Whether you're an enthusiastic foodie, revel in close family gatherings or just want to get your kid's packed lunches together without a fuss, kitchens form the epicentre of our homes.
Originally the main source of heat, light and safety, their history began as a firepit over which pots were hung. Situated in the great hall, they lacked ventilation making smoke and soot constant irritants until chimneys became common in the 16th century and divided the main living area in two.
Despite a steady evolution which included the influence of French cuisine, the introduction of coal and then gas, followed by the invention of cast iron, electricity and plumbing for water, they remained back-of-house and a place for women well into the 20th century.
By the 1920s, cabinetry was included and, as kitchen ergonomics took a giant leap forward, fittings became popular, creating spaces that were both purposeful and visually appealing. Post-World War 1 saw a turn in technology and matching appliances and ventilation hoods made an entrance, paving the way for modern conveniences, open-concept living and a design-based approach. Now pride of place in many homes, Smart Tech continues to drive innovations, making it a multi-functional arena for family and friends to gather, work, cook and entertain in.
FCI London: Luxury kitchen designers
Bespoke layouts that facilitate optimal space usage, integrated appliances, custom countertops, layered lighting and dining facilities are all must-haves and need to be presented with thoughtful consideration and maximum visual impact. And that's where FCI London comes into the equation.
With a sterling design team, fantastic appliances, top cabinetry makers and expert fitters as part of our offering, we have everything you need to make this dynamic space the heart of your home.
The benefits of great kitchen design
These days, there's more to a kitchen than meets the eye. In fact, it's probably the most versatile space in any home. However, its efficacy depends entirely on good design which, if done right, can be life-changing and good for the soul.
Here's how:
Improved efficiency
A well-organised kitchen will speed up every aspect of your cooking (and cleaning) process, especially if you don't have to sift through drawers and cupboards to find utensils, ingredients and whatever else you need to create your favourite dish.
Optimal safety
Home to a range of items that could be lethal if misused or placed in hazardous areas, good planning is essential and often needs the expertise of a professional designer. However, when done properly, the well-being of your entire family is maximised.
Personalisation
When you plan one from scratch, you'll be able to add personal touches that include your choice of colour palette, genre, appliances and layout. This will ensure that all your needs are met and add to the enjoyment of your space.
Multifunctionality
With sound advice, it's easy to plan for extra features that will accommodate things like a home office space, a kitchen island or even a breakfast nook.
Ample space
With bespoke, built-in cabinetry and plenty of shelving, you'll benefit from a system that takes care of every last detail, leaving you with additional space for worktops, appliances, sinks and laundry areas.
Increased value
Beautifully conceptualised spaces will up the overall value of your home, potentially giving you a better price when you decide to resell. This is especially relevant for kitchens.
Popular kitchen styles for contemporary homes
When planning a new kitchen, deciding on a style is an important consideration, allowing you to create something that reflects your taste. Getting this right will positively influence how you feel and function when you and your family spend time in it, transforming it from strictly utilitarian to something that brings you joy.
Here are some popular options:
Farmhouse kitchens
Steeped in tradition, these radiate warmth and are characterised by natural wood and vintage furnishings to create a rustic appeal. Think open shelving, glass-fronted cabinets, butcher block and marble countertops, an apron front sink and a colour palette in light colours like pastels, white and cream.
Industrial kitchens
Drawing inspiration from old warehouses and factories, this style features exposed materials, open layouts and high ceilings. Edgy and spacious; opt for steel or concrete work surfaces, raw brick backsplashes, metal or reclaimed wood cabinetry and neutral shades of black, white or grey.
Minimalist kitchens
Clean, functional and clutter-free, functionality trumps decoration in this sleek, simple style. Find handle-free cabinets that utilise vertical space, integrated appliances, quartz or stainless-steel countertops and chic monochromatic or neutral colour palettes that maintain a timeless aesthetic.
