15 Indie Kitchens That Proudly Stand Out From the Crowd
Bored with white, cream and 50 shades of grey? Break out of the box with a 'non-kitcheny' kitchen
Kitchens have to be sleek, minimal, functional or neutral, right? Um, says who? Throw out your kitchen rule book because the latest wave of domestic havens are just a bit less, well, kitcheny, and a whole lot more individual, boho, eclectic, colourful and all-round gorgeous.
Take a look at these indie kitchens for some inspiration on throwing caution to the wind and going rogue. Take your design cue from retro diners, living rooms, even garden sheds – just about anywhere that isn’t a kitchen, in fact. Remember, as long as you can still cook and wash up in it, it still qualifies…
Take a look at these indie kitchens for some inspiration on throwing caution to the wind and going rogue. Take your design cue from retro diners, living rooms, even garden sheds – just about anywhere that isn’t a kitchen, in fact. Remember, as long as you can still cook and wash up in it, it still qualifies…
2. Vintage play
This sweet country kitchen takes all the best elements of the cutesy, cottage look and mixes them up for a boho effect. Painted op shop chairs, curtained-off shelves, vintage scales, glass jars, stripes, florals and wicker are all in the mix. The result is charming, quirky and definitely indie.
This sweet country kitchen takes all the best elements of the cutesy, cottage look and mixes them up for a boho effect. Painted op shop chairs, curtained-off shelves, vintage scales, glass jars, stripes, florals and wicker are all in the mix. The result is charming, quirky and definitely indie.
3. Tile timewarp
Getting bored with the never-ending any-tile-as-long-as-it’s-metro trend? Try something more colourful and kitsch, like these 1970s-style numbers, instead. Unusual wall tiles are a fast way to perk up a plain kitchen and add character.
Getting bored with the never-ending any-tile-as-long-as-it’s-metro trend? Try something more colourful and kitsch, like these 1970s-style numbers, instead. Unusual wall tiles are a fast way to perk up a plain kitchen and add character.
4. Colour clash
Another great example of quirky colour use can be found in this rustic kitchen. Sky blue tongue and groove paired with emerald green units probably shouldn’t work, but just does. They’re broken up nicely by the wooden bench and floor.
Colour combos that break the rules
Another great example of quirky colour use can be found in this rustic kitchen. Sky blue tongue and groove paired with emerald green units probably shouldn’t work, but just does. They’re broken up nicely by the wooden bench and floor.
Colour combos that break the rules
5. Smart accessories
If you’re not quite brave enough yet for bright units and walls, you can still do the indie kitchen with a neutral backdrop. In this converted Victorian railway carriage, a coordinated collection of ceramics adds colour, life and whimsy, along with a matching tea towel and stool seat.
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If you’re not quite brave enough yet for bright units and walls, you can still do the indie kitchen with a neutral backdrop. In this converted Victorian railway carriage, a coordinated collection of ceramics adds colour, life and whimsy, along with a matching tea towel and stool seat.
See more of this house
6. Lighting trend
If you’re not a fan of subtle spotlights, and want something more daring than a pair of metal pendants, consider making a cluster of bare bulbs the star. These dangling numbers with vivid yellow flexes are the sort of industrial touch you’d expect to see in the latest trendy bar, but they work brilliantly, elevating the metro tiles and grey floor to another level.
Extra marks for the kitsch dog prints and warm paintwork, too. The wooden cabinets, meanwhile, have a lovely reclaimed, outdoorsy feel.
If you’re not a fan of subtle spotlights, and want something more daring than a pair of metal pendants, consider making a cluster of bare bulbs the star. These dangling numbers with vivid yellow flexes are the sort of industrial touch you’d expect to see in the latest trendy bar, but they work brilliantly, elevating the metro tiles and grey floor to another level.
Extra marks for the kitsch dog prints and warm paintwork, too. The wooden cabinets, meanwhile, have a lovely reclaimed, outdoorsy feel.
7. Why not wallpaper?
Wallpaper is criminally underused in kitchens, and yet it’s a fantastic way to soften the harshness and sterility of shiny benches and utilitarian appliances. In this eat-in kitchen, a white and blue French-style floral print adds a delicate touch and gives a more homely, eclectic feel. It also fits in with the simple white units, frothy chandelier and colourful print. Absolutely loving the blue fridge, too.
Wallpaper is criminally underused in kitchens, and yet it’s a fantastic way to soften the harshness and sterility of shiny benches and utilitarian appliances. In this eat-in kitchen, a white and blue French-style floral print adds a delicate touch and gives a more homely, eclectic feel. It also fits in with the simple white units, frothy chandelier and colourful print. Absolutely loving the blue fridge, too.
8. Haberdashers’ hub
You might not expect to find a reclaimed vintage haberdashers’ unit in the kitchen. Here, however, a fine example has been repurposed as a beautiful – and highly functional – kitchen island, with plenty of space to stash cutlery, linens and crockery. A special toughened-glass top has been added by the owners so it can be used for chopping and dicing, too. It’s much more characterful than a pristine block of white marble.
