Kitchen Design Ideas & Tips | Kitchen Designs South Africa

Are you in the process of designing a new kitchen and don’t know where to begin? One of the very first things you're probably doing is trying to find kitchen design ideas and photos that showcase the newest designs and modern features. These are often a little complicated, especially when fitting in South African home appliances around the cabinets and features.

For most of us, redesigning a kitchen is a rather daunting task. Kitchen designs in South Africa are unique to the South African way of life. Our kitchen appliances, for one, often differ to international trends, as we are a unique nation and do things in a uniquely South African way. That is why Bosch has come up with an innovative photo gallery of beautiful, local, and contemporary kitchen designs. We’ve included essential tips that will spice up the epicentre of your home and inspire you while steering you in the right direction.

Kitchen colour ideas.

Large kitchen with island, cream cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a red wall.

Whether you prefer bright primary colours, earthy tones, neutral shades, or love pastels, we have a colour for every palate, personality, and lifestyle that is authentically South African. We have given you a huge variety of hues to choose from our photo gallery selection. When it comes to choosing kitchen colours in South Africa, you will have an entire colour wheel to select your favourites from.

Kitchen accent walls for a splash of colour.

Think out of the box, take a little risk, and add that splash of colour to brighten up any dull and lifeless room. Accent walls are all the rage in South Africa - they are arty and different. Choose the blue of the sea, the black of a night sky, or an earthy red the colour of the desert. Add a little local South African flavour to an otherwise dull and lifeless kitchen.

Blue kitchen cabinet wall with stainless steel accents on the sink, cabinet hardware, dishwasher panel and magnetic knife holder.

Beautiful kitchens in blue.
Blue is a versatile kitchen colour – whether you choose elegant peacock, calming aquamarine, or a more regal shade. Blue kitchen cabinets pair nicely with cool stainless steel and black and white glass or marble.

Small L-shaped kitchen with white floating cabinets and pastel blue bottom cabinets. Weathered plank floors, copper accessories and a cracked earth backsplash

Pretty pastel kitchens.
Lighter and brighter with pastels. A spot-on choice for a more subtle colour palette. Try envisioning your kitchen in cream, pale blue, rose, light yellow or green. Throw in copper kitchen accessories for a vintage feel.

Explore our built-in ovens

White framed cabinets with a warm accent wall and terra cotta accessories on a wood countertop.

Earthy terracotta tones.
Terracotta colour tones and accessories not only create a natural feel but also add beautiful textures to your kitchen. Combine terracotta bowls and jugs with wood, bamboo or rattan to give your kitchen a Mediterranean flair.

Cream-coloured L-shaped kitchen set against an earthy grey wall.

Elegant grey kitchens.
Pale greys or even darker tones infuse your kitchen with a modern, sophisticated charm. The perfect backdrop for accent cabinets, glass fronts or stainless steel hardware.

Explore wall-mounted chimney hoods

Black and white kitchen ideas.

Black and white is the perfect colour for any South African kitchen. Create a contemporary kitchen in black and white or choose a more traditional look that will take you back in time with vintage accents. The possibilities are endless, and the colour scheme should be viewed as a clean slate to work from. Then add anything your heart desires for the heart of your home. Add German-precision Bosch home appliances for a modern look. There is a colour scheme for every home. Make black and white your perfect starting point when designing your kitchen.

Matte and minimalist kitchen.

One of the most popular modern kitchen designs in South Africa includes the matte black cabinetry for that chic, sultry finish. This uncluttered, contemporary design is modern and will fit into any South African home. For the busy executive or large family, the smart finishes are perfect for a modern way of living in a busy world where the kitchen is the heart of the home.

Want a closer look?
Bosch built-in coffee machine

Jet black frameless cabinets in a matte finish paired with white countertops and tasteful indirect lighting

Black and white kitchen with black stainless steel appliances, including a cooker with hood and dishwasher. Two open shelves illuminate the work area

Black statement appliances.
This (almost) all-white kitchen captivates with a glossy subway tile backsplash, off-white cabinets and white accessories. The striking twist: appliances from the Bosch Black Stainless Steel series. Open shelves keep it light. Black hardware creates continuity.

White kitchen with stainless steel elements and a backsplash in textured brick looking out onto a seating area.

Cream kitchen with a splash of colour.
Flowing, cream-coloured cabinetry in this galley kitchen is punctuated by stainless steel accents. Another playful contrast: the earthy statement backsplash composed of textured tiles.

Tiny minimalist kitchen with white cabinets and a black countertop, wooden backsplash with vertical grain.

Black kitchen countertops.
Kitchen countertops made of a black composite or black granite, marble or obsidian are not only elegant but practical. The dark surface is extra forgiving when it comes to scratches or spills.

Curious about gas hobs?

Maple cabinets set against a matte black wall for added depth. Modern accents like industrial bulbs on bright red strings

Black kitchen walls for depth.
Black is one of the best paint colours for maple cabinets – or kitchens in other light woods such as pine, ash or plywood. Black walls also add extra depth to small spaces.

Kitchen storage ideas.

Small kitchen with grey frameless cabinets in a brushed steel look. Eyecatching niches and shelves in the walls and around the open door frame

Traditionally, South Africans gather in the kitchen. It’s a space often considered to be the heart of the home. This multifunctional space is often doubled up as a play area, where homework is done while meals are cooked or a spot where families work from remotely. Kitchen storage solutions, no matter the size of your kitchen, are what it is all about.

Recessed storage options.

