Over the next 2 weeks we are going to be doing a feature on the hub-of-the-home: Kitchens! There is just so much to talk about, and so many pretty pictures to show, that we couldn’t possibly do it all in one post!
This week we wanted to start with current trends in kitchen design. Whilst we dislike the word ”trend” immensely, it best describes the way in which kitchens in 2013/2014 (Eeek! New Year on the horizon!) are moving towards!
1. Open plan Spaces for the “Hostest-with-the-Mostest”
Simplified lines and big, open spaces are still set to dominate kitchen design, this is one “trend” that is here to stay for a while! Gone are the days where, as in the times of Downton Abbey, servants ran between dining room and kitchen, assisting their lords and ladies with apparently effortless dinner parties. These days hosts need to multitask gracefully, which means that separation from guests is a no-no. Preparing food and refreshments at the kitchen island with your mates helping out or just hanging out sipping on a crisp Chenin Blanc is a win for the modern hostess.
2. Invisible Appliances and Wow Ovens
Stainless steel and silver toned appliances have certainly become more and more popular and don’t appear to be going out of fashion anytime soon. Being a central focus of many kitchens, ovens are more and more becoming the Piéce de Résistance. Wide ovens of old are reappearing, but with a sleeker design, better technology and electro-gas combinations. Hello Smeg! (I’d like one in Red please!)
Moving towards other appliances, there is a big focus on integrating (hiding) more noisy appliances behind cabinet doors. This is fantastic for dishwashers and even washing machines and tumble dryers. If you not into showing off your fridge, integrated fridges are also worth exploring.
3. Feature Lighting
While kitchen lighting used to be a bit of an afterthought, carefully planned lighting is holding its own as a kitchen design feature. We touched on this back in our Designing with Pendants post. Any kitchen with an island looks amazing with a central pendant or row of them because it draws attention to the whole area. If you fancy giving your kitchen a quick update then do nothing more than adding a pendant, you will be amazed at how transformative it is. really pops!
4. Eco-Friendly
“Green” is not just a buzz word but becoming a way of life for most and will continue to grow so.There are many ways to embrace this conciseness in the kitchen by not only the materials you use, but by using energy efficient appliances and recycling. Natural and sustainable materials such as Bamboo, raw timbers and stone cladding not only add a whole different dimension to the space but are also “Green.” Cesaerstone is a great worktop to use and it also boosts an energy efficient grading. Explore options with your waste bins to recycle. Blum has a whole range of different sizes and configurations to choose.
5. Natural Colour Palette
As colour trends go, it’s no longer creams, tans, or yellow undertones, but rather a move towards more neutral, monochromatic colours, for example greys & off-whites. These colours are harmoniously combined with timbers that have a more ‘weathered’ feel to them. There is also a movement towards staining natural timbers to create a smoky patina to the grain (Bye-Bye Maple and Cherrywood!). To counteract the monotone, colour is brought into the scheme in small sharp amounts such as a glass splashback; a featured wall; or just in some decorative items in and around the kitchen.
6. Backsplashes
Backsplashes, particularly behind the hob, are becoming a hot trend for 2013 going into next year. Back-painted glass is great for adding a splash of colour to a modern kitchen, and will reflect soft lighting, creatinga bit of atmosphere in the kitchen. Another plus is that it is super easy to clean as there are no grout lines in between (as with mosaic) and the look is very seamless.
7. Too Hot to Handle
2013 /2014 will see the continuation of removed or reduced cabinet handle sizes. Gone are the days of large,chunky handles that compete with other features of the kitchen. Smaller, classic handle designs, or finger grips and soft-close hinges built into cabinet door designs for a sleeker overall look. (Thank goodness – we won’t knocking our hips repeatedly on those metallic outcrops.)
8. Social Design
Interiorzine.com says the emphasis on living in your kitchen will be expressed by the continuing trend of large kitchen islands replacing dining room tables. This is a result of smaller homes with smaller living spaces, yet also suggests a shift of focus from the dining room to the kitchen as families and friends spend more time at home for dinner and drinks. It is important that the kitchen ‘fits’ in with the rest of the house, another “living” space being an integral part of the home. There’s no need to have units floor to ceiling on each every wall space, but to rather leave some “free” areas. Have fun with these areas, by brightening up the wall space with either artwork or textured wall finishes.
If you need some help translating these trends into your home, give us a call, we know a thing or 2 about kitchens and would love to help you!
Don’t forget to tune in next week for Part 2