Cabinetry

A bank of open-grain, dark-stained Ash timber cabinetry sits behind the island in this kitchen, containing the integrated fridge, cooktop and storage

Why not make your place your own? For this character kitchen, a feature wood pigeon laser-cut metal panel on the island creates a breakfast welcome 

 A German-made AgeExplorer suit, offered at Blum showrooms, lets you simulate aging first hand – helping you choose kitchen and bathroom products that will work for you now and in the future

Mesh cabinet door inserts in this kitchen are in keeping with the home's heritage status – bi-fold cabinet doors below offer quick access

You don't have to hit your guests over the head with a paint box – this kitchen makes an elegant play of black, white and grey tones

This pantry houses appliances at the kitchen end while at the living room end box frame doors and woven brass metal inlay evoke a furniture-like feel

The departure from a traditional island with bar stools suited the owners of this kitchen who adore sitting around the cantilever table – it feels more inclusive and social to face guests

The chunky marble-look island is this contemporary, airy kitchen's leading feature – enhanced by the dramatic skylight structure rising above it

This kitchen features an up-to-the-minute technology hub in the island while the panelled cabinetry reflects a more traditional air

The new Aventos HKi stay lift from Blum blends seamlessly into furniture – making cabinetry operation silky smooth, effortless and stylish

This bold, contemporary kitchen – complete with Laminex soft touch, in Pitch Black, island – is ideally situated to take in the adjacent golf course

This kitchen combines rich timber tones (Natural Teak by Laminex), dark textured engineered stone (Black Tempal by Caesarstone), and matte black laminate (Terril Abolsute Matte by Laminex) 

Is there a more natural, complementary and refined look than pairing wood cabinetry with stone benchtops and splashbacks – this kitchen certainly puts a strong case 

Decorative mesh-fronted cabinetry in this kitchen recalls a time when dedicated meshed cabinets allowed fresh air to pass through to keep goods cool 

For this crisp charcoal and white kitchen, the ceiling-mounted Siemens rangehood is disguised through the choice of a mirrored housing 

Parents of young children never look at furniture quite the same way again – this rounded island with no sharp corners spells peace of mind

Wood and grained marble make for the perfect material marriage in this kitchen – especially when both are bathed in natural light  

Not only does this scullery disappear into the cabinetry, when it is left on show its veneer wall finishes offer a continuation of the kitchen's own livery

Never mind the drip feed of breakfast items while you sit starving – here, everything arrives together courtesy of a surprising storage element on hydraulic lift   

This kitchen table fits snuggly into the kitchen island, expanding the latter's work area, or can be pulled away for separate social or dining use

The island has an understated presence in this kitchen, merging as it does with the identical Canaletto American Walnut cabinetry finish behind

In this kitchen, the brassy Melamine Patina battening around the island resurfaces on the rangehood – bringing linear uniformity to the space

Takeaways are a given for this kitchen thanks to the cut-out shelving complete with fitted wooden trays below the island's cantilevered benchtop

Horizontal crown-cut American white oak, stained in a darker tone, frames Natural Antique Brown Granite for this moody kitchen island

A hidden scullery is a neat surprise feature that keeps the kitchen tidy in this custom Landmark Homes design

While a floor-to-ceiling wall of warm wood cabinetry hides design issues for this penthouse kitchen, the scullery continues off to one side in understated fashion

A rustic dresser stands alongside new wood cabinetry here while a pale green lining element in the latter connects back to the former

Need a substantial island but sometimes need the floorspace more – this kitchen's relocatable island on castors caters to both scenarios

This articulated island includes room for a niche cubbyhole – a case of design and function working playfully together

Cabinetry proportions offer a valuable design tool – here, the height of the cabinets was extended to emphasis the kitchen within the room 

The feature dark brown silk granite on this kitchen island evokes a sense of movement while floor to ceiling windows opposite keep things light

This Hampton's style kitchen and interior celebrates stone in more than one way – interior-lit, glass-fronted upper cabinetry helps keep things light

A grid of glass windows in a black cabinetry framework adds charm to this kitchen while the top row are in fluted glass for less on-show inclusions

There's nothing like wood surfaces to connect you to nature and by extension the natural setting – here, even the island joins the party

Crisp white cabinetry might seem understated compared to the island benchtop in this kitchen – but why not let an artwork stand out against a blank canvas?

