8 Great Design Ideas to Give That Perfect Look to Large Kitchens

Wooden carvings on cabinets and stainless steel countertops still exist in large kitchens. On the other hand, there is a big design shift happening towards newer trends like neolith and lacquer.

Whether you are visualizing a modern farmhouse look or a minimalistic kitchen design, there are always great ideas to explore. From worktops and countertops to wall paint and lighting, these ideas can help you get started. You can easily create a luxurious kitchen design that is only limited to your imagination.

You may want to organize those bulky appliances neatly or need kitchen worktops direct near the sink. Whatever be your choice, it can easily fit into any design when it comes to a large kitchen. There is enough space to ensure high functionality and add extra elements. Following are some trendy design ideas to guide you towards decorating or renovating your large kitchen.

1. Stone Wall Cladding

Planning for a beautiful large kitchen should start from making its walls look beautiful. There is a variety of wall cladding available for kitchens. However, whether it is the interior or exterior of a kitchen, a stone wall cladding makes it appealing. It brings a natural and creative touch to the entire design theme of the place. Not only does it appear stylish but also delivers toughness against all weather conditions. Such modern wall cladding requires very little maintenance.

2. Marble Staircases

Homeowners usually go for marble tiles when they have to place kitchen worktops direct near their cooking station. It helps them use this cold stone to place their hot cooking utensils without fear of damage. However, marble stone can also be put to a more royal use on your kitchen’s staircase, provided it does exist. Paired with dark wooden or iron handrails, a white marble staircase goes well with any classic design theme.

3. Colorful Rugs on Natural Stone Flooring

A large kitchen has enough space to accommodate rugs in dining or other corners. If you have the plain-colored, natural stone flooring, try adding some colorful rugs to create charm and cosiness inside. A lovely rug print should also be a great match if you have printed wallpaper installed on your kitchen walls. Rugs beautify and enhance a corner like no other. A potted flowery plant on the window can be a bonus to a cheerful kitchen space.

4. Custom Stone Surfaces

Although it sounds usual, we want to tell you that stone surfaces in custom dimensions can create a perfect-style kitchen. Just any stone slab installed as a worktop can mess up the overall appeal of your space. Nowadays, many kitchen worktop suppliers offer marvellous customized surfaces displaying unusual shapes, veins, patterns and finishes. From marble and terrazzo to Silestone and Caesarstone, there is a wide range of stones to fit your kitchen style. If you have an open, light-colored design theme, the darker shades of granite or quartz can add contrast. For darker kitchen walls and cabinets, light-colored ceramic and porcelain tiles may work well.

5. In-trend Neolith

Neolith is a sintered stone that finds multiple usages in an ample space. In your kitchen, it can do design wonders, whether used as a dining tabletop or countertop. You can even go for neolith corner shelves that can accommodate smaller items and make space appear cleaner. Imagine an internal kitchen that is all carved amazingly using the famous neolith stone!

6. Extreme Color Shades

Whether you prefer a Victorian-style kitchen or an elegant modern one, the extreme colors can smoothly fit into your mood. From pure whites to chic blacks and deep blues, you can try any to work well in your large kitchen. Go on to select cabinetry, worktops, flooring, lighting, and even curtains and chair upholstery in these colors. You will see the magic these moody hues create. Some people also like to experiment with different combinations of extreme tones, such as black-white, maroon-black, or chocolate brown-white.

7. Architraves for Décor

Architraves are not just used for structural support, but these also serve the purpose of decoration. Going for architraves around kitchen windows, doors, or arches can add a feel of pure luxury, especially with simple designs. Traditional designs, as well as latest kitchen styles, can easily absorb elegant architraves.

8. Combine Glass and Lacquer

Many designers have been experimenting with lacquer material in their modern design themes. This pure material is quite streamlined for use in modern-day kitchens. As large kitchens may have several lights or other dull elements, you can amazingly make use of lacquer’s color range. It looks fantastic on cabinets and drawers, as there are bold colors available to choose from. From reds to yellows, you can pair up any lacquer element with glass backsplashes.

Whether you get custom products from kitchen worktop suppliers or install stone cladding or architraves, your kitchen deserves only the best. Although there is no shortage of large kitchen design ideas, the ones mentioned above will surely make you reconsider your thoughts.

Unique Tips for Interior Design

Interior design can be a blast, but it can also get stressful when you lack professional training. With so much riding on your performance—meaning that you love your own house—there can be a lot of pressure. Hiring an interior designer for every room in your house may not be something you want or need to do, but it will help you to design your home if you learn to think like one—at least temporarily. Check out these unique tips for interior design to let the DIY designer in you run free.

Put in the Expected Pieces and Then Jazz Them Up

Every living room needs seating options—there is no way to get around that. You may need to put in a regular couch with regular conversation chairs to make the room functional, but to make it a little more fun, design-wise, try adding an unexpected element. One of the most popular ways to add a bit of unexpected fun to a seating area is a suspended chair. These are chairs that hang from the ceiling and act as whimsical yet functional additions to your traditional setup.

Add an Element of Subtle Surprise

Each room should have one small element that is bold and surprising but not jarring. A subtle sense of excitement is the goal of this unique interior design tip. Too much excitement and the bold element is commanding the room; not enough, and it goes unnoticed. Striking a balance between shock value and style is the key. A great example of this is a bathroom with regular, neutral tiles—held together by gold grout. This bold addition of sparkle and shine in an otherwise traditional and mundane room brings it from basic to bold without overpowering the room.

Keep It Simple

When it comes to wall décor, you want to either use one large piece per room or a few small pieces. Overloading walls can make them feel cluttered and even dwarf the room. Decide on an accent wall, and focus your decor on that one, leaving the rest almost completely alone. Keeping your wall decor simple yet stylish is a great way to ensure the interior of your home feels complete and decorated without making it feel busy and overdone.