Traditional kitchens
Consider this the ultimate working kitchen distinguished by warm, rich colours, natural or painted wood, panelled cupboard doors, granite-topped workstations and tiled backsplashes. Aim for a charming classic feel with timeless design elements, ornate details and vintage-style mouldings.
Japandi kitchens
Minimal and serene, this style combines the warmth of Scandi with the simple sophistication of Japanese design. Aim for clean lines, organic materials, natural light, texture and a muted colour palette. Handleless oak or walnut cabinets, stone or tile backsplashes and modern appliances are must-haves.
Transitional kitchens
Borrowing from both the old and the new to create harmonious balance, think shaker-style cabinets, marble counters, a subway-tiled backsplash and pendant lights. Keep to a basic colour palette in greys, beige or white and opt for clean, simple lines to create a space that will be future-proof for years.
Factors to consider when designing a bespoke kitchen
If you're planning a kitchen remodel, you'll need design inspiration and some expert advice. Which is why it's best to seek professional help and create something bespoke.
From the complex planning that goes into placing key elements to the detailed attention it takes to style it beautifully, there's a lot to consider. And, if you're looking for something spectacular, the FCI London team has the experience to hit the nail on the head.
A good interior designer will be able to help you realise your vision and build a dream kitchen that will satisfy your inner chef, facilitate close gatherings and create a multifunctional space that meets all your needs.
Here are some pointers to help you with your plans:
Define your purpose
More than just a space for food preparation, you'll need to decide on what else you'll be using your kitchen for. Here are some considerations:
- Family meals and entertaining: This will require either a kitchen island with counter stools or a breakfast nook.
- WFH station: If you're incorporating a home office or study area, think about how much room you'll need and the functionality around working this in.
- Laundry: Washing machines and tumble dryers will need a designated place in your design if you're not planning on a separate laundry area.
Create a checklist and set a realistic budget
Before you start, identify factors that you consider must-haves. These should include utility, energy-saving capabilities, versatility, low maintenance, optimal storage and smart home integration.
Dream big, scribble down all your ideas around these factors and then let your design expert help you narrow them down to a workable floor plan that encompasses your ideal contemporary kitchen.
This will define how bespoke you can go and will give you a solid foundation from which you can work. Whatever your limit, make sure you spend all of it and invest in the best quality possible.
Aside from appliances, fixtures and decor, you also need to factor in allowances for wiring, plumbing, lighting, flooring and labour. Consult with your designer to make sure you cover every eventuality.
Measure up and plan your layout
Taking accurate measurements is critical and will ensure that each element fits within your space, so in this area of your home, it's best left to the professionals. They will factor in everything from kitchen fixtures to freestanding appliances and work out how to position them to encourage optimal functionality.
Layout is everything and will contribute to the ergonomics and efficiency of your experience. You will then need to decide where to put your cupboards, bearing in mind that pots and pans should be located near your stove while dishes and glassware are better off near your sink or in upper cabinets.
Allow for foot traffic, especially around kitchen islands where chairs or stools will be pulled out regularly and, where possible, place your dining space close to a window to optimise natural light.
Illuminate your space
As kitchens involve heat, sharp objects and lots of hard work, good lighting is essential and should be planned professionally.It will also set the mood, giving you scope for a soft, intimate environment during intimate dinner parties and focused illumination when you're chopping and cooking.
Integrate task, ambient and accent lighting using a variety of fixtures that could include:
- Pendants and Track lights
- Under-counter illumination
- Wall lights on swing arms
Ideally, this should be drafted during your layout stage to allow for proper wiring and switches.
Find the right cabinetry and allow for countertops
Your kitchen cabinets will set a stylistic tone and give you the storage you need for all your equipment, cookware, detergents and ingredients.
Before you start, decide on which genre best suits your taste and make sure that it gels with the rest of your home decor.
You can never have enough workspace in a kitchen, so plan your countertops carefully and remember to factor in an overhang. Your minimum requirements should include 600 mm on either side of your sink and hob to facilitate food prep and washing.
