February 28, 2012 | Posted In Interior Design

Kitchen Solutions: Finding Your Hook

When our friends tell us they’re planning their next kitchen remodel, they often drag out a scrapbook of photos and products they want in their dream kitchen. This is a great way to get buried under the idea of the perfect kitchen, but seldom results in a perfect design. The reason? Too many examples muddy the vision. To keep your design clear and in focus we recommend starting with a hook and building out from there.

In designer parlance the hook is the one unique element that pulls you in. A hook can be anything from a faucet to a backsplash. Here are some eye-catching features you can use to kick start your inspiration.

Colorful Tiles:

A colorful kitchen backsplash is a wonderful location to place at the center of attention. You can get really creative here with a variety of colors and shapes.

United Appliances:

retrolicious-white

It may seem like common sense, but starting with a matching set of refrigerator, ovens, or dishwasher is the perfect hook for a kitchen. You get the style you want and a look that unifies. Stainless steel is a great choice, but you can think behind that like this white set that gives your kitchen a retro feel.

Sculpture or Collection:

Collection

Have a piece of sculpture or collection that really means something to you and your family. A collection of copper molds provided a great starting point for this french country kitchen, but you can go modern or classic quite easily depending on the piece or collection.

Color Surprise:

color-pop-400w

Even if you want a traditional kitchen, the right object can provide a pop of color that takes your kitchen from dull to wow. For instance, a section of natural wood above painted cabinets plays really well.

Let us know what you choose as the hook for your kitchen in the comments below.

Photo Credits: Flickr CC-Licensed – BackSplash, AppliancesCollection, and Color Surprise