INSINKERATOR^® BRAND AMBASSADOR, KELLY HOPPEN CBE, SHARES KITCHEN DESIGN TIPS

InSinkErator^® brand ambassador, and renowned interior designer, Kelly Hoppen CBE, recommends key kitchen design tips to help you think creatively about your next kitchen project.

Kelly’s own personal style includes creating harmonious, neutral interiors where people, art and objects are the colour in the home. For Kelly, the home is very much about living and how it’s used. It must look beautiful, but at the same time be practical. Kelly Hoppen CBE has endorsed the entire InSinkErator^® portfolio of specialist kitchen taps and food waste disposers.

Since the global pandemic, creating individual spaces within the home is key and what's interesting is the kitchen, which Kelly believes is the heart of the modern home. The kitchen is the hub of the home, it’s for the entire family, the one room in the house that everyone uses and it’s this element which makes the kitchen and the way it’s designed so important.

Kelly Hoppen CBE recommends:

• Before designing their dream kitchen, encourage your customers to take a look at their existing set-up and pinpoint what works and what doesn’t work. From here, you can determine what you need to prioritise in their layout, fixtures and highlight the ‘must-have’ features in their new design. 

• The heart of the modern home is the kitchen; it’s where we tend to meet, eat, cook, and entertain. Personality and detail are important in the design scheme, but don’t underestimate the importance of functionality here; the last thing you want is to be nudging guests out of the way to reach for serving utensils. 

• The perfect entertainment area also needs to double up as an everyday living space; ask your customers to visualise the time they regularly spend in the kitchen and work around that. Whether it’s placing a quiet armchair beside the window for their morning coffee and a moment’s meditation or positioning the dining table to soak up the afternoon light while they work or write.

• I’m a big believer that less is more in a kitchen space, so installing discreet, convenient products is always a priority. One great time and space-saving tool that I always fall back on is an InSinkErator^® steaming hot water tap, perfect for a quick cup of tea. Also, a simple way to boost sustainability is with an InSinkErator^® food waste disposer, diverting organic matter away from landfill and into a circular economy. 

The, Kelly Hoppen endorsed, InSinkErator^® Showroom Collection includes a variety of specialist kitchen taps and food waste disposers, designed to complement a range of kitchen styles and décor preferences, offering convenient, time-saving and sustainable benefits to the end user. To highlight the partnership, trade partners have access to a brochure, featuring imagery of Kelly Hoppen using InSinkErator^® products in her own country-style home and complementary POS for their showroom. In addition, via a dedicated webpage, trade partners have access to a library of downloadable website assets, social media content and videos to use across their own marketing channels.

Additional kitchen design tips from Kelly Hoppen CBE:

• Lighting, both natural and artificial, is incredibly important to consider in any room, but particularly in the kitchen. I find that natural light can really uplift my mood, so I prefer to go for tall, open windows that let the light in at all times throughout the day. As you move into the evening, warm, subtle lighting creates an atmosphere, while being easy on the eyes.

• Discuss investing in a beautiful dining table as the focal point of their space. Time spent around the table with family and friends is so valuable and cherished, and the design should reflect this. I find that minimal centrepieces, such as plants or ceramics, can add charm without cluttering, and suspended, sculptural lighting offers a warm overhead glow that really invites you over. 

• While I may be biased, a neutral colour palette is always a great base to start with. This will allow you to play around with layers, adding metals like nickel or copper for an industrial touch, or cool, contemporary appliances that already act as statement pieces. People often forget how much room there is for creativity in the small details, like handmade drawer handles and luxury utensils.

• Hiding handcrafted plates and dinnerware away in cupboards seems a shame when they can make such gorgeous displays. I find that shelving can be a statement piece that is more accessible and provides an opportunity to show off any beautiful ceramic pieces. 

• Using elegant storage displays for utensils can add detail to a space while helping to keep worktops clutter-free. Wicker baskets are great for tableware, napkins, and cutlery, and can be tucked away neatly. Kilner jars are a timeless classic in any kitchen, whether it’s for storing dry ingredients, or for pickles and ferments, they can add layers of natural textures and colours to the kitchen shelf.