Mirror panels bounce light and create a sense of even greater space for the rear cabinetry in this kitchen – the reflected mountain view is okay, too

In this long, linear kitchen, slimline detailing allows the dark-stained cabinetry to express as a pure and simplistic monolithic form

Lead designer at Akzente Lara Farmilo shares insights on what's in and what's coming, referencing leading German architectural kitchen company Poggenpohl

In this sleek kitchen, two tall appliance cabinets are custom designed in super matt black with matching roller doors and sensor lighting 

Forget tea or juice, this kitchen caters to finer tastes – the swirling granite surfaces are matched with Champagne Gold cabinetry, by Poggenpohl

The architect: We approached the design of the kitchen in the same way you would approach the design of a bespoke item of joinery. It is, after all, often the most expensive joinery item in the house

With the near historic advent of open-plan living we don't usually close the door on the kitchen – that is unless it is this discreet meets functional workspace

Recessed cabinetry pulls were specified for this scenic kitchen – ensuring the chef's clothes don't get caught up in the dinnertime rush

While the architecture is crisp overhead, the kitchen island and furniture have a more rounded presence – also a safe option for parents with runaround children

Wood veneer wraps the entrance wall into this kitchen, flowing through to the cabinetry and hidden scullery door to create unity between kitchen and living

Melteca Bayleaf green cabinetry accentuates this kitchen – the hub of the holiday home – while reflecting the earthy tones of its rural setting

This kitchen island became the centrepiece of an industrial design direction, a unique framed system allowing it to float above the floor

A Dark Ink Green-painted cabinet breaks up a sea of serene white cabinetry in this kitchen – adding warmth and soul to the design menu

The back wall of this kitchen is a feature element seen from the living space – cabinetry doors in a grid pattern are slightly proud of the surround paneling

Flexibility is the name of the game in this kitchen that boasts an island on castors which can rolled anywhere as spacial/entertaining needs dictate

This pared back cabinet block has motor drive for the drawers and pull-outs leaving only vertical handles for tall cupboards and integrated fridges

For this family meets entertainers kitchen, the use of a retractable door system allowed for ovens, storage and the drinks zone to be hidden when not in use

You've heard of sliding doors, well how about sliding splashbacks – if you prefer a clean look from your living space, this could be part of the plan

White and wood make great decor fellows, and same can be said for black and wood – for this kitchen even the dining table joins the cabinetry's two-tone party

The framing of this kitchen island gives it the character of a large wooden table – breakfast seating and white cabinet forms fill in the gaps

A dark hood within a forest of green cabinetry – this new kitchen in a two-storey addition already feels like a much-loved classic

Out of this kitchen's dramatic black cabinetry comes internal lighting – and a wealth of quickly to hand functionality

If the space in front of this contemporary plywood kitchen looks a little empty, it's because its island on wheels has been rolled away stage left

There's nothing like mesh cabinet panel inserts to add to that farmhouse feel – perhaps a throw back to pre-refrigeration, where mesh panels kept things breezy, cool and fresh

Two cabinetry styles in proximity each celebrate the other through delightful contrast – lacquer meets wood grain, just across the way

If handles are the jewels of your cabinetry then this kitchen's got it going on with textured vertical black handles that are a pleasure to look at and use

While the gold 'treasure' is centrally on display, this kitchen still has some secrets to reveal – namely hidden doorways in the perimeter cabinetry

A curvaceous white island is teamed with a black linear glass-fronted display cabinetry in this kitchen – the contrast of tone and form benefitting both elements

Custom artistic rose gold trim cabinetry detailing, brass tapware, and designer pendants combine to take this kitchen to the next level