When exploring kitchen countertop ideas, materials are key and should withstand daily wear and tear as well as enhance aesthetic impact. These options are widely used:
Settle on a colour palette
Colour can be introduced via your walls, counters, islands, cabinets, flooring, tiles, appliances and accessories and will influence the mood of your kitchen. Do some research, narrow down your preferences and make choices that you can live with for decades to come. Here are a few popular suggestions:
- Red: For energy and vibrancy - it also stimulates the appetite
- Yellow: Bright and joyous, it is synonymous with freshness and optimism
- Green: Biophilic and calming, your kitchen will feel natural and serene
- Blue: Often associated with luxury, this shade will lower your stress levels
- Black: Sophisticated and chic, it represents functionality and purpose
Choose your appliances
Look for an appliance manufacturer that has an outstanding reputation and offers repairs, great customer service, good online reviews and a reasonable warranty.Integration and smart, state-of-the-art technology are must-haves for an optimal cooking experience and will ensure that you get the most out of your kitchen space.
Before you invest, check the dimensions you're working with and speak to a consultant to make sure that your ovens, cooktops, washing machines, air extractors and refrigeration units will fit both the space and style of your room.
At FCI London, we have a fabulous range to choose from including Gaggenau and V-Zug, which are both leading kitchen appliance brands. With luxury brands like these, you also have the option to customise your appliances with unique colours and finishes so they perfectly blend with your kitchen design.
Consider seating
There are two types of seating options in kitchen design, both with their own sets of pros and cons. What you choose can depend on several factors including the type of space you have, functionality of your seating area, the height and proportions that you want and any safety concerns. Here are the two options:
- A freestanding table and chairs: These can be moved around and strategically placed, giving you plenty of versatility. If you have a large, open-concept home, this choice could replace the need for a dining room. However, if you're working with a small kitchen, you could opt for a two-seater bistro table instead.
- A kitchen island with barstools: From an additional prep or eating surface to an area for your sink or hob, these are multifunctional spaces that have become must-haves in the modern home. Remember to plan for at least 1m around its edges for easy manoeuvrability.
Optimise your kitchen sink and storage
Give yourself plenty of room for cleaning and washing up and make sure that it includes all the bells and whistles. A double sink, kitchen backsplash and faucets should be standard. You could also add a hand-washing basin and a boiling water tap to eliminate the need for a kettle.
Storage is everything, so plan it carefully and make sure you make use of your vertical space.
Aside from your cabinetry, you can add things like open shelving, a pantry, charging ports for cell phones and laptops, spice racks or dressers.
If you have special storage requirements, it’s always a good idea to go for bespoke joinery as it allows you to get customised storage that is completely tailored according to your space.
Don't forget your flooring
When designing a new kitchen or even when renovating, it’s crucial to consider good quality flooring as it should be strong enough to withstand the high traffic, spills and potential damages that are common in kitchen spaces.
Considering that the kitchen is usually the heart of the home, the right flooring has to be durable and easy to maintain as it also affects the aesthetic value of your refurbishment.
Consider the following:
Tiles
Probably the most popular option of all, these are robust, stain-resistant, non-porous and don't scratch easily. They are also ideal if you're going to include underfloor heating.
Wood
Adding bags of personality, texture and charm, timber is a much-loved option. However, it can scratch, wear and expand if exposed to excess water.
Stone
Although beautiful to look at, adding a sense of warmth and welcoming to your space, limestone flooring is porous and could stain and weather as it ages.
Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT)
These are waterproof, hard-wearing and thinner than other materials, making them a useful consideration if you have issues with your foundation levels.
Laminate
A wood alternative, this is far more durable and much cheaper, but it does not have the same appeal as natural timber.
Must-have appliances for the modern kitchen
Interior designers will tell you that kitchen appliances can make or break your overall experience and, as technology changes faster than you can fry an egg, new concepts are continually being explored. Here is a selection that you shouldn't do without:
Steam ovens
This state-of-the-art concept is often combined with a traditional oven to bring you a multifunctional cooking experience. This usually includes baking, grilling and steaming, which locks in healthy nutrients and enhances taste.
