Kitchen Design

Wonderful Kitchens are industry leaders in contemporary kitchen design Sydney. Our aim is to create quality custom-design kitchens that meet the specific needs of our clients. Our designers have a wealth of experience in both provincial and modern kitchen design, and they always aspire to offer functional and elegant kitchens that stand the test of time. We manufacture kitchen components in our own factory to the highest standard – with the quickest possible turn around. Our site supervisors are there for every job, ensuring that your kitchen installation is conducted efficiently, and to the highest professional standard.

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home. It is where meals are created and shared, and it is a place where friends and families connect. A contemporary designer kitchen can enhance our experience of preparing food, and can create an enjoyable space in which to share time with others. If you are considering a kitchen renovation, or if you are looking to create a wonderful new kitchen, it is important to consider the experience, stability and trustworthiness of your kitchen design company. It is also important that you feel confident with the designer you choose.

Kitchen Storage Ideas

Kitchen Splashbacks

Kitchen Benchtops

10 Kitchen Design Rules

Kitchen Layouts

Our designers take an integrated approach to creating the perfect kitchen.

While considering your needs and budget, our Sydney kitchen designers will consult closely with you to incorporate:

a seamless and functional kitchen layout
high-quality and functional benchtops
elegant and easy-to-clean splashbacks
discerning tapware
high-quality appliances
efficient storage solutions
effective and energy-efficient lighting

Whether you are looking for a provincial or modern kitchen design Sydney, our goal is to turn your dream kitchen into a reality.

The benefit of installing a custom-made kitchen is that it allows you to be flexible with your design. Importantly, a custom-built kitchen will be suited to your particular needs. You can include structural and design features, as well as appliances from various styles to create something unique and one-of-a-kind. While a custom kitchen can sometimes cost more than a standard design, it is a worthy investment because your kitchen is the heart of your home.

Kitchen Design Process

A great kitchen renovation can improve your family’s quality of life and add thousands of dollars to the value of your home. Importantly, your kitchen design should centre around your current lifestyle. Notice how you spend your time in the kitchen. Is the kitchen primarily for cooking, or do you also eat in the kitchen? Do the kids do their homework or play nearby when you cook? Do you use the kitchen as a common place to socialise or catch up with family? It is important to plan your kitchen for the lifestyle you have now, but also think about how you would like to use the space differently.

As a first step, do your homework. Look through kitchen design magazines, search for kitchen design ideas online, and visit a couple of kitchen showrooms. This way, you will develop a clear idea of the type of designs you are attracted to. Where possible, take the images and ideas you have collected to your kitchen designer to give them an understanding of what you are looking to create. Your designer will then be able pinpoint the common elements in these designs, and these common elements will become the starting-points of your new kitchen design.

Modern contemporary kitchen with black kitchen island, hanging pendant lights, and plenty of cupboards for storage. Designed and renovated by Wonderful Kitchens Australia.

It is important that you are clear about your budget. While some customers feel uncomfortable giving their designer a budget, it is actually very helpful information for anyone involved in your project. Once you give your designer your budget, they will then be able to advise you on your options, all with the aim of creating the kitchen that suits your needs, and reaches your design goals. We want you to be excited about your new kitchen!

Today’s lifestyle is very much focused on the kitchen as a gathering place where we engage in a variety of activities. Consequently, the room has to be bright, open, and functional. The kitchen should also be able to adapt to many activities that take place. Kitchen design is one of the most critical components of a renovation project. Therefore, take your time and explore the variety of options available to you.

As most people spend a great deal of time in the kitchen, a major kitchen renovation can be very disruptive. People soon realize how important the kitchen is when it’s torn apart during renovations. Even the simple task of making a cup of coffee becomes a major undertaking. Therefore, it is critically important that the removal of an old kitchen, and the installation of a new kitchen are well coordinated and done efficiently. At Wonderful Kitchens, our design and installation process is aimed at minimizing down time, so that you can get back to life as quickly as possible.

Features of a contemporary kitchen

While the terms can be used interchangeably, there is a notable difference between contemporary kitchen design and modern kitchen design, Typically, contemporary means current or “of the moment”. On the other hand, modern refers to a specific style that emerged from the early to mid-twentieth century. Modern design did away with the traditional styles prior to the industrial revolution. While a contemporary kitchen can be modern, it can also adopt other styles too. For instance, a contemporary kitchen can have vintage accents and provincial styling, all with the functionality that comes with using cutting-edge technology and design. Below is a look at the characteristics of contemporary kitchen design.

