LOVING THE LINEAR LOOK – THE LATEST TRENDS IN KITCHEN DESIGN FOR 2018

Kitchen design leads the way for the rest of the home, so the trends coming in for 2018 signal that the interior design of homes are going to veer towards looking spacious, linear and maximising efficient storage.

According to the UK’s leading kitchen retailers Kitchens International (KI), “interior architecture” is the new buzzword where simple and relatively affordable materials are used to create spaces and storage, complemented by more expensive kitchen furniture or appliances. Angus Mackintosh, Senior Sales Designer at KI adds: “This trend moves out into living areas too where furniture and storage items will be in-built (often using kitchen cabinetry throughout) which will highlight fewer, more dramatic standalone furniture.”

The new linear look features floor to ceiling units with no plinths or space above the unit, providing maximum storage in a smaller area. Open shelving with internal lighting produces a more living room feel and look to the kitchen and is becoming increasingly popular on islands.

To soften the straight lines, there is a cleverer use of textures and finishes with modern timber effect doors offering a softer look while the trend for concrete-sprayed doors or concrete effect doors continues to grow. White high gloss cabinetry is waning in popularity as softer, more muted colours and textures take over in the browns, greys and creams.

Smart appliances are developing at a rapid pace and anyone considering installing a new kitchen in 2018 should really not do without:

• Boiling water tap – seen as a necessity in today’s living
• Wifi ready appliances – allowing us to control our kitchens from afar
• Steam ovens and vacuum drawers – this makes cooking quicker, easier and contains the flavour in the food.

Layouts are usually dictated by the space available, but islands continue to dominate with many larger kitchens now opting for two islands. Most will have breakfast bar seating or banqueting seating attached to the island so that dining is incorporated into the kitchen area.

Ailsa Howarth, Design Consultant at KI said of worktops: “Manmade products, such as Silestone and engineered stone are of such a high quality and strength now that the more natural worktops are less popular. The manmade worktops offer so many more options for textures or patterns to be incorporated into the worktop.”

Lighting is incredibly important in the kitchen and layers of lighting are key to any good design. Angus Mackintosh explains: “Disguised light channels built into the plasterboard are very on trend in modern architecture buildings and I expect this to merge over to the kitchen world and become more common place in most designs.”

Finally, the sustainability of kitchens is becoming ever more important and manufacturers are looking at ways of developing cabinetry using sustainable materials. Multi-user kitchens for those abled bodied and less abled is an increasing wish for many homeowners with huge advances in moveable worksurfaces, appliances and tables.

Whatever design you choose always make sure you use a reputable designer and retailer who will look at your lifestyle and design a kitchen to suit your own needs.