How to up the sophistication factor in your kitchen

Tap shapes have evolved too, she adds. “A lot of the taps in the 90s and early 2000s were relatively low profile and now we’re seeing more of that gooseneck style. It comes up higher and is more of a statement piece.”

Small appliances, big wow

Kitchen appliances have become a key fashion purchase in recent years and punch above their weight when it comes to injecting style into your kitchen.

From pops of bright colour to patterns and prints, clean bright white and on-trend matte black, such as The New Black Classics Collection by Sunbeam, the latest small appliances back up their functionality with major style credentials.

Just like cushions in a lounge room, they can add interest, impact and flair to your space.

“With smaller benchtop appliances now available in such a wide variety of colours and designs, you don’t necessarily need to invest in a new fridge or cooktop to transform your kitchen,” says Blomfield.

“You can change things up and inject a new colour palette with a toaster and matching kettle or kitchen aids,” she adds. “Switching from white appliances to stainless steel or black, for example, instantly gives a facelift.”

“These accessories are a fashion statement that ties back into what you’re trying to achieve with your overall kitchen design, so they’re an important step in the process.”

Chic surfaces

Upgrade your work surfaces with new layers and colours for an easy style win, says Blomfield. “I’ve seen great results with laying stone over an existing laminate or timber benchtop. Similarly with a glass splashback, you can tile over the top or replace with a different colour glass.”

Wonder walls

Wall space can become a stunning kitchen feature and inject instant contemporary style, says Blomfield. “You could even think about wallpapering an area. I’ve seen so many amazing vinyl wallpapers – ideal for a quick refresh and update of a space or a splashback that could still last for a few years.”

See it in a new light

Lighting can transform your kitchen’s mood, add ambiance and highlight a focal point. “If you have an island bench then some statement lighting above it, either pendants or a drop bar light, can add light to the room but also creates an inviting softer, atmospheric glow if you use it alone at night time,” says Blomfield. “Installing under-cabinet lighting can also create that inviting soft glow.”

Showpiece shelves

Reimagining your storage areas with a designer’s eye can have huge impact, says Blomfield. “Do you have any visible open shelves that you could rearrange with decorative items rather than just purely being functional? Use these as an opportunity to create a styling vignette – display a beautiful vase and some cookbooks and change it up to make it more decorative.”

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