Cutting-Edge Technology

A key characteristic of contemporary kitchen design is the presence of cutting-edge technology. Surfaces are designed to be high-durable and easy-to-clean, and fittings provide ease-of-use and high-efficiency. A contemporary kitchen usually features a variety of materials, patterns and textures. Contrasting materials add an important design element, giving a visually opulent look. Varieties of wood or stone, contrasted with complementary benchtops made from contemporary materials will give a striking and stylistic appearance. Appliances are also of great importance. They should be sleek, durable, possess advanced features and ensure great performance. Your kitchen can also incorporate wireless smart-home devices, including automated lighted, sound systems, and “smart” appliances.

Light Fixtures

Eye-catching light fixtures are another notable characteristic of contemporary kitchen design. Lights are usually streamlined and minimalistic, giving an up-to-date and sophisticated look. However, large striking light fixtures can add an element of opulence. Lighting should be considered for its decorative and functional elements – with particular attention paid to the way they bring out the textures and colours of the kitchen benchtops and cabinetry.

Colours & Patterns

Kitchen Colours and Textures Considering that most contemporary kitchens usually have crisp white walls, splashbacks are a common way of introducing colour and pattern into the décor. Kitchen designs that feature mosaic, glass tile, ceramic or stone splashbacks will add a distinctive element that represents your personal style. Additionally, contemporary kitchens can include old materials utilized in new and creative ways. Clients also have the freedom to uniquely combine materials – taking basic elements and combining them in creative and contemporary ways that reflect their own style. In other words, clients have the opportunity to be at the cutting edge of kitchen design.

Flat Panel Door Styles

Many contemporary kitchen designs feature flat-panel door styles. In some cases, these are known as slab-door styles and are signature elements in the contemporary kitchen design. Contemporary kitchen design also utilises full-overlay frameless cabinet construction. There are several terms used to describe this cabinet construction type: frameless, overlay, Euro frameless and full overlay. All these terms essentially mean the same thing: the cabinet box is overlaid by the door. Most often, this style is used in contemporary kitchens as it is sleeker when compared to a flush-insert cabinet. The face frame cannot be seen in a true frameless cabinet, and consistent spacing is found between all the drawers and doors, even between two cabinets. In what is referred to as a frame overlay, the homeowner will still get a face frame together with varying space between cabinets and doors.

Hardware

Simple and sleek hardware is another distinct characteristic of contemporary kitchens. In such kitchens, C-channel hardware integrated into the cabinet will most often be seen, together with flat linear or tubular pulls. In many instances, the cabinet’s horizontal lines will be accentuated by cabinet hardware that runs the full length of the doors and drawers. This does not mean that a contemporary kitchen cannot have some ornamentation. It is just that detail and ornamentation comes from a material’s natural characteristics such as the natural veining and beauty of marble or the horizontal oak grain after it is rift cut. Consequently, contemporary kitchens also rely on the beauty of natural materials.

Horizontal Lines

Although it may not initially be apparent, contemporary kitchen design places emphasis on horizontal lines. This can be seen in the textures and patterns of the surfaces, cabinet design and hardware. For instance, contemporary kitchens often have multiple sets of stacked drawers that are placed adjacent to one another, rather than distributed throughout the kitchen. Long and streamlined cupboard handles can be set horizontally to accentuate the drawer lines. Cut-outs and floating panels on the back walls also accentuate the horizontal theme. In addition, horizontal grain and horizontal grooves on all cabinet fronts add to a contemporary kitchen design. Our Modern Kitchen Gallery offers a number of examples of horizontal design.

Streamlined Surfaces and High Functionality

Contemporary kitchens usually borrow design elements like streamlined surfaces and high functionality from the modern design movement. However, their style often includes traditional ideas to give a warm and liveable feel. The underlying philosophy for these designs is “clean and simple”. While the approach may differ from homeowner to homeowner, simple white cabinetry with clean lines is recommended. Texture and warmth is then added with elements such as a dark hardwood floors and interesting tiles.

Appliances

White and stainless steel appliances usually make it possible to transition easily to a contemporary kitchen look. This is because they balance well against warm wood tones. The detail that can be accommodated by a contemporary kitchen is almost endless. A homeowner can include funky or “retro-style” appliances, and is practically unlimited when it comes to colour choices. However, clutter will undermine a contemporary look and small appliances should be either very streamlined or should be stored in a cupboard when not in use. Advanced storage systems are a great way to eliminate clutter!