Make the kitchen the heart of your home

Inspiration

BY Abi Clewley

Published: 08 February 2017 Updated: 02 October 2024

Inspiration
Tags: Shutters, Blinds, Rooms

Why is your kitchen important?

Modern kitchens are incredibly versatile, serving as spaces for cooking, dining, entertaining, relaxing, and even helping kids with homework. The possibilities are endless! If your kitchen layout feels cramped and isn't working for your family, don't worry. With thoughtful planning, you can still transform it into a spacious, family-friendly hub at the heart of your home.

Gable end kitchen with dark grey units on left, island with marble grey workstop and sink in centre and gable end windows and doors dressed in dark grey duette blinds at varying heights.

Go open-plan

If you have a separate dining room next to your kitchen, think about creating one large, open-plan kitchen-diner. This setup is perfect for modern family living, turning the kitchen into the heart of your home. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to redesign the layout to perfectly suit your needs. One decision you’ll have to make is whether or not you match the window dressing in the two areas. There’s no right or wrong, just what’s right for you. Here, a mix and match approach of a Roman blind and a Duette® blind in co-ordinating colours keeps the overall look of the space united while giving a visual marker of the two areas.

Kitchen part of open-plan space with pale grey units top and left, with white marbled workstop, blue island unit on right with same worktop and window dressed in grey Roman blind, partially lowered.

Dining and entertainment areas

Don't overlook the centrepiece of any kitchen: a space for family or guests to sit while you cook. Transitioning to an open-plan kitchen can be a big change if you're used to separate cooking and dining areas. To ease this transition, consider an island unit or breakfast bar with a raised level that hides the cooking area but still lets you chat with your guests. This contemporary setting utilises vinyl shutters really well – they’re a practical choice for a kitchen, with their wipe-clean surface, and ideal for sink areas being waterproof; but more than that they give a seamless look to both areas, working for the dining area, the breakfast bar and the work area too.

White kitchen diner with L-shaped dark wood units, table, white chairs, and windows dressed in wite shutters, closed with louvres open.

Utilities and your kitchen

If you don't have a utility room for your washing machine and dishwasher, opt for the quietest models to keep noise levels down. A high-quality extractor fan is essential to remove cooking smells effectively. Keep in mind that an open-plan kitchen-diner puts everything on display, so decluttering is a must; but don’t forget you can hide some utilities behind faux cupboard doors for a more streamlined look.

Open plan kitchen dinner in white with white units, dark worktops and appliances in silver.

Seating solutions for smaller kitchens

If expanding and redesigning your kitchen isn't feasible, you can still make it more social. The trick is to incorporate a table large enough for everyone to gather around for meals. In smaller kitchens, consider space-saving options like a fold-down table attached to the wall for two, a round table with chairs that tuck neatly underneath, or a drop-leaf table that takes up minimal space when not fully extended. These wooden shutters deal with the tricky window and door configuration, controlling light while still affording privacy and away from any cooking area they won’t come to any damage from heat or water.

Kitchen in white with white wooden table and chairs, and windows on both sides of a door, windows dressed in white shutters, closed.

A cosy corner

If you have a bit more space, consider creating a cosy corner with a small sofa or armchair. This can be perfect for reading, listening to music, or just relaxing. Make it extra inviting with soft cushions, a cosy throw, and a simple shelf for storing books and games. This is where you might want to bring in a more fabric-oriented blind, like a Silk Duette® blind or a Roman blind, for a more luxurious feel, and even opt for smart electric blinds for hands free operation.

Contemporary kitchen with banquette seating under bay windows dressed in soft pink Duette® blinds drawn halfway, co-ordinating cushions on blue seating, kitchen counters in soft grey with white top.

Add warmth

Showroom kitchens may look sleek and pristine, but they often feel cold and clinical, missing the relaxed vibe of a real home. Family-friendly kitchens are the opposite; they're cosy and lived-in. You can easily create a warm, welcoming atmosphere by filling the space with items that reflect your family's personality and hold special meaning. Window dressings can really help here, whether you opt for warm wooden shutters or wooden blinds. F or a more colourful yet softer look go for Duette® blinds, or even Pleated blinds which you can get with a special StainStop® coating that can repel water-based liquids, ideal in a kitchen.

Dining area with cream walls, rustic wooden table and chairs, eclectic artwork on walls, side table with sailing ship model with blue masts, small posy and multiple candlesticks in front of narrow window dressed in white shutter, closed with louvres open.

Personalise your kitchen

Creating a display area is a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your kitchen. Consider a memo board filled with your children's or grandchildren's artwork, photos from special occasions, and postcards from memorable family holidays. Open shelving or a dresser can showcase your favourite crockery, mementos, or souvenirs. Finish the look with pots of herbs and flowering plants to add a touch of greenery and warmth. If you’re worried about the space looking cluttered, sleek shutters act as a good counterweight, as well as being a practical option for doors.