TERMINOLOGY
The Complete Guide to Kitchen Design Terminology
A kitchen purchase is something most people only make a handful of times, so it is completely normal to come across terminology that is unfamiliar. This guide explains common kitchen terms in simple, straightforward language to help you understand the design, planning and installation process.
A
Appliance Bank
A run of tall kitchen units designed to house multiple built-in appliances, such as ovens, microwaves, coffee machines and warming drawers, creating a streamlined and organised appearance.
Appliance Garage
A dedicated cupboard designed to hide small appliances such as kettles, toasters and coffee machines while keeping them easily accessible and keeping worktops clutter-free.
Appliance Housing
A cabinet designed specifically to accommodate built-in appliances, helping create a seamless finish and positioning appliances at a practical working height.
B
Belfast Sink
A traditional deep ceramic sink with an exposed front, commonly used in classic, farmhouse and shaker-style kitchens.
Bespoke
A fully custom-designed kitchen created around your specific space, lifestyle and requirements, allowing complete flexibility with sizes, materials, colours and finishes.
Bin Drawer
A pull-out drawer designed to conceal waste and recycling bins while keeping them organised and easily accessible.
Blum Hinges
High-quality cabinet hinges known for smooth operation, durability and reliable soft-close functionality.
Boiling Water Tap
A specialist tap that provides instant boiling water, with some models also offering filtered, chilled or sparkling water.
Breakfast Bar
An extended section of worktop designed to provide informal seating, dining space or a social area within the kitchen.
Bridging Unit
A wall cabinet designed to span over appliances such as American-style fridge freezers or extractor hoods, providing additional storage and a finished appearance.
Built-In Appliances
Appliances installed within kitchen cabinetry to create a clean, integrated appearance. Common examples include ovens, microwaves, coffee machines and refrigerators.
Built-Under Appliances
Appliances fitted beneath the worktop, such as dishwashers, wine coolers and under-counter fridges.
Butler Sink
A large, deep ceramic sink with a traditional appearance, often chosen for country and classic kitchen designs.
C
Cabinet Fascia
The visible front of a kitchen cabinet, including doors and drawer fronts, which determines the overall style and character of the kitchen.
Carcase
The main structure of a kitchen cabinet, including the sides, base, top and back panels. The quality of the carcase contributes to the strength and durability of the kitchen.
Contemporary Kitchen
A modern kitchen style featuring clean lines, minimal detailing, sleek finishes and innovative storage solutions for a streamlined look.
Corner Carousel
A rotating storage solution fitted inside corner cabinets, allowing easy access to pots, pans and kitchen accessories stored in difficult-to-reach areas.
Cornice
A decorative trim fitted to the top of wall cabinets, often used in traditional kitchens to create a more detailed and elegant finish.
Cut-Out
A precisely measured opening made in a worktop for sinks, hobs or taps, ensuring fittings are installed accurately and securely.
D
Decorative End Panel
A matching panel fitted to the exposed end of a cabinet, creating a furniture-style finish and ensuring the kitchen design looks complete from every angle.
Dresser Unit
A traditional fitted furniture piece featuring cupboards below with shelving or glazed cabinets above, often used in classic, country and shaker-style kitchens.
Downdraft Extractor
An extractor system built into the worktop or hob that rises when required to remove steam, grease and cooking odours before retracting out of sight.
Drawer Inserts
Internal organisers designed to keep cutlery, utensils, spices and kitchen accessories neatly arranged and easy to access.
E
End Panel
A decorative panel fitted to the visible side of a kitchen cabinet to provide a seamless finish and match the surrounding cabinetry.
Extractor Hood
A ventilation appliance fitted above the hob to remove steam, grease and cooking smells, helping to keep the kitchen fresh.
F
False Drawer Front
A decorative drawer front used where a working drawer cannot be installed, commonly found beneath sinks to maintain a consistent appearance.
Feature Lighting
Decorative lighting used to highlight areas such as kitchen islands, shelving and display cabinets while adding warmth and atmosphere.
Filler Panel
A narrow panel fitted between cabinets, walls or appliances to ensure a neat finish and allow doors and drawers to open correctly.
Fitted Furniture
Kitchen furniture that is permanently installed and forms part of the property rather than being freestanding.
Freestanding Under-Counter Appliance
An appliance positioned beneath the worktop that is not integrated into the cabinetry, leaving the appliance front visible.
Full Extension Drawer Runners
Drawer mechanisms that allow drawers to open fully, making it easier to access items stored at the back.
G
Glass-Fronted Cabinets
Cabinets fitted with glazed doors, allowing crockery, glassware or decorative items to be displayed while adding character to the kitchen.
Granite Worktop
A natural stone worktop known for its durability, heat resistance and unique appearance, with each piece offering its own natural variation.
H
Hand-Painted
A premium finish where kitchen doors are painted by hand in your chosen colour, creating a bespoke appearance and allowing future colour changes.
Handleless Kitchen
A modern kitchen design without traditional handles. Doors and drawers open using integrated rails, recessed grips or push-to-open mechanisms for a sleek finish.
Hob
The cooking surface fitted into the worktop, available in gas, ceramic, electric and induction options.
I
Induction Hob
A highly efficient hob that uses electromagnetic technology to heat compatible cookware directly, providing fast and precise cooking control.
