Design

Like any creative field, interior design has a unique set of trends that emerge every year and set the course for new designs. While we at Apollo Kitchens tend to draw from a classic lookbook of styles, we’re also privy to the latest trends and innovations in interior design. We love to incorporate elements of old and new into clients’ projects. So what have the biggest design trends of 2018 been so far? We take a look back on the last six months to see what’s happened so far. Natural elements This year has seen a huge rise in the number of designs that incorporate natural elements, whether that’s in the visible wood grain of benches and cupboards, or the rich, earthy colour palettes. Indoor plants have also made a comeback with fiddle leaf ferns, monstera, rubber trees and hanging baskets providing an organic backdrop. Clean lines Some years, designers incorporate bold, fussy

The movement towards minimalism has meant that more and more people are choosing quality items that they'll adore for their kitchen designs. And we couldn’t be happier. While it can be tempting to choose many low-cost items to renovate many rooms at once, you’ll receive far superior outcomes when you focus on one element at a time, and truly think about the look you want to achieve. At Apollo Kitchens, we value beautifully designed products and long-lasting natural elements – and want to create homes that reflect our clients’ lifestyles and personalities. The only way to do this is to carefully plan and select items that aren’t just gorgeous but will last for years to come. Materials will last longer Investing in high-quality materials and artistry ensures your renovation remains faultless for as long as possible. Choose natural stones, woods and fibres over synthetic kinds and your kitchen will age gracefully.

Making changes in your home is one sure way of increasing the value when it comes time to sell, but there are certain things that will appeal to buyers more than others. Whether you’re looking to sell now and want some easy ways to boost your income, or you have plans to sell in the future and want to safeguard your investment, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Get the most value for your money and select the most cost-effective renovations that will give you the highest return. Here’s how we at Apollo Kitchens ensure your renovation will benefit your pocket. Stick to a timeless design palette While we love interior design quirks and want to help your personality shine through in your reno, pre-sale is not the right moment to do this. When you’re about to put your home on the market, avoid passing trends and

Ever wonder why the best home chefs seem to work effortlessly and without stress? They chop vegetables, sear meat and season with the perfect combination of herbs and spices – all without breaking a sweat. The secret to stress-free cooking is an organised foundation. When everything is in its place, you’ll be able to reach for the implement or ingredient you need at the right point in the recipe. No more digging around drawers or poring through your pantry to locate what you need. While at Apollo Kitchens we know a thing or two about intelligent kitchen design, we also know how to maximise your use of space to get the best results. Here are our top tips for a streamlined process from start to finish. Keep commonly used items close by While you want to steer away from cluttered countertops, you should still employ logic when it comes

These days, businesses and individuals are striving more and more to decrease their footprints and design more ethical ways of working. What better place to start than in the kitchen, where decisions about materials, appliances, energy, finishes and lighting can all make a difference to a business’s green credentials. Whether you have an established business and are looking to refit your kitchen space, designing a complete apartment block, or just looking for ways to greenify your residential kitchen, there are several steps you can take to make a more ethical, modern kitchen. Here, the team at Apollo Kitchens runs through our top tips for greenifying your commercial space. With decades of experience designing functional, stylish kitchens, we’re able to create attractive, on-brand and green kitchens for your home or business by managing the whole project from start to finish. Lighting In modern design, beautiful lighting is often a non-negotiable and the right

Renovating your kitchen is a great step to take when you want to upgrade your lifestyle and add value to your home. Not only will a brand new kitchen let you cook and entertain more seamlessly, when it comes time to sell, you’ll be able to reap your return on investment. If you’ve got your heart set on a kitchen renovation – or are just exploring your options – we’re making it easy with our top things to consider before paying your first deposit. Hire a professional project manager Like with any big project, it can be challenging to manage a wealth of moving parts on your own. From sourcing products to hiring contractors and abiding by local legislation, it can be unwieldy to juggle it all. Instead of managing the renovation yourself – and risk compromising quality – hire a professional project manager. At Apollo Kitchens, our managers streamline the process

Your bench-top is arguably the most attention-grabbing piece in your kitchen, and it fulfills an essential day-to-day purpose, too. Nail the look, and you can make your bench-top can work wonders for you. Miss the mark and you could be left with a drab centerpiece that does nothing to match your needs. These days, you have the freedom to choose from a wide range of materials, finishes and styles when it comes to designing your space. But this wide range of options can also be overwhelming, as you struggle to pinpoint which material is right for you. In this post, the team at Apollo Kitchens have put together a list of materials for your kitchen bench that don’t just look brilliant but are incredibly durable too. [gallery type="slideshow" link="none" size="full" ids="8587,8586,8585,8584"] Stone Stone is an elegant choice for your bench-top and, depending on the type of stone you choose, can be a

With the rise of technological innovation, our devices are becoming smaller, smarter and more useful – and nowhere is this more apparent than in the kitchen. While some inventions may seem like useless gadgets, others promise to make our lives more efficient by giving home chefs a way to enjoy life and delicious food without spending hours in the kitchen. At Apollo Kitchens, we handpick technology from our partner kitchen suppliers, and incorporate new innovations into every design. Not only does this make your kitchen more stylish, but it will remain more functional for years to come. Here are some of our favourite pieces of large and small kitchen technology. Large appliances When you’re building or renovating, there are several innovative options to choose from when it comes to your kitchen. Including a few choice electronics in your kitchen’s layout means you’ll be cooking smarter for years to

One of the joys of having a young family is entertaining the littles ones whilst cooking. Kids love to help out in the kitchen, and we can all remember a Saturday afternoon when we were kids, helping mum and dad bake or prepare a delicious batch of homemade cakes and scones. When designing a child-friendly kitchen you want a harmonious balance of three things: design, safety and nutrition. We have put together this guide for creating the perfect child-friendly kitchen, so that you and your youngsters can have fun cooking in a safe and relaxed environment. A Design the Whole Family Can Enjoy  The wonderful thing about creating a kid-friendly kitchen is the way in which it can be accessible and versatile whilst also looking incredibly stylish. Creating a child-friendly kitchen does not mean sacrificing the style and luxury of a modern kitchen – it can even enhance it! Add the following

Whilst we all want a kitchen we can be proud to show off to friends and family, we have to remember that a great kitchen means far more than just an aesthetically-pleasing design. It’s no use having a stylish island, marble benchtop and chrome fridge if they ruin the functionality of the space. It may sound cliché, but when designing the perfect kitchen, you need to master the balance between form and function. You want the kitchen to look good but that simply serves no purpose if you find yourself running into other people, digging through drawers for hard to reach items and preparing food on a counterspace smaller than your chopping board. Apollo Kitchens has put together a guide for creating this rewarding balance between style and practicality, because we want your kitchen to look stunning whilst benefiting your cooking. Read on to find out how to create a kitchen