Kitchen worktops form an essential part of any kitchen, not only from a design perspective, but also for the multiple functions that they serve. They play an important part of any kitchen re-design, often setting the tone and overall feel of any kitchen space.
With this in mind, choosing the right material, finish and design for your kitchen is paramount. In order to keep on trend we have put together a handy guide of kitchen worktop design trends to look out for now that spring 2017 is fast approaching.
1. QUARTZ KITCHEN WORKTOPS ARE HERE TO STAY!
In 2016 we saw an increasing popularity for Quartz worktops as the material of choice for kitchens of all shapes and sizes. Much like its natural stone counterpart, Granite, Quartz was previously seen as a luxury kitchen surface and perhaps out of the price range for the average household owner. However, the increased development of composite stone surfaces over the past few years has opened up the market, making Quartz stone more widely available, even for those on a tighter budget.
Whilst Granite has dominated the market for homeowners looking for a robust, durable and aesthetically pleasing worktop material, their porous nature can lead to liquids such as water, wine and oils seeping through the surface and causing stains. This can be solved through re-sealing however.
As a non-porous material, Quartz offers the perfect alternative and does not require regular re-sealing. It is an extremely stain resistant and hygienic countertop. Like granite, it is also an extremely hard-wearing material. Add to this the material’s flexible properties and the large variety of colours and patterns available – all of which are similar to a range of marble and granite variations – and we can see why Quartz worktops are set to be a key kitchen worktops contender for years to come.
2. MARBLE IMPRESSIONISM
Marble has always been a highly sought after countertop material. However, aside from its extremely beautiful appearance, it is a high-maintenance material, often more suited to lower-traffic areas of a home such as the bathroom. Recent development in the production of Quartz materials has paved way to an increasing variety of veining and pattern variants, some of which offer a compelling alternative to the aesthetic qualities of their Marble counterparts. With this in mind, quartz is offering a solution that combines both the beauty of marble stone with the durability of granite – ideal for a kitchen environment, and a strong reason why we think this is set to continue throughout 2017.
3. LOOKING FOR AN INDUSTRIAL LOOK?
Originating primarily from Scandinavia, an industrial design look is one that has become increasingly popular over the past few years. It is often characterised by exposed brick and/or rustic metal features, and minimalistic furniture choices – all of which look to provide a “factory” feel to the overall kitchen space.
Generally this look also combines the beauty of natural woods, stone and concrete all within the same room – creating designs that nod towards the core elements of any kitchen – function, layout and aesthetics.
4. INCREASE IN CHARACTER – VEINING AND PATTERNS
More and more homeowners are seeking more character when it comes to choosing their kitchen worktop materials. With the ever-changing climate of the stone industry, new quarries and new technology constantly allow for the discovery of beautifully unique natural stone, with varying veining and patterns. Whilst the plain, solid colour styles of past years can stand the test of time, stone materials with intricate veining patterns and colourations have begun to take favour amongst many homeowners in recent years.
Quartz materials, for example, are often designed to resemble slabs of beautiful natural marble and granite stone, but within a cost bracket that suits the average homeowner’s budget. Whats more, the increasing availability of leathered and honed stone finishes also offer a unique, individual feel to your worktops, yet still with the durability of polished worktop finishes. Leathered and honed finishes can also tie in nicely with more industrial design features such as exposed brickwork, rustic metal features and flooring.
5. MODERN, NEUTRAL TONES – HERE TO STAND THE TEST OF TIME?
In recent years neutral tones have become a common feature for many kitchen designs and even contemporary interior design trends throughout a home. Bright colours and bold statement designs from the past decade have begun to be replaced by softer, laid back tones. The focus on individual features – be it an exotic granite splashback or exposed brickwork wall – are taking more prominence in recent kitchen designs. These are then often set against neutral worktop colours in order to provide a stark contrast between the desired focal points/features and the rest of the kitchen.
With a larger focus on natural lighting seen in a number of kitchen designs, large skylights and large windows are also becoming increasingly common. This, in line with neutral colour worktops, paves way for a modern, timeless design – ideal for creating a sense of space within smaller kitchen spaces.
6. TILE SPASHBACKS
Stone splashbacks have been a common feature of kitchen design for many years. In recent years however, we have begun to see a rise in the number of homeowners opting for decorative stone tiles as an integral part of their kitchen splashback in favour of a full 4″ slab of countertop material. This has often occurred in line with an increasing movement towards neutral worktop colours and thin stone slabs, with stone tile splashbacks offering a canvas for striking comparative design, and becoming a key focal point for many modern kitchens.
7. LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Having the right amount of light for your kitchen has always been an intrinsic part of kitchen design, and this is still the case today. This not only concerns making the most of natural light within your kitchen, but also how artificial light can add a touch of class or shine to a variety of different spaces. In recent years we have begn to see an increasing number of homeowners wanting to experiment with all aspects of kitchen lighting. Rather than simply focusing on ceiling lights to set the mood of their kitchen lighting, more and more homeowners are looking to make the most of their cabinet space with LED lighting, floor uplighting and other clever lighting fittings. This is a trend we expect to see more of as 2017 unfolds.
8. KITCHEN ISLANDS
Whether you are an avid cook or tend to see the kitchen as more of a social space for family and friends, a kitchen island can serve a multitude of different purposes. Over the past few years they have become an integral part of many kitchen extensions and re-modelling projects. They not only offer a beautiful focal point for your kitchen, but also provide a large practical space to prepare, cook, and entertain guests, or even house important kitchen components such as a sink or dishwasher appliances. And for this reason, we believe kitchen islands will form a central part of kitchen plans throughout 2017, from both an aesthetics and functionality perspective.
9. INTEGRATED KITCHEN LIVING SPACES
Considered the heart of home for many homeowners, kitchen living spaces have become increasingly more apparent in recent years. It allows for an extra area for family and guests to convene, and is prefect for those homeowners who like to catch up with their families, or favourite tv shows whilst preparing and cooking food. With many homeowners looking to grow or extend their current kitchen spaces, integral kitchen living spaces are a design trend that we continue to expect throughout 2017.
If you have any questions call us today and speak to one of our experts.