If you’re on the hunt for some inspiration for your new farmhouse kitchen countertop, you’ve come to the right place. While the team at Euro Marble are certainly well-renowned experts in all things natural stone, we’re also quite the source of knowledge for all sorts of interior design tips and ideas.

Whether you’re designing a rustic or modern farmhouse kitchen, the aim is undoubtedly to create a charming and inviting feel. Farmhouses are known for incorporating large amounts of wood, stone and brick to help create both a timeless aesthetic and a grounded, earthy-atmosphere. 

As we have mentioned in some of our other articles, the kitchen is the central space of most homes and the kitchen countertop is often the centrepiece of the kitchen. To help you find the perfect kitchen countertop for your farmhouse, let’s dive into the interior design styles you may be choosing between.

Interior Design Styles that Suit a Farmhouse

The farmhouse style is one that’s commonly rooted in simplicity, homeliness and practicality. So called due to the inspiration in design and construction from traditional, rural farmhouses, this style of home is often intended to evoke the same warmth and comfort of a farmhouse actually located on a farm.

Interior designers will therefore likely use natural materials, such as wood and stone, though other materials available in earthy tones are also suitable. While vintage or antique furniture, artwork and accessories are certainly popular in farmhouses, the particular style you choose will more than likely influence your decor. 

Rustic Style

Rustic interior design focuses on comfort and simplicity to create a cozy and functional environment. Colour schemes include browns, greens, and greys, with most designs highlighting wood, stone and brickwork.

Country Style

Country designs are inspired by the English country-side, so muted and soft colours are key here. Also focused on comfort and simplicity, country style homes may feature a greater variety of textiles such as plaid, floral or gingham patterns.

Cottage Style

Cottage style farmhouses are similar to country style in that they draw inspiration from traditional rural English homes but the colour scheme is more often than not dominated by pastel colours such as light blues, pinks and greens. Vintage-style decor is also a feature of the cottage style approach to interior design.

Top Kitchen Countertop Ideas for a Farmhouse

While the right farmhouse kitchen countertop will largely depend on your chosen design style and personal preferences, here are some of the top ideas to help get you started.

Stone

Stone is one of the best options for a kitchen countertop, whether in a farmhouse or elsewhere! There are several options of natural stone to consider and each brings with it unique benefits and features. Marble and granite, however, are two of the most popular and commonly chosen stones for use in kitchen countertops and for good reason. Sophisticated in looks and durable in use, it ticks all the right boxes.

With a supplier like Euro Marble, you can even find a wide range of colours, designs and patterns of your chosen stone so just about any interior design style can be achieved. 

Having said all of that, here are our recommendations for using stone in your farmhouse kitchen:

Solid Stonework

Nothing is as visually impressive as a custom-created piece of solid stonework for your farmhouse kitchen benchtop. Highlighting the natural stone itself in all of its glamorous glory, solid stonework provides ample aesthetic splendor while also perfectly suiting the down-to-Earth nature of a farmhouse’s interior design. 

Rustic Granite 

We love granite here at Euro Marble and a carefully chosen slab of rustic granite can add the perfect finishing touch to your farmhouse kitchen. Thanks to the rough, textured finish, rustic granite maintains all of the earthy-feel you want in a farmhouse while offering ample opportunity to mix and match with a variety of cabinetry material, lighting fixtures and tapware in your farmhouse kitchen sink to help achieve something unique and special. 

Marble with Veining

Just because your farmhouse’s look is all about simplicity and functionality doesn’t mean you can’t add a bit of elegance. Classic white marble stone countertops with the iconic grey veining looks a treat in and of itself and is easy to pair with just about any other interior design choices. Marble injects a true sense of sophistication without ruining any grounded aesthetic you’re going for.

Reclaimed Wood 

Moving away from stone, reclaimed wood countertops can add warmth and texture to any farmhouse kitchen. Practical, aesthetically pleasing and easy to match, reclaimed wood is making a resurgence in interior design popularity. Bear in mind, however, that wood will need to be sanded and refinished to maintain its practical functionality and visual appearance. 

Concrete

Concrete may not be a traditional material for use in a farmhouse kitchen countertop but its durability and practical nature makes it more than suitable. Of course, nowadays, concrete can be provided for in a variety of colours, finishes and styles so it is easier than ever to match with your chosen design aesthetic. 

Terrazzo 

Terrazzo is a composite material made up of bits of marble, granite, glass and/or other natural materials. Bonded with an epoxy base of cement, it is commonly used in flooring but can also make for a good option for kitchen countertops. While it is yet another ‘unconventional’ option of material for a farmhouse, the colour customisation opportunities can be appealing for many home-owners and designers.  

Quartz with a Textured Finish 

Quartz (not to be confused with quartzite, the natural stone) is an engineered form of stone that boasts high levels of durability and non-porousness. Made from a composite of different materials, quartz is available in a variety of colours and styles. For use in a farmhouse kitchen, we highly recommend opting for a textured finish if you’re choosing quartz as it will enhance the overall styling beloved and typical of a farmhouse. 