This kitchen is strictly black and white – showing the striking impact that the simple and bold choice of having two tones and no colour can achieve

The stone box at one end of this kitchen island is 3m long and matches the length of the slab on the cooktop bench behind – bringing symmetry

The subtle curves in the splashback, custom Astra walker brass tap, and steel legs on the island soften the hard and dark surfaces in this kitchen

This kitchen island is not shy about stepping forward – sleek planes meet elegant composition to create the highly sculptural (and highly functional) feature 

A soothed mind makes for a relaxed chef, which in turn makes for an enjoyable family meal – well, whatever the reasoning, this dedicated drinks station is readily to hand

That's the thing with marble, it ages with character and just keeps getting better – even brand new, as on this solid marble-clad island, it looks spectacular

Reeded glass cabinetry fronts add to this kitchen's sense of lightness and creating a pleasing intimation of cupboard contents without laying them bare

A large gleaming scullery standing ready for behind the scenes duty is a loose material echo of this front-of-house entertainer's kitchen

With sleek finishing and a refined cabinetry selection, Arclinea’s award winning Convivium forms a top of the range, highly durable & luxurious space 

Aren't humans funny? First we want the once-tucked-away kitchen to come out and join the living spaces, then we employ clever ways to conceal it all over again

This kitchen is to the side of an expansive, open-plan living space – an American white oak frame underpins the cuboid island's leading surfaces

Not all islands have to resemble a small aircraft carrier – this U-shaped kitchen with tall wall cabinets works well with a modest, circular, central version

Much as this home's timber cladding connects with its lush bush setting, so too does the natural-toned kitchen cabinetry and wood floor

This kitchen's cabinetry colours and textures make it both backdrop and focal point – offsetting the sandblasted brick that reveals the character of the original warehouse

Crowned with natural light from a skylight, this kitchen furthers its airy feel with reed glass-fronted cabinets, including on the island

For this kitchen, the pantry is hidden behind pocket doors while an entry door was removed and replaced by large double cavity slider doors

Pursuing a modern Queenslander look, this kitchen's cabinetry gives the standard Shaker profile a run for its money, matched here with Ash Marble 

To achieve this door system the designer worked on the finer details of the folding doors to allow them to bi-fold and still return into the dedicated niche

The materiality of this modest-sized kitchen was explored through a seductive and contemporary palette of black porcelain and timber cabinetry

Anything taking pride of place on the open, under-lit shelving gracing the front of this kitchen island is prominently on display to the wider space

Continuing the exterior palette, American walnut veneer meets hard-wearing Meltica surfaces (and granite benchtops) in this two-tone kitchen

Large sliding doors peel away and this home's silvered vertical cedar board cladding continues inside within the main breezeway and on the kitchen cabinetry

In a home that's all about the spectacular views, this stone-clad island in a leathered finish seems to further lead the eye to the sea outlook

This faceted island includes a geometrically sculpted benchtop overhang – the more you look, the more detail there is in the upfront feature

Picturesque water vistas soften out this home’s dark colour palette – moody, semi-industrial kitchen cabinetry included

To visually simplify this design and to allow the island's curves to be the standout feature, the cabinetry is cohesively matched to the Corian benchtop

Stained wood meets white granite in this kitchen – the island front is finished in the same vertical weatherboard as the home’s cladding

White kitchen cabinetry and a 4m-long Caeasarstone Snow island countertop provide a soft contrast to the warm timber interior of this home

In this Landmark design, a sneaky pivot door opens to reveal the workhorse scullery behind – all part of a tailored response to the homeowner's needs

Timbers of all tones are popular – with rustic or exaggerated grains being wire brushed to emphasise their 'realness' – Natalie Du Bois, Du Bois Design

This up-to-the-minute kitchen includes classic design nods such as crisp panelled cabinet doors and traditional mouldings on the rangehood

Bob Dylan would approve of this modern white on wood kitchen featuring a combination of white laminate and hoop pine veneer cabinetry

Push-to-open mechanisms for the wall units and drawers avoided the need for cabinet handles or pulls that would have cluttered this design

