Homeowners looking to update their kitchen might wish to create a focus on their windows, an expert has proposed.
Sam Tamlyn, operations manager at shutter and blind firm The California Company, said: “Make a feature out of your windows with bespoke wooden shutters, which are very popular in the Mediterranean for light and temperature control.”
He particularly recommended Yellow Poplar and Elm woods for kitchens as they have impressive durability and strength.
Furthermore, Mr Tamlyn advised home renovators to look out for the Forest Stewardship Council symbol when purchasing hard-wood products, which signifies that the material has not harmed the environment.
Those with kitchens featuring white-washed walls and tiles might wish to consider dark walnut or jet black shutters, as these will offset the neutral shades perfectly, he added.
In a recent Daily Mail kitchen article, Laura Sargent suggested Britons may like to furnish their kitchen in a country style, which is a simple look with earthenware pots, copper pans and patchwork pieces.
DIY enthusiasts are moving towards creating more exciting kitchens, according to television presenter Julia Kendell.
The BBC’s DIY SOS interior designer believes trends have changed recently, with more homeowners opting to prioritise constructing their perfect kitchens.
Due to the current economic climate, she suggests that people want to make the most of the “hub” of the home as they know it may be unlikely that they will move house in the near future.
In addition, she explains the benefit of an exciting kitchen to family life, as it creates a space that children want to spend time in with their parents and siblings, away from computer games and the internet.
For Ms Kendell, it is important to get “the space right in the first place so that it’s a sociable space and it works for all the family. It’s very important to get the kitchen right because it is the hub of the home”.
A recent YouGov survey published by Lloyds TSB Insurance revealed that over a million British homeowners performed structural work on their house in the last 12 months, while more than three million renovated their homes in the same time.