Let Us Help You Find the Perfect Kitchen Countertop

If you’d like a hand from the experts in finding the perfect modern farmhouse kitchen countertop for you, make sure to reach out to our team today. Whether you opt for natural stone or other materials, we can help you bring your dream farmhouse to life!

Can you mix metals in the kitchen? Should you use mixed metal finishes in the kitchen? How can you best utilise the unique style of different metals to best effect in your home?

Mixing metals is a fantastic way to infuse captivating aesthetics and real-life practicality into your kitchen. But if you’re not sure whether it’s a style for you or how exactly to incorporate this trend in your home, this is the blog for you!

Mixing Metals – why do it?

Interior designers are increasingly using a mix of different metal finishes, such as brass, gold, copper, stainless steel, and even black metal, to create a bit of character, depth and complexity in the home. 

There are a lot of different ways metal can be used and juxtaposed both with a complementary metallic surface and with other materials in the house. Ultimately, however you choose to use mixed metals, you’ll want to create an aesthetically appealing design.

Using Metals in the Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most common and best applications for using mixed metals in design. Apart from the texture and visuals of metallic finishes perfectly complementing the general layout and aesthetic of the kitchen area, there are many benefits and practical considerations to take into account.

The Benefits of Mixing Metal Finishes in the Kitchen

Durability

High quality metal is a highly durable material and when it comes to your kitchen that’s exactly what you need. Kitchens are classically places where there is a lot of activity every day and a lot of foot traffic. Whether it’s your sink, your countertop or even your cabinetry, a highly durable kitchen is a must.

Hygienic 

From moisture and water to food and spilled drinks, your kitchen is going to be exposed to a lot! Being able to keep it clean and hygienic is critical. Mixed metals offer the benefits of being easy to clean, simple to keep clean and very hygienic.

Heat Resistant

Mixed metals, considerately chosen, offers a heat-resistant material for using in a space in the home exposed to unusually hot temperatures and unusually heated items. There are plenty of materials used in construction that look great but can’t quite take the heat of the kitchen. Metal finishes are not one of them!

Appliance Matching

There are many appliances on the market that are not just made of metal but are made to look metallic. (We’ll dive into this a little more later.) This means that if you’re considering what sort of material to incorporate throughout the rest of the kitchen, mixed metals offer plenty of opportunity to match your general kitchen finishes with your appliances.

Sleek and Appealing

Last but not least, mixed metals look great! While metal is inherently sleek and modern in its aesthetic, there’s no reason why you can’t achieve your chosen interior design style while using these practical materials. Whether you want to achieve an industrial, country, Scandinavian or traditional decor style, there’s a mixed metals option for you!

How can you mix metals in a kitchen?

Choose the Right Appliances

As we mentioned above, metal is a popular material for use in a variety of kitchen appliances, such as dishwashers, ovens, stoves, refrigerators and smaller items like toasters or kettles. What does this mean for you? It allows you to achieve a ‘mixed metals look’ by pairing a chosen material finish with your already purchased appliances! This practical application is easy, affordable and can produce a really stunning visual for your kitchen.

Think About the Faucets

Every kitchen is going to have faucets, and these humble little parts offer a lot of opportunity to add a touch of elegance to an oft neglected section of the kitchen. You can choose anything from brushed nickel or brass to chrome or stainless steel for your faucets. The key here is to remember that you’re mixing metals, so take the opportunity presented by your faucets to add something a little bolder, complementary and stunning to match with your other chosen metal elsewhere in the room.

Cabinet Hardware Looks Great!

Metal cabinet hardware can prove to be not just effective decoratively but equally beneficial functionally. Your knobs, handles, and drawer pulls are all popular and effective opportunities to add in a bit of mixed metal design. You’ll be surprised at just how impactful these little additions can be. Think about what sort of style you want to achieve: Is a black finish going to work best? Maybe some brass? Or simple stainless steel hardware?

Remember the Range Hood

Range hoods are excellent opportunities for using mixed metals. These very practical additions to a home may primarily provide ventilation and remove the odours of cooking, but they can be visual features in and of themselves. Using copper or stainless steel, you can turn your range hood into a focal point aesthetically and add an elegant, subtle yet impactful touch to the kitchen.

Light Up Your Lighting Fixtures

Light is important in a kitchen, especially considering what you’re doing in there. But lighting also offers an opportunity to incorporate metallic finishes. You might prefer track lighting fixtures, pendant lights or even a chandelier. All of these options can look stylish and be functional when made from mixed metals. 

Use the Backsplash

Metal tiles, sheets or finishes for your kitchen backsplash is a practical, functional and stylish way of using mixed metals in the kitchen. The reflective surface will add light and spaciousness to the sink area, and your choice of metallic finish gives you plenty of scope to exercise a bit of creativity and infuse your own personality into the design of the kitchen.

