Worktops design guide

How to get the look just right

Many of our customers agonise over the Colour of their worktop when planning a kitchen. It’s no wonder when stone and solid surfaces costs start at £1000 and will last a life time. The colour scheme of your kitchen design will impact on the visual appearance of size, shape and appearance of the room and create atmosphere. With this in mind it is important to carefully consider which scheme and get the colour mix just right.

Choosing the colours

• A colour wheel is a useful tool when choosing colours, these can be purchased cheaply from good design shops. Below are 6 schemes used by designers.
• Monochromatic colour scheme: uses only one colour, but includes various tints, tones and shades of that particular colour.
• Complimentary colour scheme: Uses two colours that are placed opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as red and green for example. This kind of scheme is quite intense and brings a more dramatic touch and energy to a room.
• Analogous colour scheme: This kind of colour scheme includes three hues placed adjacent to each other on the colour wheel, with either warm or cool colours in combination, such as yellow and green, blue and violet, or red and orange for example.
• Neutral colour scheme: This is one of the easiest groups of colours, or non-colours to work with. They don't appear on the colour wheel and include Black, Grey, White and sometimes Brown and Beige. They all go together and can be layered and mixed and matched. No neutral colour will try to dominate over another.
• Accent colour scheme: is a colour used in quite small quantities to lift or to add punch to a colour scheme. An accent colour should be in a complementary colour. It works best if it's a bright, vibrant colour
• Clashing colour scheme: is thought to be a no-no in the home, if they are used carefully, they can look fantastic. If they are of equal tonal strength, you can mix them together. Don't stop at two, you could try three or four. But if one is paler or weaker than the rest it will get lost in the overall scheme.
• Colour schemes can date so it is a good idea to consider this when you are designing your kitchen. It is prudent to choice to choose neutral tiling and cabinets options, and accent your kitchen with colour by using painted walls and accessories that can be changed easily. This approach will allow you to change the whole ambience of your kitchen without refitting. This is also a good idea if you plan to sell your house as it will appeal to a wider audience and allow potential buyers to personalize the kitchen.
• Conversely you can create a stunning result and make a statement by using a monochromatic colour scheme and choosing a brightly coloured or strikingly patterned surface.
• Use as many resources as possible, look through magazines and books and get samples of doors, tiles, flooring, paint textiles and work surfaces. Most suppliers will provide you with these FOC but even if you have to pay it is a worthwhile exercise which will allow you to visualize your design and make sure everything works together before you start your project.