Layouts for contemporary kitchens

In the world of interior design, contemporary kitchens with sleek, minimalistic features are a favourite with many. However, the general public may be less inclined towards this style of kitchen, believing it to be lacking in warmth or personality. However, there is a middle ground, in which you can create a modern looking kitchen which is still inviting and full of character. One of the most significant aspects of such a kitchen is the layout; here are a few of the more popular layouts for contemporary kitchens with a twist.

The island layout is by far the most well liked modern kitchen design. It's ideal for those with homes that are slightly larger than average, as an island can take up quite a bit of space. In a modern kitchen, the island in this type of layout can have a variety of functions; some like to install a hob or a sink for cooking and washing up, whilst others might prefer to use it as a dining and food preparation area. A canopy is often installed above the kitchen island, so that pots and pans can be hung here.

Another shape that is great for those who want to combine the contemporary with the traditional is the L-shaped kitchen. This is especially suited to those who have a limited amount of space for the kitchen. The L-shape can be curved for a more modern look, or left as a standard angled shape for those who prefer the slightly more traditional approach. This type of kitchen is perfect for homeowners who want to include the dining area in the kitchen whilst still maintaining a slight separation between the two sections.

Many people who are living in larger cities will know the trials and tribulations of having to deal with tiny kitchens in their small city flats. This is where the U shaped kitchen comes into being. This kind of kitchen uses three walls of the room, hence the term U shaped. It allows people to separate the cooking area with the hob and oven from the food preparation area and generally creates the appearance of a more spacious room.

One very traditional kitchen layout which is now being given a modern twist is the galley shaped space. This form of kitchen design is perfectly suited to the larger household, as it provides space for family members to prepare meals alongside each other. Because people often like to make the kitchen a social space as well as a functional one, the galley kitchen layout is a well loved choice, as it provides enough room for people to relax and enjoy each other's company whilst they prepare a meal.

The beauty of contemporary kitchens is that they allow for almost any kind of design or layout that appeals to you; so whether you want an entirely modern look, with sleek metal countertops and chic furniture, or something that leans a little more towards the traditional, you can find a design to suit you and your lifestyle.

Creating a beautiful en-suite with bespoke furniture

In an en-suite bathroom space is often very limited, which can make the decoration of the room challenging, to say the least. In order to create a room that is as functional as possible, you must keep practicality in mind, in addition to making the space as visually appealing as possible. An en-suite bathroom can add a significant amount of value to the home in terms of both functionality and finance. Particularly for those with a big family, an en-suite can keep stress to a minimum in the morning by helping family members to avoid clashes over who gets to use the bathroom first.

Before you begin to decorate your en-suite, remember to keep in mind that because it is attached to the bedroom, a corresponding decorative theme should be used in order to create a sense of visual continuity. For instance, if the furniture in the bedroom is a dark wood, such as mahogany, then it may be worth your while investing in some bespoke furniture for the en-suite that matches the bedroom pieces.

The bathroom suite will take up most of the space in a smaller bathroom, so careful consideration needs to be given to what you will buy. Corner sinks and toilets are a great idea for those who are working with an especially cramped en-suite, as these pieces can help to save much needed space by freeing up space along the main walls and utilising the corners. These 'corner' suites provide the same amount of functionality as a standard kind of suite, yet take up half the room.

One of the biggest challenges when designing and decorating an en-suite bathroom is the lack of storage space. In a large bathroom, you can easily display cleaning products and toiletries without creating a messy looking space. In a smaller bathroom, however, just a few products left on the basin or by the shower will instantly make the room look cluttered and feel cramped. This is where bespoke furniture can be especially useful. You can have a specialist furniture designer create clever storage shelving and cabinets that fit perfectly into a modestly sized en-suite.

Mirrors are particularly important in a small en-suite bathroom as the reflections help to bounce the available light all around the room, thus creating the illusion of more space. Along with some well place lighting features, large mirrors will help to give a cramped en-suite a much more spacious appearance.

Most en-suites usually only have space for a shower cubicle, rather than a bath, but there are plenty of options for those who want their en-suite to look as stylish as possible. Again, it is essential to utilise the corners of the room; a corner shower will take up less room than a standard shower cubicle and yet will still be as functional. A sliding door is a better choice for showers in en-suites, as this type of door takes up less space than a bi-folding shower door.

