Are These Kitchen Trends Functional as Well?
Do open shelves, marble countertops and black cabinetry have a place in the busy practical kitchen?
Kitchens are one of the most costly rooms in a house to renovate, so before you begin on your next kitchen upgrade, you may want to closely consider how functional that must-have trending piece, finish or feature will be for you. Knowing what’s going to last, and what’s going to really work well in your home can help you decide where to invest those dollars. Here we weigh up the appeal and function of some of the most popular kitchen trends.
Open Shelving
Homeowners and designers alike are loving the trend of swapping out cabinets for open shelving. It’s a great way to display your much-loved wares.
What’s the appeal?
The attraction to open shelving is the simple storage concept. You can instantly see what you need; grab it and go. Storing dishes in single colour palettes and complementary colourways tends to look best. And, if you have an unbelievably gorgeous collection of heirloom porcelain or a well-curated grouping of blue glass vases, then it can seem a shame to hide them away in traditional cabinets.
Is it functional?
Open shelves can be convenient in that you can quickly grab what you need. The items you use daily are the best ones to store on open shelves because they do tend to get dusty if everything is just left to sit. You can incorporate as much or as little as you want of this trend. For instance, if the bulk of your dishes are not so brag-worthy, limit the open shelves to a metre or so at the end of a wall of cabinets.
10 Tips When Designing Open Shelving for Your Kitchen
Homeowners and designers alike are loving the trend of swapping out cabinets for open shelving. It’s a great way to display your much-loved wares.
What’s the appeal?
The attraction to open shelving is the simple storage concept. You can instantly see what you need; grab it and go. Storing dishes in single colour palettes and complementary colourways tends to look best. And, if you have an unbelievably gorgeous collection of heirloom porcelain or a well-curated grouping of blue glass vases, then it can seem a shame to hide them away in traditional cabinets.
Is it functional?
Open shelves can be convenient in that you can quickly grab what you need. The items you use daily are the best ones to store on open shelves because they do tend to get dusty if everything is just left to sit. You can incorporate as much or as little as you want of this trend. For instance, if the bulk of your dishes are not so brag-worthy, limit the open shelves to a metre or so at the end of a wall of cabinets.
10 Tips When Designing Open Shelving for Your Kitchen
Oak Wood
The use of oak in kitchens and elsewhere in the home is becoming more popular than other timbers, due to its classic good looks and fine wood grain.
What’s the appeal?
Natural timber makes a kitchen feel well crafted and authentic. Also, the light colour of oak offers some warmth to white accents, while still pairing well with the greys and cooler colours popular now.
Is it functional?
Oak is a great choice in that it’s not too dark, so that you can still easily see what’s at the back of shelves and cabinets. If you want your kitchen to still look up-to-date in a number of years, incorporate other materials as well so that it’s not so overwhelming.
The use of oak in kitchens and elsewhere in the home is becoming more popular than other timbers, due to its classic good looks and fine wood grain.
What’s the appeal?
Natural timber makes a kitchen feel well crafted and authentic. Also, the light colour of oak offers some warmth to white accents, while still pairing well with the greys and cooler colours popular now.
Is it functional?
Oak is a great choice in that it’s not too dark, so that you can still easily see what’s at the back of shelves and cabinets. If you want your kitchen to still look up-to-date in a number of years, incorporate other materials as well so that it’s not so overwhelming.
White Marble
White marble has an almost universal appeal while being a favourite choice of pastry chefs and regular bakers.
What’s the appeal?
White marble is classically good-looking and goes with just about everything. If you need to bridge traditional objects in your kitchen with more modern features, white marble is a great way to tie them together. Elegant and bright, marble never really goes out of style.
Is it functional?
There is a good deal of variance between the amount of veining in marble, so choosing one with more grey might be better if you’re worried about the practicality of having too much white. Marble stays cool, which is why it’s the best surface upon which to roll out dough. It’s also relatively soft and porous. If you think you can accept some staining and etching over time though, marble is a good choice. Sealing will help to minimise this risk.
White marble has an almost universal appeal while being a favourite choice of pastry chefs and regular bakers.
What’s the appeal?
White marble is classically good-looking and goes with just about everything. If you need to bridge traditional objects in your kitchen with more modern features, white marble is a great way to tie them together. Elegant and bright, marble never really goes out of style.
Is it functional?
There is a good deal of variance between the amount of veining in marble, so choosing one with more grey might be better if you’re worried about the practicality of having too much white. Marble stays cool, which is why it’s the best surface upon which to roll out dough. It’s also relatively soft and porous. If you think you can accept some staining and etching over time though, marble is a good choice. Sealing will help to minimise this risk.
Butler’s Sinks
The oversized white butler’s sink (also known as a farmhouse sink) makes a strong statement and is being used in both traditional and transitional kitchens.
What’s the appeal?