This kitchen presents as a piece of uninterrupted joinery, cantilevering out from the main wall in a contrasting material – black blackbutt veneer

There's nothing like design continuity – for this kitchen, the cabinetry and batten screen are both in the same handsome Navurban veneer 

This marble-topped baking island is finished in pressed steel – part of an industrial look, and scale, kitchen (although the family cat appears underwhelmed)

This hoop pine meets white laminate kitchen's understated palette and clean-lined cabinetry mean it forms a quiet backdrop to family life 

A false front on one end of this island conceals breakfast stools from the living spaces, accentuating the island's sense of clean symmetry

You don't have to look far to see where the designer drew material inspiration from for this island, with both benchtops echoing the cabinetry wall behind

Engaging a refined cabinetry maker to create custom storage solutions for your home means they fit perfectly in every way – which is why R H Cabinetmakers gets a lot of work by referral

Classic white, moody black, or pulled back colour? We put the question of trending cabinet finishes to designers on the Trends Design Council panel

This minimalist kitchen has recessed cabinet handles while the wrap-around countertops help to keep the cabinetry forms simple

Handles could be considered the jewellery on your well dressed cabinets – formal and understated ran the dress code for this kitchen party

This kitchen's rear cabinetry is in a glossy white glass to reflect the bush setting while the matt black island, with no reflection, evokes the earth

This home by Scarlett Architects was a 2020 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards Winner and DINZ Best Design Awards 2021 Finalist – the precision-crafted joinery is by RH Cabinetmakers

Understated black and burgundy cabinetry connects with the dark veining in the Calacatta benchtop/splashback in this moody kitchen

Your eyes aren't deceiving, the outside kitchen is a reflection of the indoors version in this home – there's even a servery between them

For this industrial-look kitchen, a large glass-front display cabinet reflects the owners’ love of travel, with objets as well as kitchenware on show

With views to the rolling greens of a golf course, this kitchen strikes its own hole in one with a distinctive wood and black colour palette

As if a substantial window splashback wasn't enough, this kitchen makes further celebration of its verdant setting with reflective cabinet surfaces

Looking good, working well – classic shiplap finishes and Shaker-style cabinetry meet understated modern functionality in this seaside kitchen

This substantial island looks like it could entertain all the neighbours, presenting as an impressive slab of leather-finished natural stone

One way to have a clean, uncluttered kitchen is to maximise available storage – this great wall of cabinetry should definitely do the trick

Building out the wall and setting kitchen cabinets and appliances back into the wall plane is one way to balance presence with subtlety in your open-plan scheme – as with this design by Bijl Architects, part of the company’s wider transformative renovation of a traditional cottage

While this kitchen needed to tie in with the semi-industrial aesthetic of the rest of the home, designer Leonie Metger’s extensive use of timber veneer for tall cabinetry softens the mix of the other materials

Advanced hardware in this kitchen makes sure drawers glide (and don't over extend) and that cabinet doors spring open at a light touch

French provincial flair was the look for this refined woodwork-rich kitchen backed by a generous scullery in matching cabinetry

Prefer a light menu? Light and bright ran the brief for this family kitchen featuring light-toned cabinetry in Hoop Pine veneer and white laminate

Beauty is not always skin deep. This elegant kitchen by RH Cabinetmakers features high quality materials, precision Austrian-made Blum hardware and custom, hand-crafted construction 

A bronze cabinet door on the island stands out, while much of this kitchen by Bijl Architects nestles back into the wall planes, harmonising with the wider cottage renovation

Work surface to the left, coffee station to the right and casual seating nook in between. This kitchen makes efficient use of the available space

The cool look and touch of matt stainless steel on the island cabinetry is balanced with an organic, natural and wide plank French oak floor in this Italian-influenced kitchen.

