Finding Inspiration for your Dream Kitchen

The kitchen is, in many ways, the backbone of a home. It is where you and your family gather in the morning for breakfast, where cocktails are made at parties, and where all the cooking that brings families together is done. Having a kitchen that is as beautiful as it is functional is important, and there are many ways to go about this. Let Danby, the kitchen experts, help.

Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, but don’t let your space restrict you from designing your dream kitchen. A well-designed and decorated kitchen has plenty of benefits—it can increase the value of your home, make your home more comfortable and unique, and can make your kitchen easier to navigate when cooking and entertaining.

Have you ever gone into somebody’s home and noticed that their décor and design didn’t really “say” much about them? The home is your most personal space in your life, and your décor and design should reflect that. This is especially true of the kitchen, since it is the spot where—especially when entertaining—your personality will show in more ways than just your cooking.

The ideal kitchen is a blend of form, function, and aesthetic appeal, and there is no “wrong” way to envision your kitchen. It is all up to you to design a unique and personal kitchen space. There are many different routes of inspiration to draw from when planning your renovation or redecorating.

This article will discuss some common trends with kitchen design, and offers suggestions on how Danby can help you envision your perfect space. A great kitchen needs great appliances, and we are here to help you every step of the way!

Retro—Throwback to a Simpler Time

If you yearn for the simpler times—when vinyl records were popular and kitchens were designed with funky, colorful plastics—there is plenty of décor inspiration to come from “retro” trends.

Often marked by a sense of “kitsch,” retro-inspired kitchens feature distinctive hues of teals, cherry reds, and obtusely shaped furniture and appliances. This kind of design style was hugely popular in the 1950s onward, but each decade has its own unique “retro” style particular to the time period. For example, many cars and home appliances in the 1970s and 80s featured real or fake wood paneling, and the 50s and 60s saw many angular, plastic designs on appliances and household items. These design trends act as a kind of time capsule of a bygone time, but are still very relevant in contemporary design, though they may be purposed differently.

If you’re a fan of all things retro, Danby’s Contemporary Classic line is right up your alley—our sleek, attractive design perfectly blends form and function, and is the perfect retro-flavored addition to your kitchen.

Whether you’re old enough to remember the simpler times that these retro designs evoke, or if you’re a younger homeowner and want to get a taste of what design was like in previous decades, a retro-inspired kitchen is always a solid, quirky design choice.

Minimalism—Less is More

Popularized largely in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Denmark, minimalism is an interior design concept that highlights negative space, rigid lines, and stark color contrasts. It is one of the most influential design principles of the 20^th century, and is becoming increasingly popular in modern homes and commercial design.

Though minimalism is a broad term and is applied to more than just interior design and architecture (its principles can also be found in music, art, literature, and painting), for interior design purposes it is important to emphasize the aspect of the “negative space.” Much of this aesthetic is inspired from the Japanese philosophical concept of mu, which translates literally to “nothing.”

In interiors designed with minimal visual space, the viewer or audience is forced to focus on what’s “not” there, allowing for a sparse, non-cluttered space that is as inspiring as it is functional. This often has a pleasing and meditative psychological effect, too.

One thing to keep in mind when envisioning a minimal kitchen is how much white space you plan to use: it goes without saying that white surfaces get messy easily, so make sure the surfaces are easy to clean.

Rustic—Making Your Kitchen its Own “Chalet” Getaway

Cottages, cabins, and old farmhouses all have a timeless feel to them. Going even further back from a “retro” design choice, a good old fashioned country-style design aesthetic can conjure images of wood fires, candlelit evenings, and many other rustic charms that tend to get lost in the bustle of modern life. Whether you live in the quaint countryside, a suburb, or a metropolitan center, designing a rustic kitchen is the way to go for those looking for a cozy, inviting kitchen space.

Rustic kitchens are often characterized by plenty of hardwood flooring, ample counter space, natural gas stoves, and other old-fashioned appliances and design choices. Getting the right wood is important for making a convincingly rustic kitchen: whether you use finished or unfinished wood, make sure it is strong enough to withstand everyday use and that it is aesthetically pleasing enough to complement the tone you are going for.

Large wooden cupboards, big windows, and plenty of counter and island space can evoke a cozy, warm feeling when cooking and entertaining. With the right material and reliable appliances, you too can achieve this rustic look when redesigning your kitchen!

Show off your personality

No matter what design inspiration you may draw from in your new kitchen, you must keep in mind that your kitchen should be uniquely “you.” As mentioned earlier in this post, it is a terrible bore when a living space shows no unique personality at all. You owe it to yourself and your home to design a space that reflects your personality, in any way that may be.

For all of your appliance needs, Danby has you covered. Our reliable, affordable appliances will give your space the energy-efficient, user-friendly appliance experience it needs which will never go out of style. Remember: no matter how pretty your kitchen is, without good appliances, it’s just a shell of what it could be!

Looking for more inspiration? Check out the top appliance trends of 2016.

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