Dee Coleman's Kitchen Tips and Trends

Interior designer and TV personality Dee Coleman shares some of her top kitchen design tips. [Paid Partnership]

Green kitchens

We all live busy lives, so kitchens with colours inspired by nature can help create a sense of calm. Dee is a big fan of green kitchens. They range from the darker contemporary style Modica Forest Green to the sage Mirano and Oslo kitchens. Regardless of the door style, the overall feel of the kitchen can be completely changed depending on the handle type, worktop or appliances. For instance, black handles can create a modern vibe, while brass is more traditional.

Storage

"Most people want to come into their kitchen and be able to feel a sense of calm", Dee tells us. "Clever kitchen storage is really important". Some good examples include full-height units and the Le Mans corner storage. The full-height storage eliminates the dead space which is typically found between the tops of cupboards and the ceiling. Meanwhile, the Le Mans shelf ensures that corners don't become dead zones in the kitchen. "This lovely, kidney-shaped shelf is really useful for pots and pans", says Dee.

Concealed storage is a great way to clear countertops of clutter. One great solution is the Bifold Units. Inside, there is a wine rack, glasses holders, shelves, a socket and space for appliances. "So, the things that you don't want on show", explains Dee. "Once you're done using them, close the door over - clear countertops". The Prestige Larder is another favourite of Dee's. "It has open doors with spice racks on either side and a full-depth countertop", says Dee. "The best bit is the one metre wide drawers. Three of them!".

Smart Appliances

There are some really smart appliances that add functionality while also saving time on your daily chores. Dee has two in her own kitchen - the Quooker boiling water tap and the Faber downdraft extractor fan. "They're a really useful addition to any kitchen".

Seating arrangements

"For my own kitchen, I absolutely wanted everybody to congregate there", Dee tells us. "But I also needed to have protection from the chaos of everybody being under my feet. I achieved that by having two different seating zones, one on an island and one on a window seat". She positioned the window seat at 90 degrees to the island, so that people can chat and avoid being lined up like a row of ducks. Dressers can also be used as a spot to perch with a cup of tea.

Cottage style

Dee tells us that a cottage-style kitchen is very flexible and can work nicely with awkward corners and nooks and crannies. To achieve this, a white shaker-style door like the Augusta White is best. Then this can be paired with a natural effect worktop and brushed brass accessories to create a more lived-in feel.