When choosing a kitchen it is important to look for something that will stand the test of time. A kitchen should last 10 - 15 years.
How is it that some kitchen material combinations work cohesively while others look like they have been thrown together on a whim? Choosing the right balance of colours and materials can be complicated.
A small kitchen does not allow a lot of opportunity or require an array of different materials, whereas large kitchens are often in need of breaking up one colour or material.
It's often a good idea to start with the benchtop surface colour, as this can prove to be the most costly part of kitchen (depending on the material) and then choose the other surfaces and finishes to achieve your overall desired outcome.
What colours will stand the test of time?
As a general rule choose neutral, classic shades for materials, for benchtops, cupboard doors and the floor. If you do want to inject the latest fashion colour into your kitchen, pick a spot that can be changed relatively easily - such as replacing the splashback or painting a wall or introducing colours into accessories.
The next step is to choose combinations of materials for kitchens that work well and are less likely to date. Materials like Timber; Stone; Engineered Stone; Laminate and Solid Surface are popular choices for benchtops.
When choosing the kitchen design, less is more. Clutter will always date a kitchen. This means everything from busy, highly textured and patterned finishes - things like cabinet doors with ornate panels, heavily patterned benchtops and mosaic-tiled splashbacks.
On the flip side, the less clutter there is, the less you will be able to 'date' the kitchen. Trends in design look favourably on aesthetics that are based on clean lines and low fuss; these kitchen fashions are less likely to date and provide a living space that works for you year after year.