Use every nook and cranny in your kitchen. Is every bit of space covered? South Africa, like the rest of the modern world, is fast changing. In-wall storage is the answer to your kitchen dilemmas. Try recessed nooks or storage around the door frame for an innovative space which looks great.

Want more appliance tips for your new kitchen?
Right this way

Open drawer with a horizontal block to hold and guard knife blades

Clever kitchen drawer storage.
Life's small pleasures: beautifully organised kitchen drawers. In-drawer knife storage with protective slots looks beautiful and keeps sharp blades away from small fingers.

Simple open shelves with colourful tableware in a small kitchen with wood cabinets.

Open kitchen shelves.
In small kitchens, open shelves create a sense of lightness. They provide easy access and showcase your tableware, especially when it's in all colours of the rainbow.

Get planning tips for dishwashers

Collection of spices and cereals in different jars attached to both sides of an open shelf above a countertop

Creative spice and utensil storage.
Every shelf has two sides: using both will help you get the most out of your space and create a colourful focal point in your kitchen.

Cosy kitchen seating nook with with striped cushions and built-in storage space.

Multifunctional kitchen nooks.
Where some might see a corner, others find a cosy breakfast nook with banks that double as extra storage for pots, pans and small appliances.

Tips for choosing an oven

Small space kitchen ideas.

Many South Africans are downsizing to smaller kitchens for several reasons. One of the advantages of a small kitchen is that it takes a lot less time to tidy up. The focus with a small kitchen is making the most with what you already have. Visit our inspiration gallery for space-saving ideas such as overhead storage units, cabinets, small appliances and more.

Tiny L-shaped kitchen.

Use your space creatively by tucking your kitchen into a corner. Tiny kitchens are the answer and are all the rage. Here, a mix of elegant walnut and contemporary concrete structures with white accents finishes off the ideal tiny kitchen. These modern features together with plenty of light make this small kitchen shine. It's smart, modern and will fit into any South African home.

Tiny kitchen with a skylight and modular storage under a slanted roof. Walnut cabinet doors and countertops.

Small island kitchen with a fridge and oven on the back wall creating a triangle with the sink on the island at front

Bigger with smart layouts.
From U-shaped to galley, what really counts in small kitchens is a well-organized work triangle (the "golden triangle"). Here, timeless Bosch appliances create the perfect triangle for efficient workflows.

More reasons to choose Bosch appliances

Small one-wall kitchen with plentiful storage and built-in appliances, including a stacked washer and dryer combo. A white brick backsplash and stainless steel accents create a clean overall look.

One-wall kitchen with laundry area.
When space is tight, or if you'd like to repurpose your laundry room, bringing your washer and dryer into the kitchen can be a smart option. Our 60 cm condenser dryers fit into cabinets and require no venting.

Tips for kitchen laundry care

Small L-shaped classic white kitchen with cabinets up to the ceiling and a striking black stripe along the white tile backsplash

Floor-to-ceiling cabinets.
Ceiling-high cabinets help you maximise space in small kitchens. As do bright, reflective surfaces, glass cabinet fronts and our compact European-style fridge with bottom freezer.

Tips for fridge-freezers

Small L-shaped kitchen below a staircase with oak cabinetry and a stainless steel fridge and oven. The fridge and washer are integrated in the staircase wall.

Under-stair kitchen designs.
No more dead space under stairs. Nestle tiny kitchens under a staircase for a space-saving kitchen design. Matching cabinets and stairs create a put-together look.

Interested in more ideas and appliances for small spaces?

Kitchen cabinet ideas.

Kitchen with a white marble island and backsplash and grey cabinetry with a reflective surface. The kitchen features an oven, speed oven, hob and hood.

Whether you love the farmhouse kitchen country style or house executive, there is a kitchen cabinet for you. South Africans are creative and diverse—a true rainbow nation with rainbow styles and tastes. There is no one size fits all style when it comes to selecting kitchen cabinets. That is why we have come up with a photo gallery for your inspiration and varied styles. Select your preferred kitchen cabinets from a wide array of images.

Modern grey cabinets with marble island.

Grey is the colour for decor, from soft furnishings to kitchen cabinetry. It is a cool, classy colour that matches every other hue. South African households are choosing grey now more than ever before. For island kitchens, this is the perfect choice for mixing and matching with contrasting finishes. Reflective cabinet facings add an extra dimension and extra light to your space, particularly in small kitchens.

Modern oak kitchen with matching island featuring a ceiling-mounted island hood and a small seating area.

Contemporary wood cabinets with matching island.
Wood cabinets don't need to be traditional. Sleek facings and continuous grains can emphasize the length of a wall or the height of an island. A well-placed island cooker hood adds a sculptural finish.

Tips for hoods

Galley kitchen with oak countertops and classic white cabinetry. An exposed brick wall with a stainless steel French door fridge is located in the background.

Classic white galley kitchens.
Two walls, one design: the classic galley kitchen. White panels and brass hardware underscore the classic look of this updated farmhouse kitchen. Oak countertops and exposed brickwork infuse it with warmth.

Tips for hobs

Black glossy cabinetry and a subdued purple countertop contrast with a rustic table and classic chairs. White walls, plants and a copper lamp create an eclectic mix.

Eclectic kitchens.
Flush-fitting modern cabinets create an understated backdrop. Combine them with a rustic table for an exciting contrast. Dark, classic chairs and a playful metal pendant lamp bring it all together.

White galley kitchen with top cabinets in frosted glass situated opposite an island with a ceiling-mounted hood. Between the two legs of the kitchen is a glass door.

Monochrome kitchen designs.
White cabinets in a seamless design are especially elegant against a grey wall. Subtle stainless steel accents and glass facings brighten up the space.