KITCHEN DESIGNS 2010

Posted on 08. Feb, 2010 by Homes Etc in Articles, Kitchen and Bathroom

With a wealth of new designs and colourways, 2010 is the year to update your kitchen to the ultimate hub of the home…

Predictions of a colourful year ahead for the heart of the home
The natural look, appealing curves and mood-altering lighting: not the ingredients of a hot date, but the biggest new trends to hit the nation’s favourite room this year. The recession has consolidated the kitchen’s place at the heart of our homes for two reasons.

Firstly, we are spending more time eating, entertaining and socialising indoors in a bid to save cash while still enjoying the fun things in life. Another symptom of the current economic climate is that people are opting to invest in their homes rather than sell them, with kitchen renovations proven to add the most resale value. This is borne out by people increasingly shunning the dining room in favour of a larger kitchen-diner, with more than half a million dining rooms due to be demolished over the next 12 months according to research from Halifax Home Insurance.

Add these factors together and it’s easy to see why homeowners are clamouring for stylish yet functional kitchens that can provide everything we demand of them on an affordable budget. So, if you’re planning on updating your kitchen what should be on your wish list? It’s all about natural woods, curved lines and clever storage according to Bethan Barnfield, marketing manager at Sigma 3.

Bethan Barnfield comments, “Natural oak units are set to be in high demand in 2010. This traditional look has been perennially popular but wood is making a comeback with a much more contemporary feel. Savvy customers are opting for colour stained or painted finishes to the wood for added depth and interest.”

Bethan concludes, “2010 is set to be an exciting time for kitchens with more people looking to make the most of their current homes and really maximise their appeal. It’s important that not only does a kitchen have the impressive ‘wow factor’ aesthetically, but work from a practical perspective too. The resurgence of colourful lighting and the latest innovations in storage solutions mean that there has never been a better time to make the most important room in the home work harder for every lifestyle.”

Kitchen Planning Advice

L-Shape: An L-shape kitchen has units along two adjacent walls and benefits from lack of through traffic. The problem area in an L-shaped kitchen is often the corner space, but a carousel or magic corner storage unit will solve this.

U-Shape: A U-shape kitchen is fitted on three sides of the room and provides plenty of storage and worktop space. It is ideal for the traditional working triangle but can feel slightly enclosed if the wall units also run all around the room.

Galley: The simplest of layouts is the galley kitchen, which involves a single run of units down one wall. The galley kitchen is perfect for small kitchens and will allow two people to work alongside each other comfortably but storage space will be at a premium so you may consider a separate pantry or floor-to-ceiling cupboard at one end of the galley.

Galley with Island: This design is really only suitable for large rooms or kitchen/diners. The benefits include the extra storage an island allows as well as its aesthetic appeal, but careful planning with regards to appliances and the sink is needed to prevent wasted journeys around the island.

Design Tips

• The traditional working triangle – whereby the sink, fridge and hob is positioned in a triangular formation to reduce traffic flow while cooking – is a good place to start when planning the lay-out of your space.

• If you have a period property with the prerequisite slanted walls and uneven floors, a bespoke kitchen may be your best option. The beauty of bespoke is that the cabinetry can be made to work with the original features rather than the other way round and it needn’t be a costly option.

• If you would like your island unit to double as a breakfast bar, ensure that it is 40mm taller than your base units to enable a bar stool to sit comfortably beneath.

• A large island unit can almost double surface and storage space. Don’t forget they can also be used to house appliances, such as the dishwasher and fridge, provided a plumbing and electricity supply is available.

• If you opt for an open-plan layout, beware of the contamination of cooking smells within the dining area. A good extractor is a must – look for models that have an automatic run-on function that continues cleaning the air after cooking has ended. Tips from Patrick Gunning, Founder and head designer of Barnes of Ashburton Ltd, www.barnesofashburton.com.

5 Key Kitchen Trends 2010

1. The trend for open-plan kitchens has been with us for some time now but it is still gaining momentum. The kitchen has become a public space where people socialise and entertain family and friends, so functionality and zoning is vital.

2. The handleless kitchen will continue to be popular in 2010: sleek and streamlined kitchens are both stylish and practical and work especially well in an open-plan kitchen, allowing the kitchen and the living space to integrate and harmonise.

3. Traditional shaker styles and warming woodgrains and neutrals will remain popular for buyers who exercise a more traditional palate. (Below)

4. Ready to paint kitchens are a key trend for 2010. Ready to paint cabinets allow you to stamp your own personality on them and they can be updated and refreshed for many years to come.

5. With 2010 kitchens, less is more, with minimalist, streamlined styling the key to successful contemporary kitchen design. While dramatic colours such as black proved popular in 2009, this trend will move on to a combination of contrasting light and dark hues, offering a more tranquil effect.

Try At Home: Give your kitchen a brilliantly bright update with the addition of these zesty orange chairs.

You can transform existing chairs from lacklustre to magnificent in just one afternoon. They don’t need to match either – mismatching chairs can look striking, adding real interest and character. “We’ve given this country-style kitchen retro appeal by simply giving the chairs a makeover. We chose to add a vivid shot of orange to the scheme to contrast with the calm green and added a few orange accessories to complete the update. The result, a fantastically fun new look in no time at all,” says Louise Smith, Dulux colour and design expert. (Above: Dulux Tailor Made Colour range, www.dulux.co.uk.)

Useful Link
For a great range of kitchen designs and expert advice contact Elizabeth Ann Studios: www.elizabethannstudios.co.uk / Tel: Bournemouth 01202 296090 / Poole 01202 679614.