With new kitchen trends emerging continuously, inspired by a variety of influences, Wren Kitchens’ Darren Watts reveals his top 10 kitchen trends for self-builders to consider in 2020
The kitchen plays a vital role in the home – for many it’s the main focal point. New kitchen trends emerge all the time, often greatly influenced by advances in technology and evolving fashions.
RAW MATERIALS
In kitchen design, the use of raw materials which are rich in tones and textures will continue to rise in popularity, especially natural inspired colours and patinas such as marble, copper, concrete, slate and rust which offer a unique aesthetic. It’s proving exceptionally popular for that on trend industrial look, particularly for focal islands, towers and splashbacks.
STATEMENT TAPS & HANDLES
The popularity of feature taps continues to grow. There are a vast array of finishes and styles now available that make it easy to make your tap a statement piece. Brass, industrial-looking taps with unusual handles and interesting features are a great way to draw the eye and complement the space, especially when paired with similar finishes for cupboard and draw grips to keep a consistent style.
CLEVER, CONCEALED STORAGE
Sliding doors and hidden drawers are not just versatile in allowing you to discreetly tuck away a huge variety of appliances, but they also maximise every available bit of space. For those without unlimited kitchen space, storage is absolutely essential for creating an uncluttered feeling in the space and a nice environment to live and entertain in.
ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS
Sustainability and the environment are hot topics, especially in the retail world. Rightly, people are becoming more conscious of how and where their products are sourced. Choose sustainably sourced products and alternatives for solid timber made kitchens such as MFC, which is one of the most eco-friendly wood-based products available. If you do choose timber, make sure it’s FSC certified. To replace realwood worktops, luxury laminate is a great, practical solution.
EARTHY COLOUR PALETTES
Choosing the colour of your kitchen walls can become overwhelming with the abundance of choice on offer. Blush pinks, nude peaches and soft stone greys are always versatile, timeless options especially when toning down deep, dark cabinetry. These neutral tones create a soft, warm and atmospheric feel.
PENDANT LIGHTING
Lighting is a key element of any living space, as not only does it create ambience and atmosphere, but it impacts on the design too. Pendant lighting is proving to be a popular choice, but it’s essential to choose the right style and size to complement your kitchen design. From singular hanging glass, to geometric clusters and stylish exposed wire designs, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. Choosing where to hang pendants is another important decision. As well as hanging in the centre of the room, they can also act as a focal point above a kitchen island, offering the perfect finishing touch to any style of kitchen.
OPEN SHELVING
Something as simple as rustic, open shelving can make a great feature in your kitchen. Shelving is key in enabling you to show off your favourite crockery, trailing plants and quirky items, and it’s a handy solution to quickly reach your pasta and rice jars. However, if the idea of complete open shelving scares you a little, you can also choose glass-fronted feature units to display your prized possessions.
Darren Watts is design director at Wren Kitchens