Combi-microwave
Microwaves have always been a part of kitchens because of their convenience but now combi-microwaves are more popular. It can serve as both a microwave and a mini-oven by offering additional functions such as baking and grilling.
Cooktops
From induction tops to gas hobs and teppanyaki grills, this is your station for boiling and frying, using up-to-the-minute technology. They provide you with precise heat while saving on energy and speeding up your cooking process.
Refrigerators
New, cutting-edge cooling systems give you peace of mind when it comes to preserving the integrity of your fresh ingredients. Innovations that cover individual climate zones, LED lighting and frost-free guarantees are essential.
Wine coolers
Nurture your wine collection with a no-vibration cabinet that eliminates UV light, tilts your bottles at precise angles, regulates temperature and ages each varietal optimally. Refined and on-trend, some offerings hold up to 99 units.
Coffee machines
If coffee is what gets you out of bed in the mornings, then this is a kitchen must-have. Modern versions include grinders, milk frothers, automated programmes that remember your favourite brew and even cleaning functions for easy care.
Ventilation hoods
From industrial-style hoods to compact versions that ascend from cooktops, an air extraction unit is paramount to your good health, keeping what you breathe in pure and removing odours, smoke and dangerous fumes from your environment.
Dishwashers
No one likes to be left with a mess, so instead of slaving away after a fun evening with friends, invest in a dishwasher. Quality versions clean and dry table and cookware effortlessly and usually have special features for delicate items.
Washing machines
Offering energy efficiency and big savings on water, contemporary washing machines have larger drums, doors that open 180 degrees and a variety of cycles that take care of everything from heavily soiled clothes to creasing and stains.
Ten contemporary kitchen trends to watch out for
Take a look at the latest kitchen trends below that will inspire you and fuel some ideas to enhance your timeless kitchen design:
Slab splashbacks
Whether you use granite, quartz or marble, using a continuous slab behind your kitchen sink will exude a sense of opulence that fits in with a contemporary feel.
Ceiling treatments
Make a feature of your ceiling by putting in smart wooden beams, inserts, panels or coffers. This will add a touch of personality to an underutilised area of your kitchen.
Decorative hoods
From carved wood to sleek stainless steel, eye-catching hoods are all the rage and bring artistry to an area that is often a little unsightly.
Mixed materials
Mixed metals have been popular for a while, but now this eclectic look has crossed over to include other combinations. Mix brass kitchen faucets with a stainless-steel sink, combine warm wood cabinetry with ceramic handles or find a wicker lampshade embellished with metallic trimming.
Beverage stations
Make a space for your favourite refreshments and install a coffee nook with a built-in espresso machine or a juicing bar for those healthy breakfast breaks. Make sure the space accommodates glassware and all the other necessities.
Undercounter refrigerators
With floorspace at a premium, under-counter fridges are making a comeback, leaving you with plenty of workspace above for food prep and other activities. These can also be integrated into an outdoor kitchen, study area, gaming room or den.
Wooden cabinetry
Bringing nature, texture and warmth into your kitchen spaces, exposed wood has become more popular and the trend towards white cabinets is taking a backseat. It is particularly suited to Scandi and mid-century genres.
Opulent lighting
Go big or go home is the new in, so take a look at our lighting options and find something that makes a bold statement. Make sure that it suits your style and use it as an opportunity to create a focal point or add a pop of colour.
Combination islands
An optimal storage solution, the new trend in kitchen islands combines closed cabinetry with open shelving, exposed legs and room for your counter stools. This brings you both visual diversity and increased functionality, increasing the use of your available space.
Communal seating
Kitchen entertaining is the new buzz, so forget your formal dining room and find a space where you can combine a casual table and chairs with a window seat or place a banquette on one side of your island and stools on the other. This is the perfect way to encourage involvement, connectivity and good conversation.
Book an appointment with an FCI kitchen expert
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.
FAQs
Why should you hire a kitchen designer?
