We all spend a tremendous amount of our time in the kitchen, and even more since the Covid-19 Pandemic. In addition to serving its primary purpose as a place to prepare and cook food, the kitchen is now a multifunctional space for many households. There are certainly some cool trends in the industry this year to make this space more seamless and attractive. This blog looks as some of our favourite trends for 2021!
GOLD COPPER AND BRASS FINISHES
Metallic finishes like copper and brass add a stylish touch and appeal to different colour palettes. Whether you intend on an elegant pop of colour to the classic white decor or to make a bold statement by pairing them with vibrant hues like Navy and Green in traditional shaker style kitchens, these finishes complement numerous shades, tones, and elements.
Kitchens decorated with a warm metallic element have something about them. Metals like copper and brass bring something luxurious to the space they’re placed in. There is a sea of options to bring these elements into your kitchen like Taps, handles, Cookware, Cooker hoods, pendant lights etc.
SMART KITCHEN APPLIANCES
This looks like another year set for technical marvels in the kitchen industry, the kitchen is becoming smarter thanks to high-tech appliances from Siemens, Samsung and Miele. We’re talking everything from smart fridges, extractor hoods, ovens, dishwashers to voice controlled LED lights.
Appliances integrated into work surfaces provide a seamless look. For example, this integrated Neff extractor hood emerges from your worktop when in use and can be stowed away when not being used. It makes for a kitchen that feels less cluttered.
Remote controlled spotlighting and under cabinet lighting is also becoming a more popular feature as homes become more high tech. More manufacturers are releasing App controlled appliances which are gaining popularity to make our fast paced lives easier as we control everything at the touch of a button. Soon You won’t know how you survived without being able to turn on the oven to cook your dinner while still on the commute home! With the prevalence of voice controlled devices entering the market, you can even turn your lights on and off as well as change their colours using an Amazon Echo or Google Home device.
CLEVER STORAGE
Storage is crucial in any kitchen design, as you can get an enormous amount in if you think smart at the design stage. A mix of cabinets and drawers is the most popular combination. Soft close drawers are easier to use than just cupboards as it allows you to have better access and there is no need to remove items to get to things stored at the back. Drawer runner technology offers a high load bearing capacity allowing you to store heavy crockeries, casseroles, spice bottles etc without issue.
If you prefer your storage upright in a kitchen cabinet, then you can use pull out glass sided draws that are also designed to carry heavy loads. These drawers give you all round access and can be used to store bottles, taller storage boxes, cans, tins, cereal boxes etc.
If you have the space, a pantry offers the ultimate solution for everything you need to store and even hide some of your small kitchen appliances like coffee machine. Consider integrated waste bins, slim pull-outs to maximise the utilisation of space in small kitchens, these can be used for oils, vegetables baguettes and towels.
DARK THEMED COLOUR PALETTES
Industrial inspired brick walls and concrete surfaces are quite hot in the world of kitchen designing. We have been creating some unique and striking looks with concrete finishes this year, these are supercool trends in the industry right now when it comes to door choices, worktop surfaces and walls. Exposed brick walls with charcoal grey / concrete doors make a good combination too, our clients are gravitating towards these choices and are showing no signs of slowing down for the next few years.
There is an upward trend in dark colour choices this season. Although white, grey charcoal and cashmere carry on being the popular options for a classic look, contrasting wooden textures and dark colours such as Black Matt /Satin, Navy, Emerald Green make an attractive and elegant choice for a grand look. These colours mixed with timeless metals like copper or Brass can help you achieve a grand look. Brass copper handles give a good contrast to deep green/ Navy in a traditional-style Shaker cabinets or modern lacquered doors. Choose the right lighting and pendants to make the most of these rich beautiful colours.
CLEAN AND CONCEALED LOOK
As we continue to see integrated appliances, we are seeing more cooker hoods that are slim and turn on automatically that are stronger than some of the industrial ones. Induction cooktops continue to be increasingly popular because of their seamless look. You no longer need to see appliances sticking out everywhere anymore and that’s the new face of luxury. Small appliances are hidden in walk in larders to avoid cluttering.
Technology will continue to drive demands and giving consumers specific appliances targeted to their tastes, thus achieving a clean seamless look.
NOT JUST AN ISLAND
A kitchen island is the centrepiece of most traditional or modern kitchens, and today, the island can serve many different roles. From being a storage space to a casual social space, a hob surface and a sink space to being the primary surface for food preparation and if large enough, all of then above! The latest trend is to have a dedicated dining space that can be set apart by a worktop in different height and materials which saves the need of having a separate dining area and brings people together in a more casual space.
BOILING WATER TAPS
Instant boiling water taps have been growing in popularity for many years now and for good reason. With their efficiency, safety and space saving benefits they are undeniably a kitchen upgrade that is here to stay. They make it simpler to use just the amount of water you need, as you can fill your mug or pan directly from the tap. This makes boiling-water taps more efficient than a kettle and therefore less expensive to run as well as more convenient to use.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Kitchen design trends continually evolve. This combined with the technical revolution is making our kitchens smarter, cleaner and more functional. Its important to involve designers at the very early stages of your project to ensure that you can consider all aspects of your kitchen design to align your building, electrical and plumbing works.