Showhome Editor Joseph Clarke outlines various ways to make a modern and highly practical kitchen that will elevate a new home to greater heights
While potential home buyers might be a bit more forgiving when it comes to the size and design of other rooms in the house, when it comes to kitchens, this room needs to stand out and provide a home with the “wow factor”, leaving viewers in disbelief of the beautiful design and exquisite finish to the room. A kitchen is very much at the heart of a home, and therefore it needs to be designed and built to the highest level of standard.
Kitchens are no longer just a space to cook, but one in which a family will come together to eat, converse, work, play or even relax. It is therefore of utmost importance that house builders put as much thought and care as possible into the design of this room in order to create modern, spacious kitchens, which offer high functionality and great aesthetic appeal.
With so many different components to a kitchen, it can be challenging to know which styles, colours, materials, furniture or appliances to incorporate. In this exclusive feature, we have put together our favourite ways to make a show-stopping kitchen that will be sure to stay in the mind of anyone who is fortunate enough to step into it.
Stone-effect surfaces
While concrete, marble and granite have long been the most popular choices for kitchen worktops, especially within the high-end kitchen market, trends are now leaning more and more towards stone-effect alternatives.
Ben Brydan, Head of Sales at RAK Ceramics UK explains, “Marble, granite and concrete have been the go-to for kitchen worktops, particularly at the higher end of the market, but a raft of stone-effects, particularly in porcelain and solid surface materials have made the trend more accessible. Warmer stone effects work well with alternative brassware finishes, such as Brushed Nickel and Copper, for example, and can be a calming contrast to bold accent colours. Industrial styling is also very popular in kitchen design currently, and this look ties in well, particularly when combined with raw materials such as metallics, exposed brickwork and wood.
“As manufacturing techniques have progressed, materials like porcelain have started to be offered in stone-inspired styles, which has really enabled the trend to blossom. These materials look just like the real thing yet are simple to maintain and are suitable for wet and humid areas such as the kitchen. Often more affordable than alternatives such as solid natural stone worktops, porcelain is flexible, durable and simple to maintain. Many of these surfaces are available as Mega Slabs, allowing for greater consistency when used over large areas, with less need for grout lines and a hygienic finish.”
Adam Miles, Managing Director of Athena Surfaces adds: “Sintered stone worktops with matching floor tiles have gained popularity over the recent years as indoor–outdoor living trends continue to evolve rapidly. Sintered stone surfaces and tiles go beyond visual appeal as they also provide exceptional durability and resistance. They withstand stains, scratches and heat which makes them ideal for indoor and outdoor living.
“This solution epitomises the desire for seamless indoor-outdoor living, combining style and practicality. It remains at the forefront of the industry, empowering homeowners and designers to create contemporary yet robust living spaces.”
Double islands
Kitchen islands have been around for decades and are definitely not going anywhere. In fact, on the contrary, this highly sociable addition to a kitchen, which enables families and friends to gather round while a meal is being prepared or even to sit together and eat said meal, can now be seen in double.
Although one island can provide several functions, such as acting as a worktop for preparing meals, providing desk space for working or doing homework, or serving as a dining table for family meals, single islands can look negatively monolithic, and their large size can make them impractical. On the other hand, double islands are much more diverse, offering homeowners the opportunity to break away from monotony and create separate, designated areas for cooking/dining and working/playing/studying.
Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations, Rotpunkt reveals, “The modern kitchen is all about creating a concept that is individual in design, practical in terms of layout and technology and most of all, long-lasting. This has led to the kitchen island becoming our most resourceful tool in the kitchen. Generous twin island units are now dominating the kitchen and giving homeowners the option for personalisation with clear separation of work and social areas such as dining and home entertaining.”
Industrial styling
Industrial-style kitchens have never been so popular and work particularly well with an open plan. The hard-wearing industrial look helps to accentuate the structure of a building and showcase special features like brick walls or concrete columns.
Exposed brick walls can provide an edgy and modern touch to a kitchen and look even more elegant when paired with black cabinets. Stainless steel appliances and even worktops can then be added to complete the stylish factory-like appearance.
Industrial-style kitchens are a simple yet sophisticated solution to new-build kitchens. Through combining raw materials with neat finishes and fixtures, this highly loved interior design trend is easy to achieve, even on a lower budget.
Dan Biddle, Product Manager at Abode recognises the popularity of this kitchen design trend:
“Industrial-style kitchens are a firm favourite in the modern home, with the latest trends reporting a new appreciation for sinks and taps that command an entire room scheme. Practicality and luxury will therefore go hand-in-hand, with contemporary matt black and delicately distinct brass finishes in high demand. Complementing big ticket items like your appliances and designer fixtures, black will bring extra refinement to next year’s industrial-style kitchen and welcome an eclectic mix of materials and finishes that see the sink and tap area stand up and be counted.
“By specifying brassware in contemporary matt black and brass finishes, property developers can instantly elevate big ticket items like appliances and designer fixtures, for the ultimate in a turnkey feel. Knurling has also become a popular technique for introducing texture into a room, and is being used to define kitchen tap handles, spout collars and even door fronts. Now a well-loved feature of the industrial kitchen, choose from diamond, straight and diagonal knurl patterns for a distinct wet zone in the kitchen and utility.”