Utilise Your Utensils

Like appliances, utensils and cookware are commonly made from metal, such as stainless steel. Highlighting your mixed metals design style through metallic cookware and utensils is an easy way to achieve aesthetic appeal. This can be especially effective if your kitchen has areas where utensils and cookware are stored in an open display. Additionally, as you replace or update your utensils, you have the opportunity to simultaneously update and play around with your style too. 

Ready to Mix Metals in Your Kitchen? We’re here to help!

The Euro Marble team loves mixed metal finishes in a kitchen and we love to find gorgeous natural stone materials that perfectly complement such a design choice as well!
If you’d like to find out more about how you can mix metals to great effect in your kitchen, or just want to explore some new ideas for your home, make sure to contact us today. We’re the experts in home renovation, design and construction, and we’d be delighted to help you too.

Australian kitchens come in an endless range of styles and designs. While, of course, there are certain trends in each decade or generation and Australian country kitchens will differ from modern, contemporary designs in key ways, there are certainly trends that are here to stay.

If you’re building your dream home or renovating your house, here are the Australian kitchen design trends that are certainly timeless.

The Open Plan Kitchen

Kitchens are no longer simply places of cooking and cleaning. They’re an integral part of the home and a place where families gather, friends congregate and hosting occurs. The open plan kitchen merges the living areas of a home with the kitchen itself making it easier than ever for interaction with family members, visitors and guests. 

Spaciousness is always an important priority, and de-segregating a home with an open plan kitchen is an excellent way to achieve that. Not to mention the ease with which parents of younger children can keep a supervisory eye on them without having to leave the kitchen itself.

Natural Stone Benchtops

If the kitchen is the centre (not necessarily physically) of the home, the kitchen benchtop is the centrepoint of the kitchen. Natural stone benchtops have been and continue to be a staple of Australian kitchens. Popular for many reasons, stone is extraordinarily hard wearing and durable. Stone is perfect for a benchtop that will see its fair share of activity, mess, food and meal preparation.

Of course, stone is most certainly a style choice in and of itself. With an almost-overwhelmingly wide choice of styles, patterns, colours and shades there’s a stone slab to suit any kitchen and personal preference. Plus, with proper maintenance and sealing, it can also last for many decades so neither the material or style will date.

The Island Bench

Island kitchen benchtops are popular the world over but especially in Australia. Paired with either of the ideas above–an open plan kitchen or stone benchtop–island benches are versatile and practical.

Not only do they provide immense surface area on which to work but they also declutter and contribute positively to an opening up of the space. There’s a lot of potential with an island countertop as well. You can incorporate sinks, dishwashers, drawers or even a cooktop. Additionally, you can turn it into a legitimate piece of art by opting for a waterfall style, rounded island benchtop or one of the myriad other options out there.

The Breakfast Bar

While often referred to as breakfast bars, they could just as easily be used for any other purpose. Many Australian kitchens incorporate a countertop that doubles as an eating area of quick meals or general socialising. Both island benches and more traditional designs can be complemented with a series of fashionable stools.

It’s yet another way of adding something practical and timeless to your kitchen. Trust us, with this kitchen design, your kids are going to love breakfast time!

Feature Countertop Colours

While uniform coloured countertops that match the rest of your kitchen colour scheme is certainly a safe way to go, adding a bit of visual flair in the form of a feature coloured countertop is another trend that’s here to stay.

You don’t have to opt for something out there and zany, however. A stylish and understated coloured stone slab can make for an excellent addition to most Australian kitchen designs. Try mixing up your colour scheme by opting for a darker toned benchtop in a lighter kitchen, or vice versa as the case may be.

The Humble Nook

Kitchen nooks come in all shapes, styles and designs but there is one thing they have in common: They’re endlessly useful! Breakfast nooks (probably unnecessary if you have a breakfast bar) or desk/work areas can be worked into the family kitchen design offering additional utility without crowding the space.

The nook is one trend that while timeless will depend on the space and structure of your kitchen. If it does suit your home, it offers additional opportunity to infuse colour and style, however, which will help bring your kitchen to life.

Under Cabinet Lighting

Under cabinet lighting is an Australian kitchen design choice you won’t regret. Of course, it allows for much better visibility when preparing food in a space often overshadowed by hanging cabinetry. 

But there’s a lot of design potential as well. With simple LED strips, downlights or even more extravagant feature lighting, under cabinet lighting adds visual flair to your kitchen.

Stone Splashbacks

There are many ways Australian kitchens incorporate beautiful natural stone and a splashback is just one of them! Like many other features of the kitchen, the splashback is a necessary practicality but still provides opportunity for sophisticated styling. Stone, available in many colours and patterns, can be tiled in a variety of ways to help bring a subtle area of the kitchen to the fore. 

Integrated Appliances

Microwaves and ovens have long been integrated in the surrounding cabinetry and walls of a kitchen, but an increasingly emerging trend of Australian kitchens that isn’t going out of fashion any time soon are more integrations. 