There is a strong nostalgic element to the butler’s sink. The polished white porcelain looks beautifully clean and can tie in with all different cabinet colours.
Is it functional?
The most practical butler’s sinks offer depth as well as width, and a deep sink makes all the difference when you’re cleaning pots and pans. Another feature of the original sinks is the overhang. This allows water to spill directly on to the floor without dripping down the front of the cabinets, necessary as there isn’t that buffer zone of counter space between you and the sink.
All about farmhouse sinks
The oversized white butler’s sink (also known as a farmhouse sink) makes a strong statement and is being used in both traditional and transitional kitchens.
What’s the appeal?
There is a strong nostalgic element to the butler’s sink. The polished white porcelain looks beautifully clean and can tie in with all different cabinet colours.
Is it functional?
The most practical butler’s sinks offer depth as well as width, and a deep sink makes all the difference when you’re cleaning pots and pans. Another feature of the original sinks is the overhang. This allows water to spill directly on to the floor without dripping down the front of the cabinets, necessary as there isn’t that buffer zone of counter space between you and the sink.
All about farmhouse sinks
Black Cabinets
Want a way for your kitchen to stand out from being an all-white one? Inky black cabinets are making their stylish mark in kitchen design and are becoming increasingly popular elsewhere in the home as well.
What’s the appeal?
If you don’t like your existing timber cabinets, painting them black is an easy DIY way to completely transform the look of your kitchen. When you paint only the bottom cabinets black, and leave everything above white or nearly-white, your kitchen will likely feel airier, almost as if it has more head room. As in the kitchen above, it works really well when there are no upper cabinets.
Is it functional?
Black is a functional colour choice in just about everything because it hides dirt, so if you would rather not be polishing cabinet doors all the time, then black cabinets are a winner. Parents of young children will appreciate this aspect in particular.
How much light your kitchen gets is something else to consider though. If it’s particularly dark, then black upper and lower cabinets might shroud the kitchen in too much darkness. Remember, if you’re painting your existing cabinets, it’s always easier to paint them black than back to white or another light colour, so make sure you’re definite about your choice.
Want a way for your kitchen to stand out from being an all-white one? Inky black cabinets are making their stylish mark in kitchen design and are becoming increasingly popular elsewhere in the home as well.
What’s the appeal?
If you don’t like your existing timber cabinets, painting them black is an easy DIY way to completely transform the look of your kitchen. When you paint only the bottom cabinets black, and leave everything above white or nearly-white, your kitchen will likely feel airier, almost as if it has more head room. As in the kitchen above, it works really well when there are no upper cabinets.
Is it functional?
Black is a functional colour choice in just about everything because it hides dirt, so if you would rather not be polishing cabinet doors all the time, then black cabinets are a winner. Parents of young children will appreciate this aspect in particular.
How much light your kitchen gets is something else to consider though. If it’s particularly dark, then black upper and lower cabinets might shroud the kitchen in too much darkness. Remember, if you’re painting your existing cabinets, it’s always easier to paint them black than back to white or another light colour, so make sure you’re definite about your choice.
Kitchen Rugs
More and more people are throwing down vibrant rugs to warm up their kitchens, as an easy way to add some charm.
What’s the appeal?
Since the kitchen really is the heart of the home, it’s nice to give it a little bit of character and make it feel like your own. A rug will add warmth to an otherwise sterile space and, in an open-plan kitchen, it can help the room blend into the other living areas.
Is it functional?
The functionality all depends on the type of rug. The most practical choice is one that you can throw in the wash. Dark or bright colours will also help hide any stains. You may want to consider one made of non-absorbent materials so that it can dry quickly and will also resist staining. Finally you might want to add a non-slip underlay between the rug and floor, and also to secure the corners of the rug as tripping or slipping on it could prove very dangerous.
More and more people are throwing down vibrant rugs to warm up their kitchens, as an easy way to add some charm.
What’s the appeal?
Since the kitchen really is the heart of the home, it’s nice to give it a little bit of character and make it feel like your own. A rug will add warmth to an otherwise sterile space and, in an open-plan kitchen, it can help the room blend into the other living areas.
Is it functional?
The functionality all depends on the type of rug. The most practical choice is one that you can throw in the wash. Dark or bright colours will also help hide any stains. You may want to consider one made of non-absorbent materials so that it can dry quickly and will also resist staining. Finally you might want to add a non-slip underlay between the rug and floor, and also to secure the corners of the rug as tripping or slipping on it could prove very dangerous.
Concrete Countertops
Polished concrete is a material trend that checks all the style boxes. A countertop in concrete has a cool, grey colour, with a strong industrial feel.
What’s the appeal?
Concrete offers you a smooth finish and uniform colour without being too white or busy. Its industrial durability says ‘Serious cooks work here’. Also, if the colour of cement and sand isn’t for you, there are unlimited options when it comes to tinting it.
