Bespoke Design: Lighting For Small Kitchens
One of the fun (and essential) elements of designing your kitchen is the right lighting. There are many great options for lighting as placing them correctly will likely make or break your design and the functionality of the kitchen.
When planning your kitchen make sure that your lighting options and whereabouts are top of the agenda. similar to sockets, you should plan where your lights will be situated, if they need to come out of the ceiling and walls and whether they need to be dimmable so that you can achieve the atmosphere, design and have the type of lights that you prefer. We advise doing so straight off the bat as the wiring will be part of your build, your kitchen planning and your kitchen design. This will avoid any upheaval and delays to your project from the outset.
Lighting for small kitchens
When it comes to lighting options for small kitchens, bespoke solutions can make a significant difference in maximising space, enhancing functionality, and creating an inviting atmosphere. Here are some kitchen lighting options and tips perfect for small kitchens:
Pendant Lights: Opt for pendant lights suspended over the kitchen island or dining area. Choose fixtures that complement the scale of the space while adding a decorative touch.
Dimmer Switches: Install dimmer switches for all lighting fixtures to adjust the brightness according to the time of day, mood, or specific tasks. Dimming the lights can also create a cosy ambiance during meals or gatherings.
Natural Light Enhancement: Maximise natural light by installing a skylight if feasible. Natural light not only makes the space feel more open but also reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day.
Color Temperature Consideration: Choose LED bulbs with a color temperature ranging from warm white to daylight, depending on the desired atmosphere and functionality. Warm white is ideal for creating a cosy ambiance, while daylight is suitable for more day-to-day task-oriented areas.
Bespoke Design: Kitchen Islands On Legs
Kitchen islands on legs come in many different sizes and create a so-called “furniture” look instead of a fitted look, which we see so often. Butcher-style islands, islands on legs and those in-between are real statement pieces of furniture that give an extra detail to the kitchen space and allow for movement too. Islands on legs can in many cases lift the space up and provide a sense of more space due to the fact that you can see underneath it - it makes it more airy.
Storage in the kitchen island is essential to still make it functional and practical. If the kitchen island is movable, the weight must be distributed on each side of the island. The best way to do so it through drawers that hold equal amounts of weight but also ensuring that the island legs are spaced evenly to stabalise it at all times. However, if the island is half fitted and half on legs the fitted part of the island will be more than capable in supporting the whole unit.
In addition there are many ways to still fit in electricals and plumbing also. With electricals you can run the leads through the legs depending on thickness of them and with plumbing this can be done by designing a “box” that can look like a leg from a distance to hide this away and stay true to the design.
Luxury Worktop Alternatives To High-silica Quartz
A few weeks ago, Herringbone, the bespoke cabinet and furniture designer, announced that they had become the first UK kitchen company to ban high-silica quartz due to the material being deemed the “next asbestos”.
Low-silica quartz is still a great option. There are many beautiful colours and options for low-silica quartz so the risks of purchasing high-silica quartz are not necessary when there are alternatives on the market. We are the first company in the UK that we know of to ban the sale of high-silica quartz, but we hope that more companies follow suit in the coming months as we work to keep the industry safe and accountable.
In addition there are many low-silica worktop alternatives that will make your design just as impactful, look and feel luxurious and still be durable:
Marble: Marble is a natural stone that looks beautiful in any setting. It's durable, but high maintenance, however, with the right looking after it’s a material that will stand the test of time. It’s the main natural alternative to high-silica quartz in our opinion
Porcelain: Porcelain countertops are a durable and low-maintenance option. They are resistant to scratches, stains, and heat. Porcelain slabs can mimic the look of natural stone while being less porous
Low-silica quartz: There are so many beautiful low-silica quartz options and colours available, which are durable and much safer to engineer. These are lower than 40% and mimic natural stone
Dekton: This is a type of ultracompact surface material that is highly resistant to heat, scratches, and stains. It is made from a blend of raw materials, including glass, porcelain, and quartz
Granite: It is durable, resistant to heat and scratches, and available in various colors and patterns. It’s a great option for low-silica worktops that will stand the test of time
How To Add A Quirky Design Element To Your Kitchen
Adding personality to a kitchen is one of the most exciting parts of your design process. Adding “quirk” to your space is one of the luxuries of having a bespoke kitchen and often what creates the wow-factor.