From the fridge (which can be hidden behind matching cabinetry veneers) to dishwashers, pull-out bins and more, the flush, there’s an invaluable quality to the seamless and contemporary design of integrated appliances. And, of course, it saves on space which is at an absolute premium in the kitchen!

Marble

What stone brings more luxury and style to a kitchen than marble? Having been used for years and guaranteed to be used for many more years, this gloriously iconic and spectacularly practical natural stone is a staple of Australian kitchen design.

While marble may not be the cheapest of materials to use in your kitchen there are many ways in which you can use this stone even on a budget. Keeping its application to a benchtop or even a splashback (see the ideas above) are excellent ways to make the most of marble without having to go wall-to-ceiling.

Your Classic Australian Kitchen Starts With Euro Marble 

We might be called Euro Marble, but we do a LOT more than just marble. If you’re looking for assistance with achieving an Australian kitchen design that will look and function fantastically today and for many, many years to come, contact us today. Let’s explore how we can help you!

Choosing between various kitchen colour schemes during a renovation might be something that’s preoccupying your mind. Or it could be something you haven’t yet given much thought to. Either way, whether it’s the kitchen benchtop colours or the shading of your cabinetry, there are many ways to incorporate a bit of colour to the space.

To help you find the right colour scheme for your kitchen, we’ve put together this handy guide. Remember: At the end of the day, the choice is yours. It’s your kitchen and you should be happy with its look and feel!

Kitchen Colour Scheme Options

White: clean and classy

White is a classic colour choice for a kitchen. Apart from the fact that it’s both elegant and inoffensive, white schemes don’t go out of style. If you’re a fan of minimalist and modern design, an all-white kitchen will go a long way to achieving that overall look. Plus, as a room of the house that sees a lot of traffic and business, a white colour scheme can help keep the space feeling and looking clean and spacious. Of course, there’s plenty of opportunity to infuse a bit of additional colour later on. But a white kitchen is a strong option as your initial, baseline kitchen colour scheme. 

Black: bold and impressive

A black colour scheme may not come to mind when you’re considering options for your kitchen. Yet this bold colour choice can be very visually impressive. Whether you incorporate a dark kitchen benchtop only or opt for a black splashback to pop against the rest of the kitchen, the creative options are near endless. 

You can even combine the two colour schemes mentioned so far. A black and white kitchen presents an aesthetically pleasing contrast and allows you to play with both foundational colours in a way that works really well.

Grey: timeless and elegant

Grey kitchen colour schemes are equally as timeless as white designs but still brings a bit of visual depth and complexity that some might feel is lacking in an all-white space. One of the key benefits of grey is that it allows you to infuse plenty of other colours as well. Grey simply pairs perfectly with almost any colour. Not to mention the fact that the sheer amount of different shades of grey gives you the versatility to find the perfect colour scheme to match the rest of your home and your preference. 

Beige: calming and unique

Beige offers a lot of benefits as a kitchen colour scheme. For one thing, its lightness and brightness will evoke similar feelings of spaciousness as white. However, the tinges of colour and pinkness will go a long way to bringing your kitchen to life without being overwhelming. Like many of the colours on this list, there’s a wide spectrum of beige shading. This gives you plenty of opportunity to mix and match until you find the right style of beige that feels both calming and unique.

Brown: Earthy and warm

Brown is another, somewhat surprising, option for your kitchen. In fact, in recent years brown is becoming much more of a trendy choice for use in kitchens and homes in general. Used considerately and sparingly it can really inject a sense of comfort and warmth by evoking Earthy, natural feelings. Darker browns can complement wooden cabinetry while a lighter brown stone countertop can perfectly match a lighter kitchen as well. 

Gold: bright and luxurious

If you’re after a luxurious feel for your kitchen, nothing stands out quite like a gold colour scheme. In addition to the yellow tones providing a positive emotional effect on family and friends, gold features in a kitchen can help highlight sunlight, brightness and joy. If you’re after a more regal or royal look, gold fittings, cabinetry and even wall cladding can elevate your kitchen in wonderful ways.

Green: refreshing and striking

Green kitchen colours is yet another emerging and increasingly popular trend. If you love the thought of incorporating a green-toned benchtop or green feature walls, there’s still plenty of scope to further choose your shade. From striking lime green to the refreshing look of mint green, this colour scheme can really bring on a sense of both harmony and visual flair at the same time. While we recommend choosing lighter shades of green, especially in kitchens with a lot of natural light, carefully considered applications of darker green can truly have a mesmerising effect as well.

Orange and red: Moody and captivating

It won’t surprise you at this point but both orange and red can be incorporated into your kitchen colour schemes in a variety of shades and ways. Paired with wooden countertops or even a grey island bench, both of these striking colours can really add a sense of wonder to your kitchen. We do recommend, however, taking into consideration the tones of the rest of your kitchen of course. A darker kitchen colour scheme might require a brighter orange or red tone, while a grey kitchen could look wonderful with darker feature colours of orange or red.

