Design: Bespoke Coffee and Tea Stations

Coffee and tea stations, be they big or small, are wonderful areas in a kitchen to organise. There are many different ways to incorporate a coffee station into your space, however, the main things to consider are a cold shelf (easy to wipe), different height shelving and the right doors for functionality and impact. Here are some examples of how you can incorporate your very own into your kitchen space.

A corner cupboard on the worktop works well for a coffee/tea station as it’s right in the mix of the “action”, within easy reach and a way to maximise the use of space. Combine it with bi-fold or pocket doors for maximum functionality. 

A stand-alone coffee and tea station is a real statement piece of furniture and also a social hub for entertaining. By making it an individual unit you can create a bigger space where your larger coffee machines and kettle can work their magic without taking away from anything else in the space. Display your cups and saucers on open shelves above the main piece of storage and make it flow with the rest of the interior space by using design elements such as colour and worktop that’s similar to your kitchen space. 

Make the coffee and tea station a part of your main larder, dedicating shelves to the machines and ingredients. By incorporating a cold shelf for easy wiping and shelves of different heights you can make sure that the space is used sufficiently. In addition, think about the doors you use and make sure they are not in the way when in use.

Kitchen Design: Handles And Knobs

Choosing handles for your kitchen is one of the many important decisions to make during the design process and there are many different options available. Handles and knobs are wonderful seperately or in combination with each other, especially if you have a combination of storage drawers and cabinet doors in your kitchen space. What is great about these finishes is that you can easily replace them, so if you want to spruce up your kitchen space in years to come this is a perfect place to start.

Handles

Handles are excellent for larger pulling out drawers in islands, especially if they have soft close installed or child safety locks. In addition if you have floor to ceiling cabinet doors they tend to be a little heavier and so a long handle is recommended, plus they look very elegant on tall doors.

Knobs

Knobs are timeless and if you get the material right they can make a real impact. They are perfect for smaller drawers for cutlery or counter cabinets, as well as those above the extractor fan or hob. They also lend themselves well to the lower cabinets under the sink as they effectively pull out. The important element here is to get the sizing right as you don’t want them to look too small for the kitchen space.

Bespoke Design: Kitchen Extractor Fan Options

When building and designing your kitchen one of the first elements to consider is where your extractor fan needs to be. Extractor fans are ideal for eliminating moisture, odours, heat and smoke that may occur when cooking. An extractor fan ventilates a room by pulling particulates from the air pushing them through a vent kit which will either take the odours outside of through an in-buitl system.

At Herringbone we love to design the extrator fan into the space available to ensure that it becomes a part of the kitchen or simply a hidden functional element that no one sees.

Perhaps the most traditional extrator fan is one which is usually fed through a wall, so the air escapes outside most commonly known as a duct exhaust system fitted above the hob. However, alternatively downdraft extrator fans are typically installed underneath your worktop on your island and rise up directly next to your hob when it is in use or sucks it down. This is a lovely way of achieving a more modern and minimalist aesthetic.

Examples of duct exhaust extrator fans

Examples of downdraft extractor fans
we have so many beautiful examples of these invisible extrator fans, they leave the worktops clear and gives a sense of having more space. One thing to consider with them is that they will take up space within the kitchen island so you will loose storage however, the effect and visual design is very much worth it if you have the space.

Kitchen Design: Splashback Options

Deciding on a splashback can be daunting especially because the options can seem endless. However, at Herringbone we love to make it a part of the design that brings it all together with the cabinet colour, worktop and interiors.

To help you on your way we have collected a few of our favourite splashbacks from projects over the years to give you some inspiration and maybe even show you a splashback idea you didn’t know was an option.

Tiles

There are so many options when it comes to tiles. This also goes for the pattern. Tiles in many ways are timeless as a splashback option however, they are also easy to change. Adding tiles into your kitchen space brings a real sense of fun, texture and character, so have fun with them.

Real Marble

Marble is simply beautiful. Let it be small veins, large veins, dark stone or brighter in colour, real marble offers a unique splashback option as no two slabs are the same. We love how marble brings a true sense of luxury into a space and acts like a piece of art.

Tongue & Groove

Tongue and groove splashbacks can create a lovely cottage feels. It’s a classic touch that can transform the way a space looks. Matching the panelling to the cabinet height or colour will look great however, if you decide on a different colour the impact will be beautiful too.

Mirror Splashback

A mirror splashback can create a real impact. Not only does it make the room seem bigger and brighter but this kind of kitchen splashback is also great for bringing together the different rooms, including the outdoors. Think vintage, modern or classic mirror splashbacks and watch your kitchen space come to life.

Exposed Brick

Exposed brick in the kitchen can work really well. When using exposed brick as a splashback you bring in texture, character and a sense of warmth at the same time. It’s a natural element that adds a design element to your kitchen space.

Quartz

Quartz is an incredibly popular option for kitchen splashbacks because it is more cost effective than marble and it also is very hardwearing. The thickness, look and design options are endless and so it is an easy way of getting exactly the look that you want without missing out on a great looking finish.

Porcelain

This particular splashback is beautiful. It is often a more cost effective option than quartz or marble however, it still creates a sense of luxury. Bring it to life with large veins or beautiful colours and you’re on to a winner.

Bespoke Design: How To Access High Kitchen Storage

When deciding if you’d like your tall kitchen cabinets to be floor to ceiling or if you’d rather they are within a reachable height it’s important to consider how you use your kitchen. Ask yourself, do you need to access the higher storage every day? Can I put the storage elesewhere if I don’t have enough in the tall cabinets? Do you like the look of the tall cabinets not being all the way to the ceiling? etc. This is one way of deciding upon the right cabinet height for you and your family.

When you meet with our designers they will also be able to guide you in the right direction both in terms of visual design but also functionality bespoke to your needs, space and requirements. There are fun ways of reaching that higher storage if you wanted to go for the floor to ceiling look - at Herringbone we love designing ladders for example. They look fantastic, slide across the cabinets and they are completely bespoke to you, below are a few examples of recent designs that we love.

Book a consultation to find out more and discuss your design.