Tall banks of cabinetry and appliances are demurely set back into the walls in this contemporary kitchen within a revamped cottage interior

Warm wood floors and brown hued cabinetry connect this kitchen with its verdant surroundings

Located at the heart of the home, this black and white entertainer’s kitchen complements its surroundings while creating a strong presence of its own

This kitchen was a team effort between owner and woodworking professionals R H Cabinetmakers – however, while the detailing shows the level of woodworking skill involved, so does stepping back and taking in the whole space

Forget cheap imports, bringing woodworking experts RH Cabinetmakers on board to craft your kitchen, wardrobe, laundry or bathroom cabinetry ensures a stylish, lasting solution

Opening up to the wider interior – and to the outdoors as well – this light-filled, hard-working kitchen provides a social hub and a harmonious focal point

So, what does the coming year hold in terms of kitchen design? Two leading New Zealand kitchen designers answer some questions as to what might lie ahead in terms of cabinetry, benchtops, appliances and materials

You have a beautiful kitchen in your family home, but want something quite different for your much-loved, highly social holiday home. The resulting character kitchen is fresh, interesting, highly practical and ready to greet friends and family from across the country

One of the hardest working features to offset the limited space in this modest-sized apartment is a beautiful antique mirror. Acting as a splashback, the aged mirror – along with the clear mirror splashback alongside – provides an artwork in its own right and, of course, it also tricks the eye, suggesting a much larger space

Part of a home that celebrates strong simple materials to complement the intimate river views beyond the windows, the Neo-brutalist kitchen at its heart more than follows suit

The kitchen's open timber shelving links to the timber treads fitted to the adjacent concrete stairs, the wine fridge shelving and the bar stool seating

A particularly elegant feature surface sets off this kitchen where everything from the wall panelling, furniture and flooring to the cabinetry and custom handles all contribute to a refined Parisian air. Advanced cabinetry hardware solutions underpin the design

Part of a new townhouse in a wider villa-sympathetic development, this kitchen has a strong character all of its own. Designed by Melanie Williams, many of the kitchen's features respond to challenges within the brief

Modern surfaces, up-to-the-minute cabinetry and advanced hardware all come together in this family and entertainer’s kitchen

Context is key in any kitchen design. This engaging, material rich kitchen more than rises to the occasion. 

When there's not much existing storage, a giant wall of visually receding floor-to-near-ceiling white cabinetry more than fits the bill

Open to adjacent spaces in terms of both architecture and finishes, this elegant kitchen lets its architect owner take part in family proceedings and dinner preparations at the same time

What material and which look will best suit your kitchen? For this arresting kitchen design, vertical timber panelling to the island is matched with stained textured veneer to the back wall and scullery. Then there's the ceiling – and the floors!

Often separated in styles, a family-friendly kitchen can be equally well suited to entertaining. This kitchen has a large island with bench seating while the dining table is only two steps away. Did someone say casual party?

This modest kitchen offers all the drama and function of a much larger space – an antique mirror and good cabinet choices help it grow

Strong architectural lines and dark surfaces give this kitchen its own personality – one that also chimes with the house architecture and the natural outlooks

A semi-industrial palette of wood, concrete and steel gives this kitchen a strong presence and also connects it to the wider surroundings

Taking its cues from the architecturally designed rural home it forms part of, this clean-lined kitchen reflects personality and modernity, with its extensive functionality downplayed visually

This spacious home has the air of a tropical getaway, reflecting a natural, relaxed ambience with a life-of-the-party kitchen-bar area at its heart – the kitchen and custom pieces seen throughout are by Kira Gray of Fyfe Kitchens

From its eye-catching 3D splashback to its slim benchtops and advanced fittings, this kitchen by designer Kira Gray makes quite a splash

Natural light plays on the marble and oak surfaces in this modern, airy entertainer’s kitchen where clutter is banished from sight

Modern surfaces, up-to-the-minute cabinetry and advanced hardware all come together in this family and entertainer’s kitchen

The heart of the home and a leading interior feature, it pays to do your kitchen once and do it right – working with an award-winning designer such as Kira Gray

How do you approach designing a kitchen when the clients want it to be completely handleless? See how Akzente Limited solved the problem