Three Common Kitchen Renovation Mistakes

When it comes to home renovation, there are few places that are more complicated to remodel than the kitchen. Kitchens have to balance fashion with function; plus, they’re both social spaces and workspaces. Remodeling mistakes are messy and expensive to make, so you should avoid them at all costs. Here are three common kitchen renovation mistakes you can skip during this remodeling job.

Being Impractical

There was a time when the kitchen was considered a workroom that no sensible homeowner would show their guests. Over time, however, it has come to be one of the centers of social life in the house. Because of that, it can be easy to forget its primary function as a workspace. When you’re laying out your kitchen, imagine yourself cooking in it. Is it easy to move from the sink to the stove to the countertop? Is there enough counter space? Is there enough space for storing dishes? Is there enough lighting to see what you’re cooking? Practicality is key when it comes to creating the perfect kitchen.

Not Considering the Technology

Along the lines of practicality, your kitchen’s main residents are the refrigerator, oven, stove, and other cooking appliances like toasters, crockpots, and rice makers, so think about these things before you design anything else. Coming to the end of your renovation project only to find you don’t have a spot with enough room for your fridge or oven to open is a sticky situation to be in. Your counter appliances will need outlets, so make sure that there are ample outlets in accessible spots.

Over- or Under-Decorating

Decorating is always the fun part, but it can be tricky in a kitchen. Because kitchens are workspaces first, you don’t want to crowd the area with so much décor that you can’t operate in it. But it’s also easy to sacrifice style for practicality. Much of your style will come from color, so painting your kitchen walls will probably be your biggest job, as well as the backsplash over the oven. Then, consider adding simple accessories that can hang on the wall or sit on a shelf in the open.

Renovating the kitchen can be a tough job to tackle, but all it takes is careful planning to avoid the most common kitchen renovation mistakes. If you do that, the result can be an awesome space to cook and to gather with loved ones. Bon appétit!

Guest Post - Home Design Tips: 8 Artistic Ways to Improve Your Entryway

Although one of the most commonly overlooked areas, your entryway is a vital space in your home. After all, it is a place that will welcome visitors to your home. Not to mention that it might be the only place that passers-by will see. 

That's why you should never treat it as an afterthought. You should pick a clever design feature that allows your entryway to look organized and refreshing. Plus, it is sure to make a great first impression on your visitors. 

Here are eight artistic ways on how to improve your entryway:

Add Pattern or a Pop of Color

You can replace the dull, boring paint with a bright, eye-catching wallpaper that will make your entryway warmer and inviting. 

You can also commission an artist to hang a stunning portrait in your entryway. It is something that can greet your guests and can be a good conversation starter piece. 

Adding an interesting pattern or a pop of color can light up the whole mood of the place. 

Carve Out an Entryway

If you have an open concept in your home, your front entryway can be challenging,

If it is hard to define your foyer with the rest of your home, then you or your guests might be left scratching their heads. 

Luckily, there is still something you can do if your home's architectural design does not have a distinct area for entryway. A piece of furniture, like a chest, can help anchor your space. 

You can also throw in a single side chair, and you can add a lovely bench or whatever seating in your entryway.

Ideally, your furniture design should go along with the style of your interior. That way, you are already giving your guests a clue what your house's theme and the motif is. 

If your entryway is too small to place a piece of furniture, you can also define it with wallpaper or a bold color. That way, everyone will know where the entry ends and where your home begins. 

Reflect Light

If you have a tight or limited space, on the other hand, you can use mirrors to help open up space.

It is common for small homes to have a tight entryway that lacks light. Thus, you can use mirrors to help reflect the light. This works particularly well if you have front doors that have windows in it.

When the mirror faces a light source, you can use it to double down whatever natural brightness you have. This makes your entryway airy and more extensive. 

Give a Statement

Your home's entryway is a great way to define the style of your home. If you live in a small house, you can capitalize on the vertical space you have.

Placing a statement chandelier, for instance, helps add some personality to your home. It also gives your guests an idea of your nature.

Another design idea you can do is group picture frames to make an interesting statement. 

If you love traveling, you can use your foyer walls to showcase your souvenirs from your past trips. It also provides your guests with an insight into what's important to you. 

Make Use of Rugs for a Warm Welcome

Never underestimate what a rug can do to your space. It does not just add color or life, but it also helps define an area. 

Adding a rug on the floor will add more texture and a softer appeal to your home. This can make your guests feel more welcome. 

Just keep your furniture away from the rug. That way, you are giving your carpet a chance to shine!

Use Furniture Multi-function Furniture

Expect that your foyer will be one of the most highly trafficked areas in your home. So, make that most of that space, and use furniture that serves a dual purpose. 

This can be a bench that doubles as a storage area or other furniture pieces with organizational solutions. This is where you can place important stuff that you bring with you every day, such as your car keys, and it will be easy enough to retrieve it. 

Rely on Size and Symmetry

Use symmetry to create order in your home, and then mix and match it with lamps and accessories. 

You can either use artwork or an oversize mirror to accomplish this. Do not be afraid to go big!

Pick a Theme

Choosing a single and unifying motif as a theme is a great way to introduce your visitors to your style when they walk in your door.

With this, the World of Stones recommends using wallpaper with minimalist hues or using natural stones to create a more rustic theme in your entryway.

Before your guests can go through other parts of your home, they have to go through your entryway. Make sure that you decorate it in a manner that is as inviting as possible to make a lasting impression. 

Author Bio: Andrew is an NY-based writer who covers DIY home projects, cleaning, and organization. When not writing, he spends his time with his two rescue dogs, Jet and Rocket.