Blue: Stunning and limitless

Blue, whether it’s navy or baby blue, can be used quite creatively throughout the kitchen. Some of the most recent kitchen colour trends include incorporating deep navy cabinets that pop against white tiled walls and splashbacks. Alternatively, a slab of blue natural stone for your countertop with complex veining and patterns can look an absolute treat in just about any kitchen. Blue as a colour is extraordinarily versatile and there’s enough options of shading to suit any personal preference and application.

Find You Kitchen Colour Scheme With Euro Marble

Using stone in your kitchen is highly functional and fashionable thanks to its stunning visual qualities and durable nature. Many of our customers are pleasantly surprised to discover just how many colours and options of natural stone slabs there are available: Reds, blacks, blues, greens, pinks and more!
If you’re not sure which of the above kitchen colour schemes are right for you or you know what you’re looking for and want to visit our showroom to find the right slab, make sure to give our team at Euro Marble a call today!

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When it comes to designing your kitchen, you’ve probably given a lot of thought to the larger aspects of the space such as the countertop and layout. However, taking the time and expending the effort to choose the right kitchen sinks and tapware for your kitchen is just as important.

Your sink and tap are some of the most frequently used parts of the kitchen but there’s a lot more to these humble features than just their utility. Despite being understated, choosing the right material and design that complements the overall aesthetic of your kitchen and home can really go a long way to bringing your interior design together.

To help you, we’ll run through the basics in kitchen sinks and tapware.

Flush mount vs undermount sink – the types of kitchen sinks available

Inset sink

If you’re operating on a budget and are happy to go with the simplest and most commonly used option, an inset sink is ideal. Affordable, practical and durable, the standard inset sink is set into the countertop. The tapware can be mounted to the sink itself or to an adjoining surface. There are a variety of sink rim designs to choose from, including bevel edges or raised rims, depending on your personal preference.

Undermount sink

The undermount sink is similar to the inset sink in many ways but is tucked further under the surface of the benchtop. This gives the entire look a cleaner, minimalist and more streamlined aesthetic, if that’s your preference. There are practical elements as well to the undermount sink as you can more easily wipe liquid or spills into the bowl, but other considerations such as drainage and the likelihood of chipping are also important to think about. 

Flush mount sink

There is some confusion when comparing flush mount sinks vs undermount sinks. In essence, the undermount sink is placed into the countertop with an opening cut out from it. The flush mount, on the other hand, does not get installed into a cut hole but directly onto the top of the counter surface. This allows for a sleeker look but does make replacing the countertop sometime in the future more complicated. Flush mount sinks are also generally more expensive to purchase and when it comes to installation due to the complexity. 

Material Options for Sinks

Sinks, basins and vanities are available in a variety of materials, each with their pros and cons. 

Enamel

Enamel-finished sinks are quite easy to clean and maintain which makes them practical and provide a variety of options of finishes. However, they can be heavy and require additional reinforced cabinetry, plus the enamel can be worn away over time.

Stainless steel

A stainless steel sink offers many practical benefits. It’s hygienic, durable and among the cheaper of options. Apart from the metallic aesthetic of stainless steel, some sinks can be prone to making a lot of noise with running water and low quality steel can become scratched with usage. 

Composite material

Composite materials are often made from a mixture of quartz, natural stone and resin. There are many reasons to choose a composite stone: from its durability to its stain resistant nature, but boiling water and water marks can be an issue. 

Brushed brass

A brushed brass sink can look fantastic in a number of rustically themed or country-styled kitchens and homes. Durable and easy to maintain, brushed brass is practical but it does come at a higher price point than other types of sinks. 

Natural stone

Natural stone is a popular and luxurious-looking option for sinks. There are a variety of options of natural stone available, such as granite, quartzite, travertine, onyx, and marble. There’s also plenty of aesthetic variety with colours and shading ranging from bluey-caramel with the Azul Macubas and light grey Tundra limestone to the pale pink and intricately veined Cristallo Rosa quartzite, and everything in between!

What to Consider with Tapware

The best kitchen tapware for your kitchen will depend a lot on your particular stylistic preferences, the overall aesthetic of your bathroom and the general layout of your sink.

Matching your kitchen sinks

The first thing to consider with your tapware is what will match your sinks. While bought separately, there is often wide enough choice available that you can find taps to match just about any sink. Consider both the design, colour, shape and size when you’re looking to match the sink with the tapware. 

Choose your style

Do you prefer a single lever mixer that will sit in the middle of your sink? Do you want a tap that sits to the right or left? Does it need to accommodate a soap dispenser of some description? Take the time to consider how you plan on using the tap and how the style being considered will complement your activity in and around the sink. 

Height and size

Apart from needing a tap that can be installed physically and is compatible with your sink, taps, faucets and spouts come in all heights and sizes. There is no size that suits everyone’s ergonomics or preferences. So take the time to think about the functionality of any tap in consideration. 

