Realistically, there are particular kitchen developments to keep away from in the event you’re planning a transform of your area. A brand new kitchen could be a huge funding, and following developments which might be previous their peak or have not tailored to the best way we use our properties as we speak would possibly depart you with purchaser’s regret.
In the case of kitchen concepts, the very first thing to recollect is that your kitchen ought to be an area you take pleasure in. When investing in a brand new kitchen, you may wish to adore it for years to return. Be sure you spend sufficient time understanding your wants on this area, the form of colours you are completely satisfied to dwell with and the ergonomics that be just right for you.
Including fascinating finishes, textures and colours play a serious half in designing this all-important area. Nevertheless, some palettes, supplies and layouts can rapidly fall out of trend, leaving you with an area that turns into tough to make use of or look dated.
Our expert-recommended suggestions is not going to solely guarantee your kitchen does not look dated, however they may even provide help to select the proper supplies, colours, and layouts for a timeless design.
8 kitchen developments to keep away from, in keeping with the specialists
1. Utterly open idea kitchens
(Picture credit score: Chris Mcphail)
Open idea kitchens may be one of many greatest kitchen developments of the twenty first century, however the present pattern for contemporary kitchens is to create outlined zones to make it straightforward to work in.
‘In the case of kitchen organisation, first, you need to think about zoning the area as a substitute of going with a free open plan format,’ says Tom Howley (opens in new tab), founding father of an eponymous bespoke kitchen makers. ‘Kitchen zones can embody cooking, prep, entertaining, eating, consumables and cleansing. Having designated areas will permit you to retailer and organise objects effectively.’
With extra individuals than ever adopting a work-from-home way of life, this means to have higher outlined areas is especially essential. Damaged-plan schemes that use room dividers, which maintain the sense of openness of open idea kitchens however with bodily, often-glass partitions, imply that areas can develop into non-public and, importantly, quiet when the necessity arises.
2. Brass taps
(Picture credit score: Matthew Williams)
Brass is a design pattern that has, thus far, endured and one which’s been adopted into extra types of kitchens than you’d have ever thought it may have. Brass fixtures may be every thing from industrial to ultra-luxe, however does this pattern have an expiry date?
‘One pattern I’ve been avoiding are brass fixtures and finishes all through a kitchen,’ says inside designer Kendra Nash of Nash Design Group (opens in new tab). ‘I like brass, however finishes come and go, so the answer is to make use of brass because the cabinetry {hardware} or for the sunshine fixtures as a result of they are often simply modified out.’
So the place would possibly you wish to keep away from utilizing brass in a kitchen? ‘We then will use polished nickel or matte black for the extra everlasting fixtures, such because the kitchen sink faucet and pot filler,’ Kendra explains.
3. Industrial fashion kitchens
Attempt a extra restrained tackle an industrial fashion to make the pattern work.
(Picture credit score: Mark Hix)
Are industrial fashion kitchens nonetheless on pattern? Whereas they are not as in style as they as soon as had been, they’ll nonetheless be carried out effectively. However, there is a sure strategy to method an industrial kitchen, and a sure method to not.
‘I might keep away from the economic look that got here in very robust just a few years in the past,’ says Vancouver-based inside designer Andrea Rodman, founding father of Andrea Rodman Interiors (opens in new tab). ‘It used plumbing pipes to carry up shelving and uncovered filament gentle bulbs for sconces and pendants. It was beforehand very fashionable, however now seems to be overdone and dated.’
When you’re impressed by the economic pattern, there are subtler industrial kitchen concepts you’ll be able to convey into an area that trace at this aesthetic, reasonably than making a pastiche of the fashion. Concentrate on supplies similar to wooden and metallic with patina or go for a cleaner industrial fashion like chrome steel. Keep away from something that is a cliché of business fashion – that pattern bandwagon is already behind us.
4. Specialty home equipment
(Picture credit score: Darren Chung)
Choosing the most recent sensible tech may be an effective way to make it really feel like a brilliant fashionable kitchen. Nevertheless, just a few years down the road, and that cutting-edge small equipment may be the factor relationship your design.
‘I feel the most important pattern to keep away from in kitchens is any type of a built-in specialty equipment, similar to toasters, fryers, even espresso makers,’ says New York-based inside designer Tyson Ness of Studio Ness (opens in new tab). ‘The know-how in kitchen home equipment adjustments so quickly that in a few years these top-of-the-line home equipment develop into out of date or break, and may be costly to swap out.’
‘Oftentimes they’re specialty sizes, so even whenever you do change it is probably not a easy swap out – or there is probably not a alternative out there, leaving you with both a dated or damaged equipment.’
5. Crystal glamor
Let naturally luxurious supplies like marble and wooden cleared the path as a substitute.
