Kitchen kit

Looking for easy ways to brighten up the home? Sam Wylie-Harris selects the freshest kitchenware and accessories

Great appliances to add style and practicality to your culinary moments.

With so many eye-popping patterns and funky designs being dished out there couldn’t be a better time to freshen up your kitchen with some new accessories. And no matter how large or small the space, key pieces such as a coffee machine (Nespresso have a new mini model), a casserole dish and decorative tableware look great on open shelving, while even the latest recycling bin is stylish enough to want to make room for.

Here’s our shortlist of various kitchen collectables and practical pieces for table tops and work surfaces...

Create a cafe society feel... Italian designer Michele De Lucchi has teamed up with Alessi to produce a cutting-edge coffee maker cast in shiny aluminium with a red or black finish.

– Alessi Espresso Coffee Maker Pulcina, available in red and black, from £59.95, Alessi.com

With just the right measure of kitsch, we love these quirky measuring bowls, featuring pink flamingos, which (depending on your appetite) can double up and be used for breakfast cereal, soups and puds.

– Flamingo and Pineapple Nest of 3 Stacked Bowls, £55, FenellaSmith.com

Planning to celebrate Shrove Tuesday and flip a few pancakes? This pink stand mixer will whisk the smoothest batter to perfection – and look pretty on your counter top all year round.

– Pink Mixer with Bowl and Attachments, £59.99 from Studio.co.uk

Comic-inspired decos are all the rage right now and these wacky cups will add extra punch to your morning cuppa.

– Statement Teacups, £2 each, Flying Tiger Copenhagen (in store only).

The next best thing to a grand entrance, this monochrome plate is the perfect building block to illustrating your dream home.

– Rory Dobner Beautiful Buildings Plates, from £36-£66 each, RoryDobner.com

Snazzy spring colour: tick. Compact size: tick. Guaranteed great tasting coffee: tick. No mess: tick. What’s not to love about Nespresso’s new mini motor?

– Nespresso Essenza Mini Magimix Lime Green, D30, £89.99, Nespresso. com/uk

With a fun 70s-inspired floral print, and matching flower kitchenware available separately, this could inspire a super satisfying chicken casserole or beef bourguignon supper.

– Orla Kiely 70s Oval Enamel Casserole Pan – Red, £85, amara.com

With the Chinese New Year celebrations kicking off, why not try blending the flavours of Oriental chicken tagine with “lucky foods” such as noodles, to channel some happiness and longevity – with some super-stylish kit, of course.

– Leon Terracotta Tagine: Red, £65; Wok Set, £40, and Granite and Oak Pestle and Mortar, £45, John Lewis

Waste not, want not... With easy waste disposal, sturdy legs and plenty of capacity, this daffodil-yellow touch bin can hold all your glass, paper and plastics ready for you to recycle in style.

– Brabantia Bo Touch Bin with one Inner Bucket, 36 litre, Daisy Yellow, £149, Brabantia.com/uk

A coffee machine, a casserole dish and decorative tableware look great on open shelving