How Colour and Handles Transform
a Kitchen
Designing a kitchen is an exciting journey, and two of the most enjoyable choices you’ll make are colour and handles. These details might seem small compared to layout or storage, but they’re often the moments where a kitchen truly comes to life.
In a plywood kitchen, colour and handles don’t just finish the design. They define its personality and make it unmistakably yours.
💡 Tip: Think about the whole room, not just the cabinetry. Wall colour, flooring, and even appliances can work in harmony with your kitchen fronts.
1. The Role of Colour in a Bespoke Kitchen Design
Colour is one of the most powerful design choices you can make in a kitchen. Here's why:
- Set the mood: Soft neutrals can create a calm, timeless feel, while bold hues add energy and personality.
- Enhance light and space: Light colours can make a smaller kitchen feel larger, while darker tones can add depth and drama.
- Express personality: From warm earthy tones to playful accents, colour is a chance to make your kitchen uniquely yours.
💡 Tip: Think about the whole room, not just the cabinetry. Wall colour, flooring, and even appliances can work in harmony with your kitchen fronts.
1. The Role of Colour in a Bespoke Kitchen Design
Colour is one of the most powerful design choices you can make in a kitchen. Here's why:
- Set the mood: Soft neutrals can create a calm, timeless feel, while bold hues add energy and personality.
- Enhance light and space: Light colours can make a smaller kitchen feel larger, while darker tones can add depth and drama.
- Express personality: From warm earthy tones to playful accents, colour is a chance to make your kitchen uniquely yours.
💡 Tip: Choosing the right shape and orientation—horizontal, vertical, or circular cut-outs—lets you personalise the look while keeping the same understated elegance.
2. Why Handles Matter More Than You Think
Handles may seem like a small detail, but they’re one of the most important elements in modern kitchen design.
At Made in Ply, we specialise in inset handles. These are routed directly into the plywood fronts, creating a clean, minimal look that celebrates the beauty of the ply edge while being practical for everyday use.
- Streamlined design: Inset handles sit flush with the cabinetry, giving your kitchen a calm, uncluttered feel.
- Durable and functional: Because they’re part of the door itself, they’re sturdy and built to last, even on heavy drawers and larders.
- A Made in Ply staple: Our inset handles highlight the craftsmanship and honesty of the material, and are a beloved feature of our designs.
💡 Tip: Choosing the right shape and orientation—horizontal, vertical, or circular cut-outs—lets you personalise the look while keeping the same understated elegance.
2. Why Handles Matter More Than You Think
Handles may seem like a small detail, but they’re one of the most important elements in modern kitchen design.
At Made in Ply, we specialise in inset handles. These are routed directly into the plywood fronts, creating a clean, minimal look that celebrates the beauty of the ply edge while being practical for everyday use.
- Streamlined design: Inset handles sit flush with the cabinetry, giving your kitchen a calm, uncluttered feel.
- Durable and functional: Because they’re part of the door itself, they’re sturdy and built to last, even on heavy drawers and larders.
- A Made in Ply staple: Our inset handles highlight the craftsmanship and honesty of the material, and are a beloved feature of our designs.
3. A Thoughtful, Enjoyable Design Process
Every Made in Ply kitchen includes a personal design service as part of the price. This means you’ll have the opportunity to explore a wide range of colours and handle options before you commit.
Many clients tell us this stage is one of the most valuable and enjoyable parts of their project. It takes the stress out of planning and makes creating a bespoke plywood kitchen feel exciting.
3. A Thoughtful, Enjoyable Design Process
Every Made in Ply kitchen includes a personal design service as part of the price. This means you’ll have the opportunity to explore a wide range of colours and handle options before you commit.
Many clients tell us this stage is one of the most valuable and enjoyable parts of their project. It takes the stress out of planning and makes creating a bespoke plywood kitchen feel exciting.
4. Real Examples from Our Clients
The Oak Kitchen fronts above were added to a Howdens Kitchen Carcass. The clients opted for large finger-pull handles on their Oak Plywood Kitchen fronts. View their kitchen project.
These Birch Kitchen fronts were added to an IKEA Kitchen Carcass. The clients opted for small finger-pull handles on their Birch Plywood Kitchen fronts. View their kitchen project.
4. Real Examples from Our Clients
The Oak Kitchen fronts above were added to a Howdens Kitchen Carcass. The clients opted for large finger-pull handles on their Oak Plywood Kitchen fronts. View their kitchen project.
These Birch Kitchen fronts were added to an IKEA Kitchen Carcass. The clients opted for small finger-pull handles on their Birch Plywood Kitchen fronts. View their kitchen project.
Choosing your kitchen’s colour and handles is one of the most exciting parts of the design journey. These details give you the chance to express your personality, add warmth and character, and make your plywood kitchen feel truly your own.
At Made in Ply, we love guiding clients through this stage—it’s where the vision starts to come alive. Whether you’re drawn to calm neutrals with subtle inset handles, or bold tones paired with striking cut-outs, the right choices will transform your space into something both beautiful and uniquely yours.
