Tones and Textures to Transform your Kitchen

Adding textures and tones to your kitchen design

After your cabinetry, benchtops and layout are sorted for your new kitchen design, it is then important to look at the finer details which bring everything together. Adding texture and tones in the kitchen is a great technique to ensure the elements of your kitchen design are brought together seamlessly.

It’s very easy to have plenty of “shiny and smooth” kitchen features, because benchtops and cabinets offer a lot of gloss and high-shine options. Texture and tones will help to balance out the effect a little and keep the overall design from looking too flat, while still maintaining a sleek and streamlined look. Texture especially helps to add depth to your design, and it’s an important design element to consider when you are designing a neutral or monochrome kitchen (i.e. colour-free).

Below our kitchen design team have outlined five ways in which you can use tones and textures to transform your design into your dream kitchen.

1. Splashbacks

This can be achieved even if the patterns created are from similar finishes, because they still provide the visual impression of relief, dimension and texture. Take a look at the example in one of our case study kitchens; utilising a hexagon tiled splashback. The tiles themselves are also white and smooth, like much of the kitchen surfaces int he design. But with the use of hexagon shaped tiles and a contrasting grout to create lines and depth between the tiles, the splashback creates a textured effect across the walls.

2. Add rustic and industrial elements

To avoid your kitchen from looking a little stark or sterile, add some homely textural elements to help create depth and interest. Rustic and industrial style elements are a perfect match, creating a focus point with their trendy, rough aesthetic. You may choose for these elements to be incorporated into a piece of furniture (i.e. stools at the kitchen island) or through the hardware you choose to use on your cabinetry, drawers or tap-ware.

3. Engineered Stone benchtops

While creating actual texture in a kitchen benchtop is not the greatest idea (think of the cleaning involved!), you can create the illusion of texture by being selective about the type of grain and pattern you choose. Engineered stone benchtops provide a huge variety of styles and looks to choose from, and are more practical and cost effective than heavy, real concrete benches. Select a grain that matches tones that are present in your kitchen, and you’ll have a focal point and illusion of texture that assists in creating depth within your kitchen design.

4. Lighting

Pendant lighting is very on trend right now, and is easily able to be designed into a kitchen design that suits your style and taste. Cloche style lights match the industrial trends, while rattan and woven lights provide a bohemian touch to your design. Strung up over your kitchen island or breakfast bar, pendant lights that incorporate a little texture will provide an interesting focal point, while drawing the eye upwards to give the impression of light and space.

5. Brushed metals

Chrome and stainless steel used to be the top dogs of metals in kitchen design. Now we’re noticing a trend towards coppers as well as brushed steels. Because of the matte-look that brushed metal provides, it can create a wonderful contrast against the sleek and glossy elements of kitchen cabinets, appliances and splashbacks. Experiment with the cool colour of steel versus the warmth of copper to add an interesting metallic texture to your kitchen design.

It is always best to discuss your kitchen design aspirations with a professional kitchen designer who will be able to craft your vision and ensure it suits the style and space of your home. Jag Kitchens’ professional design consultants can do just that, whilst also ensuring your new kitchen is delivered on time and within budget.

Book your obligation-free design appointment via the button below, call us on 09 271 3131 or visit our Showroom at the Botany Town Centre, next to Danske Mobler.