I’m over here ever collecting creative ideas from interior designers and homeowners with luxury level kitchens with an eye toward real life kitchens. Sure it is helpful to know what certain elements cost, but there is also value in squinting a little and imagining how to arrive at something similar on a budget. Let’s peek at mindful planning of timeless kitchens and consider how bespoke luxury level kitchens reveal realistic possibilities in the process.
Bespoke & Luxury Level Kitchens: Real Ideas
If you’re gearing up for a kitchen renovation or a new build, you already knowwwww. Endless details and decisions. Where to start with all of the Pinterest-worthy kitchen content to browse? What style makes sense with the home’s architecture? How much storage will you require? Which cabinet door style? Cooktop or range? Which features are best for resale?
Let’s face it. That may only be the tip of the iceberg.
Where is a good starting point then?
No matter where you are in the process and regardless of budget, we know (1) a timeless style kitchen will serve for years to come and (2) it’s best to take your sweet time as you consider your lifestyle before you ever even meet with a kitchen designer.
Before You Begin Designing
Knowing yourself is so important. What are the current needs of your family? Are there needs you can anticipate with time?
Even before you select finishes such as countertops, appliances, and tile, it helps to get centered in all things YOU.
Have an idea of a kitchen style you favor? When you browse photos of beautiful kitchens online, what stops the scroll? Does the architecture of your home harmonize with your design style? (It’s okay if you’re not sure or if it doesn’t, a timeless kitchen need not adhere to a singular look.)
As far as those kitchens to which you keep returning, what common design features do they share? Floating shelves? Waterfall island?
Think about how you actually live and what bugs you. Do your organization style and tolerance level for visual clutter harmonize with design elements you favor?
How Will Bespoke Kitchen Design Inspiration Guide the Color Story?
Begin to notice which colors feel comforting as you view kitchen photos online. Love living with abundant color in the rest of your home?
Are there certain colors that bore you or don’t feel calming? Do you have a sense of whether you are drawn to cooler or warmer tones?
Are particular kitchen design elements a priority such as a large center island? How many people would you like to accommodate for prep or eating in the kitchen? Prefer appliances to be hidden or at the ready?
If you answer perpetually “it depends” or “not sure” that’s okay. A family’s needs change over time. Soul searching helps before any construction or demo since you’ll begin to craft your plan with those everyday, specific customized needs.
For example, I knew I wanted to remove as many clunky doors as possible from cabinets and entries in the kitchen. Skirting the area below the sink (above) and removing a door to the laundry door lightened the whole look.
A Range of Inspiring Cutom Designs for Kitchens
Once you begin collecting inspiration for bespoke kitchen designs across the internet, you’ll note an endless array of interpretations. For example, if pricey slabs of marble aren’t realistic, butcher block can be a budget-friendly alternative. Browse inspiration photos of kitchens with wood counters.
Or maybe you’ll see a photo of a kitchen with a small work table with a marble top and realize it would make you happy to use a piece like that everyday. A remnant of natural stone or quartz may not break the budget and could complement the balance of wood or solid surface counters.
Viewing a wide range of beautiful kitchens helps you discern between “must haves” and “not as important.” If your heart is set on solid white oak custom cabinetry, maybe the budget won’t stretch for luxurious appliances or counters.
If bringing in more natural light is top priority, perhaps the renovation or construction costs will limit the cabinetry budget.
You may not need to fret about the cabinets since there are creative means to get creative and save money.
Try to Imagine Yourself Inside Inspirational Kitchen Photos
One of the challenges of making important kitchen design decisions is feeling unsure about features and schemes that are new to you.
If you only have experience with cabinets in one colorway, how will you know if a different color on the island will suit you?
Or maybe you can’t imagine what it would be like to skip upper cabinets. Should you take a chance because you think you like the airier, open look?
If you keep saving photos of two tone kitchens, that’s a clue!
Curation of ideas from inspiration photos is helpful. When you can present them to your kitchen designer (or review them with your architect or contractor if you’re the designer), communication about the details is enriched.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Paint Colors for Kitchens
One of the most helpful aspects of inspiration kitchen photos is how they provide paint color ideas. Even if you have decided on blue cabinets, there are hundreds of blue possibilities. In our own kitchen renovation, I wanted a pale bue-grey, but finding the precise color took time.
I learned about Pavilion Gray from online photos. It was first color I sampled, and while it was too dark for my preferences, I tweaked it by using it at 66% strength.
Ready for incredible timeless kitchen inspiration for a European Country feel? See this kitchen design story!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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