Interior designers with expertise in kitchen design will be able to guide you through out the project and help you make the right design choices. Most interior designers have good industry connections which allows them to source luxury products and appliances for your kitchen at a competitive price and in a shorter time span. You’ll also be free from the stress of dealing with contractors, suppliers and delivery teams - making the overall process much smoother and efficient.
What colours go with grey kitchen units?
Being a neutral colour, Grey is very easy to style and it can be paired with many different colours, depending on the type of mood and style that you want for your kitchen. For a modern and sleek look, most designers would recommend pairing grey kitchen units with black and white accents. And for a more warm and contemporary touch you could go with beige or soft wood finishes. Those who want a fun and vibrant look can pait grey with yellow and green as this will bring a pop of colour without feeling overwhelming. But for a more subtle approach, you could also go for pastel colours like pink or blue.
How much does a new kitchen cost in London?
The average cost for a luxury kitchen can start from £10,000 but it depends on various factors such as the type of appliances you choose or the materials that you choose for flooring and cabinets. You can get in touch with out award-winning kitchen designers to get a detailed quote that is based on your specific requirements.
What colour splashback with grey kitchen?
A simple grey or marble finish splashback would look best with a grey kitchen, especially if you want a contemporary look.
What is best for kitchen flooring?
The best kitchen flooring varies on your specific needs and requirements and the type of footfall that you expect to see in your kitchen. Most clients want flooring that is durable and easy to maintain but also has a luxurious look and in the majority of cases, tiles fulfill these criteria. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are available in multiple qualities and price ranges so it’s easy to find one that suits your budget. They’re also a popular choice because of their high durability, water resistance and versatility in terms of design.
Other good options include vinyl flooring, laminated flooring and eco-friendly options like bamboo flooring. Each type of flooring will have its own pros and cons so its best to discuss your options with a reliable kitchen designer.
What paint to use in kitchen cabinets?
Kitchen cabinets in the UK are mostly painted with specialised kitchen paints that are designed to tolerate high-traffic and humid environments. Some popular, budget-friendly choices are acrylic paints or latex-based paints because they’re easy to apply and dry quickly.
But if you want something more long-lasting, go for oil based or alkyd enamel paints. Lately, chalk paints have also been trending for kitchen cabinets because of their matte and vintage look that suits contemporary spaces. However, these paints usually need a protective topcoat to increase their durability.
What colour walls with cream kitchen cabinets?
Cream kitchen cabinets can be paired with neutral coloured walls such as beige or grey if you want a minimalistic and calming colour combination. If you want to add some contrast for visual interest, you could opt for earthy tones like olive green or terracotta. And if you want to go bolder then deep charcoal or navy blue are excellent choices.
What colour to paint your kitchen?
There’s of course an unlimited amount of paint colours and colour combinations for modern kitchens. Most interior designers would recommend that you go for something timeless that you can continue to enjoy and appreciate for several years. But the final decision depends on your personal choices and the kind of atmosphere that you want for your kitchen space. Lately, blue and green have been the most popular choices and they’re both being used in almost all shades for kitchens - from subtle pastel shades to bold and dark ones.
If you’re opting for luxury appliances like Gaggenau, you can get them customised for a bespoke design that blends with your kitchen colours. So consider all factors before making the final decision. You can also discuss your requirements with a kitchen designer who can create a moodboard or 3-d render for you to visualise your kitchen before you make the final call.
How important is kitchen cabinetry?
Your kitchen cabinets will set a stylistic tone and give you the storage you need for all your equipment, cookware, detergents and ingredients. So make sure that you give proper thought to the kind of storage you want and how you can make the best use of your space.
A word from our customers
Founded in 1985, we've been in the luxury furniture and accessories business for over three decades and have nurtured long-term relationships with our suppliers, interior design partners and esteemed client base.
From helping you select kitchen finishes and state-of-the-art appliances to finding outdoor furniture, lighting or a dining table, we make sure that your home landscapes are perfect in every way.
This is why our patrons think we're the experts of choice:
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