10 Ways To Create a Focal Point in Your Kitchen
Make your kitchen really shine with a single focal point – here's how
It may be tempting when designing a kitchen to select the most fetching eye-candy materials, fixtures and furnishings you can find. But the problem with creating so many focal points is that the result can be a confusing and visually busy mishmash of items that battle one another to be the star of the space. And designing this way will put you on the fast track to maxing out your budget before you’ve even had a chance to finalise all of the selections.
A better way to go is to select one or two focal points and invest a decent chunk of your budget on those items. Then you can let the other elements support those choices, both visually and budget-wise. Here are a few creative ways you can create a strong focal point in your kitchen.
A better way to go is to select one or two focal points and invest a decent chunk of your budget on those items. Then you can let the other elements support those choices, both visually and budget-wise. Here are a few creative ways you can create a strong focal point in your kitchen.
2. Accent countertop
Gone are the days when we seemed to have an unwritten rule that you could use only one type of countertop material in a kitchen. Accent countertops are all the rage these days, especially for kitchen islands, so why not use them to create an interesting focal point in your kitchen?
What kitchen countertop is right for you?
Gone are the days when we seemed to have an unwritten rule that you could use only one type of countertop material in a kitchen. Accent countertops are all the rage these days, especially for kitchen islands, so why not use them to create an interesting focal point in your kitchen?
What kitchen countertop is right for you?
3. Fun furniture
Say you love the colour red. Rather than installing bright red countertops in your kitchen, consider adding your favourite colour via something that will be easy to change down the road, as trends and tastes evolve. These stools add a fun splash of colour, and I like that they are a flexible, low-commitment option.
Say you love the colour red. Rather than installing bright red countertops in your kitchen, consider adding your favourite colour via something that will be easy to change down the road, as trends and tastes evolve. These stools add a fun splash of colour, and I like that they are a flexible, low-commitment option.
4. Colourful appliances
Tired of stainless steel appliances yet? If so, you’re in luck, as appliances now come in a rainbow of vibrant hues. But unless you are going for a super-colourful and eclectic kitchen, think about keeping the remainder of the hues in the space neutral, as has been done in this beautiful kitchen.
Tired of stainless steel appliances yet? If so, you’re in luck, as appliances now come in a rainbow of vibrant hues. But unless you are going for a super-colourful and eclectic kitchen, think about keeping the remainder of the hues in the space neutral, as has been done in this beautiful kitchen.
5. Painted cabinets
Here, a mostly white kitchen gets a nice kick of colour, and a great focal point, from leafy-green painted base cabinets. If you consider yourself handy, this can be a terrific DIY project. Or you can hire a pro to spray your cabinets in your favourite hue. The more vibrant you go with the colour, however, the more you should support it with neutrals.
Here, a mostly white kitchen gets a nice kick of colour, and a great focal point, from leafy-green painted base cabinets. If you consider yourself handy, this can be a terrific DIY project. Or you can hire a pro to spray your cabinets in your favourite hue. The more vibrant you go with the colour, however, the more you should support it with neutrals.
6. Textured wall
Bold colour isn’t the only way to create a focal point in a kitchen. Texture is another, often-underused, design element. In fact, if you desire a monochrome kitchen, it’s a great idea to add some variety via sheen and texture, to keep the space from having a monotonous feel. This 3D feature wall really makes the minimalist kitchen sing.
Texture-rich tricks
Bold colour isn’t the only way to create a focal point in a kitchen. Texture is another, often-underused, design element. In fact, if you desire a monochrome kitchen, it’s a great idea to add some variety via sheen and texture, to keep the space from having a monotonous feel. This 3D feature wall really makes the minimalist kitchen sing.
Texture-rich tricks
7. Stunning view
Some focal points don’t need to be added to a kitchen; they already exist. If you are fortunate enough to have a breathtaking view out your kitchen windows, ditch the upper wall cabinets and install expanses of glass instead so you can take full advantage of the view. A full-height pantry on an interior wall can provide the needed storage you would lose from going without the extra cabinets.
Some focal points don’t need to be added to a kitchen; they already exist. If you are fortunate enough to have a breathtaking view out your kitchen windows, ditch the upper wall cabinets and install expanses of glass instead so you can take full advantage of the view. A full-height pantry on an interior wall can provide the needed storage you would lose from going without the extra cabinets.
8. Fetching fixtures
Good lighting is a kitchen must-have. But don’t just install a few ceiling can lights and under-cabinet strip lights and call it a day. Decorative pendants and chandeliers are hot right now, and they can be an excellent focal point in an otherwise neutral or minimalist kitchen.
How to get kitchen lighting right
Good lighting is a kitchen must-have. But don’t just install a few ceiling can lights and under-cabinet strip lights and call it a day. Decorative pendants and chandeliers are hot right now, and they can be an excellent focal point in an otherwise neutral or minimalist kitchen.
How to get kitchen lighting right
9. Amazing artwork
This charming eclectic kitchen has a few focal points, but I find my eye going immediately to the artwork. The great thing about using an original piece of art as a focal point is that yours will be the only one like it. It goes without saying, however, to use care and consideration when installing art in the kitchen. Grease, humidity and food and drink messes could cause damage, so make sure your space is well-ventilated and the artwork is kept out of harm’s way.
This charming eclectic kitchen has a few focal points, but I find my eye going immediately to the artwork. The great thing about using an original piece of art as a focal point is that yours will be the only one like it. It goes without saying, however, to use care and consideration when installing art in the kitchen. Grease, humidity and food and drink messes could cause damage, so make sure your space is well-ventilated and the artwork is kept out of harm’s way.
10. Family wall
Of course, don’t discount any budding young artists in your own midst. Rather than haphazardly slapping the kids’ creations on the fridge, think about displaying them in a more pleasing way. You can easily change out pieces in a setup like this as your kids bring home more masterpieces from school. You could also do this with items such as family photos and postcards from your travels.
TELL US
How have you created a focal point in your kitchen? Share your tips in the Comments below.
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Of course, don’t discount any budding young artists in your own midst. Rather than haphazardly slapping the kids’ creations on the fridge, think about displaying them in a more pleasing way. You can easily change out pieces in a setup like this as your kids bring home more masterpieces from school. You could also do this with items such as family photos and postcards from your travels.
TELL US
How have you created a focal point in your kitchen? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
Striking Feature Panels Pop Up On Kitchen Countertops
Kitchen Inspiration: 10 Stunning Backsplash Ideas
Bringing Back the Kitchen Table
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Sure, a backsplash serves an important function in your kitchen, protecting its walls from food and drink spatters, but it can also step up and be a strong decorative element. If you go for colourful tiles such as these, try adding small bits of their hues throughout the space, to tie the decor together.