Kitchen material options for your interior design

Kitchen makeovers aren’t necessarily defined just by the utensils found in the cupboards. With the right combination, you can set off your interior design with maximum impact.

Getting the most out of your kitchen design

Wall tiles, kitchen laminates, veneers, or stones - kitchen material combinations can increase the appeal of your interior design.

Independent kitchen designer Susan Wasley says it's often a case of 'less is more'. "Getting the right balance of kitchen colours and materials can be tricky," she explains. "It's often a good idea to start with one material, for example a stone benchtop or laminate door, then take other materials for kitchen renovation and make colour choices from there.

“I like to talk to my clients about what finishes and colours are staying, for example floor finishes and furniture, what colours they like and what they are hoping to achieve. A scrapbook of favourite looks is a good starting point."

Kitchen makeover combinations

So which combinations of kitchen materials work well and are less likely to date? "As kitchens are becoming integrated into living areas, interior materials such as timber that are similar or complementary to other kitchen furniture can help provide a smooth transition from the kitchen to the living/family room," Susan says. "Bright glass splashbacks can add interest, and stone benchtops in more neutral colours will complement other finishes."

Maintain a keen eye on the renovation budget

Too many different kitchen colours, materials and textures can create a jumbled, incoherent look, and can blow out the renovation budget. One example Susan remembers is a textured glass splashback, cabinets with two different laminates and timber-framed opaque glass doors.

Be careful with white appliances, too, as the many shades of white can look patchy. Stainless steel is usually more uniform and neutral to your colour scheme, which may explain its popularity.

According to Susan, kitchens are moving away from one-tone colouring, with highlights in bright dynamic colours being used to get away from 'safe', mass-produced looks. "Current trends towards flat rather than panelled doors also provide the opportunity to use colour and varied kitchen materials for interest and exciting styling.

"Laminate is available in lots of different colours and is a good, practical, relatively inexpensive finish."

A common mistake is to add an extra colour for its own sake. "Another pitfall is drawing attention to an unbalanced or potentially untidy corner with an inappropriate change of material," Susan warns. "Highlighting one or two drawers can look spotty, so should be done carefully."

Find the right balance of kitchen materials

A small kitchen does not allow as much opportunity for (or require) lots of different kitchen materials, whereas a large kitchen space is often in need of breaking up the sameness of one colour or material.

Susan's tips are to stamp your own personality on your kitchen and not play it too safe with colour. Also, ask your kitchen designer for advice. A good designer will not just give you their favourite colour scheme, but will take into account the other colours in your home and what you like.

Contact an interior designer in your area to discuss your combination options: