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Award-winning independent kitchen designer and retailer Kitchens International (KI) has revealed its predictions for kitchen trends for the next year.
KI said: ‘At the heart of the home lies the kitchen, which today is predominantly an open plan space with blurred boundaries between the kitchen and cooking areas, and the living and dining space,
‘As experts in kitchen design and installation, we are seeing a trend towards the kitchen becoming the space where friends and family gather, and where plans are made and life is shared.
‘Design-wise, the kitchen is a mixture of clean linear lines and more flowing organic curves. Depending on the type and size of property and taste of the owners, the look for kitchens for 2017 will definitely be unfussy – and either straight lines or softer elegant curves.
‘Whatever the design, the trend is for a large open space with an island that provides a sense of inclusion rather than isolation from the rest of the home. After all, who wants to face a wall while cooking?’
KI designer Carol Cameron added: “An island can be the centre stage whilst entertaining or catching up with family or friends. It can change the dynamics of family life, or when entertaining. All of a sudden, a room that may have seemed ‘essential’, becomes the most exciting and inviting room in the house.”
In terms of colours, KI says neutral shades remain very ‘in’, especially greys and off whites, and increasingly an ultra matt finish is proving popular. Concrete effect doors (such as those from LEICHT kitchens, pictured) are in vogue ‘as they look stylish and have a fingerprint-free finish’. Textured timbers remain in favour too and are now in varying shades. Complemented by thin profile laminate worktops or engineered stone, such as Dekton or Silestone, this look has ‘all the qualities of a functional kitchen but with the elegance of an area that is a joy to be in’.
KI designers are unanimous about the one thing no kitchen should be without in 2017 – a boiling water tap such as Quooker. KI designer Heather Oliver said: “This is often the most sought-after item and we think it’s the ultimate convenience product for fast-paced family lives.”
KI Designer Simon Holland pointed out that storage solutions are developing at a rapid pace. He said: “Accessibility is the key so the new easy-access storage ideas are incredibly popular. Going ‘out’ are large pull-out larders, as they can be heavy and take up too much space. Pocket doors that hide appliances such as washing machines and dryers, and then slip back into the side of the cabinet, are being seen by our clients as revolutionary.”
Lighting has progressed with a huge variety of affordable feature lighting for every area. With the development of LED lighting across the kitchen, each area can have its own warm white feature lighting, whether on shelves, above or below seating or above the island.
KI designer Stuart Millar noted: “We’re seeing that homeowners are more educated and interested in products which are not only of a good design but are also energy efficient and kinder to the environment. Most reputable manufacturers will combine style with functionality and energy efficiency. So if you’re looking for a new kitchen for 2017, it’s worth ensuring your design ticks all the boxes.”
KI is the winner of the Kitchen Retailer of the year category of the kbb review Retail & Design Awards 2016. It also won the award in 2014 and 2008. The Awards, which are given annually to the best players in the kitchen and bathroom industry nationwide, are organised by trade magazine ‘kbb review’.
KI operates six showrooms in Broxburn, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh (2) and Perth, with clients all over the UK
LEICHT’s Topos concrete kitchen in white is combined with an integrated wood dining table
