FRESH DIRECTIONS The next big kitchen design trends to watch for
CABINETRY, SPLASHBACKS, LIGHTING, FLOORS AND MORE – WE REVEAL KEY LOOKS FOR KITCHENS IN 2022 AND BEYOND
1 GLAZED TILE SPLASHBACKS A tiled splashback is nothing new, but there will be a shift away from matt finishes and towards gloss. A glazed tile is not just easy to clean – it will also reflect the light around the room, with effective results regardless of the colour. Interior designer Natalia Miyar had these richly hued green tiles handmade in Florence. ‘Paired with the rustic wood and marble work surface, they create a really beautiful contrast with the earthy colours, as well as adding different layers of texture to the space,’ she explains. You don’t need to use a saturated shade to enjoy the full impact. For a more muted look, choose glazed white tiles, which will certainly make the most of the natural light. Zelliges will also remain a popular choice. Handcrafted in Morocco, these distinctive glazed clay tiles, with their irregular surface and varying tones, bring texture and artisan character to a scheme. →
2 MIXING IN VINTAGE AND ANTIQUES Future kitchens are about dispelling any notions of a show home, and introducing some antique or vintage furniture into a kitchen has the immediate effect of creating a warm, lived-in home environment. Farmhouse furniture in the form of a scrubbed kitchen table or dresser is the obvious choice for a traditional look. Timeless, built to last and often inexpensive to find at vintage fairs, antique pieces will introduce character to a new space. This design by Ben Pentreath was a 21st-century take on a Welsh farmhouse kitchen. Simple joinery, including a large larder cupboard and open shelves, combines with a butler’s sink, Delft tiles, period-style lighting and antique furniture to create a timeless feel, perfectly in keeping with the house’s architectural style. →
3 NATURAL MATERIALS The use of natural materials has increased considerably during the pandemic and will strengthen in appeal as marble, granite and unpainted wood become a firm fixture. Not only do they have a rich aesthetic quality, but they are increasingly being recognised for their health benefits (reducing the amount of chemically treated items in the home). With this beautiful design, Californian decorator Ohara Davies-gaetano of ODG Interiors demonstrates how the materials add warmth and depth to a kitchen. ‘The cabinetry is cerused oak, which is really durable and provides wonderful texture,’ she says. ‘I love how the timber highlights the depth of the limestone splashback. The basket-style pendants introduce another layer – their scale gives great balance to the overall design. As the materiality of the space is so tonal, the addition of the floating wood shelves enabled moments of curation.’ →
4 GLASS PARTITIONS After years of breaking down walls to create large open-plan rooms, over recent times we’ve come to appreciate the benefits of being able to close the door and escape the soundtrack of the entire house. A glazed partition can split spaces without compromising on light or the feeling of togetherness. It also has the advantage of helping to contain smells in the kitchen area. In his own home, Thomas Cox, co-founder of Hám Interiors, replaced the wall between the kitchen and sitting room with a reclaimed Georgian shop front. ‘We like to use glazed partitions as they define areas and create the illusion of space without having to be fully open plan,’ he explains. ‘If the layout won’t allow for a fully glazed wall then a smaller glazed panel can enhance a space; it offers architectural interest and is also useful in providing a backdrop for a piece of furniture.’
5 STATEMENT METAL HOODS While they are generally considered something of a necessary evil in the UK, the American approach to extractor hoods has long been more celebratory, with custom-made designs in unusual finishes making strong and defining statements in kitchens across the land. This trend looks set to take off in a big way, too, especially in eye-catching metal surfaces. ‘Aesthetically, adding a striking extractor canopy to a kitchen scheme is a chance to interrupt with shape and sculpture all the angular lines of cabinets and panels,’ says Bruce Hodgson of Somerset-based Artichoke Ltd. ‘This etched zinc extractor canopy is made using specialist crafts and traditional materials, throwing a spotlight on our handmade values as well as a nod to the past.’ →
6 LAYERED LIGHTING Lighting in a kitchen is always a challenge to get right but the art of layering will be key to designing kitchens successfully going forward. The reality is you only need a certain amount of task lighting in specific preparation areas, too many downlighters and the kitchen ceiling ends up looking rather like a landing strip. New York-based Steven Gambrel of S. R. Gambrel Inc. is known for his sophisticated interiors. Having originally trained as an architect, he’s a master at considering how light, layout and functionality create a sense of place in a room. In this kitchen for a recently rebuilt beach house in East Hampton, Long Island, he’s made a feature of the lighting, introducing two sets of bold pendants. In a large, open-plan space, choosing two such different designs adds character but also helps define the distinctive areas within the room. →
7 THE SINGLE OPEN SHELF With so much going on in kitchens, the risk of a visual overload is always high. Those searching for a more restrained look will need to focus on colours, which should be kept simple, and think about leaving wall space bare. In this design for a house in Hudson, New York, by General Assembly, a single shelf has been used in place of wall-hung cabinets resulting in a relaxed and unfussy look. ‘We grouped a full-height pantry with the fridge to give us the possibility of removing upper storage,’ explains partner Colin Stief. ‘The shelf is used in the place of cupboards to give the concrete splashback a place to end and a visual break to the monochromatic scheme.’ As always, when working with open storage, a curated display is essential. Some designers choose to use a single open shelf for artwork rather than kitchenalia to elevate the room.