Now that spring is in full bloom, Andy Richardson from interior design specialists, Edward Thomas Interiors talks about freshening up one of the most important rooms in the home, the kitchen, and what trends you can expect to see in the coming months…
“It’s well-documented that the kitchen is considered the heart of the home but for many it’s doubled up as a workspace in the past year, so how do you keep this multifunctional ‘hub’ looking fresh and modern?
“One of the main trends for this year is bold colours. Green has become especially popular recently and we’re starting to see emerald green units being offered as well as others from within this family such as sage, khaki and mint. Blush pink is also widely used but don’t discount the classics, navy blue will never go out of style for instance. Match this with bold accents such as orange or ochre and it still appears timeless.
“People are less sheepish with their interior design choices now, preferring to take risks and make statements which showcase individuality. Colour is not just being expressed on kitchen cabinetry but is also seen in accessories, window frames, panelling, wallpapering and painting. Perhaps think about crittall windows, industrial style lighting, a deliberate mix of metallics – brass, copper or gold handles or taps for instance – or even a contrasting colour sink and splashback, there’s plenty of room to express personality.
“As we head towards summer, it’s unsurprising that brighter and bolder colours look set to emerge. Pantone’s colour of the year, Illuminating, is a sherbet lemon yellow which evokes feelings of energy and optimism, something we can all aspire to, and other popular choices – oxy fire red, aqua and warm grey – reflect this too. Remember that colour preferences are both dependent on season and mood; you can easily enhance the style of a room by adding new fabrics, lighting, cushions, or even fresh flowers and plants.
“Another emerging trend is adopting elements of nature and the environment in your home styling. Obviously, the lockdowns have forced everyone to spend more time in and around the home and this has really renewed people’s interests in the outdoors – walking, bird watching, cycling, etc. Trying to bring nature inside, therefore, is really popular so fabrics and materials are all very natural, neutral and restorative. The Sunday Times Style magazine recently referred to this as the “great global rewilding”, emphasising the repetitive use of sustainable materials like rattan and wood. This concept can also be seen in patterns for work surfaces and floorcoverings for example, where designs are evidently inspired by the environment such as lava, salt mines, clay pits or sand dunes.
“Lastly, with us all spending so much time at home, storage and organisation has become a focus, especially in the kitchen where we need maximum space and minimal clutter. We’re seeing the inclusion of taller wall units, concealed or discreet storage like carousel and pull-out larder/pantry spaces as well as floating shelves and more creative solutions such as door spice racks and integral chopping boards!