(Picture credit score: Manolo Yllera)
Glamor is not the temporary for each kitchen renovation, however for some, bringing a way of luxuriousness to the kitchen is essential. As soon as once more, some finishes would possibly really feel like a shortcut to a luxe look, however there is a strategy to infer glamor with out counting on hackneyed design decisions.
‘Glam chandeliers and sparkly kitchen handles with crystal bling components are positively a pattern I’ve seen come and go, for instance,’ says inside designer Andrea Rodman.
The trick to a contemporary luxe kitchen? Depend on supplies that really feel naturally luxurious. Wealthy woods and chic marble or stone kitchen counter tops will convey extra of a way of glamor than any glitzy materials will, plus it will not date as rapidly.
6. All-white kitchens
(Picture credit score: Anna Stathaki)
Undoubtedly, brightly coloured kitchen cupboards have develop into a giant pattern in recent times as owners begin to suppose extra about being completely satisfied within the second, reasonably than contemplating the re-sale worth when making inside design decisions. Nevertheless, all-white kitchens have additionally develop into in style, as a method for a kitchen to fade into the background in a open idea residence. Is that this a pattern we ought to be getting on board with, although?
‘An Instagram-worthy kitchen is not the be-all and end-all of design,’ says Hugh Metcalf, deputy editor of Livingetc.com, ‘however whenever you spend cash on a brand new kitchen, you additionally don’t desire it to fall flat and never impress your family and friends.’
‘When engaged on a specialist kitchen journal, a photographer as soon as instructed me that photographs of white kitchens get about half the likes on Instagram of darkish or colourful kitchens.’
Whereas a white kitchen concept may be soothing and restful for the eyes, you would possibly discover it does not convey you an identical pleasure as a extra impactful alternative would. ‘As soon as you have obtained the format down, I feel it is generally helpful to consider an area as smaller vignettes,’ says Hugh. ‘Ask your self, what is the a part of this area or view that is scary a response or emotion in me? The precise all-white kitchen would possibly do that for the proper individual, nevertheless it’s price contemplating.’
7. Excessive gloss cupboards
(Picture credit score: Rei Moon)
Each every now and then, there may be a gloss kitchen (like this one) that nearly convinces you that this pattern may be coming again round, nevertheless, it is nonetheless one of many greatest kitchen developments to keep away from in keeping with designers.
‘Excessive gloss cupboards are a pattern that has come and gone,’ says Andrea Rodman, ‘they’ve a powerful dated really feel. Softer matt finishes take their place because the extra desired look.’
Not solely have matt finishes changed gloss as the selection du jour, however distinctive textured finishes have develop into more and more in style. ‘Seen grain on timbers, particularly on crown reduce oak and ash veneers, brushed metals, honed, leathered or textured stone finishes & concrete are all getting used extra usually as kitchen supplies,’ explains Oana Sandu, lead designer at Blakes London (opens in new tab).
Taking an opportunity on certainly one of these new, textured finishes may be a bet when it comes to longevity, nevertheless. Whereas the likes of fluted kitchen islands are tremendous in style proper now, we’re unsure what the longer term will maintain for this design pattern.
8. Matching colourful home equipment
A extra restrained alternative of equipment shade would possibly serve your kitchen higher
(Picture credit score: James Merrell)
Home equipment ought to be simply as a lot of an funding as a kitchen, and in the event you select a very good high quality product, it may well final past the subsequent incarnation of your private home’s fashion. Going daring with a colourful equipment like a spread may be a strategy to make a big effect with regards to your kitchen shade concepts, however is it one thing you are going to tire of rapidly?
‘I might additionally say to keep away from going all-in on colourful countertop home equipment,’ says Livingetc.com‘s Hugh Metcalf. ‘Matchy-matchy interiors are a pattern greatest left prior to now in most situations, and colourful kettles, toasters and extra can really feel too purposefully put collectively in an area. Attempt to create extra of an eclectic look, or higher but, maintain countertop home equipment hidden away behind a countertop door,’ he says.
‘And completely overlook matching them with different utensils, backsplashes or kitchen window therapies.’
How do I keep away from my kitchen going out of favor?
The one factor it is onerous to foretell with kitchen developments is how lengthy they will stick round, which might make selecting finishes on your re-design tough.
Need a good rule of thumb? ‘When it comes to materiality, I attempt to all the time stick to supplies which have been round longer than I’ve,’ says inside designer Tyson Ness. ‘These assist a kitchen to stay present – even when leaning into in style developments of the second. Marbles, pure brass, chrome steel and stained woods may be timeless, particularly relying on the detailing. Clear strains and basic supplies assist a kitchen preserve a timeless aesthetic.’
When you do make a daring alternative for a shade or end that is primarily based on the most recent developments, think about making use of it to one thing that may be modified later down the road. The kitchen shade, for instance, can all the time be repainted if it is a good high quality timber end, and even your kitchen lighting concepts are an effective way to sneak in on-trend supplies that may be tailored later down the road in the event that they fall out of favor.