Backsplashes
There are several backsplash trends that live on from previous years, including bolder colours, patterned tiles, natural stone slabs and handmade tiles. However, there are two more recent additions that are definitely making a splash in kitchen designs.
Even though homes in a new build development do not greatly differ in terms of their structural layout and design, house buyers do very much wish for uniqueness. It therefore should come as no surprise that alternative materials for backsplashes are becoming more and more common. One popular alternative to the commonly used stone or porcelain tile is metal. Stainless steel, copper, aluminium and zinc are all available in sheets for backsplashes and can really complete the kitchen’s look. Industrial-style kitchens, for example, would benefit greatly from a stainless steel or copper backsplash.
Glass is another increasingly popular choice and offers designers and house builders the freedom to play around with the design. Painting the glass on the inside or even just splashing it with different colours of paint can create a contemporary, fun finish that will definitely not be duplicated in any other home. Better yet, if the kitchen backs onto an outdoor space, why not create a backsplash window?
Lastly, long gone are the days of putting height restrictions on backsplashes. In fact, not only have they grown in height, but they are now so tall that they reach the ceiling. Offering both functional and aesthetic benefits, ceiling-height marble slabs are one of the top trends now in kitchen designs. With fewer grout lines, they save time and money and are also extremely easy to clean and maintain.
Taps
Undoubtedly the lead runner when it comes to kitchen tap trends is the Hot/Cold Filter Tap. Homeowners need no longer suffer from the displeasing taste of chalky water and can also obtain hot water without having to wait. The best of all? These tap systems are also energy efficient.
Dan Biddle explains further:
“Experiencing huge levels of market growth, controllable 75-98º instant filtered steaming hot and cold water is now considered in 40% of all new kitchen installations with 3 IN 1 and 4 IN 1 models coming to the fore and demonstrating a huge range of features, benefits and styles. For example. unique switching technology delivers an extra layer of safety with key fob-style controls which must be in place to activate hot water boilers. These magnetic devices are just one example of how the 2023 kitchen will be embracing beautifully designed brassware to fully support multi-generational households, the fastest-growing family type in the UK.
“The ‘one size fits all’ chrome hot water tap is now a thing of the past as the increasing desire for customisation in the 2023 home means this must-have item is available in contemporary, traditional and on-trend industrial style designs. In fact, 2023 will definitely be the year of the hot tap as the market is extending its offer to include exciting new combinations of classic and contemporary designs in a range of atypical, combination finishes.”
Reginox UK Commercial Director Dave Mayer adds, “The UK market for filtered water taps has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. The increased consumer demand for sustainable, healthy, and convenient water solutions has spurred innovation and competition in the industry.
“Within the industry, filtered water taps – more commonly known as 4-in-1 taps – dispense instant filtered boiling, standard hot and cold, and filtered drinking water all with a simple touch.
“The future of filtered water taps in the UK market looks promising, driven by growing consumer awareness and the increasing focus on sustainability. As more households recognise the benefits of filtered water and the environmental impact of plastic waste, the demand for these taps is expected to continue its upward trajectory.
“As the demand for filtered water taps continues to increase, it is anticipated that the industry will evolve to meet consumer needs, providing a healthier and more sustainable future for the UK’s drinking water landscape.”
Stephen Johnson, Managing Director of Quooker UK & Ireland, further confirmed the trend in boiling water taps:
“Boiling water taps have become a necessity in new build kitchen designs because of the huge benefits they can offer homeowners in terms of time, money, energy and water. Studies show that on average in the UK, a person will spend four months of their life waiting for a kettle to boil. A boiling water tap on the other hand delivers instant boiling water on demand. It also only delivers the amount of water you need, unlike a kettle which often results in over-boiling. As boiling water taps can be used for more than simply making a quick cup of tea, they have become one of the most essential kitchen appliances for millions of households around the world.”
Strategic storage
One of the main requirements for a kitchen is that it provides maximum storage that is both easy to use and stylish. If a kitchen is favoured by height, experts recommend taking advantage of this with taller ceiling-reaching units or shelving. For rooms with less space, planning is key. It is essential to think very carefully about the access points, such as the sinks/taps, fridge and power sockets. Once you have established where these features will be, you can design your storage around them.
Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval Furniture says, “Shaker design influences will remain strong in 2023 as this classic style is influenced by the global influences of both Scandi and Japandi style to create a new universal design. This will work in all property styles with the scope to customise units in line with the latest lifestyle trends.”
A standout storage trend for 2023 is most definitely strategically placed, built-in storage, making use of otherwise forgotten spaces. Our favourite ideas have to be built-in, pull-out chopping boards between cupboards and wine fridges built into the under compartment of a kitchen island. Not only do both of these ideas allow for storage in unexpected places, but they look incredibly modern and trendy. What better way to impress than to make a quality wooden chopping board miraculously appear from nowhere, or to open a secret cupboard from under the kitchen island, revealing a fantastic selection of fine wines? Simple, yet highly effective ways to give the kitchen that extra touch that is bound to surprise and impress.
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Joseph Clarke
Editor, Showhome
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920
Email: editor@yourshow-home.com