Integrated Appliances
Appliances hidden behind matching cabinet doors to create a seamless, built-in appearance throughout the kitchen.
Island Pendant Lighting
Pendant lights positioned above a kitchen island or breakfast bar, providing practical illumination while creating a design feature.
K
Kitchen Island
A freestanding kitchen unit that provides additional worktop space, storage and seating. Islands can also include sinks, hobs, appliances or breakfast bars.
L
Laminate Worktop
A durable and cost-effective worktop option made from a decorative laminate surface bonded to a core material, available in a wide range of colours and finishes.
Larder Unit
A tall storage cabinet designed to maximise kitchen storage, often featuring adjustable shelves, pull-out drawers and dedicated food storage areas.
LeMans Corner Unit
A clever corner storage solution with curved shelves that pull out smoothly, allowing easy access to items stored in corner cabinets.
Levelling Legs
Adjustable feet fitted beneath kitchen cabinets to ensure units are perfectly level before being concealed behind the plinth.
M
Magic Corner
A pull-out storage system designed for corner cabinets, bringing hidden shelves forward to make awkward spaces easier to access and more practical.
MFC (Melamine Faced Chipboard)
A durable engineered board commonly used for kitchen cabinet carcases. It is available in a variety of colours, finishes and wood-effect designs.
O
Open Shelving
Shelving without doors that provides easy access to everyday items while creating an open, spacious and contemporary feel.
P
Pantry
A dedicated storage area or cupboard designed for food, small appliances and kitchen essentials, helping keep the kitchen organised and clutter-free.
Pelmet
A decorative trim fitted beneath wall cabinets to conceal under-cabinet lighting and provide a neat, finished appearance.
Peninsula
A connected extension of the kitchen layout that provides additional worktop space, storage or seating while using less space than a full island.
Plinth / Kickplate / Skirting
The panel fitted along the bottom of kitchen cabinets to conceal adjustable legs and create a finished appearance. Plinths and kickplates are normally recessed, while skirting sits flush with the cabinet fronts.
Pull-Out Bin
A concealed waste and recycling system fitted inside a cabinet or drawer, keeping rubbish organised and out of sight.
Pull-Out Larder
A tall storage unit with shelves that slide out, allowing easy access to food, spices and kitchen essentials.
Q
Quartz Worktop
An engineered stone worktop made from natural quartz combined with resins. It is durable, non-porous, easy to maintain and available in a wide range of colours and finishes.
S
Service Void
The space behind kitchen cabinets that allows room for plumbing, electrical connections and pipework without affecting storage capacity.
Shaker Style
A timeless kitchen design featuring framed doors with a recessed centre panel. Shaker kitchens work well in both traditional and contemporary homes.
Sink Drainer Grooves
Channels cut into stone or solid surface worktops that allow water to drain directly back into the sink, removing the need for a separate drainer.
Smart Technology
The use of connected appliances and systems that can be controlled remotely or automated to improve convenience, efficiency and everyday functionality.
Soft-Close
A mechanism fitted to doors and drawers that slows their closing action, preventing slamming and creating a quieter, smoother experience.
Solid Surface Worktop
A seamless worktop material made from composite materials that is durable, hygienic and can often be repaired if damaged.
Solid Wood Worktop
A natural timber worktop that adds warmth and character to a kitchen. It requires regular maintenance to protect and preserve the wood.
Splashback
A protective panel fitted behind sinks and cooking areas to prevent water, grease and food splashes from damaging walls. Available in materials including glass, stone, tiles and matching worktops.
Scribe Panel
A narrow panel cut and adjusted on-site to follow uneven walls, allowing cabinets to fit neatly without visible gaps.
T
Tall Housing Unit
A tall kitchen cabinet designed to maximise storage or house built-in appliances such as ovens, microwaves, coffee machines and refrigerators.
Templating
The process of taking precise measurements once the kitchen is installed before specialist worktops are manufactured, ensuring a perfect fit.
Touch-to-Open
A handleless opening system where a gentle push on a door or drawer activates the mechanism, creating a clean and minimalist appearance.
Traditional Kitchen
A classic kitchen style inspired by country and farmhouse designs, often featuring detailed cabinetry, natural materials and timeless finishes.
U
Under-Cabinet Lighting
Lighting fitted beneath wall cabinets to illuminate worktops and preparation areas, improving visibility while adding warmth and atmosphere.
Undermounted Sink
A sink fitted beneath the worktop rather than sitting on top of it. This creates a sleek finish and makes cleaning the work surface easier.
Upstand
A narrow strip of material, usually around 50–100mm high, fitted where the worktop meets the wall to create a neat finish and protect against spills.
W
Waterfall Worktop
A design feature where the worktop material continues vertically down the side of a kitchen island or cabinet, creating a striking contemporary finish.
Wine Fridge
A specialist refrigeration unit designed to store wine at the ideal temperature, often integrated into the kitchen design as a stylish feature.
Work Triangle
A kitchen planning principle that positions the sink, hob and fridge within easy reach of each other to create an efficient cooking workflow.
Worktop
The main working surface within a kitchen used for food preparation and everyday tasks. Worktops are available in materials including quartz, granite, timber, laminate and solid surfaces.
Wrap-Around Doors
Kitchen doors manufactured with a durable finish wrapped around the edges of the door, creating a smooth, seamless appearance and increased durability.