Look around the sink

Due to the fact that every kitchen is different and the layout and cabinetry are different, make sure to think about the area surrounding your sink as well. Low hanging cabinets, electrical appliances and a variety of other factors can help you determine what type of tap is right for you. 

Explore Stone Kitchen Sinks and Tapware at Euro Marble

Euro Marble is a leading supplier of the highest quality of natural stone in Australia. If you’re considering different types of kitchen sinks and accompanying tapware, make sure to come into our showroom or contact us today to find out just how gorgeous and practical a natural stone sink can be for you!

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Designing a kitchen is an exciting process that gives you the opportunity to make the most of this high traffic room in your home. There’s a ton of activity that goes on in the kitchen, including cooking, eating, cleaning and entertaining, so there’s a lot you need to consider. From aesthetic to functionality, there are a ton of kitchen design ideas to help you make your kitchen practical, stylish and, most importantly, enjoyable. 

How To Start Designing Your Kitchen

Choosing a Layout

The first thing you need to consider is what type of layout you want. There are six basic types and each comes with pros and cons. Look at the size and shape of your kitchen to see what sort of layout best suits you.

Straight Modular Layout

This classic kitchen layout stays basic and functional above all else. There’s minimal clutter and minimal obstructions so you can access everything and anything you need at any time.

Island Modular Layout

This popular layout is perfect for large kitchen spaces. The island-shaped benchtop in the middle provides function, fashion and storage. 

Parallel Modular Layout

If your kitchen is at risk of seeming claustrophobic or tight, a parallel layout would function perfectly. It offers all the amenities and functionality you need whilst maximising space between the two walls. 

Gallery Modular Layout

Similar in style to the parallel kitchen, the galley kitchen includes a narrow walkway in between two rows of cabinetry. Particularly good for smaller kitchens it helps to keep everything tidy, in place and out of the way. 

L-shape Modular Layout

An L-shaped layout makes the most of your kitchen space by incorporating as much benchtop space and storage as possible. Versatile for any interior design style and ergonomic for cooking and entertaining, it’s no wonder it’s so popular. 

U-shaped Modular Layout

The U-shape is similar to the L-shape only it wraps around three walls instead of two. Think more freed up floor space and more practicality thanks to the extra room for appliances and storage. Of particular benefit is the fact that all sides are just an arm’s reach or so away. 

Open Modular Layout

The open kitchen is very popular as it adds a lot of space and volume to the home. If you want the main living, dining and cooking space to bleed into one another through smart, open integration, the open modular kitchen is the way to go. 

Draw Up Detailed Plans

A detailed floor plan of your kitchen is very important. Not only will it help you and your labourers to visualise and get the new kitchen right the first time, it will also help you to make the most of your space and plot the cabinetry and appliances. 

Material Choice

There are a lot of different materials available for us in a kitchen: natural stone, hardwood, stainless steel, engineered stone…

The list is endless. It can be hard to know which best suits your preferred design and the practicalities of your kitchen usage. Interior designers and kitchen renovators are always happy to chat through any ideas and preferences you have. 

Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle is a great rule of thumb to bear in mind while designing a kitchen. The Triangle of the kitchen refers to the space between the three main points of access in the room: the fridge, the stove and the sink.

Even if you don’t design your kitchen according to the traditional Golden Triangle layout, keeping the practicality of the style top of mind will help you make considerate choices of where you place your sink, fridge and various appliances. 

Think About Walkways

Whether you’re putting in parallel cabinetry or a kitchen island, always make sure you consider the amount of space left for you to move around easily in the kitchen. While you don’t want wasted space, if you can’t easily get through your kitchen you’ll find using it day in and day out to be a pain. 

Use Your Island/Benchtop

Some people love the thought of a kitchen island, others simply want maximum benchtop space. Either way, think about what you want out of your island/benchtop other than surface space. Powerpoint outlets, breakfast bars, sinks or internal storage and cabinetry are all excellent options depending on your preferences and requirements. 

Think About Walls, Lighting and Flooring

Benchtops and cabinets are synonymous with kitchen designs but there’s a lot more that goes into this area of the house. What sort of walls and flooring are you looking for? What sort of lighting do you need considering the amount of natural light let in? Making smart choices about these finishes will really help bring your kitchen to life.

Banging Doors

This may seem like a small consideration but trust us, it makes a world of difference spatially. Consider how each cabinet or pantry door opens. Do any bang into each or cause dead space that could be otherwise used? Try avoiding having any cabinetry getting the way of other doors. 

Electrical Outlets

If you’re designing a kitchen, now’s the best time to think about your number and placement of electrical outlets. Toasters, microwaves, coffee machines… There are a ton of appliances that need connection to power. Taking the time to think smartly about your electrical power points will save time, money and headaches down the line. 

