6 Ways to Upgrade Your Kitchen

The kitchen is one of those areas in the house that tends to get left behind, as it’s one of the most utilitarian parts of the home. Therefore, functionality comes first. 

It is however, as often said in interior design, the heart of the home. Especially if your kitchen and dining room share the same space. Maintaining functionality is very important, but as we spend a big part of our homelife in the kitchen, whether it’s for cooking, eating, or family time, it’s important to create a space that feels considered and nice to look at!

 

 

 

At Impera Italia, we don’t specialise in kitchens, but we have assisted designers and private clients alike in creating spaces that fits their vision. We supply several different materials for walls, and offer a one of a kind coating system, called Microcement that can be applied on worktops, splashbacks, floors and walls alike. 

If you want to learn about the key insights and tips we have learnt from assisting these projects, keep on reading!

 

1.Choose timeless colours

Picking the colours can already feel like a handful, as the options seem limitless. What can make the decision easier though, is opting for timeless colours, that will make sure your kitchen looks as good ten years from now, as it did when you designed it.

Timeless colours usually indicate neutral, earthy tones that can be as versatile as functional. Choosing these muted colours for the cabinets will make sure that you have an easy time choosing hardware and accessories, that will be much more budget-friendly to change, than a whole cabinetry! 

When considering the colours, the flooring tends to be left behind as well, as we like to opt for the same flooring throughout the home, at least on the same floor. 

If you feel bored of the wood floor or want something more durable, functional and versatile, take a look at the colours of our Microcement Kit, which gives you a modern concrete-like finish! It has a well-rounded selection of both cool and warm tones neutrals, that can be customised for a glossy or matt look, in countless different textures and finishes! 

For a modern, concrete-like feel, it is the best material and it can be applied on virtually any type of surface. 

If you want to sample all the colours, click here for a hand-applied Mood Board Set!

 

2.Consider the hardware

Picking the hardware does not seem like a priority when installing the kitchen, or even redecorating it, but it does make all the difference!

Opting for a classic, brass finish can elevate the entire look of the kitchen, especially if you match your lighting and accessories. And it does not need to be the most expensive, designer set! Beautiful handles luckily are available at a low cost, and you don’t need to go far to find them! 

 

3. Add a feature wall

Depending on the layout of your kitchen, adding a feature wall can add interest to the design and a whole new feel to the room, without having to redecorate everything!

At Impera Italia, we can proudly say that we help create beautiful feature walls, everyday of the week! Therefore, we also have a wide selection of products that can be used for accent walls, or entire rooms alike.

Deciding whether you want paint or a decorative plaster on the wall is the first step.

Venetian Plaster

If you’d like a plaster, we recommend the natural, lime-based ones, as they are breathable, which can be an important thing to consider for a relatively humid area like the kitchen. 

In our selection of  lime-based Venetian Plasters, we offer both highly textured or completely smooth finishes, which can be used on their own or combined with other products, such as our Metallic Paints, to create beautiful, bespoke finishes!

Paint

If you’d rather opt for a painted feature wall, we recommend a product like our Concrete Paint or Lime Eco, which are both lime-based, and aside from their highly breathable quality, they also have antifungal and antibacterial properties!

For a beautiful, contemporary finish, the Concrete Paint is the ideal choice, as it’s a low-cost and easy way to achieve a slightly textured, concrete-like finish!

Click here for a sample pot!

If you are interested in creating a stunning limewash, our Lime Eco is also a budget friendly product we launched a few months ago, to achieve the newly popular look! 

To test our Lime Eco, click here for a sample pot!

Both paints are DIY friendly options, and can be the perfect upgrade to your kitchen, done in a few hours! To enhance the durability of the finish, make sure to apply Decorfilm in Opacco, which will not only lend a modern matt look but reduce the cost of maintenance for the future!

 

4. Add a bespoke worktop and splashback

In order to really customise your kitchen, and create a timeless design, it’s best to avoid anything too trendy.

This is especially true when it comes to worktops and splashbacks. Trends come and go, but once these are installed, it’s one of the most expensive parts to change later, if we regret the decision. 

However, if we opt for something unique, that is bespoke made to match the rest of the design, it’s much less likely we will regret the choice. Our Continuo Microcement Kit includes everything you need for the installation of the coating system, and it provides a seamless, durable finish that stands the test of time. No matter what finish you had in mind, the options for Microcement are endless!

 

 

5. Mind the details

When it comes to décor, it’s often the small details that make a difference. Prioritising the small touches, like the hardware, the lighting or the accessorising can go a long way in making your home feel neat and luxe, without having to start from scratch. 

In order for the whole design to feel considered though, it’s always good to go the extra mile, and add details that are not necessarily useful, but are aesthetically pleasing, and add to the décor! According to livingetc.com, considering the small details such as the window treatment, the accessories ...etc. can make your kitchen feel a lot more expensive. 

Adding timeless objects that are also useful for example coasters, fruit bowls that have a uniform design, can also help if you want to add some nice finishing touches!

 

6. Mix and match the textures

Layering different textures is a must in all different areas of the house. Especially in a practical space like the kitchen, it’s easy to give up on the aesthetic details, when it reduces the functionality of the room.

But building the different “layers" of the room smartly, as in considering not just the colour, but the texture of the flooring, walls, textiles, splashbacks…etc. is going to make sure the overall look does not feel cold, and utilitarian. It’s the best tip if you want to have a neutral kitchen, but you don’t want it to look plain!

If you need some advice for your upcoming project, or you want to see the samples and different applications of the products, pop into our London Showroom or contact us at 0333 012 4396 or sales@imperaitalia.com!