Kitchen design trends for 2017

UK Kitchen Retailer of the Year 2016, Kitchens International, explains some of the kitchen design trends for the coming year.

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, Kitchens International is seeing the trend towards the kitchen becoming the space where friends and family gather and where plans are made and life is shared.

Flowing designs

Design wise the kitchen is a work of art with 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.

Kitchens International (KI) Designer Carol Cameron says: “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.”

Shades of grey

Neutral colours remain very ‘in’, especially greys and off whites, and increasingly an ultra matt finish is proving highly desirable. Concrete effect doors (such as those from LEICHT kitchens) are in vogue as they look stylish and have a stunning durable, fingerprint-free finish. Textured timbers remain popular 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 clear elegance of an area where it is joy to be in.

Must have item

Kitchens International’s designers are unanimous about the one thing no kitchen should be without in 2017 – a boiling water tap. KI Designer Heather Oliver says: “This is often the most sought after item and we think is the ultimate convenience product for fast paced family lives.”

Lighting options

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.

Stuart Millar, Designer at KI adds: “We are 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 (many are members of professional trade bodies, such as KBSA) 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.”

Storage

Storage solutions are developing at a rapid pace. Long drawers, tall larder units complete with internal drawers, power and lighting and Le Mans corner units all provide the most efficient storage and will be some of the most sought after storage items in the future.

KI Designer Simon Holland says: “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.”