Clean lines and natural light with a clutter-free finish are at the top of our kitchen checklist this summer …
LIGHT AND BRIGHT
Floor-to-ceiling windows never go out of style. The marbled quartzite waterfall island in this kitchen faces the light lengthways, allowing it to fill the room. We love the addition of the brass hanging pots and pans, almost like a sculpture, which also frees up the space. @porterandjones
NATURAL ELEMENTS
Bringing natural elements in with furniture, flooring and adornments grounds the space to create a warm feel. These can be particularly useful in an open-plan kitchen to easily define separate areas. @neptunehomeofficial
ALFRESCO LINKS
Connecting the indoors and outdoors is always on-trend, which can be achieved by using the same or complimentary materials inside or outside, such as with sliding doors to open out onto the garden or as seen in the wooden tabletop on this sply-level island. @colinmaherdesign
SPLASHBACK SHELF
Countertops and matching splashbacks with shelves are ideal to reduce clutter, while structured design elements such as scalloping will create a grand Castlecore kitchen that’s all the rage this year. @oconnorsofdrumleck
NEUTRALS TONES
Soft neutrals and sun-washed colours are an easy fix to open up what could be an otherwise dark kitchen. Vanilla, sand and clay keep the space cool, while faded terracotta, soft sage or blush add some warmth. @devolkitchens
BANQUETTE SEATING
A well placed breakfast nook or banquette row is a great design choice for busy family life. Not only does it grant you extra floor space, a bespoke bench can also include extra storage, which is welcome in any kitchen. @neptunehomeofficial
OPEN-PLAN FEATURES
Empty space in an open-plan kitchen can seem wasteful, especially when highlighted by the summer sun. Let your kitchen island or dining area become a centre-point. An antique piece in an en vogue Scandi design is clean and inviting for guests to gather around. @noeldempseydesign
SMART HOMES
One of the hardest working parts of any kitchen and one that often gets overlooked is the fridge. All roads (especially with a kitchen triangle layout) lead here. We love Siemens multi-door fridge freezers with NoFrost, SuperCooling and SuperFreezing features, which can all be controlled via the Home Connect app.
