11 vibrant kitchens that will inspire your next renovation

From the lichen hue of the floor tiles to the pōhutukawa red of the steel beam, this kitchen outwardly reflects its setting. For these homeowners, the kitchen truly is the heart of the home. They both love to cook and often spend hours baking and creating in the space. The colours needed to work well functionally, defining different zones, while still feeling cohesive with the rest of the house.

In a quiet Nelson neighbourhood sits a modest three-bedroom cottage with Georgian windows, a hip roof, and a history spanning over a century. The homeowners found this pre-loved shaker-style kitchen for just $2000, a deal they consider incredibly lucky, and were able to use it in this space. Painted in Aalto Half Lure, a soft, powdery blue, the kitchen warms up the otherwise dark space.

Over many catch-ups, interior designer Caitlin Perry of Setsquare Studio and graphic designer Miriam McWilliam of Studio Mimi Moon reimagined Miriam’s 1990s brick home.

In the reimagined kitchen, sunshine pours in through a new skylight and filters in via glass double doors that open to the alfresco dining area. The luxurious bronze splashback adds colour to the wood-toned kitchen, shifting from gold to deep olive as the light changes throughout the day.

Stained glass windows inspired the colour palette in this home. Pinks, greens, lilacs, and yellows appear throughout, creating joyful, bold accents in unexpected places. The kitchen island makes the boldest statement in the entire home. The homeowners painted it in Resene Good Life – the same colour they chose for their kids’ bedrooms. The green instantly brightens the space and adds personality, and ties in beautifully with the stone of the benchtop, splashback, and floral curtains.

Erina Emery has always had an eye for what looks good. Once adept at making people look their best, the fashion designer-turned-interior expert Erina Emery prefers designing homes.

One of the most captivating spaces is the kitchen, a blend of colour and pattern that remains functional and designed by her. “I wanted something unique and interesting,” she says. “I chose Aalto’s Half Epiphany Pink, which is a soft, bright, but muted pink. We paired it with one white wall to avoid it being too overpowering.”

“Although the original kitchen was super cute, it felt outdated and didn’t suit everyday use,” says the homeowner. “So, we enlarged it and reoriented it to overlook the garden and distant sea views.”

A substantial powder blue island now anchors the kitchen. It provides the perfect spot for informal meals or gathering people together.

This homeowner can’t get enough of her kitchen. “At night, we sit and stare at the tiles over a cup of tea; they always look stunning,” she says.

The homeowners started with the green cupboards, then worked with an interior designer to find a colour to unify the space. They chose a soft pink hue to make the green pop, which has been reflected in various shades throughout the room.

“I knew I wanted a beautiful green kitchen. I find green such a relaxing colour to live with. When you’re surrounded by pattern and colour, you also need a relaxing space,” explains Bonnie Ashley of Bonnie & Neil

The result became her “favourite room in the house”. Neil designed the kitchen and built all the joinery, lining it with meticulously finished cabinetry. But the expanses of Belize quartzite steal the show. “I spent nearly a year looking at every piece of green stone at every supplier in Melbourne. When I found those pieces of quartzite, there was just enough,” she says.

Being a high-use area, these homeowners were happy to invest in this family-friendly kitchen. They chose a solid timber benchtop paired with ply cabinetry, and assigned specific storage for different kitchen needs. The white-painted ply cabinetry feels crisp and clean against the olive-green kitchen island.

Walking through this home, you first notice the warmth and charm of the old villa. Then, the sun-drenched brilliance of the new extension and the vibrant green kitchen catch your eye.

“Right from the outset, the homeowners were open to something different – not a white kitchen,” says interior designer Katie Peck. “They had considered sage green, but I wanted to give them a more vibrant shade that better suits the space and their style.”

This heritage home is flooded with colour. Originally stark white, the owners didn’t want their home to look like everyone else’s, so they added colour throughout. In the kitchen, soft blush pink tones appear throughout, complementing the warmth of the timber cabinetry.