Consider Your Colour Scheme

Do you have a tight kitchen that you want to maximise the feeling of space and airiness? Then white, bright or light colours are the way to go. Are you looking to make a bold statement? Maybe dark cabinetry or a colourful feature wall will do the trick. There’s no limit to the creative potential, but it’s important to be consistent and ensure your kitchen works for your preferred aesthetic. 

Trust the Experts When Designing Your Kitchen

If you’re ready to place your order of beautiful marble, granite or other natural stone or you want to discuss how to design your kitchen with our home reno experts, the Euro Marble team is always available! So give us a call today on (02) 8585 2999.

A white kitchen is a timeless, functional and visually pleasing colour choice for just about any home. However, just because you’re opting for white and bright, doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of opportunities to mix and match, and customise your kitchen.

If you need some help with white kitchen ideas, we’ve assembled a list to help you out.

Go White. Go Bold.

White is a timeless colour that doesn’t go out of fashion, doesn’t offend and doesn’t stand out. It’s a bright and light choice for a room of the house you’ll frequent every day.

Nothing quite shouts minimalist, sleek and clean like top-to-toe white in a kitchen. From cabinetry to benchtop and everything in between, if you love white and love being bold, go all the way with all white.

Add a Trim of Chrome or Metal.

If you like the idea of an elegant white kitchen but want to add something a little extra to break up the single shade, chrome or metallic trims are a classy way to do it. Think cabinet handles, door knobs, fixtures, taps and accessories… Of course, if you want an opulent look, opt for gold or rose gold trimmings. Or if you want rustic, go more brass and darker metals.

A Bold Black Feature Wall.

There’s something striking about the contrast of a single black feature wall set amongst an utterly white kitchen. It adds depth and is certainly a striking visual without overly committing you to any one colour. For good measure, it’s important to note that you can make your feature wall any colour, not just black!

White and Wood.

White kitchens with a considered inclusion of wood are slick and yet both classic and modern. Light toned timbers keep the elegant softness inherent in a white paint job and ensures the room still feels bright and airy. Darker woods are also exquisite, especially when used as exposed ceiling beams across the top of your stunning white kitchen. 

Utilise Layers to Add Depth.

All white kitchens might appeal to some homeowners, but if you’re worried about the visual depth of your kitchen then the answer is layers. Combine your touches of white with other neutral colours, including off-whites like eggshell, cotton, haze or even beige. You won’t lose out on the brightness of the room but will be able to add some decorative depth to the walls, floors, ceiling and/or cabinetry. 

Play With Textures.

Another way to add depth to your white kitchen is to use different layers. If your kitchen is in danger of seeming a little cold or sterile, some matte or glass cabinetry or a textured wall or splashback will do wonders for the space. Remember: Your lighting, accessories, and fixtures all provide plenty of opportunity to add new textures (as well as colour).

Open Storage for Practical Decoration.

This white kitchen idea is both ornamental and practical. Open storage–kept neat, considered and stylish–is a great way to mix up the aesthetic in your kitchen. From magnetic knife racks to recipe book shelves, and even plain open shelving stocked with your everyday cooking items, there’s a lot of opportunity for you to play around and enjoy.

Lose the Handles On Your Cabinetry.

There’s a lot of potential when it comes to kitchens with white cabinets. If your primary objective is the minimalist, sleek and fresh look then we highly recommend losing the handles on your cabinetry. It keeps the vertical spaces completely clean and unadorned so that the impact of the overall white colour scheme can work its magic to its ultimate potential. 

Hero Your Use of Stone.

Natural stone is a fantastic way to add a touch of true luxury to a home, especially in the kitchen. Fortunately, stone works perfectly within a white kitchen. Whether you’re thinking of a marble countertop or granite splashback, a slab of stone or stone tiling amongst an otherwise white kitchen will hero this stunning material. 

A Feature Island or Benchtop With Colour.

There are lots of white kitchen ideas with an island included. Your kitchen island can be used to integrate some extra colour, textures or accessories into your space. Whether you love the idea of a waterfall island or even a mobile island, it’s not just a practical addition to the kitchen but also one that can be used to anchor the white design. 

Alternatively, you can still add a bit of bold colour to your white kitchen just through a dark kitchen benchtop. There are plenty of types of natural stone and other materials to choose from to suit your style preference and complement the rest of your home.

Add a Coloured Splashback.

All kitchens should have a splashback for highly practical reasons. There’s no reason, however, why you shouldn’t utilise your splashback for aesthetic purposes too. In terms of materials, patterns, colours and textures, a well chosen splashback can add a subtle yet effective layer to your white kitchen. 

Painted and/or Patterned Floors.

Your kitchen floor shouldn’t be forgotten either! It offers an excellent opportunity to break up the space in a unique way. From a dark painted colour to a tiled, checkerboard or patterned floor, the sky’s the limit when it comes to your white kitchen’s floor.

Let’s Brainstorm More Ideas!

Would you like to discuss more white kitchen ideas and especially discover how natural stone can be used in your kitchen, we’d love to help. We’re experts on more things than just stone and we’d love to tell you all about it. So get in contact with us today. 

