Designer kitchen units – 15 of the best ideas

Do your homework
Research your options thoroughly, exploring all the materials that interest you, as well as the current trends and new advances. It will clarify your ideas and, importantly, help eliminate the things you don’t want as well as achieving the things you do.

Find your dream team
Having great people on board will make a massive difference to the whole process, so allocate a budget for this. Choose an architect, interior designer, kitchen designer (which may come with the cabinetry), lighting consultant, builder, even a stylist. And make sure they are trained, experienced professionals who you have a good rapport and understanding with. Kitchens at this level take time to achieve, so get a clear idea how long it’s likely to take right from the start. If it’s part of a big project, it may be worth moving out for the duration.Every project should have a budget, so allocate one and refer to it throughout, and always build in a contingency fund for unexpected extras.
 
Fabulous finishes
Beautiful materials take centre stage in a kitchen. Your designer can help you discover new types of wood, stone or cutting-edge modern surfaces, including walls and floors, and will ensure they all work together to create a striking overall effect. Whether it’s moody geometrics or retro pastels, work your favourite colours and patterns into your scheme. Get your designer to help you express your personal style.

Not just for show
As lovely as your finished kitchen will be, part of the joy will be seeing how well it works. Good design will enhance your experience, so think about how you spend your time in there and how you like to cook and eat.

Stainless-steel kitchen island (shown)

Curved islands direct the flow of traffic around the space and bring a dynamic shape to the layout. This island provides the majority of worktop space within the kitchen and is the focal point of the room. The breakfast-bar area has a metallic finish that works well with the individual style of the cabinetry.

Kitchen cabinetry
Bushboard

The island features a worktop that overhangs substaintially at one end to provide a breakfast bar. The open space between the worktop and base makes a great display space and is a striking feature.

Kitchen design and cabinetry
Poggenpohl

For a seamless look, choose an island that's entirely clad in Corian, which can be shaped and curved to order. Here, the solid surface in Glacier White is moulded over two levels for casual entertaining and comfortable dining.

Worksurface
DuPont

In an open-plan scheme, a large island helps to separate the kitchen and dining zones. This handleless walnut and oak design with Thyme QuartzStone worktop also acts as a storage centrepiece, with no added appliances.

Kitchen cabinetry
Schneider Designers

Low-level cabinets and open shelving create a highly contemporary look. To add to the sleek, streamlined feel, fully integrated appliances are hidden behind the door fronts, a downdraft extractor is installed next to the hob and an undermounted sink has been chosen for its neat finish.

Kitchen design and cabinetry
Ewe at Searle & Taylor

To maximise brightness, opt for an all-white scheme. Here, matt-white base and wall units are teamed with a laminate worktop and shelves, plus aluminium recessed plinths, for a streamlined look.

Kitchen design and cabinetry
NGI Design

This smart contemporary kitchen is designed for open-plan living. The cabinetry style blends with the adjoining dining and living spaces and all the appliances are integrated to give a sleek, streamlined finish.

Kitchen design and cabinetry
Leicht

Taking its cue from modern restaurants, this U-shaped design has a dining area installed between two runs of units. It provides a functional dining space without distracting from the fixed glass extension beyond.

Kitchen design and cabinetry
Design Space London

Bi-fold doors are a great way to let in maximum light and enjoy the views all year round. The substantial island makes a great statement. This bespoke design features handleless stained-oak veneer cabinetry with Nero Assoluto granite worktops.

Kitchen design and cabinetry
Mowlem & Co

In this contemporary design, the dining table mirrors the island's floating design - it's anchored to low-level storage that can double as extra seating if needed.

Kitchen island
Bauformat

Liked this? Take a look at our pick of the best contemporary kitchens. Keep up to date with all our tips, tricks, advice and ideas over on the Beautiful Kitchens homepage.

The concern that an architect will run away with a project and that costs will spiral out of control is unfounded – architects are known for their forensic attention to detail at the planning stage and this often saves money in the long run. Shown here is a bespoke and oiled-walnut kitchen by B E Architecture.

If space isn’t an issue, why not invest in a stunning bespoke cookstation for the heart of your kitchen. A Chateau 165 range cooker is integrated into a multifunction central island in
Blanc de Blanc, a new matt-enamel finish. Bespoke kitchens from La Cornue start at £35,000.

Fine furniture maker Rupert Bevan has used a wide range of striking materials and finishes to create a real one-off design in this church conversion. Highlights include a patinated brass-clad island, burnt and ebonised oak cabinetry, a polished concrete worktop and bespoke ash trolleys. Kitchens from £100,000.

Oxford-based Riach Architects designed this generous contemporary open-plan extension. It features Plain English cabinetry with an extra-thick marble worktop and luxurious crystal handles. A set of chandeliers completes the super-glamorous look. This kitchen would cost around £65,000.

Too many finishes can be distracting, and this scheme, created by Staffan Tollgård’s interior design practice, features a calm palette of dark wood and leather, with matching design details across the dining and working areas. You would need a budget of around £75,000 for a kitchen similar to this.