Kitchens today have many expectations placed upon them. They need to be functional powerhouses from which we cook, dine and entertain. No longer purely a room for utilitarian purposes, with open plan living, the kitchen is on display for all to see, so it not only needs to be functional, but look great too.

Beautiful white polyurethane cabinets with engineered stone benchtop, glass splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Beautiful white polyurethane cabinets with engineered stone benchtop, glass splashback and stainless steel appliances – kitchen renovation by Master Bathrooms & Kitchens

Renovating a kitchen is a task most homeowners can afford to do just once, perhaps twice in their lifetime and as the kitchen is arguably the most used room in the house, having it out of action for even a small period of time is a huge inconvenience. So it is important to get the design just right.

Regardless of the motivation to renovate your kitchen, be it for a home you plan to live in and enjoy, or to add value to your home for sale, it is important to create a design that is not only functional but one that is timeless to ensure it will provide decades of use, and not require a makeover in just a couple of years time.

Stunning white polyurethane finger pull cabinets with engineered stone benchtops and stainless steel appliances.

Stunning white polyurethane finger pull cabinets with engineered stone benchtops and stainless steel appliances – kitchen renovation by Master Bathrooms & Kitchens

Colour Scheme

Neutral and white colour schemes are best for a timeless kitchen design. Consider your cabinets, benchtops and splashback a blank canvas to truly future proof your kitchen renovation investment. When deciding upon what neutral colours or materials, such as stone or timber, for your kitchen design, choose colours, textures and materials used elsewhere in the home to create a cohesive feel throughout the home.

Add colour with small alliances, artwork, flowers and ornaments. Should a larger area of colour be your preference, look to a coloured wall paint to use on a feature wall. Although repainting is not quite as easy as replacing a kettle, it is much cheaper and easier than replacing outdated coloured cabinets or benchtops.

Big Ticket Appliances

For appliances such as fridges, ovens, cooktops and dishwashers look no further than a stainless steel finish for a truly timeless design. White and black appliances can also work within the right kitchen, however, stainless steel is king.

Tapware

Chrome tapware is the queen to stainless steels king, as it is a timeless finish that works beautifully in any kitchen design. Chrome tapware is truly timeless as it does not corrode or fade as gold and other finishes can. It blends in perfectly with stainless steel appliances creating a cohesive look. Black tapware is currently enjoying the limelight at present, although, it is not quite as durable as chrome and is likely to date as gold tapware has done over the years. That said, black and brass tapware do make an undeniable statement in the kitchen. Should it wear or be considered dated in the future, replacing tapware will not break the bank.

Gorgeous white shaker cabinets with engineered stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and tiled splashback.

Gorgeous white shaker cabinets with engineered stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and tiled splashback – kitchen renovation by Master Bathrooms & Kitchens.

Cabinets

White kitchen cabinets never go out of style and are impossible to put a date to for their creation. French grey is another timeless colour and is especially effective when used on floor cabinets or an island bench in a mix and match type design. Complete timber kitchens are no longer a popular option except in cottage styled homes. Although, combining timber cabinets with white or neutral coloured cabinets to create a feature looks stunning. Care should be taken when incorporating wood as wood stains tend to vary with the times and can quickly date. It is safest to choose a stain that is neither too dark, light or red.

When choosing the style and finish for cabinets, durability should be considered. Polyurethane is by far the most durable cabinet finish that will continue to look great for decades. Shaker cabinets are a truly timeless cabinet style, although for more contemporary kitchen, a handleless finger pull or push open flat door with a high gloss polyurethane finish is the perfect modern finish. Whilst matt and satin finishes are quite popular, high gloss cabinetry is easier to clean and keep streak free than more matt finishes.

Beautiful natural marble benchtops with shaker cabinets - kitchen renovation by Master Bathrooms & Kitchens.

Beautiful natural marble benchtops with shaker cabinets – kitchen renovation by Master Bathrooms & Kitchens.

Benchtops

Stone is absolutely timeless and nothing completes a kitchen quite like a marble benchtop. Marble benchtops create an amazing statement in a kitchen. However, marble is porous and can stain easily. Natural stone requires regular sealing and special cleaners need to be used to ensure that the stone does not incur stains and wear. However, if natural stone is your preference, with regular maintenance and care, it will continue to look stunning for decades.

Not all have time for, nor the desire for additional maintenance around the home. For those who lead busy lives, the look of stone is not out of the question. Engineered stone has become extremely popular for very good reason. Engineered stone is strong, scratch and stain resistant and are by far the most durable surface for benchtops. This type of man made stone comes in a large variety of colours and designs and provide a consistency that natural stone cannot. Engineered stone (quartz) varieties also offer a variety of natural stone imitations including marble and all its veining. It does not require sealing and is perfect for all styles of kitchens from traditional to contemporary.

Gorgeous stone benchtop with matching stone splashback - kitchen renovation by Master Bathrooms & Kitchens.

Gorgeous stone benchtop with matching stone splashback – kitchen renovation by Master Bathrooms & Kitchens.

Splashback

Having a stone splashback that either matches or contrasts with the benchtops creates a stunning look in the kitchen. Coloured glass or mirrored splashbacks are extremely durable and come in a large variety of colours and are perfect in contemporary style kitchens. Tiled splashbacks are another timeless finish. Stone tiles or white or neutral coloured ceramic tiles are all beautiful options for the kitchen splashback. Whether you choose a subway type tile, a vertical, horizontal or a hexagonal pattern, steer clear of trendy colours and designs that are likely to date in a couple of years.

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Master Bathrooms & Kitchens is a bathroom and kitchen renovation company that is family owned and operated. We have been renovating the Hills & Hornsby districts for over 20 years. Peruse our website for more valuable advice and renovation inspiration or call us on (02)98999330 to discuss your renovation today.

See just some of our beautiful bathroom and kitchen renovations in our video below: