10 Clever Little Kitchen Details
While benchtops and kitchen islands can create a beautiful kitchen, it's the smaller details that really make a space your own
It’s all too easy to focus purely on cabinets, benchtops and appliances when you plan out a kitchen, but whether you’re starting from scratch or just tweaking your cook space, remember the tiny details too. From a zingy shelf to clever cut-out handles, it’s the little details that really count.
2. Tweak your tap
Wall-mounted taps tend to protrude straight out, but here, a swan-neck mixer tap has been fitted to the wall. It looks highly original and wonderfully shapely, and its position, relatively high above the two sinks, means it can be moved to either side to direct water into both.
Wall-mounted taps tend to protrude straight out, but here, a swan-neck mixer tap has been fitted to the wall. It looks highly original and wonderfully shapely, and its position, relatively high above the two sinks, means it can be moved to either side to direct water into both.
3. Put up a picture rail
Art is often left out of a kitchen, as cooking fumes can damage some pieces. But if you have good ventilation and aren’t deep-fat frying every night, consider a picture rail. This one is a beautiful extension of the benchtop and splashback, with the shelf that supports the pictures made from the same luxe marble.
Art is often left out of a kitchen, as cooking fumes can damage some pieces. But if you have good ventilation and aren’t deep-fat frying every night, consider a picture rail. This one is a beautiful extension of the benchtop and splashback, with the shelf that supports the pictures made from the same luxe marble.
4. Cut the handles
Rather than knobs for cabinet doors, a cut-out handle is a beautifully simple and economical alternative. Make the cut-out any shape you choose and you have a wonderfully modest and pleasing detail that preserves the clean lines of the cabinetry.
Rather than knobs for cabinet doors, a cut-out handle is a beautifully simple and economical alternative. Make the cut-out any shape you choose and you have a wonderfully modest and pleasing detail that preserves the clean lines of the cabinetry.
5. Work in an alternative benchtop
Consider using a combination of benchtop materials. A budget kitchen can be luxed-up with a small inset of something beautiful, such as granite or marble.
Alternatively, simply mix in a section of benchtop that performs a different role. This curved segment is made from sliced and jointed bamboo and serves as a built-in chopping block.
Consider using a combination of benchtop materials. A budget kitchen can be luxed-up with a small inset of something beautiful, such as granite or marble.
Alternatively, simply mix in a section of benchtop that performs a different role. This curved segment is made from sliced and jointed bamboo and serves as a built-in chopping block.
6. Source a striking sink
Draw attention to your sink by going for something dramatic. Copper and marble are luxury options, or choose a metal sink, but in a deep tone that contrasts with a pale kitchen scheme, as seen in this beautiful new-build property in the UK.
All you need to know about kitchen sinks
Draw attention to your sink by going for something dramatic. Copper and marble are luxury options, or choose a metal sink, but in a deep tone that contrasts with a pale kitchen scheme, as seen in this beautiful new-build property in the UK.
All you need to know about kitchen sinks
8. Pick up some pegboard
Inexpensive and versatile, pegboard can add wonderful detail to a kitchen. Simply fix it to a wall and use it to store an array of culinary kit, as here. Practical and inspired by professional kitchens, this piece of metal pegboard also adds a focal point in a serious, industrial cook space.
Inexpensive and versatile, pegboard can add wonderful detail to a kitchen. Simply fix it to a wall and use it to store an array of culinary kit, as here. Practical and inspired by professional kitchens, this piece of metal pegboard also adds a focal point in a serious, industrial cook space.
9. Cook up a crazy splashback
A kitchen splashback is rarely a huge expanse, so you can afford to throw caution to the wind and choose a decoratively ambitious material. Here, ‘Brazil’ fabric by Josef Frank is fixed to the wall behind a sheet of glass.
A kitchen splashback is rarely a huge expanse, so you can afford to throw caution to the wind and choose a decoratively ambitious material. Here, ‘Brazil’ fabric by Josef Frank is fixed to the wall behind a sheet of glass.
10. Fit a zingy shelf
This is such a tiny detail, but so effective! The bright yellow shelf adds welcome focus to this white kitchen. It ties in with the blender sitting on the benchtop and a few other small pieces, punctuating the white and giving zip and pace to this simple scheme.
TELL US
Have you added some clever details to your kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below.
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Browse more beautiful kitchens
This is such a tiny detail, but so effective! The bright yellow shelf adds welcome focus to this white kitchen. It ties in with the blender sitting on the benchtop and a few other small pieces, punctuating the white and giving zip and pace to this simple scheme.
TELL US
Have you added some clever details to your kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more beautiful kitchens
A small amount of reflective sheet metal goes a long way in a kitchen, adding some sparkle and surprise. This island is clad in polished copper sheet for a flash of luxe. It also picks out the chairs and table beyond, reflecting them softly in its glowing surface.
Weave metallics into your kitchen