From creating more countertop space to the latest design features, we’ve got chic designer decor tips to refresh the heart of your home.


From creating more countertop space to the latest design features, we’ve got chic designer decor tips to refresh the heart of your home.

1 PENINSULA COUNTERS
“More homes are seeing kitchens integrated into the dining space,” says Amilia Gani, principal designer of Facelift Design. “I am getting more requests to design a table area with stools or a bench for quick morning and evening meals, and even family gatherings in the kitchen.”


2 FLAT-FRONT CABINETS WITH LUXE DETAILS

“To make the kitchen look more spacious, keep the island or peninsula counter the same height as the rest of the kitchen counters.”

3 THE RISE OF TACTILE DESIGN
“While the minimalist look has been a dominant design trend for the past decade or so, there is definitely a return to an appreciation for details and materiality,” Lawrence notes. “Designers and homeowners alike are very much more open to the use of materials that have strong patterns or prints. There is greater consideration for wood finishings, where the beauty of their grains is appreciated and integrated into the overall design scheme, as opposed to using clean solid colours.”

4 KEEP IT STREAMLINED
“Another vital consideration of kitchen design is the appliances. The one main equipment that affects both a kitchen’s space and design is the refrigerator, due to its usually large size,” Lawrence points out. “This is often overlooked and the fridge is simply left to stick out in a corner. Where possible, try to integrate the fridge into the cabinetry so that it appears to be built-in within the cabinets, or flushed within a wall.”

“A glass backsplash is classy, easy to clean and can cover a stretch of wall without jointing.”
5 STRONG MARBLE COMEBACK

6 STRONG MARBLE COMEBACK
“Marble is definitely making a comeback,” says Lawrence, “though often in the form of man-made materials such as quartz, which is much easier to maintain.” Amilia agrees, saying, “The white marble look is a very popular choice for flooring and wall finishes, be it in natural stone or simulated marble in porcelain tiles and surface tops, and the trend doesn’t seem to be losing steam any time soon. In fact, more marble textures are in strong demand for kitchen countertops and backsplashes. Last year, I designed a Japanese-inspired kitchen with dark umber-toned cabinets and bold marble-like textured porcelain tiles for its backsplash. The lines look like calligraphy strokes on the wall.”