10 of the Best Kitchen Trends from EuroCucina 2016
Take a walk through the latest European kitchen designs, as seen at this year's EuroCucina, part of the Milan Furniture Fair
Featured as a part of Salone del Mobile, also known as the Milan Furniture Fair, EuroCucina is held biennially and is an opportunity for Europe’s top kitchen designers and manufacturers to show off new designs and collections to attendees from all over the world. This year, the main show attracted more than 370,000 visitors, with 64 per cent coming from abroad, which gives you an idea of the show’s global influence.
EuroCucina is an important show in the world of design, as what’s on display forecasts the prevailing trends across European kitchen design, and is often a good guide as to where Australian trends might head. Here are some of the most notable trends that could be coming our way.
EuroCucina is an important show in the world of design, as what’s on display forecasts the prevailing trends across European kitchen design, and is often a good guide as to where Australian trends might head. Here are some of the most notable trends that could be coming our way.
2. Hide and seek
Rosanna continues its play with size and structure with its new K-IN and K-OUT kitchen, which features a system that lets you create a small vegetable garden in your kitchen. It comprises a suspended unit (seen in the back) which is supported by an asymmetric pedestal in burnished steel. The kitchen unit seen in front is designed for use either indoors or outdoors and appears as a single block of material – a steel or aluminium structure covered by a thin stone cladding. Mobile planes slide from each end of the structure to reveal work surfaces beneath, thereby utilising today’s technology to create a multi-functional entertaining space.
Rosanna continues its play with size and structure with its new K-IN and K-OUT kitchen, which features a system that lets you create a small vegetable garden in your kitchen. It comprises a suspended unit (seen in the back) which is supported by an asymmetric pedestal in burnished steel. The kitchen unit seen in front is designed for use either indoors or outdoors and appears as a single block of material – a steel or aluminium structure covered by a thin stone cladding. Mobile planes slide from each end of the structure to reveal work surfaces beneath, thereby utilising today’s technology to create a multi-functional entertaining space.
3. Kitchen/living
As we continue to blur the boundaries between our kitchens and our living spaces, kitchen manufacturers increasingly look for new ways to integrate the spaces in an aesthetically pleasing way. This example, from Nolte Kuchen, features a ‘Walnut Cuba’ finish combined with soft matt cabinetry.
While the placement of the oven as shown here wouldn’t meet Australian design standards, it’s still an interesting example of how the kitchen elements encroach into the larger living space. Note also how storage facilities can switch between meeting kitchen needs and living room needs to suit the owner’s requirements at the time.
As we continue to blur the boundaries between our kitchens and our living spaces, kitchen manufacturers increasingly look for new ways to integrate the spaces in an aesthetically pleasing way. This example, from Nolte Kuchen, features a ‘Walnut Cuba’ finish combined with soft matt cabinetry.
While the placement of the oven as shown here wouldn’t meet Australian design standards, it’s still an interesting example of how the kitchen elements encroach into the larger living space. Note also how storage facilities can switch between meeting kitchen needs and living room needs to suit the owner’s requirements at the time.
4. Back to nature
Textured and woodgrain finishes have been on the trend radar for some time. Team 7 is an Austrian company renowned for its combination of design inspired by nature and technology, and this year they released four new designs. The one featured here called Loft is a fabulous example of a contemporary country-house kitchen. The wild oak finish is tempered by a natural stone benchtop and completed with an integrated butcher’s block. A combination of open and closed shelving and storage spaces balances the sometimes heavy appearance of wood finishes.
Textured and woodgrain finishes have been on the trend radar for some time. Team 7 is an Austrian company renowned for its combination of design inspired by nature and technology, and this year they released four new designs. The one featured here called Loft is a fabulous example of a contemporary country-house kitchen. The wild oak finish is tempered by a natural stone benchtop and completed with an integrated butcher’s block. A combination of open and closed shelving and storage spaces balances the sometimes heavy appearance of wood finishes.
5. Efficient space
Continuing our love of incorporating commercial cooking elements into our residential kitchens, Veneta Cucine introduced a new Step System across its entire range of kitchens. The Step System is designed to utilise space efficiently up the wall, with tools and cooking implements kept conveniently located. It consists of a variety of vertical elements and metal bars, but can also be supplemented with accessories such as glass racks or paper towel holders.
Continuing our love of incorporating commercial cooking elements into our residential kitchens, Veneta Cucine introduced a new Step System across its entire range of kitchens. The Step System is designed to utilise space efficiently up the wall, with tools and cooking implements kept conveniently located. It consists of a variety of vertical elements and metal bars, but can also be supplemented with accessories such as glass racks or paper towel holders.
6. Bring the bling
Make your next kitchen take centre stage by incorporating gleaming finishes with a touch of luxury style. This Soho kitchen, by Doimo Cucine, utilises a lacquered metal effect in combination with aged wood to create a stunning aesthetic. The materials contrast, with hand-scratched lacquer for the cabinet bases and the Corteccia Zolfo oak benchtops giving the kitchen a classic elegance. Wired glass inserts in the single base unit and on the upper cabinets mimic an industrial finish.
