Hint: It’s not the dust bunny in the corner (just kidding, there will NEVER be a dust bunny in this kitchen).
While the area that draws your attention is, in this case quite obvious, focal points are typically more subtle. Most spaces have one, although it is often unintentional and sometimes even unwelcome. When you walk into your own kitchen, are your eyes drawn to a pretty little flower in a niche or the dirty dishes in the sink?
This focal point is built in, yet, it doesn’t have to be. You can create one in your own kitchen and add some pizzazz with a simple flower, for example. But keep it simple. Less is more.
Notice the impact created in the kitchen above by the addition of a simple, small focal point. It does a few things. It draws the eye, providing a splash of color. It also breaks the symmetry of the cooktop area, making it more dynamic and visually interesting. In this case it is a focal point within the larger focal point of the cooktop area. Yes, a good design often has layers of focal points.
This focal point is two-sided, serving both the kitchen and the dining room. Two for the price of one!
See more of my work at Bjella Architecture.