You might not expect to find a reclaimed vintage haberdashers’ unit in the kitchen. Here, however, a fine example has been repurposed as a beautiful – and highly functional – kitchen island, with plenty of space to stash cutlery, linens and crockery. A special toughened-glass top has been added by the owners so it can be used for chopping and dicing, too. It’s much more characterful than a pristine block of white marble.
9. Taste of Morocco
Updated Moroccan and encaustic tiles are one trend that looks set to keep growing. In this glamorous kitchen, an updated riad feel has been taken to the max. The quirky mirrored ceiling and stainless steel hardware complement the modern patterned tiles, adding up to a cooking space that’s luxe and boutique.
Updated Moroccan and encaustic tiles are one trend that looks set to keep growing. In this glamorous kitchen, an updated riad feel has been taken to the max. The quirky mirrored ceiling and stainless steel hardware complement the modern patterned tiles, adding up to a cooking space that’s luxe and boutique.
10. Grand intentions
OK, so we don’t all have an amazing original period ceiling like this one to show off. But this upmarket kitchen unashamedly adds other details usually reserved for living or dining rooms: inky blue walls, a parquet floor… even the bar stools are brown leather, and those splendid lights could equally work in a library or old-fashioned study.
OK, so we don’t all have an amazing original period ceiling like this one to show off. But this upmarket kitchen unashamedly adds other details usually reserved for living or dining rooms: inky blue walls, a parquet floor… even the bar stools are brown leather, and those splendid lights could equally work in a library or old-fashioned study.
11. Colour me cabinetry
No, I don’t mean in a dusty heritage green or a super-safe cream. Here, streamlined units look stunning and modern painted three different vivid tones of blue, while the yellow radiator adds fluoro contrast. Using colour in this way also means you need to make less effort elsewhere: the walls and floor can stay chic and simple.
Colourful ways to make over your kitchen cabinetry
No, I don’t mean in a dusty heritage green or a super-safe cream. Here, streamlined units look stunning and modern painted three different vivid tones of blue, while the yellow radiator adds fluoro contrast. Using colour in this way also means you need to make less effort elsewhere: the walls and floor can stay chic and simple.
Colourful ways to make over your kitchen cabinetry
12. Order in
Retro diner is a theme that perennially works in kitchens. The checkerboard floor and peninsula unit, padded red stools and metal worktop here are just Americana enough to induce serious Mad Men fantasies.
Retro diner is a theme that perennially works in kitchens. The checkerboard floor and peninsula unit, padded red stools and metal worktop here are just Americana enough to induce serious Mad Men fantasies.
13. Manor-house style
This large, square country kitchen has a formal feel thanks to a number of factors – the wooden dining table and chairs in the centre, the large fireplace, the big artwork and details such as the high rafters, pendant light, curtains and pale green walls. The end result resembles an elegant dining room that just happens to have a few kitchen elements squeezed around the edges – sink, cooker, benches – and is all the better for it.
This large, square country kitchen has a formal feel thanks to a number of factors – the wooden dining table and chairs in the centre, the large fireplace, the big artwork and details such as the high rafters, pendant light, curtains and pale green walls. The end result resembles an elegant dining room that just happens to have a few kitchen elements squeezed around the edges – sink, cooker, benches – and is all the better for it.
14. Go boho
Persian rug: check. Yellow wall: check. Multi-coloured chandelier: check. Thrift shop artworks: check. The owners of this kitchen aren’t scared to express themselves and show their arty side or use colour. The result is a friendly room that feels like a family hangout rather than somewhere to just ping the microwave.
Persian rug: check. Yellow wall: check. Multi-coloured chandelier: check. Thrift shop artworks: check. The owners of this kitchen aren’t scared to express themselves and show their arty side or use colour. The result is a friendly room that feels like a family hangout rather than somewhere to just ping the microwave.
15. Eco warrior
Building kitchen cabinets from reclaimed wood instantly creates a lovely log cabin vibe. Its rough, natural, slightly unkempt finish is pleasingly shabby chic, while the variation in tone adds warmth and character. Find a local carpenter who can help you realise your vision, and source wood from local salvage yards.
TELL US
Has your kitchen gone rogue? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
Stickybeak of the Week: A Retro-Country Kitchen Mash-Up
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Building kitchen cabinets from reclaimed wood instantly creates a lovely log cabin vibe. Its rough, natural, slightly unkempt finish is pleasingly shabby chic, while the variation in tone adds warmth and character. Find a local carpenter who can help you realise your vision, and source wood from local salvage yards.
TELL US
Has your kitchen gone rogue? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
Stickybeak of the Week: A Retro-Country Kitchen Mash-Up
Sociable Kitchen Islands Designed to Bring People Together
Striking Feature Panels Pop Up On Kitchen Benches
Kitchen units by law have to be white, wood or, at a push, grey, right? Er, says who? A bold, glossy candy pink, as witnessed here, can actually be a great everyday look. These pink units look super-modern and work beautifully with that blowsy floral wallpaper. And quite honestly, who couldn’t be happy washing up in a room like this?
Avoid that wallpaper ‘Doh!’ feeling