Contains small parts

Why bijou kitchens could benefit

While the focus of a kitchen retail showroom is often on large, lifestyle projects, smaller-scale schemes could prove lucrative. It may see retailers broaden their church of clients, providing kitchens for customers prohibited by budget to extend floorspace. However, small doesn’t necessarily mean low cost, as compact kitchens could equally mean a move into new markets, whether that’s for second kitchens, contract developments or even yachts!

Replace but no space

Bill Miller, managing director of Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group (KBBG), which is part of European Der Kreis, says his retail members report consumers are replacing kitchens in their current space. He comments: “Der Kreis members have reported that this year, due to rising interest rates, customers are purchasing a new kitchen for their current home instead of moving house and that the new kitchen is going into an existing space rather than an extension.

It was the popularity of kitchen extensions that drove new kitchen sales over the last three years, therefore as consumers’ interest in extending their home cools, it will be interesting to see what impact this has on the kitchen market. Kitchen retailers will certainly need to adapt to meet his change.” And his view is supported by commercial director of Crown Imperial Tony McCarthy who adds: “As a furniture manufacturer we have seen an increase in interior storage organisation, underlining the Rated People’s home improvement report that ‘repurposing space will be a key trend for 2023’.”

Adding second kitchen

However, smaller kitchens don’t have to simply be a cheaper option but can also offer valuable additional sales, providing multiple working spaces in a home. Compact kitchens could provide a second cooking facility added to garden rooms or perhaps installed in annexes. Managing director of Daval Furniture Simon Bodsworth states: “We are certainly seeing growth in the hidden kitchen and second kitchen market for business owners who work from home or individuals who have a hybrid working pattern. Typically, these clients have already invested in developing outbuildings into home offices or extra spaces for entertaining or hobbies and the next step is to add an extra layer of comfort with a luxe kitchenette separate from the family kitchen.”

Entering new markets

Compact kitchens could also open the doors to new markets for retailers, such as residential contracts, particularly for one-person dwellings. Director at independent kitchen retailer Glotech Chris Reeves adds: “We think it’s vital for every kitchen retailer to give serious consideration to branching out into the contract interiors sector as part of their growth strategy and commercial succession planning. So we recommend that you view small kitchen expertise as a lucrative revenue steam to investigate.” He offers some statistics that support the future potential for small kitchen sales in newbuild. “According to the ONS, with the UK population projected to rise to 69.2million by mid-2030 and to 71million by mid-2045, there is set to be even more opportunity to work with architects and builders on homes which are tailored to specific demographics which favour smaller kitchens such as student accommodation, retirement living or social housing.”

However, it’s not only residences where expertise in small kitchen design could prove to be lucrative, as it also opens the door to private transport specification. Northern regional manager for SieMatic UK Samantha Povey explains: “Luxury compact spaces such as yachts or private jets do utilise luxury finishes and smart, flexible design elements, so high net worth individuals can take their luxury kitchens with them, even when they travel.”

Aspirational designs

It answers the question if small kitchens can offer aspirational design similarly to large scale kitchens. CEO of Scavolini Fabiana Scavolini adds: “It is possible to create an inspirational kitchen in a small space. In fact, having a limited area can force homeowners to be more creative with their design choices and make the most out of every inch.” These views are supported by head of UK operations Rotpunkt Matt Phillips who states: “I’m a firm believer that good design has no limits, so yes you absolutely can, thanks to the multifunctional, modular furniture on the market.”

Storage is key for all kitchens, but particularly small spaces, as marketing associate of Blum UK Billie Watts comments: “As space for housing

3. CROWN IMPERIAL

A Crown Spaceworks Works + larder pull out has been styled here in Textura Taupe Oak. It can be used as a space saver for a smaller scheme. See all the options at www.rdr.link/KAP015

4. BLUM

As part of its storage offer, Blum provides the Space Twin for gaps at the end of a run of units that would usually be a filler. It is available for spaces from 200mm wide. Read all the technical details at www.rdr.link/KAP016

5. DAVAL

Created for a summer house, Daval designed the space using its Mayfair collection in Talpa. View the case study at www.rdr.link/KAP017 gets more competitive, the most important thing we at Blum can do is ensure that all available space is utilised, say with deeper, wider drawers. We also have a solution for gaps at the end of a run that would usually be a filler. We can supply Space Twin for spaces as small as 200mm.” To achieve visual lightness in the space, industry experts point to the importance of glass fronted cabinets and open shelves. Marketing manager at TKC Neil Taggart explains: “With a considered design layout, great storage, open shelving and clever use of lighting any colours, textures and materials should work well in any space.”

However, to capitalise on compact kitchen sales, industry experts suggest retailers show small-scale alongside lifestyle displays. Fabiana Scavolini says: “By including inspiring smaller displays, independent kitchen retailers can encourage those in small city apartments to consider their offerings instead of assuming that only DIY sheds can cater to their needs.” So accomplished retailers can start taking small steps towards new markets.

With the proliferation of instant hot water tap sales in a variety of designs, have hot water taps reached an innovation peak?

Sales of hot water taps have grown considerably over the past couple of years, with strong signs it has become a mature market. Manufacturers have reported double and even triple-digit growth, over the past couple of years, as managing director of Quooker Stephen Johnson reports: “We’ve seen a significant growth in sales of Quooker boiling water taps. Between 2021 and 2022, sales have doubled, with a 100% growth year-on-year. We are now proud to have over 500,000 taps installed in kitchens in the UK and Ireland.” Managing director of Hotspot Titanium Nick Taylor estimates over 80% of kitchen projects in excess of £10,000 have a boiling water tap included and 20% of projects costing less than £10,000 have a boiling water tap included. He adds: “I will estimate that some 9 out of 10 kitchen retailers will be invariably offering a boiling water tap of some kind…and then there’s the retrofit market to add to the numbers.”

Design development

However, the sales growth of instant hot water taps has not just been by relying on the