When we talk about quirky kitchen design elements, we talk about adding unique and perhaps unconventional designs that will create character and personality in your space. Feel free to experiment with different ideas and find elements that resonate with your own sense of style and personality. Here are a few examples of how to “quirk up your kitchen”.
Bold and Vibrant Colors:
Unique colour combinations are instant gratification. The colour choice of your kitchen cabinets really is down to the individual. If you like pops of colour and aren't afraid of a mix of strong colours on your cabinets go for bright yellows with pastel pinks, greens or greys or if you are more likely to bring in colour through your accessories whites, taupe, terracotta work well throughout the kitchen or paired with another tone of the same colour creating a two-toned kitchen. Make sure you pick up samples and try them in your space at different times of the day. In this way you will be able to see how colours look in different lights. A tip is to make sure to hold your sample vertically, the way the cabinetry sits, not horizontally in order to get the most realistic effect."
Wallpapers with Patterns:
A way to bring in pattern, texture and fun is to decorate your walls with wallpaper. Think about how you can complement your kitchen cabinet colours with the wallpaper and how it can make the space bigger. We like to make the two work together rather than speak for themselves as the combination can make the whole room become your favourite space in your house. Make sure you order samples and test them out together before investing in your wallpaper as it can be pricey to do so if you decide against it.
Exposed Timber Cabinetry:
Natural oak is such a beautiful and warm material to use in any space. This includes natural, stained, detailed or washed wood statement pieces such as islands, dressers or display units to bring warmth, elegance and luxurious textures into the kitchen space. This material makes for a lovely and timeless piece of furniture that will stand the test of time. Combined with heavily veined marble these two texture powerhouses create a real wow-factor.
Bar Seating Upholstery:
Again, pattern here is key. Upholstering your kitchen island chairs, bench seating or banquette is a fun way to show off your personality. Again, make sure it works with the rest of your design by ordering in samples and creating a mood board. We offer upholstering services as part of your project here at Herringbone so we can help you decide.
Dramatic Veined Worktops:
Worktops with veined patterns, large and dramatic, add character and a wow-factor to your space. It goes really well with dark colours such as green or deep purple as they bring out a dramatic effect. When you bring in a dark, veined worktop like true marble, they work like a piece of art. Pairing these with a light or dark coloured cabinet will set your design apart. Matte finishes on worktops provide a sleek and contemporary look. This trend contrasts with the traditional high-gloss surfaces. Noisette marble is a great example as it has an excellent finish. Deciding on a work top 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. Whether you’re into bright tiles, beautiful marble, exposed brick or porcelain there are many options on the market that can add unique character to your kitchen.
Herringbone Becomes The First UK Kitchen Company To Ban The Sale Of High-Silica Quartz
Our ethos has always been so important to how we run our family business. We recently read an article in a newspaper about the banning of high-silica engineered stone worktops in Australia and began to research the effects of high-silica engineered worktop (mainly quartz). This has led us to look at the risks using this product in the UK, we’ve spoken to our stonemasons and to researchers within the field. Silica is naturally occurring in stone such as granite and marble at between 5-40%, however, in engineered quartz it can be as high as 97%.
Following these discussions we made the decision that we will be the first company in the UK that we know of to phase out selling high-silica engineered stone. This stone is currently one of the dominate products in the market in the UK. While there are no risks to clients once this product is installed or to installers of this material on-site, the risk of silicosis comes when it is produced and cut by stonemasons and dust is created. While our stonemasons assure us this is done safely in their workshop, these risks are just not necessary when there are alternatives on the market.
Our priority is to keep our staff, suppliers, and clients safe and so we will no longer be offering high-silica quartz engineered worktops to new clients. If you currently have this product, please be assured that there are no reported risks with this quartz once cut and installed in your home.
We apologise that this is quite a big change for us in a short period of time for some clients. We are the first company in the UK that we know of to ban the sale of high-silica engineered stone, but we hope that more companies follow suit in the coming months. We hope you can understand why we made this decision and can stand behind us in working to keep the industry safe and accountable.
We thank you for your patience and understanding while we stay true to our ethos by taking action.
As featured in: Kitchen Review, The Construction Index, English Living, PBC Today & Construction.