The kitchen is among the high-traffic areas in the home. What’s more, many fantastic new kitchen brands are sporting new design ideas and clever twists - as a result, there is an abundance of state-of-the-art kitchen appliances and trendy designs to choose from. 

We spend a lot of time in the kitchen – so let’s look at ways you can invest in some elements to make it your dream space to spend with family and friends.

CONCEALED KITCHENS

A chic open-plan area can conceal your cooking area and allow focus on entertainment. With the kitchen tucked discreetly at one end of the room means that blending your cooking, dining, and relaxing space in one room can maximize the sense of more space.

Concealed kitchen design offers a flexible layout for easy transition from your kitchen through your diner to the living area. This makes your cooking area more hidden behind decorative wall-like door panels.

SMART TECHNOLOGY

The promising direction of high-tech gadgets and appliances gives the kitchen a futuristic look. The space will not only look modern but also useful. Sockets are recessed, small appliances are hidden, ovens, a dishwasher are built in, and the hobs merge into the countertops. In short, choose high-quality and multifunctional equipment that will become your best assistant for years to come.

HOT WATER ON DEMAND

We have all become accustomed to wanting everything in a flash. Even kettle boiling is too much of a wait we can’t afford, which is why hot water taps are growing into one of the most sought-after kitchen items. With many people spending more time at home remote working, the demand for instant hot water for coffee and tea in between calls will be high.

DARK SURFACES

The swing for two-tone kitchens has prompted the dark surfaces trend. Dark countertops and worktops can offset lighter furniture and bright colours to create a sense of sophistication and luxury irrespective of the room size. Black and dark grey colours are perceived by many as accent shades to make a room more welcoming when used on surfaces like floors and worktops. If you want to add a rustic, homely appeal to your kitchen, combine black and dark grey with textured wood.

SMART STORAGE

Storage has always been a vital part of kitchen design, especially when everyone strives to declutter for their general wellbeing. Removing clutter from the kitchen can be tricky, especially with the many small things we need – from utensils to ingredients needed to prepare meals. This is why a well-positioned and hidden storage is a catalyst for creating a visually appealing kitchen. The kitchen larder is likewise regarded as the most appealing design feature to have in your kitchen.

The thirst for discreet storage will increase, and homeowners are pondering appliance aesthetics to integrate into the kitchen. With the several kitchen technologies available like the gilded cabinet shelves, under-cabinet led lighting, and battery-run and hard-wired appliances to check electrical cords and outlet clutter, many tech advancements are being integrated into kitchen remodelling.

STATEMENT TAPS

Today, our kitchen wouldn’t be complete without a statement tap. Installing the brass, industrial-like faucet with rare handles and fascinating features is excellent for drawing attention and compliments. Black statement materials have also become popular. For a more streamlined feel, combine with similar cupboard finishes and draw handles for consistency. Now more than ever, it’s time to let your taps shine.

DOUBLE ISLANDS

It is widespread knowledge that islands, and breakfast bars integrate casual dining with workplace and storage. Today’s kitchen should incorporate entertainment, which means cooking and socializing, which you get from the dining islands.

With the move towards larger kitchens, in open plan spaces, the kitchen island has become an essential kitchen feature. New kitchen island ideas, such as opting for a pair of island units, has become the last work in luxury - an expansive addition for when space is no object.

GLASS BACKSPLASH

Now the glass backsplash is a welcome alternative to the familiar ceramic tiles. It is used to protect the wall finish. It owes its popularity to its practicality – due to the absence of seams, dirt does not accumulate, moreover, it is easy to install. The second side of the coin is aesthetics, its surface allows you to apply any pattern and be matted. For small kitchens, the use of such a mirror panel will come in handy. Reflecting light, the kitchen space visually increases. And the more unusual the apron, the more interesting the kitchen set itself will play, for example, its surface can be tinted or slightly aged – and they just look amazing!

MATTE TEXTURE

The glossy surface of kitchen cabinets over the years is gradually being replaced by matte surfaces. They are rejected for understandable reasons – fingerprints or grease are clearly visible on the gloss. In order not to spend a lot of time on cleaning, pay attention to the facades made of special coatings against dirt and dust.

COLOURS

Often overlooked as purely an 'accent' colour, black walls, cabinetry and work surfaces are having something of a moment. Black becomes liveable, luxe and inviting, with textured woods adding rustic, homely charm.

Out of fashion for a while, wood is now enjoying a bit of a revival. These kitchen cabinets use subtle-grained ash, paler than oak or walnut, to pick out the warm tones in manmade stone.

Or you can throw the rulebook out of the window in favour of unexpected paint-colour pairings. Kitchens are rife with colour opportunities, from appliances and flooring to window treatments, kitchen tile ideas and cabinets.

Start by deciding how much of a permanent commitment you are willing to make. Choosing colour is such a personal experience.

The colour in a kitchen – be it on walls or fittings – should last for at least five years, minimum, so try to look beyond immediate trends and choose a colour that will keep you feeling good long term.

HANDLELESS DESIGN

The latest modern kitchen ideas are all about multi-tasking, free-flowing designs with a paired-back look. Technological advances in push-open and close doors means that it has become possible to dispense with handles in both wall and base cabinets.

If you prefer not to have push-open cupboards, then recessed handles provide the same sleek look and can be lined with contrasting colours and materials to add interest.

Handleless kitchen cabinets are one of the biggest trends for more pared-back, streamlined look. It’s all about simplicity and a focus on cabinetry details.

PENDANT LIGHTING

Kitchen islands are top of most of our lists, but the next wish is the rise of pendant lights.

More than just a practical addition, kitchen pendant lighting is a decorative feature over worktop spaces, too.

Lighting is key to any kitchen design scheme, it is important to explore different pendant kitchen lighting ideas, that suits your space. For example, grouping multiple pendants to add drama to the kitchen.

FLOATING SHELVES

You have probably noticed a lot of images floating around with kitchens incorporating this new trend. Not only are they practical, but they are the perfect spot to show off your most attractive kitchen accessories, making your kitchen feel more like a living space than a cooking space.