Kitchen islands are more than just an opportunity for you to add invaluable surface space for you to work on, in and around. They also offer near infinite opportunities to customise and accessorise in terms of kitchen island designs and aesthetics.

Of course, there are many different things you could do with your island and the shape, size, colour and material will depend largely on the way you function in the room, your lifestyle, your interior design choices and the amount of space you have.

To help you find the right bit of renovation inspiration for your home, here are 10 of the most inspiring kitchen island ideas.

Choose a Shape That Suits You.

The classic and most commonly found kitchen island is the traditional rectangular design. This is for good reason: If you’re tight on space, 90-degree corners will help keep enough space for you to move freely.

If you’re lucky enough to have space to choose something more unique that will certainly make a statement, opt for an unusually shaped kitchen island. There are plenty of options to choose from depending on your personal preferences and the shape of your kitchen. Opt for a partly-rectangular island with curves or go all in with a circular design… There’s plenty of scope for you to find the exact kitchen island for your home.

Make the Most With Multiple Zones.

This kitchen design idea is becoming more and more popular as the years go on. Simply by using multiple benchtop surfaces you can utilise your kitchen island in multiple ways by splitting it into different zones.

Let’s say you wanted to keep part of it natural stone for use in preparing food and cooking, you can maintain a dining room-table style wood bar or bench for breakfast, entertaining or anything in between along the other half.

Use an L-shaped Island For Seating.

An L-shaped kitchen island design is not just amazing for offering extra preparation space on top and storage space below, it also gives you the opportunity to incorporate a series of seats or stools for use as a breakfast bar or everyday family dining.

Of course, if you’re running a more adult function, it’s easy to serve drinks and canapes across a well styled L-shaped whilst maintaining both your hosting responsibilities and being a gracious, socialising host.

Include Practical Fixtures And Appliances.

While a lot of our kitchen island ideas are about design and aesthetic, this is one that’s all practical. Fixtures like sinks and electricity are always a useful thing to add to a kitchen and an island offers plenty of extra space for you to add those extra luxuries.

On another note, appliances are the bane of many a kitchen designer. With an island however, there’s always the opportunity to incorporate special spots that are discreet and out of the way but still practical and accessible. 

Customise Your Storage Types.

An excellent way to make the most of a kitchen island is to mix and match different types and styles of storage. Not only is this helpful for storing different sized tools, accessories, appliances and more, it’s also an excellent way to break up the visual look of the space.

Play around with cabinets, open shelving and drawers to create the perfect kitchen storage unit for you. 

Use The Sides To The Max.

There are two ways in which you can really use the sides of your kitchen island for maximum capacity and effect. The first is by leaving it open and easy to access. With some elegant shelving up and down the vertical side, you can add everything from delicate ornaments to extra coffee mugs and more.

Alternatively, you can go the opposite route and make the most of your countertop bench material. A ‘waterfall kitchen island’ is a jaw-dropping design that effectively highlights your choice of material.

Match Your Island To Your Home Style.

If it isn’t clear just yet, your kitchen island is more than just a space upon which you can pop plates and platters. It gives you a real opportunity to anchor your overall interior design style by matching your island to the rest of your home. 

Whether you’re a fan of the sleek, modern aesthetic or a more traditional or rustic visual, incorporating your home style to your kitchen island will bring the entire house together.

Add a Splash of Luxury.

Your kitchen island is a wonderful part of the room for adding a little bit of something extra without it being too much. When it comes to a luxurious and stunning material like marble, you can simply and affordably use it as the benchtop for your island without having to commit necessarily to using it throughout the rest of the house or even the room.  

Alternatively, indulge in a luxurious accessory like a mini wine fridge or cabinet within the island itself. You won’t have to worry about taking up extra space in your kitchen or compromise on the dream of having your very own spot for storing wine.

Add a Touch of Colour.

Another excellent kitchen island idea is to utilise the bench to infuse a bit of colour into the space. If you find that your kitchen is somewhat stale in colour or you want to simply add a bit of eye-popping colour without going overboard, your island is here to help. There’s plenty of scope for you to choose a colour or shade that suits you in a way that’s subtle, considered and still jaw-droppingly beautiful. 

Go Mobile For Maximum Flexibility.

Believe it or not but not all kitchen islands are permanent fixtures. A mobile or portable kitchen island can be rolled around your kitchen space as you need and see fit to make the entire space practical and functional.

Plus, you can easily incorporate storage beneath the benchtop and even include simple bits and bobs to make life that much easier such as hooks for tea towels and other utensils. Of course, you can match your mobile kitchen island to the rest of your kitchen and home decor so it complements the entire design seamlessly as you would with any other piece of ‘furniture’. 

Contact Euro Marble For More Ideas Today!

We’d love to have a chat to you about your kitchen island designs. Whether you’ve fallen in love with some of the inspirational ideas above or want even more ideas, the Euro Marble team is here for you. Contact us today.