Make the most of home offices with bespoke office furniture

Working from home these days has become quite commonplace. However, for those who are lacking in space, this can often mean sitting at the kitchen table with a laptop. This set up is not particularly conducive to concentration and can make it difficult to get any work done. By creating either a home office in a spare room, or taking over a 'nook' in some corner of the house, you're more likely to focus and be productive. Particularly for those working in a smaller space, bespoke office furniture may be the best choice, as it can be designed to fit precisely into the available space. You can also create furniture that is modular or comes with hidden storage.

In terms of the decor, creating a home office can be a little bit tricky. Decorating the space in a cosy, inviting style might appeal to many people; however this kind of look in a room will generally not help with concentration. Although the aesthetics are important, the room itself should be work orientated; that is, the furniture and decorative accessories should be suitable for work only. Items such as sofas, a television or any other furniture which might entice you to take a break once too often, should be avoided. Try to stick with simple, chic and professional decor, such as that which you would find in a 'real' office outside of the home.

To enhance productivity, the home office needs to be organised and well lit. It should also facilitate the use of equipment such as a computer and printer, with plenty of storage space and it should be comfortable. The main components of any office in the home are filing cabinets, shelving, a desk and an office chair. Bespoke office furniture is great for those who need to maximise the space that they have as a bespoke furniture designer can create corner cabinets, clever storage solutions and a desk that fits perfectly into the space you have.

Because most people use the small spare room of the house for the office, it's essential to make it look and feel as spacious as possible. A dark, cramped room is not somewhere that anyone will want to spend time. Make the most of a modestly sized space by painting the walls a bright white or pastel colour. Lighter colours are great for creating the illusion of space. A bright room is also more likely to make a person feel energised and awake; darker, richer colours such as deep red, for instance, tend to be associated with relaxation and cosiness. Along the same lines, try to avoid darker woods when picking out furniture pieces, as these will make a small room look even smaller. Choose light wood grains such as beech and pine. Glass shelving is also a good choice in this respect, as it doesn't impose on the space as much as dark wooden shelves. Keep the soft furnishings light coloured as well; you can always bring some colour into the room with colourful decorative accessories and desktop items.

Bespoke furniture for the dressing room

A glamorous dressing room is something that many women dream of. It is the epitome of indulgence and fun. If you have the space, time and the budget, then why not add this touch of luxury to your home? The best room to pick is usually one closest to the bedroom. If possible, a door should be installed that joins the dressing room to the bedroom, as this will make it easier to access.

Whilst the dressing room should be aesthetically pleasing, it also needs to be practical. It will serve as both a place to dress and as a walk in wardrobe, so storage should be the first thing that is installed. Organisation is essential in a dressing room as it is likely to be home to a wide range of clothes, shoes, beauty products and accessories. Make sure to take note of everything that will be kept in the room, before you order any new furniture or storage items. A clutter free dressing room will be a much more pleasant place to spend time in.

Modular bespoke furniture can work wonders in a small sized dressing room; accessories such as exposed hanging rails, cupboards and shelf units will all be necessary additions to the space. The great thing about bespoke furniture is that it can be designed to suit your needs; so if you're a shoe fanatic, for example, you can have a special shoe display rack made to your exact specifications. Whilst some people do not like the idea of open hanging rails for their clothes, these are a budget friendly alternative and are ideal for those who tend to forget about clothes that are hidden away in the wardrobe.

A dressing room would not be complete without a dressing table, of course. If working with a bespoke furniture specialist, you can create the table in any style you want; some might like the idea of a chic, modern glass table, whilst others may prefer the idea of an over the top, 'French Chateau' style table, with ornate carvings and elegant wooden legs. For seating, some people like to have a beautiful chaise longue, which will add to the glamorous feel of the room. Others prefer solid wood furnishings, or comfortable leather seats. A beautifully upholstered wooden stool could be used for the dressing table, but the furniture chosen will ultimately depend on the theme of the decor.

Mirrors and lighting are important when decorating any room, but when creating a dressing room, one must be especially careful about these choices. The room should have full length mirrors for getting dressed; these larger mirrors will have the added benefit of making the room seem far more spacious than it is. In terms of lighting, many people like to add a Hollywood style mirror, which comes with lights all around its frame, to the dressing table. Make sure that lighting chosen for the rest of the space is soft and preferably installed with a dimmer switch.

