Ideas for Mixing Materials and Cladding in the Kitchen

Written by Giovana Martino | Translated by Diogo Simões
Published on May 13, 2023

The transformation in the domestic spaces’ dynamics impacts the architecture inside and outside houses and apartments. Kitchens are the prime example of this transformation. Historically considered marginalized workspaces, they have gained more prominence as architectural spaces. This influences not only the size of the rooms and their organization but also the used claddings.

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As they gain prominence, kitchens often become the center of the house, integrated with spaces such as the dining room, the living room, gardens, balconies and, depending on the available area, even bedrooms or home offices. Space organization and the type of cladding on walls and countertops are adversely affected by this integration.

Since prep spaces have different needs than living spaces, one must combine cool and warm claddings, distinct materials and opposing textures to ensure the room becomes pleasant. As part of this combination, several types of cladding were previously overlooked in the kitchen.

Ideas for Mixing Materials and Cladding in the Kitchen - Image 2 of 15 — House WADV / BASIL architecture. Image © Liesbet Goetschalckx

The most common claddings in kitchens are cold, such as ceramics and tiles, while the most suitable for living areas are warm, such as timber or brick. Besides the walls, kitchens also have large storage surfaces, usually covered with natural wood or synthetic boards. They also can be made of glass or metal, for example. Finally, kitchens have wet and dry worktops, which need specific materials to ensure proper functioning, such as natural or artificial stone.

Combining different materials, textures and colors can be a challenge. See below for inspirations in homes and apartments that mix one or more different materials: