How to Create a Small Kitchen That Feels Premium
In this small, architect-designed new-build, Sara Mungeam @houseobsessed transformed her compact kitchen using warm Biscotti Wood fronts in both Vertical and Plain designs. With thoughtful planning and expert guidance from the Superfront design team, the space now feels calm, textured and far more high-end than its size suggests.
The design team reminded me that it’s far more important to keep symmetry across a run than to match the top and bottom – such great advice, and you can tell they’re incredibly experienced.
What did you buy – and what drew you to the design?
I ended up buying the Biscotti Wood in both vertical (for the top cupboards) and Plain fronts for the fridge/freezer and bottom units. As soon as I saw the Vertical design, I knew I wanted to include it – but only on either the top or the bottom.
I was really toying with the Willow Green, as I loved the idea of a real statement – a nice, muted one – and I love green. But in the end, I decided to go with the Biscotti Wood. I love the Biscotti – it’s warm and natural, and in a tiny kitchen like this I wanted to keep things simple and let the texture do the talking. The grain in the wood and the vertical lines add just the right amount of interest.
How has your experience with Superfront been?
Really fantastic. The design team were so helpful – at one point I was trying to line up the bottom cupboard lines with the top ones, but they reminded me that it’s far more important to keep symmetry across a run than to match the top and bottom. Such great advice, and you can tell they’re incredibly experienced with kitchen design. The samples were also so useful – easy to order and essential for understanding the colours and materials. And the ordering process itself was super simple.
How did the installation go?
My builder’s joiner installed everything and was happy with it. The doors come with pre-drilled hinge holes, which makes the whole process so much easier. Since Superfront produce specifically for IKEA cabinets, everything fits exactly as it should.
I’ve known about Superfront for years – they were really the original supplier of quality, bespoke fronts for Ikea furniture and kitchens.
How does the kitchen feel now, and how do you find the quality?
Oh, I absolutely love this kitchen. Choosing the Biscotti in both Plain and Vertical fronts was absolutely the right decision – the wood tone brings such warmth, and the texture adds a softness that runs through the whole space. It all feels beautifully made and gives the kitchen a really high-end look. And the Bar handles finish it off perfectly.
The quality feels solid and durable.
How do the fronts work practically?
I chose flat-fronted units in Plain at the bottom because I wanted something really practical – they’re so easy to wipe down if anything spills. Even after cleaning off all the builders’ dust, they were incredibly simple to keep looking fresh.
Do you have any tips for others planning a renovation?
Make sure everything has its place. When planning a kitchen, I always start by listing everything you need to store and making sure it all has a place in the layout. In a tiny kitchen like mine, that meant adding wall units across the entire wall to maximise storage.
Display things you love to soften the space. I also love including an open shelf somewhere – it’s a great way to display pieces you love and soften the look so it feels less “kitchen-like”. I’m even adding some bespoke shelving at one end of this kitchen for that reason.
Mix colours or textures for added interest. Here I mixed textures, but in previous kitchens I’ve mixed colours or used grooves on one run and flat fronts on another. Those small details add so much interest.
What inspired you when decorating?
This is a very modern, architect-designed new-build, so I leaned into that with modern finishes and a simple, calm colour palette. I always try to work with the era of the house. I’m drawn to deep, muted colours inspired by nature – especially greens, pinks and terracottas.
How did you discover Superfront, and why did you choose us?
I’ve known about Superfront for years – they were really the original supplier of quality, bespoke fronts for Ikea furniture and kitchens. I’ve used Superfront for smaller elements before, like vanity units, legs and handles, but this is the first time I’ve chosen them for a full kitchen. And I’ve been so impressed with both the quality and the design.