KITCHEN DESIGN
Clever ideas for revitalising your kitchen, without breaking the bank
FEATURE AMELIA THORPE
NEW WORKTOP
Kitchen counters see plenty of wear and tear, so it may be time for a spruce up with a new top for existing cabinets. Measure your current surfaces, including cutouts for sinks, taps and hobs, and use that information to brief a worktop fabricator.
Your choice of material will depend on your taste, budget and approach to stains, as some surfaces, such as marble, tend to be more porous than manufactured materials. ‘Choose what feels natural for your space,’ advises Will Eaves, design co-ordinator at British Standard by Plain English.
‘For example, wood worktops instantly add warmth, whereas bold worktops – like this mottled jade terrazzo – bring a playful finish.’
COUNTER SKIRTS
‘A curtain or skirt is a fabulous and inexpensive way to bring pattern to a kitchen while covering an open cupboard,’ says fabric designer Vanessa Arbuthnott. ‘Modern kitchens can become rather formulaic, and skirts are a vehicle for creating an individual look.’
Washable linens and cottons work well and are simple to make. Hem the fabric on three sides, then finish the top so that it will turn over your choice of rod or curtain wire, fixed tightly to the underside of the worktop. ‘If the skirt is for a wide opening, make two curtains so that it is easy to access the cupboard,’ advises Vanessa.
For added effect, allow for a frill above the rod to hide the gap below the worktop.
ADD OPEN SHELVING & ACCESSORIES
Wall cupboards can make a kitchen feel cramped, so you may wish to replace them with open shelving. Wide shelves can provide plenty of space to store and display china, ceramics and glassware, making them as practical as they are attractive.
You might want to opt for dresser-style shelves set against tongue-and-groove panelling, put up floating shelves for a minimalist look, or consider stylish brackets such as those by Corston Architectural Detail (corston.com) and Willow & Stone (willowandstone.co.uk). ‘Or consider a pot hanger, which adds traditional style to any kitchen, while ensuring utensils and pans are in easy reach,’ says Matthew Bates, director of Blake & Bull. ➛
PRE-LOVED CHOICE
‘An ex-display kitchen is not only a savvy way to cut back on your spend, but can save up to 5,000kg of carbon which would make a family of four carbon neutral for 12 months,’ says Helen Lord, founder of Used Kitchen Exchange.
If you are keepin
