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Gone are the days of a kitchen being a purely functional place for food preparation;  the trend today is to bring the family together in the one room, transforming it into a living space. Kitchen designers across Devon are finding that their customers want to inject some personality and warmth into one of the most important rooms in the home. 

Kim Whinnett, Director of Barnes of Ashburton, has seen a move towards handmade kitchen cabinetry designed to last. “Well-made furniture can always be restored and revamped to tie in with the latest fashions or the new owner – it is designed to be passed down through generations.”

Individual free-standing items have become popular, as they are designed exactly to the customer’s personal specifications and dimensions; tables, pantry cabinets and benches can all be customised. “Free-standing furniture is very much the fashion and also appeals to clients as they can take it with them should they move house.”

Seating in the kitchen is a simple way to create a welcoming venue for the whole family, and this can be achieved whatever the size of the room. Chris Gates, Managing Director of The Kitchen Studio of Devon Ltd, has noticed a common request amongst his clients. “Having somewhere friends and family can sit whilst you work in the kitchen is often required – a breakfast bar, booth or even just a small overhang with stools.”

If space is not at a premium, a central island furnished with stools or a large family dining table is the perfect way of providing a gathering point. “Islands are a great way of creating an informal meeting area, and they work as both a preparation area, storage and seating,” says Kim. In tighter spaces, a simple bench, window seat or armchair will still turn the workspace into a sociable relaxing area. 

Luke Waller, Director and Designer at North Devon Kitchens, is repeatedly requested to create a family-friendly room. “I’m using a lot more islands, peninsulas and integrated tables. Movable or hinged breakfast bars coupled with foldable stools are useful in a smaller space.”

Open shelving can bring a relaxed, homely feel to the room, and traditional items such as a large dresser are as popular as ever. “Open-rack dressers bring personality to a room, displaying treasured crockery and cherished items,” explains Kim.

Larger furniture items can still be built into the kitchen, with a little ‘trickery’ to make them appear free-standing. “I have had requests for dressers to look free-standing, which was easily achieved with our T and G end panels and pilasters,” says Chris.

Thinking of how your family works together in the kitchen is just as important as the choice of decor. Chris advises zoning the work areas into different tasks, which ultimately frees up space; for instance, installing a dishwasher near the storage area for crockery and cutlery. 

Storage and organisation is key to keeping the relaxed feel, and clever solutions for tricky corner areas help to make every inch usable. Larders are always popular – keeping all food items together declutters other areas. “Fitting a tall larder unit or updating an existing one with new doors is popular – keeping things clean is a priority,” adds Chris.

Luke finds that not overcrowding the room is essential, and creating a walk-in larder is a key way of freeing up the room as a whole. Older-style properties often already have a larder, but one can be constructed within a relatively small space. Using every small gap or alcove to maximise storage is key to developing a family-friendly space, with previously unused areas now being considered. “I am asked for anything that utilises wasted space – pull-out units, corner units and revolving shelves.” 

The choice of materials can play a large part in creating a warm, welcoming space. The tactile nature of timber is a good option, used either in cupboard doors or worktops.

Once the main cupboards and units have been installed, it’s the all-important finishing touches that can personalise the room. Choice of colours, together with the use of pictures, fabrics and lighting, can engender a feeling of coherence and familiarity. “Muted colours and keeping to matching hues in the units, wall colour, worktops and tiles can bring a sense of calm and happiness,” says Luke.

In creating a family-friendly room, even the four-legged members of the household are considered. Dog and cat beds can be constructed to fit into the kitchen and give the much-loved pets a space of their own. 

Time-saving gadgets, such as self-cleaning ovens and boiling water and filtered water taps, free up our valuable time so that we can gather together as a family within the heart of the home. As Chris says, “Gadgets are all designed to make life simpler and produce more time for you to spend with your family.”