With its clean lines and top-quality hardware, this kitchen, built by RH Cabinetmakers, looks good and functions well

There's nothing like drawing on your setting – designers infused soft curves into this rooftop harbour-view kitchen, achieving the desired nautical feel

A wall of character brickwork sets the scene for this space, so a grey, semi-industrial tone for the cabinetry seems completely in keeping

Part of a wider renovation, the feature beam ceiling in this master bedroom appears here as an extension of the decorative wall joinery

Brass mesh-fronted cabinetry doors introduce a rustic, traditional feel, and even a touch of texture, to this timber mountain home

What could be more visually relaxing than a combined wood benchtop/dining table/work surface complete with a waterfall end 

For this new home, varying timber selections – from cladding to cabinetry – play with textures & colours that change through the day and the seasons

Recessed or niche pulls keep the cabinetry look clean for this renovation and avoid the busy chef's clothes snagged on handles

Ostrich hide, in vinyl, flanks the side walls of this double vanity and is also featured on the cabinetry insets here, and in the dressing room

This open, airy kitchen reflects the classic combination of white and wood, with the handleless white cabinetry disappearing into the wall plane

Here, the contemporary white island includes a spartan black framing while the wider kitchen features a mirror splashback and barn door egress

Part of a comprehensive renovation, this new kitchen includes near-invisible wood cabinetry disappearing into the matching rear timber wall

This kitchen features Terra black finishes with highlights of walnut details for drawer inserts – negative detailed handles and electronic drawer closures give a sophisticated, sleek finish 

When you are a skilled woodworking team that crafts carpentry-quality storage solutions for throughout the home, every piece is custom designed for its situation

This stream-lined dressing area cabinetry forms part of the corridor flow – a great way to enjoy the long view while getting ready for work

Complementary cabinetry materials give this new kitchen presence in a renovated home – wood veneer is matched with two-tone porcelain sheet, while brass and walnut provide accents 

Well, they can. Pared-back panelled vanity drawers and wall cabinet doors in this serene master ensuite tell a tale of a traditional design focus that won't date

Just as that loved watercolour looks better in a frame, so a framing surround over this servery space adds to the appeal of the kitchen beyond

Converting this 50m² one bedroom apartment into a home for a family of five was an exercise in diagnostic thinking – together with a master class in space shuffling

In uncertain times it makes sense to optimise assets. Here's how one couple subdivided their home to rent out one area and live in the other

The ground (and grandest) level in this historic townhouse has been transformed – turning the previously cramped and partitioned space into a free-flowing living-and-dining area

In keeping with its 1920s heritage home and offering a sense of luxury and retreat, this ensuite has a classic appeal which includes setting key elements on plinths

This transforming renovation by EJ Building optimises space with a tall, wall-hung cabinet. A translucent glass door gives you an idea of the cabinet's contents rather than a clear view, for a more demure aesthetic

In a home renovation with plenty of timber finishes – the floor included – a little more has crept into this white kitchen's cutlery drawer. 

You have to have bold cabinetry to make a statement right? Not necessarily. In this kitchen, in a modern rear extension to a 1940s home, architect Nathan Porter chose marble and wood as refined surfaces that blend in with rather than stand out from the greater space

The interior of this coastal home references the setting with pale wood cabinetry accommodating the tv, storage and display shelving. A limestone evoking the grain and hue of beach sand features on the floors

From finish to functionality, here are five things to keep in mind when picking the cabinetry for your kitchen

Looking to play down that centre-of-attention kitchen appeal? Here, wall-recessed kitchen/storage joinery has a furniture-like presence

Following on from an upstairs rethink, this renovation opens up the ground floor of the home front-to-back with a deft reworking of the existing rear spaces

A great bathroom does not design itself – professional designer Kira Gray can turn your dream bathroom into a reality

Once compartmentalised and claustrophobic, an existing master suite has been transformed, with lightness and openness achieved in several ways

Not sure about that dream holiday that's over before it's begun? The owners of this bathroom take a restorative trip every time they enter their luxury resort-inspired bathroom