Is it functional?
Comparable to a granite or a quartz-composite countertop when it comes to hardness, concrete is a highly durable material. However, its porousness means that it’s prone to staining, so you’ll need to have it sealed and should wipe up any red wine spills quickly.
10 Top Backsplashes to Pair With Concrete Counters
Polished concrete is a material trend that checks all the style boxes. A countertop in concrete has a cool, grey colour, with a strong industrial feel.
What’s the appeal?
Concrete offers you a smooth finish and uniform colour without being too white or busy. Its industrial durability says ‘Serious cooks work here’. Also, if the colour of cement and sand isn’t for you, there are unlimited options when it comes to tinting it.
Is it functional?
Comparable to a granite or a quartz-composite countertop when it comes to hardness, concrete is a highly durable material. However, its porousness means that it’s prone to staining, so you’ll need to have it sealed and should wipe up any red wine spills quickly.
10 Top Backsplashes to Pair With Concrete Counters
Reclaimed Timber
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, you can’t beat re-using natural wood.
What’s the appeal?
When most people think of reclaimed timber kitchens or furniture they think of mismatched pieces of wood that show off their age and character. Reclaimed timber is actually a material that can stretch beyond the rustic/shabby-chic look.
Well-chosen pieces, treated and finished well, can result in a sleek finish to cabinets, floors or countertops. Cost can vary depending on how much work is involved in preparing the wood, but if you get lucky, this might be cheaper than new timber.
Is it functional?
The age of reclaimed timber usually means that it’s denser and thus more durable, thanks to the fact that it’s had years to properly dry out. On the flip-side, if you like the worn look of reclaimed timber, then adding a few more dings will hardly matter. The main upkeep issue to consider is the sealing. Like any timber countertop, spills can lead to staining, so the type of finish you choose will have a big impact on how well it resists water stains.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, you can’t beat re-using natural wood.
What’s the appeal?
When most people think of reclaimed timber kitchens or furniture they think of mismatched pieces of wood that show off their age and character. Reclaimed timber is actually a material that can stretch beyond the rustic/shabby-chic look.
Well-chosen pieces, treated and finished well, can result in a sleek finish to cabinets, floors or countertops. Cost can vary depending on how much work is involved in preparing the wood, but if you get lucky, this might be cheaper than new timber.
Is it functional?
The age of reclaimed timber usually means that it’s denser and thus more durable, thanks to the fact that it’s had years to properly dry out. On the flip-side, if you like the worn look of reclaimed timber, then adding a few more dings will hardly matter. The main upkeep issue to consider is the sealing. Like any timber countertop, spills can lead to staining, so the type of finish you choose will have a big impact on how well it resists water stains.
Black Pendant Lights
Matt black pendant lights hanging over an island can be that missing stylish accessory your kitchen needs.
What’s the appeal?
Black pendants are like the LBD for your kitchen: always stylish, they fit in anywhere, and they create a strong impact. Set against glossy white cabinetry, matt black pendants create contrast and become a focal point for the room.
Is it functional?
Matt black lighting is a versatile choice: whether your home is modern or traditional, these lights work really well. Pendant lights are especially striking over an island or a dining table, but, if you’re likely to move the table, fixed pendants might not be practical.
TELL US
Do you have any of these trends in your kitchen? What do you like best about them? Tell us all about it in the Comments section.
MORE
10 of the Best Kitchen Trends from EuroCucina 2016
Matt black pendant lights hanging over an island can be that missing stylish accessory your kitchen needs.
What’s the appeal?
Black pendants are like the LBD for your kitchen: always stylish, they fit in anywhere, and they create a strong impact. Set against glossy white cabinetry, matt black pendants create contrast and become a focal point for the room.
Is it functional?
Matt black lighting is a versatile choice: whether your home is modern or traditional, these lights work really well. Pendant lights are especially striking over an island or a dining table, but, if you’re likely to move the table, fixed pendants might not be practical.
TELL US
Do you have any of these trends in your kitchen? What do you like best about them? Tell us all about it in the Comments section.
MORE
10 of the Best Kitchen Trends from EuroCucina 2016
How many of us actually need our upper cabinets? Not that many, it would seem. The latest trend is to stow (almost) everything below waist level (and, if necessary, install an open shelf or two).
What’s the appeal?
Less is more with this trend. If you have an open-plan home, the kitchen can feel more fluid without the bulk of upper cabinets.
Is it functional?
One of the benefits of not having upper cabinets is the increased light. A clear space above your countertop is more enjoyable to work at. On the other hand, if constantly bending over is a problem for you, then this might not be the ideal choice. Your kitchen items might also be stretched out over more floorspace as a result, leading to a bit more back and forth across the kitchen as you gather what you need. An open shelf or two for the things you use frequently is a good work-around for both issues.