The lighting design can be make or break, especially in a kitchen where task lighting is necessary for tasks such as food prep, homework and entertaining. We have teamed up with kitchen surface experts Burlington Granite, specialists in Granite & Quartz to bring you this blog, Enjoy!

“As the heart of the home, a kitchen should not only be fashionable and functional, but also should reflect the homeowner’s personality. With the sleek show home look becoming ever more desirable, it’s easy to neglect adding a little identity to your kitchen design. 

In today’s post, we’ve teamed up with lighting specialists Fritz Fryer to discuss how to add a personal touch to your kitchen design. Covering a range of personality types, from creatives to minimalists and those who prefer a little luxury, this article will leave you inspired to add some character to your kitchen. 


Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash

Cool and creative
For those who love bold colours and adventurous prints, there’s no need to be apprehensive about adding them to your kitchen design. Playing with colours and patterns is one of the most enjoyable parts of renovating your kitchen space, and ultimately making your kitchen a little bit more ‘you’. 

A lick of paint can go a long way in terms of redefining your space, and is particularly useful if you’re on a budget. If you’re a lover of all things bold and beautiful, consider a striking red feature wall or giving some wooden cabinets a new lease of life with green or blue paint. If you’re not ready to make a big change, why not consider a new coat of paint on the lower cabinet, or a kitchen island? It’s time to leave ‘all white everything’ kitchen design in the past, by adding visual interest to the hive of your home. 

For those who enjoy collecting decorative plates, glasses, or even cutlery, display them on exposed wall-to-wall shelves to bring some identity into the space, while also creating a homely feel as you walk into the room. On the same note, if you’re a fan of art (or enjoy painting yourself), hang art on the walls to add a statement, and illuminate your pieces with ribbed lights from the Upton range. To prevent any damage from cooking activities or fading in areas which receive a lot of light, consider hanging your pictures in glass frames or cases. 

Marvellously minimal
For those who prefer to be neat and tidy and would like to hide their appliances to keep workspaces free, opt for creative ways to remove them from view. From a sliding door to hide away the toaster to glass jars labelled neatly with their contents, there are several ways to maintain minimal design without compromising the room’s identity. 

Minimalism doesn’t have to mean boring. So, to add some texture and dimension, incorporate unique yet complementary materials to create a powerful aesthetic, such as grey and clay pink. Alternatively, classic black and gold will create a glamourous focal point, when paired with colourful cabinets to create a centrepiece. Think chic meets rustic or traditional meets stylish for an aesthetic which is sure to wow your guests. 

While minimalists tend to opt for plain fittings such as high-gloss kitchen cupboards, to add some personality which won’t overpower this vibe, consider adding some handles which comprise of different materials. They don’t need to be too ostentatious – metal, wood and ceramic are great minimalist materials for cupboards. Consider leather strap handles which tone in beautifully with oak worktops or metal cottage cup handles for a sleeker look which could be styled with the versatile Hereford lighting range to create a chilled atmosphere. 

Lavish and luxe
Fans of all things elegant and luxurious should choose their colour schemes and materials accordingly. Creating a lavish look doesn’t mean shying away from bold block colours – black and grey combine to create a luxurious style which looks impressive against gold fixtures and fittings or sleek black appliances. To add another dimension to your kitchen design, hang antiqued mirrored glass to bring a reflective element into the room in the form of a splashback or a feature wall- they’re easy to wipe down, and also create a sense of depth and focus to the space. For a luxe look that goes the distance, consider pairing these elegant features with a durable granite worktop, which is an effective way to add the finishing touches to an opulent kitchen design. 

Statement pieces are one of the simplest ways to inject personality into a kitchen space, while leaving an element of surprise that doesn’t take away from the luxury theme. A stone sink is a practical way to add some luxury to your kitchen design, while also creating a focal point in the worktop space. To exaggerate this feature further, why not opt for a bigger design which takes up a little more of the workbench which could look particularly eye-catching underneath a window? One of the easiest ways to add more personality to your space and create a design feature is with lighting. The Wellington pendant range is designed for maximum opulence, while being subtle enough to ensure the focus is always on your kitchen design. 


Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash

We hope that with our tips, you’ll be on your way to incorporating some personality into your kitchen design to make it a space you all love spending time in. Whether you’d class yourself as a creative, a minimalist or an advocate of all things luxurious, adding a touch of personality doesn’t need to overpower the overall theme of your kitchen design. “

Author bio:
Sophie Armstrong is a content creator for granite and quartz worktop specialists Burlington Granite, who provide a full bespoke worktop solution by offering templating, cutting, polishing and fitting, all driven by 25 years of industry experience.