Latest looks update

Find inspiration with these on-trend designs

TIMELESS STYLE

Subtle colours and wood tones define these schemes

Monochrome simplicity Pale grey doors with sleek bar handles give this classic kitchen a modern twist. Kensington kitchen in Dove, from £9,430, John Lewis A run of open shelving provides storage for white ceramics, interspersed with jars and potted herbs Framed prints can either sit on the shelf or be mounted just above – the difference in height provides a visual break to balance the long line of shelving and base units

Warm wood

Shaker units take on a different look in walnut, with the beautiful grain adding a bespoke feel to an island. Team with pale painted cabinets for a winning combination of light and dark. Classic Shaker kitchen, from £18,000, Harvey Jones Kitchens

Handles can be utilitarian, with chunky cup drawer pulls and long bars A flecked granite worktop, used on the island and the hob area brings the two finishes – walnut and off white – together

Light and shade

Plan a larder into a country scheme with pullout drawers, shelves and spice racks. Larder unit, part of the Harptree in-frame kitchen in Coal and Gravel, from £18,000, Caple Choose two shades to paint the units, one pale and the other slightly darker to highlight the island Pick up on the orange-oak tones of the inside of the larder for styling, with fresh flowers, a floral Roman blind and pendant lamps

Coastal scheme

Painted cabinets in a coastal colour palette create a seaside vibe. Go for the palest blue, an off-white and plenty of natural oak. Whitby kitchen in Cook’s Blue and Chalk White, from £13,500, Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection Glazed cabinets and a peg rail provide ample display space, while tongue-and-groove panelling enhances the coastal mood

Bring in a retro feel with large oak handles

Cottage industry

Team oak and white-painted Shaker units with exposed brickwork for a country look with a warehouse vibe. Henley kitchen in Classic Oak and Snow, from £14,000, Neptune

Keep handles simple – knobs or cups work best Go for a black worktop – granite is an investment, but will look great for years. Black peppercorn granite worksurface, Neptune An Aga or range cooker suits this style perfectly

MADE TO MATCH

Invest in a sleek style that includes clever storage and shelving

Metro chic Matt units and metro tiles combine for a kitchen that’s laidback and city smart. Details such as the raised frame on the units breaks up the long run of doors. Quadra kitchen, from £9,000, Gallery by Symphony Tile behind open shelves to continue the look and define with grey grout. Try Metro White tiles, £19.50 a sq metre, Topps Tiles Oversized pendant lights will create a great atmosphere for relaxed dining

Scandi texture

Pale oak base units keep the space light. IT Sandford textured oak-effect slab kitchen, from £998, B&Q

Create interest on the wall by staggering three Cooke & Lewis White 600mm bridging wall cabinets, £24 each, with Sandford Ivory Style slab doors, £18 each; both B&Q Paint the wall behind with chalkboard paint, encouraging family doodles Plywood trestles make the perfect base for a simple pine plank tabletop

Natural tones

Mix and match woodgrain effect and matt cream units for a sophisticated yet warm design. Textura Sand Oak kitchen paired with Zeluso Matt Oyster, from £10,000 (£218 for a 600mm base unit), Crown Imperial Wood panels, the same width as the base and wall units, replace tiles as a splashback, enhancing the beauty of the long-end Textura grain Continue the look in the living area, with matching Lifespace modular furniture from Crown Imperial

Perfectly pared-back

Handleless unit doors and plenty of storage make for a modern look that keeps clutter at bay

Choose a textured woodgrain finish for warmth. Integra

Alpine Graphite kitchen, £418.50 for a 600mm base unit, Magnet

Keep the tones similar for the worktop. Alaska compact laminate worktop, £495 for a 3000mm length, Magnet A statement extractor doubles as a pendant. Elica Seashell hood, from £979, Magnet

Grey matters

Look for matt painted slab doors and uncomplicated details, such as J-pull handles, keeping the overall style fuss-free. The Aconbury kitchen in bespoke painted Graphite and Teal starts at £10,000, First Impressions Oversized pendant lights create drama above an island unit, with dark wooden chairs echoing the tones of the parquet flooring and internal shelves of a floor-to-ceiling storage unit

Chef’s table

Bring the prep and cook area into the heart of the kitchen with a marble island housing an induction hob and extractor and space for seating. Calacutta Oro marble island and worktops, Smallbone Apothecary-style glazed cabinets with Georgian wire glass and walnut interiors provide ample storage

Matching open shelving creates an impressive bar area. Bespoke Mulberry Street kitchen, from £45,000, Smallbone

Cool as mint

Opt for one colour throughout the downstairs, allowing rooms to flow. Use as a main colour for kitchen units, then as an accent in adjacent living areas Pale green high-gloss units keep the space light and pairs brilliantly with pale wood flooring. Kallarp drawer fronts, Metod/Maximera/Ekbacken combination, £1,615, Ikea Turn the splash zone into a work of art, with Lysekil wall panels, £25 each, Ikea

White works

The Gemini Quartz Stealth island, from £8,202, Wren Kitchens, adds drama to an all-white kitchen A matching extractor hood housing continues the dramatic lines Team with white base units with gold-profile edging and a pale oak worktop to bring texture. Infinity Plus Milano Contour kitchen, from £212 for a 600mm base unit, Wren Kitchens Statement lighting is a must. Try Bloomingville pendants in Brass, £76 each, Royal Design

Chic charcoal

A dark grey kitchen in a gloss finish reflects the light. Cooke & Lewis Raffello high-gloss Anthracite slab kitchen, from £2,203, B&Q Slate-effect flooring adds texture. Choose porcelain or ceramic for a uniformed look that’s easy to maintain

Curved worktop corners and units on the central island soften the feel. Nordic round-edge 34mm worktop, £264 for 1800mm length, B&Q Finally add warmth with copper accessories