Interior Design: Kitchen trends to look out for this year

INTERIOR DESIGN

Kitchen trends to look out for this year

We speak to Vince Muir, Creative Director of Hollywood Furniture

Vince Muir has been at the forefront of contemporary kitchen design for many years. Muir spent some time in Europe earlier this year visiting the biggest trade shows in the world to stay in touch with global trends.

Here is his list of what you should consider if you are planning on redoing your kitchen this year:

Kitchen Islands

While the trend of open-plan living has been popularised over the last few decades, it’s been no more sought out than in recent years. The idea of a home that flows between zones has become a go-to in modern design. Since Covid and the shift in how we use our home spaces, this has been amplified with many people realising the importance of their space and the impact it has on their lives. With the kitchen and dining area being the heart of the home, an island is an essential part of our design. An island creates a sociable, interactive and dynamic space - a space to eat, cook, work and socialise all in one while being right in the heart of your home.

Multipurpose spaces:

The tech age, with all its pros, has brought with it a new era of design and the need to accommodate the gadgets we now include in our kitchens. While retaining the traditional triangle of cooker, sink and fridge we need to include clever design that creates space for microwaves, air fryers, blenders and coffee machines while keeping the design minimal. We have come up with innovative ways to create spaces that are multipurpose and hyper-functional.

LED Lighting:

A new standard for kitchen design, with their low power consumption and ease of application. They’re also used as a tool in the aesthetic of the design, creating depth in spaces by lighting smaller, less visible areas. They’re most commonly used inside glass cabinets, under shelves and often inside large storage drawers where extra light is needed. Lighting has the ability the create and affect the entire mood of a space and so it’s a vital part of the design.

Textured Finishes:

Scalloped wood cladding, reeded glass, panelling, solid drawer fronts in painted frames, and leathered or honed countertops to name a few. We have noticed that our clients have become more adventurous when it comes to the material finishes and we’re loving it! It has encouraged us to push our boundaries and focus on innovative design.

Mud Rooms:

Probably the biggest trend of 2022 for us has been the addition of mud rooms to the client request list. Traditionally an uninspiring and, frankly, miserable space, mud rooms or utility rooms have been given a makeover. Forming a large portion of the kitchen area, they can be designed to be an extension of the main kitchen with function at the forefront of the design. We love coat hooks, shoe racks, dog washing areas and clever hidden spaces for the not-to-beautiful necessities of a home I do believe this will continue in 2023.

Banquet seating:

We loved this trend so much that we added it to our own home! A creative way to make the most of tight spaces and allow room for large dining areas with no wasted space behind chairs. The design options for banquet seating are endless and can be adapted to suit any taste. It creates a special and intentional space for dining and entertaining.

Brass and brushed gold hardware:

Complimentary in both light and dark kitchens, brass and gold hardware have become the go-to this year- the versatility ranges from Mediterranean styles to farm country kitchens.

For more information and insights, get in touch with Muir, here www.hollywoodfurniture.co.za