From cabinet colours to countertops, what’s sizzling hot at the moment? Whether you’re planning to remodel your kitchen or simply refresh, here are some of the top trends.  

Cabinet colours

Greys and inky blue shades are still popular but style-savvy homeowners are increasingly ready to experiment with bolder, dramatic colours. “We will see more and more people choosing dark grey/black and deep forest green cabinetry,” said Aimee Logan of Kitchen Living, a company which designs and installs kitchens. The trend to knock through and create open-plan kitchens with plenty of natural light enables people to be “bolder and braver” in their colour choices, she says. Dark, natural hues are beautifully paired with handles and taps in brushed brass or other contrasting metals. When deciding on your colour scheme, consider the natural light and space in your kitchen. While dark, bold colours can suit large, well-lit areas, a lighter colour palette may work better in smaller spaces.  

Image supplied by DeVOL Kitchens

Colour

Coral pink is also on the kitchen menu. Dark cabinetry with the second, more vibrant colour on splashbacks, tiles, walls, counter or kitchen island can bring the look together. From pink fridges (with interchangeable doors in case you want to switch the look) to colourful cookers, you can inject some personality and lift into an otherwise sombre kitchen interior.  There’s no need to invest in large new appliances or cabinetry.  A coat of emulsion on the wall can bring the new hue into your kitchen for the cost of a pot of paint. Coral pink works well with inky blues, black and grey while golden hues complement rich, deep greens. “It may be a feature wall or just details here and there,” said Giordana Burns, senior architect and interior designer at Pro Vision.  “In terms of colour schemes, it’s best to pick two main colours and one accent. Typically, two should be similar and one contrasting but it can go the other way – two contrasting and one matching. Never mix more than three colours,” she says.

Max out on textures

Contrasting textures looks to be a key trend in kitchen design in 2019. Think concrete-effect wallpaper with highly-polished marble worktops or luxurious brushed brass handles and black matte cupboard fronts for a super-cool, layered look. Copper was popular in 2018 but brushed brass is this year’s standout metal for handles, light fittings and even electric sockets. “You will see brass appearing a lot more in the next 12 to 18 months because it lends itself to being matched with darker colours,” said Logan, who added quartz is still king when it comes to countertops because it’s hardwearing and easy to clean.  “People tend to choose wood to bring warmth into a room, for example a breakfast bar, flooring or oak shelves,” she says. Kitchen designers are forecasting timber or wood-effect flooring will replace tiles this year.

Image supplied by DeVOL Kitchens

Industrial chic

The industrial-look kitchen is still in vogue. When this décor first became popular it was associated with warehouse conversions and loft living in New York and London. Architectural elements include exposed brick walls, concrete flooring, visible pipes and big metal windows. Steel finish splashbacks, worktops, cupboard doors and shelves complete the look. For those who like the look of concrete but loathe its coarseness, there are now concrete-effect quartz worktops. Even classic kitchens can have industrial touches, such as a chrome extractor fan. Check out kitchen sOL kitchenshowrooms for the latest range of stoves and ovens to give your kitchen an industrial edge.

Social spaces

Open-plan living is a trend that is showing no signs of slowing down. Homes that integrate a functional kitchen with the main living space are in great demand. The aim is create relaxed and sociable living spaces for families which are also great for entertaining .“In an ideal world an open plan kitchen/diner is the perfect way to make sure your kitchen is a social hub, but if this is not possible, adding a breakfast bar or peninsula can create a spot where people can perch and chat to you whilst you cook. It also creates a nice barrier between you and your guests so you can keep your cooking area free,” says Logan.

Image supplied by DeVOL Kitchens

There’s also a real trend for clever concealment, where a run of cupboards or kitchen island can hide appliances and pull-out waste/recycling drawers, allowing space to be uncluttered, perfect for entertaining

The Smart kitchen

Kitchens are becoming more tech-centric. From motion sense lighting controls to wi-fi electrical outlets,technology has entered kitchens in a big way. Perhaps the cleverest are integrated appliances that communicate with each other, such as cooker hoods where the fan is automatically controlled by the hob settings.  Sleek-looking Induction cooktops which can be fitted flush to the worktop are set to become huge in the coming years. Keith Myers, of The Myers Touch, which specialises in the design of luxury kitchens, said: “People like the cleanliness, the power, performance and energy-efficiency.”

Myers Touch, contemporary dark grey kitchen - Image supplied by Martin Gardner