Bespoke office furniture for a contemporary home office

A home office decorated in a contemporary style can create a fresh, chic look that could very well make working in the space on a daily basis that bit easier. We all know that our surroundings affect how we feel and the modern, clean lines of a contemporary home office would certainly lend a hand to creating a brighter, lighter space where work is a more pleasant task.

Designing the bespoke office furniture for the room should begin with the desk. A modular desk for the computer and paperwork is usually a safe bet; this will offer comfort and more space when it is needed. For a modern look, consider pairing a wooden base to the desk with a glass surface on top. Glass is an especially good choice for the working surface of the desk if the room is on the smaller side, as it will give the illusion of space.

In keeping with this theme, why not have some other glass and wood bespoke office furniture designed for the rest of the space? Glass shelving may be a good idea for keeping books and files out of the way. In terms of seating, the sky is the limit if having them designed by a bespoke furniture specialist. Try to combine comfort and style. If the desk is relatively minimal in its styling, then you can afford to go for something brightly coloured and uniquely shaped when it comes to the seating. Whatever chair you decide on, make sure that it offers plenty of back support.

For meetings and guests, a traditional office would usually have a sofa as well as some chairs; however in a modern office, this may not be necessary. One or two colourful and comfortable chairs may be all that is needed. Chairs will of course, also take up far less space than a sofa.

Because many home offices are set up in the small spare room of a house, it makes sense to ensure that the storage in the room is well designed and practical, but does not take up too much space. Choose wooden cabinets in a light coloured grain of wood. You could even paint them a white shade, if the colour is in keeping with the rest of the room's decor. White, glass and light coloured wood are always excellent choices in a modestly sized, contemporary home office.

In terms of flooring, wood is again a nice choice, as it gives an airier feel to the room than carpet. If the room is slightly larger and carpet seems like a good option, make sure to choose one with a short pile, as this will ensure that chairs on castors can be moved about easily. For wall colours, contemporary spaces usually use bright and bold paint, however in a small room, all red or orange walls may make the space feel claustrophobic. Why not choose white on three walls, with one beautiful statement colour on the fourth? This would give the room a cheerful, modern look without making it feel cramped.

Colour choices for bespoke kitchens

One of the most challenging, yet enjoyable aspects of creating bespoke kitchens is choosing the right colour scheme. The colours need to be in keeping with the overall style of the space as well as bright and cheerful. Choosing the paint colours for the walls and the materials essentially boils down to a process of elimination. Once the unsuitable colours have been filtered out, you will be left with a simple and easy to choose from palette.

One of the primary considerations when choosing a colour scheme for bespoke kitchens is the size of the space. For instance, small kitchens should not include dark coloured woods in the cabinetry and dining furniture, as these will only serve to make the room appear smaller. On a similar note, when it comes to the wall colours, it is often best to avoid darker shades of greens, blues, purples and reds. Instead, look for colours that brighten the space; white or yellow are excellent choices, as they give a small kitchen a spacious, 'open' appearance. If you still want some other colours in the room, then there is always the option of adding bright coloured kitchen appliances to the countertops, or a colourful curtain to the window.

Those with larger bespoke kitchens have more options when it comes to selecting colours for the room. They can afford to play around with bold colour combinations, as the wide open space will ensure that a striking colour scheme will not overwhelm the style of the space, as can easily occur in smaller kitchens. Whilst in this sense, larger kitchens offer more options in terms of the decor, it is still important to stick to a few key guidelines when choosing colours for the furniture and the walls. The decorative theme of the kitchen should still be in keeping with the decor in the rest of the home, as a brightly coloured kitchen in an otherwise neutrally decorated house can create a disjointed and jarring effect. It is usually best to choose colour tones that are within the same palette as the rest of the house.

In larger kitchens, white walls can look just as crisp, clean and chic as in a smaller space; however, there is always the risk of the room appearing cold and uninviting if white is chosen as the main colour. To counteract this effect, it is best to add some dashes of colour and texture. Take advantage of the open space of a large kitchen and add a red dining set or some other bold coloured accents.

The amount of natural light available in the kitchen is another important factor when making colour choices for the room. If there are big windows, then those with a standard sized kitchen can afford to use a slightly darker colour palette. If using darker tones, remember to add some feature lighting, so that the space will still appear spacious in the evenings, when the light from the window is gone.

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