Be inspired by this contemporary grey kitchen-diner

The owners kept the existing layout of their kitchen, but to create a better sense of flow they installed a central island unit which has become the focal point of the new modern kitchen.

The owners kept the existing layout of their kitchen, but to create a better sense of flow they installed a central island unit which has become the focal point of the new modern kitchen. The family-friendly island unit houses the sink, storage cupboards, shelves, extra worktop space plus a breakfast bar area.

Ladbroke bespoke units
Cue & Co

1/7 Unit paint

kitchen room with wooden flooring and white kitchen cabinets

(Image credit: David Giles)

Cornforth White Estate Eggshell, Farrow & Ball

2/7 Modern white kitchen with functional work space

kitchen room with wooden flooring and kitchen cabinets

(Image credit: David Giles)

When it came to the kitchen design, the owners wanted a modern, streamlined look and opted for bespoke wooden units, spray-painted in off-white. The layout works in a functional 'triangle' design, with the sink at the apex and the hob and appliances at the base.

Built-in oven
Neff

3/7 Spacious kitchen with bespoke wine rack

kitchen room with wooden flooring and integrated fridge

(Image credit: David Giles)

Floor-to-ceiling cupboards at each end of the kitchen provide ample storage, while a bespoke wine rack has been built to surround the fridge-freezer. Natural wood on the floors and and rainbow-coloured wall art add warmth to the predominantly white scheme.

Similar fridge-freezer

Neff

4/7 Modern kitchen with open-plan dining area

dining room with white dining table with chairs

(Image credit: David Giles)

The layout was designed to create zones for cooking, eating and relaxing, with the island unit as the central hub. To give the multifunctional space a simple feel, the colour palette was kept neutral throughout with pops of bright primary colour added here and there on pendant lights and accessories.

Bespoke dining table
Chorus Furniture

Eames dining chairs
Heal's

5/7 Neutral kitchen with streamlined cabinets

kitchen room with pedant lights

(Image credit: David Giles)

Rather than installing base drawers, the owners opted for cupboards to make it easier to locate cookware and utensils. Wall cabinets above balance the look whilst maintaining a neutral colour scheme. Appliances are integrated to create a seamless, uncluttered look.

Similar engineered oak flooring
UK Flooring Direct

6/7 Contemporary kitchen with polished concrete work surfaces

kitchen room with grey kitchen worktop and drawers

(Image credit: David Giles)

The worktops are made of polished concrete to give an industrial look, with the added bonus of being extremely durable and easy to maintain. Handle-less drawers ensure that nothing interrupts the streamlined look of the kitchen units.

Similar polished concrete worktops
White + Reid

7/7 The kitchen before the makeover

kitchen room with cream wall and white kitchen shelves

(Image credit: TBC)

Before the owners over-hauled the kitchen it was gloomy and dated, with scruffy white cabinets, poor lighting and old-fashioned doors. The makeover has transformed it into a light, contemporary space that looks stylish and is perfectly suited to family living.

Lisa Fazzani
Deputy Editor

Lisa is Deputy Editor of Style at Home magazine and regularly contributes to sister title Ideal Home. She has written about interiors for more than 25 years and about pretty much every area of the home, from shopping and decorating, crafts and DIY to real home transformations and kitchen and bathroom makeovers. Homes and interiors have always been a passion and she never tires of nosying around gorgeous homes, whether on TV, online, in print or in person.