Make your next kitchen take centre stage by incorporating gleaming finishes with a touch of luxury style. This Soho kitchen, by Doimo Cucine, utilises a lacquered metal effect in combination with aged wood to create a stunning aesthetic. The materials contrast, with hand-scratched lacquer for the cabinet bases and the Corteccia Zolfo oak benchtops giving the kitchen a classic elegance. Wired glass inserts in the single base unit and on the upper cabinets mimic an industrial finish.
7. Industrial style
Clearly appealing to the younger market, Ernestomeda has continued its work with designer Giuseppe Bavuso to create the new K-Lab kitchen. The large benchtop provides plenty of prep and serving space, while the use of open space for storage balances the bulk of the island. The cooking and washing area is made up of a single unit or block in stainless steel, which houses the hob and sink. Customisation is the key to this design’s success and the island can be fitted out with a range of pull-out drawers or shelves, or fixed units, as needed.
Clearly appealing to the younger market, Ernestomeda has continued its work with designer Giuseppe Bavuso to create the new K-Lab kitchen. The large benchtop provides plenty of prep and serving space, while the use of open space for storage balances the bulk of the island. The cooking and washing area is made up of a single unit or block in stainless steel, which houses the hob and sink. Customisation is the key to this design’s success and the island can be fitted out with a range of pull-out drawers or shelves, or fixed units, as needed.
8. Space age
More and more designers are willing to embrace a futuristic aesthetic, as with this new kitchen, Flux Swing designed by Giugiaro Design and manufactured by Scavolini. The design is distinguished by the shape of the doors, and features integrated appliances to create a smooth, sleek silhouette. Gleaming, high-gloss surfaces are off-set by carefully placed open shelves to create a deliberately space-aged feel. Again, note the lack of distinction between the kitchen and the adjoining living space, with kitchen elements specially designed to liaise between the two areas.
More and more designers are willing to embrace a futuristic aesthetic, as with this new kitchen, Flux Swing designed by Giugiaro Design and manufactured by Scavolini. The design is distinguished by the shape of the doors, and features integrated appliances to create a smooth, sleek silhouette. Gleaming, high-gloss surfaces are off-set by carefully placed open shelves to create a deliberately space-aged feel. Again, note the lack of distinction between the kitchen and the adjoining living space, with kitchen elements specially designed to liaise between the two areas.
9. Sleek and slim
A continuing trend, thin benchtops were everywhere at the show this year. This example features a stainless steel benchtop in a new kitchen by Arrital Cucine, but there was also a prevalence of solid-surface benchtops – all 10-12 millimetres thick (or thin!).
Here, the sleek, contemporary line created by the slim benchtop is enhanced by the integrated hob burners and sink. The kitchen has a strong linear appeal, and this is mirrored in the geometric shape of the tap. Integrated handles keep the front panels smooth and clean, while the rear tall cabinetry features a strong vertical shadow line that underpins the linear nature of the design.
A continuing trend, thin benchtops were everywhere at the show this year. This example features a stainless steel benchtop in a new kitchen by Arrital Cucine, but there was also a prevalence of solid-surface benchtops – all 10-12 millimetres thick (or thin!).
Here, the sleek, contemporary line created by the slim benchtop is enhanced by the integrated hob burners and sink. The kitchen has a strong linear appeal, and this is mirrored in the geometric shape of the tap. Integrated handles keep the front panels smooth and clean, while the rear tall cabinetry features a strong vertical shadow line that underpins the linear nature of the design.
10. Cantilever
This trend came onto the scene a few years ago, but it’s obviously still a popular one. Here, the slim benchtop is complemented by a thick, cantilevered element, often in natural woodgrain, which acts as a servery, bar or casual dining area. This element is very popular, with many kitchen companies featuring various versions at their fair stands.
This kitchen from Poliform is called Trail and was designed by CR&S Varena and Carlo Colombo. It features crisp whites to highlight the natural grains. Note that a thicker table leg has been chosen to match the thickness of the surface. Here, the design utilises a Z-shape to create aesthetic interest as well as to separate work spaces.
TELL US
Which trends here do you love or loathe? How would you incorporate them into your kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
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Kitchen Inspiration: 20 of the Best Modern Kitchens
This trend came onto the scene a few years ago, but it’s obviously still a popular one. Here, the slim benchtop is complemented by a thick, cantilevered element, often in natural woodgrain, which acts as a servery, bar or casual dining area. This element is very popular, with many kitchen companies featuring various versions at their fair stands.
This kitchen from Poliform is called Trail and was designed by CR&S Varena and Carlo Colombo. It features crisp whites to highlight the natural grains. Note that a thicker table leg has been chosen to match the thickness of the surface. Here, the design utilises a Z-shape to create aesthetic interest as well as to separate work spaces.
TELL US
Which trends here do you love or loathe? How would you incorporate them into your kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
MORE
12 Hot Kitchen Trends Set to Sizzle in 2016
What Interior Trends are Predicted for 2016?
Kitchen Inspiration: 20 of the Best Modern Kitchens
Technology in our kitchens is a growing market, and this kitchen from Valcucine is a great example of moveable spaces. Designed by Gabriele Centazzo, and called the Genius Loci, the kitchen features a new Air Logica system (back kitchen panel storage), to exploit every available centimetre of organisational space. The kitchen’s slide-up back panel houses and conceals all the often-used kitchen accessories you want to keep close to hand, while the rear light panel adds task lighting to the benchtop as well as softening the rear border of the kitchen.