Turning kitchens into tactile treasures
Turning kitchens into tactile treasures
In today’s busy world our kitchens need to do more than ever; they’re places to cook, connect, work, and unwind. But when it comes to designing your space is it all too easy to focus solely on layout, cabinetry and colour? Well, we’ve got another element to bring to the kitchen table which can dramatically transform a room without overpowering it: texture.
A vital utensil in helping to delineate zones, define character and soften the utilitarian aspects of a busy space, texture is the lynch-pin to lived-in luxury. When cleverly used, it allows our kitchens to feel warm, layered and inviting, adding that human element into the mixing bowl and making your kitchen not just a place to prepare meals, but a space that nourishes you in every sense.
In this blog we explore how you can elevate your kitchen design by layering textures, giving you a room which is more personal, warm and full of life, not just purely functional but wonderfully inviting.
![Contemporary kitchen design and luxury handmade kitchens in Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rencraft-November-2024-28-scaled.jpg")
One of the things our clients love about smooth surfaces are their sleek and modern feel, but it’s important to avoid the risk of such styles feeling cold or even clinical, and this is where the use of texture comes in.
By introducing contrasting textures, surfaces engage the senses by inviting touch, in turn creating visual layers to a space and helping to define the ambience of a room. Whether it’s a tactile blackboard wall, subtly reeded glass, or the warmth of brushed brass handles, all these elements serve to add richness and character.
This example of a contemporary kitchen island is from the House of Rencraft display in our Tunbridge Wells showrooms. Here we used this Hendel & Hendel Barrington Collection ribbed handle to help break up the uniformity of the slab doors and provide an eye-catching accent which is as beautiful as it is functional.
![Contemporary luxury kitchen with exposed brick, handmade butcher's block and Gaggenau hob.](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rencraft-March-2025-18-scaled.jpg")
If you’re looking to introduce an instant dollop of warmth and soul into your kitchen, then why not consider incorporating natural materials like wood, stone and brick into your kitchen design? Textures such as these create an organic feel by connecting us to nature and create a timeless quality to be enjoyed for years to come.
Here are some of our favourite suggestions:
Wood worktops or butcher’s blocks add a soft, organic feel which contrast beautifully with polished stone.
Exposed brick or stone walls offer rustic charm and a sense of permanence and longevity.
Tongue and groove panelling is a versatile option, offering both traditional and contemporary appeal, as well as a nod to our expert craftsmanship.
Limewash walls provide an earthy, textured backdrop that creates a bespoke, luxury look.
All these textures not only look stunning but also reflect light and shadow in interesting ways, adding depth and nuance to your kitchen without relying on bold colours or patterns.
![Farrow & Ball Studio Green handpainted cabinetry with glazed fronts](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Rencraft-March-2024-29-scaled.jpg")
If you want to introduce texture while maintaining a light, airy feel, then we recommend choosing glazed cabinetry with reeded glass fronts. The elegant ridges create textural interest without sacrificing brightness and reflect light in delicate patterns, providing opportunity to create a feature of ceramics and collectibles whose colourful silhouettes peer out from behind the glass.
Traditionally, reeded glass is used vertically but we love the way in which you can disguise the presence of carefully positioned shelves behind horizontally reeded glass, giving the impression that the items behind are floating or suspended in air.
And if injecting visual interest with a sprinkling of individuality is one of your goals, why not speak to one of our designers about creating a look which packs a punch with the use of marble splash backs, metallic finishes or handcrafted tiles to name just a few.
![Appliance Garage Bi-folding doors with window seat in a luxury handmade kitchen in Sevenoaks](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/210930_Rencraft-DH_0108-Edit_HG-5_Screen.jpg")
If you have the luxury of space then why not take full advantage of your four walls by adding atmosphere and personality to your kitchen? Whatever your style or vibe, you can accentuate your look by adding a striking contrast to your cabinetry just like these:
If you love an urban, contemporary feel then exposed brick work with its warm tones and lived in feel is for you.
Perhaps you have chosen smooth, glass-fronted cabinetry, so why not add a little grit with some textured walls for a matte contrast?
Or if you want to create a real wow factor, then you’ll be delighted to hear that wallpaper with bold patterns is making a stylish comeback.
Whether you want to create a striking backdrop or subtly enhance your aesthetic, choosing the right textural elements will allow you to beautifully and effortlessly pair classic and contemporary styles.
![Luxury bespoke kitchen design in Tunbridge Wells with a handmade kitchen island with hand painted doors, a BORA hob and a marble worktop.](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rencraft-Feb-24-4-scaled.jpg")
Another kitchen trend we are wholeheartedly embracing is the use of mixed materials, especially on worktops and islands, where we love combining natural stone with wood, metal surfaces and ceramic worktops, simultaneously allowing functional versatility whilst layering textures.
In this example from our Italian Kitchen display in our Tunbridge Wells showrooms, our kitchen island has a 50mm Carrara marble worktop with traditional detail around the edge which we complemented with a round butcher’s block made from end grain oak on top of a curved drum at one end.
This blend of materials creates a considered, layered design that balances practicality with beauty which could be achieved equally well through the addition of one of our freestanding butcher’s blocks or tables to your existing kitchen.
![Luxury handmade bespoke shaker kitchen in Tunbridge Wells with hand painted kitchen island and seating.](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dale-Cottage-29-scaled.jpg")
And if you’re not sure you want to go the whole hog, then worry not because texture isn’t limited to the big elements, it’s in the details too. Here are some of our top tips on how little finishing touches can complete your kitchen with small splashes of tactile elements which you can update or add to with ease.
Soft furnishings like upholstered stools or bench cushions on banquette seating add comfort and warmth and can be chosen and switched up to match the season.
Woven pendant shades cast a diffused, gentle light that softens hard surfaces, making them a perfect addition for your kitchen island.
Handles and taps are a brilliant way to add metallic contrast to your kitchen with a huge range of colours, shapes & finishes to choose from.
Flooring in natural stone, solid or engineered wood adds durability while anchoring the space from the ground up in natural tones and textures.
![Luxury bespoke kitchen design in Tunbridge Wells and award-winning showrooms by Calverley Park](https://www.rencraft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/tunbridgwellsshowrooms-scaled.jpg")
In kitchen design, texture is where vision meets touch and that’s why it’s so important to visit our kitchen showrooms in person, so you can get a feel for our eclectic range of styles, looks and bespoke, handmade cabinetry.
If you would like to talk one of our designers about your new kitchen or living space project, please call us on 01732 762682 or email info@rencraft.co.uk to make an appointment. Alternatively, you can contact us via the button below.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.
