Green is having a bit of a moment in our homes. While some shades will come and go, deeper greens will stand the test of time. Forest green is a lush, rich hue that calls to mind British racing cars of the past, and works particularly well in kitchens with a vintage edge.
Thanks to the popularity of open-plan living kitchen diners remain a firm favourite when it comes to kitchen layouts. The practical design creates a functional space ideal for cooking, eating and socialising. And, as it's usually a large light-filled room it's a beautiful blank canvas to create the kitchen scheme of your dreams.
Peninsula kitchen layouts work well in smaller kitchen diners. They are a stylish and practical alternative to kitchen islands when space is tight. Not only do they act as a room divider without compromising the light they also create an excellent additional seating solution for more relaxed occasions like breakfast or study time.
As new trends lean towards using natural materials in decorating schemes keeping raw plaster exposed on walls is becoming increasingly popular in contemporary kitchen schemes. The smooth pinkish tone is warming, organic and surprisingly easy to maintain. If the thought of re-skimming walls is too adventurous start with a limewash paint that can create the same type of effect.
As we become more concerned about the health of both ourselves and the planet, kitchens that prioritise our wellbeing are in demand. Wellness kitchen designs include a social vibe, good natural light, inspiring light colours and lots of greenery. They also incorporate plenty of sustainable and eco functions and features such as composting, kitchen garden stations and natural materials.
Matt kitchen cabinetry is on-trend in both modern and traditional kitchen schemes and looks ultra-chic when combined with contemporary dark tones. The matt finish absorbs light instead of reflecting it on the surface so it's easier to keep clean than gloss surfaces. The muted finish adds a tactile texture that is extremely inviting.
As open-plan living takes a turn, kitchens are set to see a new divide. Sliding barn doors, Japandi-style screens and freestanding furniture create an ambiguous divide between rooms. The new layouts add intimate zones for cooking, entertaining and relaxing but hold on to the spacious and open feel of the larger space.
As rattan furniture jumps from the garden into our homes it's no wonder the sustainable material is making waves in the kitchen too. From curvaceous bar stools to attractive accents such as fruit bowls and light shades, rattan and wicker kitchen finishing touches add texture and relaxed comfort to kitchen schemes.
Want a little variation in your kitchen? Two-tone cabinetry is a stylish way of breaking up block colour especially if you are tapping into the dark kitchen trend. Balance dramatic fitted units with a kitchen island painted in a complementary pastel shade or break up a run of coloured cabinetry with a natural wood in the same range to add personality to your space.
If a kitchen cabinet colour change is too permanent, highlighting just one element with a contrasting tone can look fresh and striking. Perfect for renters, inject the colour juxtaposition with vivid small appliances or bar stools that can be updated easily.
Looking to give your IKEA kitchen a bespoke look? We think it's time for a touch of fixture embellishment! Leather handles are a creative natural accent that adds visual interest to super matt cupboards. What's more, real leather changes colour and form with use, so the more use they get the better they look.
Vinyl flooring has come a long way since the 70s. Thanks to technology it's now possible to achieve incredible and affordable results that are easy to install and maintain. This geometric kitchen floor pattern injects an endearing vintage twist to this contemporary kitchen.
Statement flooring is a Victorian trend that has come full circle. It makes a beautiful yet subtle feature and can set the tone of a whole house especially one originally built in that era. It is also a striking way to zone out an open-plan kitchen.
Handleless kitchen cabinets have been a popular choice with high-gloss kitchen cabinetry for a while. And now the streamlined look is being incorporated into every aspect of a kitchen to make contemporary kitchens appear even more seamless. Crisp linear edges that flow into one another maximises space and oozes minimalist style. It's a win-win!
Brick-shaped metro tiles have been the most popular kitchen tile choice for at least a decade. Originally used on the underground (hence the name) the versatile little kitchen staple fits into most spaces so requires very little cutting and can be fashioned into many mosaic forms, such as herringbone pictured. There are simply dozens of colourways and finishes to choose from and these days different grout colours have given them a bit of a makeover too.
A pantry cupboard is every amateur chef’s dream. While they fell out of favour for many years outside of traditional kitchens, they have made a big comeback and it’s easy to see why. A well-designed larder means you always know exactly where everything is, so no more rummaging around at the back of cupboards for your lesser-used spices.
If you have room, two islands are better than one. Double islands create an abundance of space for entertaining and cooking with ease. In large kitchens, a pair of islands look impressive and are the current go-to layout option in luxury kitchen design.
While it's tempting to go for a standard cabinet from a kitchen supplier, you may not always get a shade you love, as colourways are often limited. Whether you're looking for a must-have navy or a sage green from your favourite paint supplier, the best way to ensure you get a shade you love for years to come is to opt for bespoke painted cabinetry. Of course, if your budget is tight, you can buy ready-to-paint cabinetry to do it yourself. Best of all, you can give them a refresh when you fancy a change!
As long as the kitchen island remains a lasting trend so will its best friend: pendant lighting. The suspending fixtures not only highlight the unit below but are a style statement in their own right. Ranging from simple metal diner styles to designer pieces you can create any stylish lighting look you like.
Pale kitchens will benefit from glazed features. Glass fronted cupboards in clear or frosted finishes can break up lengths of wooden cabinetry with texture or exhibit a crockery display. Tie the reflective additions into the scheme with luxe pendant lights for a refined and coherent kitchen scheme.
The hexagon-shaped Lily Pad tile has been an Instagram sensation for a while now. A simple three-lined design offers a pattern and layout that has no boundaries, and offers the perfect mix of modern and traditional style. Originally made in cement, they made an expensive kitchen wall tile choice, however, demand has led to a cheaper porcelain alternative produced in a spectrum of on-trend colourways.
Having everything out on show has become increasingly common in modern kitchens. Losing chunky wall cabinets creates a feeling of openness, but it’s also very practical, putting all your kitchenware in easy reach without even having to open a cupboard. When you feel it’s time for a change, simply switch out your crockery and your kitchen gets an instant new look.
As we see a growth in healthy living culture, an increase in wine consumption and general affordability, a drinks cooler or wine chiller that is separate from your refrigerator is now often high on the appliance wish list. So whether you need to be well stocked for post-workout rehydration or an after work 'wine down' an incorporated 'chiller' is a useful appliance to neatly squeeze into your kitchen plan.
Blush pink has been the colour of the season and is no exception in the kitchen. The pale and interesting cashmere shade gives white kitchen fans the chance to be a little braver to inject a touch of sophistication into a kitchen scheme.
As more of us are becoming eco-aware, it seems we are reflecting this trend in our homes with more raw and organic decorating ideas. Natural wood in ash, oak or pine finishes are proving popular again; and it's a look that will last. Exposing the natural grain shows off its craftsmanship and creates a comforting eco vibe.
If you are on a budget teaming different worktop materials can prove cost-effective. Add a stunning quartz or cement surface in a small area as a focal point and a more economical countertop to complete the look. The contrasting colours will break up space and create visual interest.
We've seen kitchens with open shelving and cabinetry but what about no upper cabinets at all? There are pros and cons to this look. Kitchens with bare walls or just one or two shelves maximise space and feel light an airy, but of course, you are compromising on cupboard space. Personally, we love this look!
The industrial trend combines the look of a professional kitchen with quirky, factory-inspired touches. However, the current industrial trend is softer, with an almost Scandi touch. Think calming hues, tactile surfaces, unvarnished wood and metallic accents; it's a keeper!
You may have heard of living walls, which are vertical growing spaces for plants, and now you should look out for 'living kitchens'. With our growing interest in healthier foods, designers are looking for new ways of bringing the 'farm-to-table' concept into our homes. This kitchen island has a dedicated herb box to provide life to the kitchen and for the home cook to grow their own.
Remember when butler sinks were all the rage? Statement sinks are still popular but designers are thinking outside the box to create more ingenious focal points like additional trough sinks, contemporary apron-front, and even polished glass kitchen sinks.
Crittall-style doors are popping up everywhere as they are undoubtedly visually stylish, instantly give a room an edgy industrial stance and yet they seem to suit all schemes. They not only look suitably chic they are built to last with steel multi-frames so in our opinion are well worth the investment. They also make great room dividers in open-plan living.
Waterfall-style islands show off statement worktops and create a visually appealing effect as the worktop edges appear to flow over the side of the surface down to the floor. Laura Davie from Cosentino says that this design is a growing trend: "It's easy to achieve, giving a seamless finish and elegant look."
Bored of pale grey but not quite brave enough for black? Then you need the new favourite shade: charcoal. The bold colour still gives off the atmosphere of style and luxury but with a softer tone, especially when teamed with a contrasting cream kitchen island.
Warm metallics such as copper and brass are set to inject a little luxury into our kitchens for a while yet. They've been the go-to accessories for cookware and pendant lights and you can now expect to see them as splashbacks, taps and sockets.
Looking to squeeze in a dining space? American-style booths are taking kitchen-diners to the next level. It's a great way to make your kitchen look relaxed and seamlessly blends an eating space into a scheme. Super space-saving, they are usually right-angled or circular and, let's face it, downright cool. Other popular options include window seating or one fitted banquette bench with a freestanding table.
We've mentioned warm metallics but there is one finish in particular that is going to be especially hot for a while. A recent Pinterest report highlights mixed metals as a seriously popular trend among its users with a focus on golden fixtures and tapware. The glamorous and expensive looking material looks super luxe shining out against muted colours and could be the beginning of an Art Deco resurrection.
For those who prefer an understated functionality, a kitchen with large stainless steel elements will always look professional. Durable and easy to clean it gives schemes that superior gleam no other material will and especially looks the part in industrial-style kitchens.
With kitchens getting smaller it's important to be able to adapt how we live. Often more affordable, freestanding cabinets and manoeuvrable islands are practical and ideal for freedom and versatility, plus if it's on wheels then moving it around is even easier!
Navy blue coloured kitchens remain popular for their sophisticated looks. The shade works equally well painted on classic Shaker units or contemporary gloss finishes. Team with light marble or pale wood worktops for a crisp and elegant look that is bound to last.
As tech-in-the-home develops at an astonishing rate. We are constantly looking for ways to make life faster and easier and as it's the heart of the home the kitchen is no exception. More and more gadgets are being incorporated into large and small appliances such as integrated speakers, Dash buttons for super quick product replenishment and this high-tech smart cooker comes with an app which allows users to control the appliance from their smartphone.
No country kitchen is complete without a range cooker but you don’t have to stick to traditional colours. Choosing a colourful cooker in anything from duck egg blue to fire engine red will create a striking focal point in your kitchen without compromising on classic style.
Shaker-style kitchens are perennially popular. The simple elegance of the panelled cabinets means they work in practically any scheme. To give them a 21st-century update, team them with contemporary accessories such as stainless steel or go for a bold colour.
If you prefer to keep your kitchenware out of sight until you need it, you’ll need somewhere stylish to store it. A run of handleless units is the ideal choice for the more minimally inclined, as it blends unobtrusively with the rest of the kitchen while providing maximum storage space. For an even more minimal look, go for cupboards in the same colour as your walls.
Perhaps a follow on from the popular metro tiles, mermaid or fish scale tiles are splashing into our kitchens with strong visual impact. Echo the marine theme to the max by choosing a coastal decorating palette of blues, greys and sea greens.
Patterned tiles aren’t just for splashbacks. Used on the floor, they can elevate a simple kitchen into something special. Tiles are easy to replace and there are lots of affordable options out there. If you get bored of your current design, you can give your kitchen a makeover costing very little time and money simply by replacing the tiles.
Freestanding kitchens don’t have to be traditional. This powder-coated metal freestanding unit looks just the part in an industrial-style kitchen, especially against the textured backdrop of rough-finished plaster walls.
The speckled pattern of terrazzo is not rubbing away for a while yet. The stylish marble chips are moving out from under our feet to make impressive feature tile splashbacks as well as floors that will enhance your kitchen design and colour scheme with a bold twist.