There's always a lot going on in kitchen designs. With the different materials, finishes, colors, and appliances, it's easy to find yourself totally overwhelmed by the entire process.
But the best kitchen ideas all have one thing in common: cohesion. Every element works together because there is a style, finish, or color that runs throughout the scheme.
And luckily, interior designer Marie Flanigan has just taken to Instagram to share her advice for creating a stylish, luxurious, and (most importantly) cohesive kitchen design – and it's easier than you might think.
There are no rules when it comes to designing a kitchen, but with so many different ideas and tips to consider, the whole thing can feel almost impossible. But the right advice can make curating your space much simpler.
'There [are] endless ways to approach a kitchen design, yet the best spaces always feel cohesive and intentional,' writes Marie Flanigan in the caption of her post. 'Here are a few ways we love to weave a thread through our work.'
1. Mixing finishes
Mixing finishes – especially when it comes to metals and hardware – can really divide opinions. But, done right, it can really elevate a kitchen scheme. In this kitchen, it's been executed perfectly.
Throughout the space, brass takes center stage, from the cabinet pulls to the detailing on the range cooker. But to add a touch of contrast, it's been paired with copper pots hung on the wall.
The effect? This kitchen corner has more depth and interest, while the copper brings in an aged, vintage feel.
2. Accentuating natural materials
The presence of natural materials can only elevate your kitchen scheme. So, make sure you give them the spotlight they deserve, whether it's wood flooring, decor, or larger furniture pieces.
The great thing about natural materials is that they are timeless, add warmth, and tie into almost any interior design style. In this kitchen, natural elements have been added via potted plants around the sink and wooden kitchenware that doubles as decor.
This approach is not only an enduring design style, but it's easy to add wooden elements throughout your kitchen, weaving the perfect thread.
If you have kitchen island seating, bar stools are a great way to introduce wood. This design offers style and comfort, with a wooden frame and neutral seat cushion – it's a truly timeless choice.
In this kitchen designed by Marie, round wooden cutting boards, like these ones, are displayed under the wall shelves add an organic, natural element to the design – through the material and the shape.
If keeping plants alive isn't your strong point, faux plants are a great alternative. This potted lavender is a beautiful choice – it's small enough to fit almost anywhere in your kitchen.
3. Varied storage styles
If there's one thing that every kitchen needs, it's storage. But a room full of big, bulky, built-in cabinets can leave your kitchen full of hard lines and a lack of visual interest.
Which is why Marie recommends introducing a variety of storage styles. This not only creates a more dynamic space, but it offers a variety of storage options, from hidden space in cabinets to decorative open shelving that means you can display your favorite kitchenware.
4. Functionality that fits your lifestyle
Functionality is at the heart of good kitchen design. From the style of appliances you introduce to the overall kitchen layout, ensure you make choices based on what suits your needs and lifestyle, rather than something that looks good in another kitchen.
For example, a double sink can be a luxurious addition, but it's only worth adding if you need the extra space. Similarly, think about how you use your space to decide whether you want your cooktop and sink on the kitchen island, or if they would function better for you elsewhere.
5. Tying in finishes across multiple surfaces
Weaving a thread through your space helps to create a sense of cohesion – and the materials and finishes you choose are key to this. And how you introduce them even more so.
This kitchen demonstrates how to get it right. The dark wood of the island has been replicated on the open shelving by the range, while the gold open shelving mirrors the finish on the kitchen cabinet hardware and kitchen pendant lights.
6. Playing with bold details
This year, we're all about focusing on details. Those finishing touches are what take your kitchen design to the next level – and they can be a wonderful way to create cohesion throughout your space.
In this kitchen, it's all about curves – the shape of the island has been mirrored on the windows, faucet, and through the organic-shaped decor. These might seem like small details, but they are the thread that creates a cohesive design.
Creating cohesion through your kitchen is easier than you might have thought – and when you start think of it as weaving a thread through your design, you can quickly identify the areas that can tie together to form an elevated design.
-
Claudia Schiffer uses this Georgian-inspired window seating arrangement to make clever use of 'dead space' in her kitchenThe model's breakfast nook is not only chic but incredibly functional – with bench seating allowing for communal dining in an otherwise unused area
-
This is the one lesson I've learned from Jeremiah Brent's approach to decorating after binging Queer Eye Season 9 over the holidaysQueer Eye taught me this one design principle, and it’s changing my home for the better
