shades for the lower portion of the space and a lighter one for the upper portions. However, you can reverse the scheme as well if you so wish. Here especially is an area where speaking to a professional interior designer is recommended, as the options are vast and incorporating your kitchen as a design element of your home requires considerable knowledge and experience.
Steel may not pop up in your mind when you consider luxury kitchen design but it is very much a niche luxury style that has taken the design world by storm in recent years. You should consider a customised steel island and cabinetry molded in steel to create a truly uniform and unique aesthetic. Steel reflects light as well, which helps keep your area bright and welcoming throughout the day or night. Designers who stay current can easily find ways to incorporate these kinds of modern touch to even traditional kitchens to create a completely one-of-a-kind look.
The aesthetic appeal of white marble is never going to go out of fashion and a luxury kitchen designed around it as the central finish never fails to speak to good taste. An island designed with marble, along with marble-focused cabinetry and marble flooring can result in a modern and sleek minimalist look, while still appealing to a sense of classic timelessness. Moreover, it is a sturdy and resilient material that can withstand a lot of pressure daily. Adding a white coloured dining table to the area can complete the look admirably. Customised options specifically designed for your perfect kitchen could be the way to go if you choose marble.
If more storage and more functionality along with a unique design is your inclination then a space with two islands could be an inspired choice. You can keep your walls clean while boosting the storage space of your area and in the bargain, you would get double the workspace for meal preparation. Additionally, the islands would also enable you to offer greater seating space and possibly improve the ease of movement as well. It is one of the latest offerings from innovative interior designers and is catching on quite fast.
Sometimes a dash of old school rustic charm can complete a modern luxury kitchen design and deliver a sophisticated package. The open shelving would be a throwback to the kitchen of the past and could be designed to be the centrepiece of the area. You could consider choosing marble, granite, quartz or hardwoods for the slabs. It may be a simple addition to the space but would lift the overall aesthetics significantly while offering easy access to things you may keep there. If you speak with a leading kitchen designer at a London luxury furniture store you would be offered various options.
These are some of the design ideas that you could consider for your dream kitchen and turn it into a have of class, sophistication, balance and functionality.
FCI London has more than 40 years in the luxury furniture and interior design industry, and we pride ourselves on being a trusted name creator of luxury interiors in London, both large and small.
Our longstanding relationships with the best craftsmen and designer brands from all over Europe are at your disposal, and we offer first-class delivery and installation of any product you purchase through us, ensuring that your experience is stress free and convenient..
Visit our 30,000 sq. ft.showroom, the largest luxury showroom in London, to discover, explore and experience a wide range of contemporary kitchen designs, along with professional advice from a team of experienced and award-winning interior designers.
Utilise our complementary services like 3D Rendering, project planning, and enjoy our signature personalised service. We aim to make your design journey as seamless as possible, saving you time and effort wherever possible.
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From giving you advice on the latest appliances to designing your floor plans and exclusive custom cabinetry, our dynamic team will help you kit out your kitchen in style.
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