Mix and match kitchen design

Some kitchen design combos work, while others look like awkward all-sorts. Here's how to create a mix and match kitchen without the clash.

Follow the 'less-is-more' rule - Getting the right balance of colours and materials in your kitchen design can be tricky. Kitchen designers recommend starting with one material, for example a stone benchtop, then make other material and colour choices from there. With your kitchen designer's help, decide which finishes and colours are staying, what colours you like and what you're hoping to achieve.

Choose combinations that are less likely to date - Materials such as timber, which are similar or complementary to other furniture, can help to provide a smooth and timeless transition from the kitchen to the living/family room. Bright glass splashbacks can add interest without overwhelming the space, and stone benchtops in neutral colours are more likely to complement other finishes.

Be wary of white appliances - Just as too many different materials and textures in a kitchen design can create a jumbled, incoherent look, white appliances come in many shades, creating a patchy look when combined. Stainless steel is usually more uniform and neutral, which may explain its popularity.

Use colour for highlighting - Kitchen designers 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 mix and match colour and different kitchen materials for interest. Laminate is available in lots of different colours and is a practical, relatively inexpensive finish.

Don't add an extra colour for its own sake - Highlighting one or two drawers in your kitchen can look 'spotty'. Drawing attention to an untidy corner with a sudden change of material is another potential mistake. A small kitchen does not allow much opportunity for using lots of different colours and materials, whereas a large kitchen is often in need of breaking up the sameness of one colour or material.

Don't play it too safe with colour - It's your kitchen, so don't be afraid to stamp your own personality on it. A good kitchen designer won't just steer you away from disastrous mix and match kitchen designs, or give you their favourite colour scheme, but will take into account your tastes and the other colours in your home. A scrapbook of favourite looks is a good starting point.

Still unsure about mixing and matching in your kitchen space? Talk to the kitchen renovation experts in your area: