A WARM, RELIABLE CONSTANT IN  AN EVER CHANGING WORLD

At the core of great design is a common thread – people, and personal connections - and in the current climate has there ever been a more poignant trend?

We’ve spent a lot of time at home recently with much uncertainty. But for many it’s been the kitchen that’s been the one constant, the backbone of the house, the place we know we can rely on. Not just for cooking, but as school rooms, creative spaces, games rooms and home offices. People living together have embraced looking beyond their devices and are really placing value on doing things together – and that’s only set to continue.

So even with the prospect of going out again coming into reach, we still always come back to one place at the end of a hard day - the kitchen. It’s the room that fuels the bodies, minds and souls of friends and families all over the world, and really encourages quality time spent together.

MULTI-FUNCTIONING

Mealtimes have reawakened a sense of occasion once again, with families increasingly coming together to eat. As a result, we’re seeing a clear resurgence of the kitchen table. Once almost abandoned for staggered mealtimes, separate rooms, interruptions by the TV and social media, it has regained its status as the anchor of the room. It takes on many forms too – not just round, oval, rectangular, but islands and breakfast bars.

There is a clear melding of kitchens into living spaces, and whilst this has been happening for some time, the last year has created even more demand for this, with so many more designs created as kitchen, dining, living space combinations, or custom hybrids. We’re seeing a sharp rise in kitchen features such as media stations with a sofa area for relaxing, alongside reading nooks and desk areas – all to embrace family gathering in one central space.

LOOKING BEYOND THE KITCHEN

With the kitchen being used more diversely and more often by the wider household, efficiency but also comfort is key. Whilst some walls are being knocked down, others are being put back up to create new adjacent spaces to the main kitchen area. With more social time being spent in the kitchen, the noise of the washing machine is ever more closed away into dedicated utility and laundry rooms.

Cultural changes are also heavily impacting wider kitchen design. For many households with a love of outdoor pursuits and a rural lifestyle, whether full time, or just on the weekends, boot rooms in particular are becoming an extremely popular addition to the kitchen.

It’s not just family traditions that we’re embracing, but tradition in general. The glamourous, romantic living that we’ve all come to love through our favourite period dramas, has seen a huge demand for the most traditional design in our homes. As a result, integrated larders and walk-in pantries, are all making a big resurgence as a must-have kitchen luxury.

As the lines continue to blur between kitchen and living spaces, we’re also seeing increased demand for freestanding heritage furniture in the kitchen. Dressers, breakfast pantries and drinks cabinets which may have previously been more associated with the dining or living room, now add a softer, more homely feel to the kitchen.

FINER TRADITIONAL TOUCHES

In stark contrast to the trends of the last decade where very white or grey modern kitchens always took lead, tradition through colour and style is also re-emerging, with people now embracing darker, richer, warmer hues and more period-style cabinetry throughout their kitchen.

Heritage tones such as deep blues and greens are in high demand from homeowners looking to add bold yet sophisticated colour to their space. Life’s ‘Copse Green’ in particular is one of our most sought after colours, with customers falling for its brooding warmth and reassuring nature.

Harking back to a time before kitchens were fully-fitted, we’re seeing huge popularity in kitchens that give a nod to a ‘freestanding look’ and beautiful detailing. Solid timber, Shaker cabinetry helps to create this look effortlessly; whether using decorative feature posts to break up the run of units, or whether the whole door sits within a delicate outer frame, for a really fine, hand crafted feel.

Similarly, there’s plenty of tradition to be found in the finer details and finishing touches too; brass cup handles reminiscent of an old desk or dresser; hooks, rails, mantels and open shelving, which were once purely practical are now decorative too; alongside big Belfast sinks and imposing agas.

Of course, just because a kitchen looks and feels traditional, behind closed doors the smartest of hidden storage and fully integrated appliances keeps everything practical and hardworking for modern life.

STEP INTO YOUR KITCHEN LIFESTYLE

As people continue to redesign their homes – a trend that is not subsiding - kitchens are no exception and we recognise them as the room we spend most time in together.

So, whether you’re thinking of re-imagining your existing space, merging several spaces together, or building an entirely new space, let us help you visualise how your new kitchen could really feel through the power of virtual reality.

Don’t just see your designs, but step into your new space using our virtual reality theatre. Walk around, open cupboards, reach for the island - really experience your dream kitchen lifestyle. After all, it’s not just a space for cooking and eating, but for work, play, communicating and connecting - which at some level always guarantees continuity, well-being and stability.

How do you want to live yours?