Dream of a Characterful Kitchen? Make It Happen

If the idea of a plain kitchen doesn’t appeal, and you’d prefer a design packed with character, you’ve come to the right place.

There’s no denying it – colour, texture and individuality are having a moment in kitchen design right now. It’s out with the all-white kitchen, and in with warm timbers, striking stone benchtops, colourful joinery, and personal touches, such as art and collectibles. The result is a kitchen that’s brimming with personality – a true heart of the home where you can gather, entertain, dine, and connect with those you love. 

If it’s a look you adore, you’re in luck. At Carlisle, we make it easy to bring loads of character into your kitchen, with a huge choice of kitchen designs, beautiful joinery and benchtop colours, door profiles, contemporary appliances, tile and flooring options – plus, of course, our luxury, no-cost inclusions, like Caesarstone benchtops.

Take a virtual walk through the kitchens in our stunning display homes, or check out our inspiration gallery to pick up loads of ideas for creating a cooking space that exudes personality. Or, if you want some practical tips on how to add character to a kitchen, read on for advice from our interior designers.

Welcome in colour

When it comes to adding character to your kitchen, adding coloured cabinetry is a great place to start. Muted sage, terracotta, soft grey, and dusty blue are all on-trend right now, while navy is a perennial favourite and bold black makes a statement. Or opt for a beautiful timber finish, such as oak or walnut, for instant warmth and a natural vibe. Alternatively, look to mix coloured and timber cabinetry for a distinctive look.

Add depth and dimension with profiled doors, be it classic Shaker or the country vibes of v-groove panelling.

Choose a statement benchtop

Create an eye-catching focal point with luxurious stone benchtops, or one of our many Laminex options, including soft neutral, timber- and concrete-effect styles.

Have you chosen an EasyLiving home? Check out our three gorgeous new colour schemes, all rich in personality.

Include open shelves

Choose a kitchen design with open shelving where you can let your personality shine with beautifully styled vignettes made up of indoor plants, cookbooks, and ceramics. Or specify glazed overhead cabinetry doors where you can showcase your favourite glassware or a collection of vases.

Consider a tiled splashback

Add texture and visual impact with a stunning tiled splashback. We offer plenty of options, from chic, herringbone-patterned marble tiles, and textural kit-kat mosaics, to eye-catching tiles in fan and lantern shapes, so you can really make your kitchen your own.

Make a feature of appliances

Dial up your kitchen’s convivial flavour by choosing a freestanding range cooker in stainless steel black or white. Today’s range cookers come in a variety of sizes, including fairly compact ones, making it easy to add character to either a small kitchen, or one that boasts generous dimensions.

Turn up the texture

Bar stools and pendant lights in woven natural materials, such as wicker and rattan, look fantastic paired with stone, timber and earthy neutral tones. Seek out pieces in simple shapes with plenty of texture to amp up the contrast, while emphasising your kitchen’s relaxed and welcoming feel.

Keep it clear

A characterful kitchen naturally draws people in, so make it inviting by keeping benchtops clear of clutter. A walk-in pantry lined with shelves, or a butler’s pantry, which has the added advantage of a prep space and sink, gives you somewhere to store small appliances, kitchen gadgets, snack jars, and pantry items, easing pressure on your main kitchen work surfaces.

Liven up the walls with art

Nothing beats art for adding individuality to a kitchen. Brighten up the walls of your kitchen with bold, abstract prints, family portraits, travel photography, or even the kids’ colourful creations, and see how it instantly sparks conversation when guests come around.