For many homeowners, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. A hub for family life, socialising and entertaining, the kitchen is the most used and most loved space in many of the country’s properties. As it is such an important area, it’s no surprise that it’s subject to changing tastes and evolving trends. While one year industrial chic and metallics are all the rage, the next, homeowners are opting for natural materials, Shaker-style units and organic shapes.

While no one should install a kitchen just because it’s in fashion, keeping up with these changing trends is a good way to get inspiration for your home renovation. Seeing what’s hot and what’s not in the world of kitchen design should help you to work out exactly what you like and what works for you. Take a look at our guide to the latest kitchen trends to start your design journey.

What’s new in kitchen design 2020?

Natural stone

Stone has long been used to add character and style to contemporary kitchens. Marble in particular has been used extensively in kitchen work surfaces and kitchen flooring to bring gravitas, depth and texture to a space.

In 2020, we expect to see stone used even more extensively in kitchen design. Marble, granite, slate and other beautiful, natural stones can be used to create solid bases for work surfaces, housing for fridges and freezers and chunky, character sinks. This can help contemporary kitchens to really stand out from the crowd and give them a real focal point.

Broken plan living

For years now, homeowners have been knocking down walls to open up their spaces and enjoy open plan living. And while this works well for many aspects of modern life, sometimes it’s nice to be able to shut the door on the washing up, put your feet up and relax. As a result, we’re seeing more people opt for ‘broken plan’ living. This involves dividing spaces to create smaller, cosier areas. Dividing the kitchen from the living room can actually help to make the space more relaxing and allow you to enjoy your home even more.

 

What’s new in kitchen cupboards?

Shaker-style units

Shaker-style units are a classic, timeless option for your kitchen cupboards. This style of unit never goes out of fashion and looks good in both period and contemporary properties.

Handleless design

We’re seeing more and more homeowners opt for sleek, handless kitchen cupboard designs. Handleless cupboards have smooth, elegant silhouettes and a stylish contemporary aesthetic. Most handleless cupboards have grooves inlaid into the surface for easy opening, although some have other design solutions. This makes them practical and easy to use as well as stylish.

Larders

Although they may seem like a fairly out-dated kitchen feature, larders have actually made a comeback over the past few years. These large, spacious cupboards make it easy to store and access food. This is ideal for families who want to stock up and for those who like to whip up a feast in the kitchen.

If you want to go a step further, and you have the space to spare, opt for a full kitchen pantry. These walk-in larders are the ideal place to store dry ingredients and can help you to keep your main kitchen clutter-free.

What’s new in kitchen cabinet colours?

Dark, dramatic colours

Dark, dramatic colours like navy blue, slate grey and even black have become more and more popular with homeowners selecting kitchen cupboards. These strong colours can create real contrast in the kitchen and help to make the space stylish, contemporary and unique. Match dark kitchen units with light work surfaces or bright walls for maximum contrast.

Bright and bold

If dark colours don’t appeal, you could be bold in another way and opt for a bright, eye-catching tone for your cabinets. Oranges, blues, yellows and greens can all look great when used in the right way. As these colours need to be balanced out, it’s a good idea to pair them with more neutral tones and to avoid going overboard with your bright palette.

What’s new in kitchen countertops?

Statement countertops

The countertops are one of the most important parts of any kitchen, so why not make a feature out of them? Choosing countertops that contrast strongly with the colour of your walls, cupboards and cabinets can help to make your kitchen stand out from the crowd.

Natural wood

At the other end of the design spectrum, we’re also seeing a lot of homeowners opt for wooden work surfaces. Natural, durable and timeless, wood is a great choice for countertops and can be used to great effect in both modern and period properties.

What’s new in kitchen tech?

Smart appliances

Almost all high-end kitchen appliances now come with some form of smart integration. Often, these smart features allow you to control your appliances via the internet by hooking them up to your smartphone. As well as being able to turn appliances on and off, these smart capabilities can let you see what’s in your fridge so you don’t overbuy at the shops, and allow you to watch your food as it slowly cooks away in the oven.

Retro aesthetics

While appliances are getting smarter, their aesthetics are often going in the other direction. A lot of homeowners now want cookers, fridges and other appliances that have one foot in the past and one firmly in the future, meaning retro aesthetics with 21st century capabilities. These classically-designed appliances are ideal for period properties as they’ll fit right in and won’t go out of fashion.

If you’re currently in the process of planning a kitchen renovation, or if you just want advice on worktops, cabinets and appliances, we can help. Take a look around our site, get in touch or drop into our showroom to find out more.