CHEAT SHEET… QUICK FIXES
■ No space for an island? Try a small workbench or butcher’s block. A kitchen trolley on wheels is a versatile option, as it can be wheeled away when not in use.
■ Introduce colour in creative ways. Bright and cheerful wall art is one, or a vivid rug adds a large splash of colour (check out Ruggable for rugs you can chuck in the wash – perfect for kitchens)
■ The finishing details make all the difference when tablescaping – fairy lights, placecards and mini floral arrangements (taken from a single bouquet) are all budgetfriendly ways to add wow. people look to break up the space between the kitchen and the living room without losing the ability to chat while cooking. Islands can be updated by building them in geometrical shapes, incorporating sinks and hidden plug points for swapping about those extra appliances, and having design-led pendant lights hanging over them.
ALL-OUT TABLESCAPING DIY tables have increased as a trend, allowing people to do more even if they have less space. Folding tables, tuck-away chairs, or even extendable tables for when those extra guests come round are all growing in popularity for the space-conscious. But even if the size isn’t there, people are pulling out all the stops, with tablescaping becoming a hobby for many hosts and making mealtimes a bigger event. Financial pressures are leading people to have more events at home, so bringing the restaurant and all the elements that come with it to your own abode helps make that gathering a little bit more special.
COLOURFUL CUPBOARDS Even the way we’re decorating our kitchens reflects this desire for them to be seen as places where people relish spending time. We’re seeing the self-expression that takes place across the home making its way to the kitchen walls. Across design choices, monochrome minimalism is taking a back seat, with all white furnishings being swapped for bolder colours. Just like our colourful plates of food, on Pinterest, we’ve specifically seen a search increase for ‘deep blue kitchens’ alongside a spike in ‘dark green kitchen ideas’*. And to avoid it feeling too enclosed, we’re also seeing an uplift in brass and gold cabinet door knobs and handles to help brighten darker furnishings.
GOOD FOOD IS MEANT FOR SHARING Kitchens are truly reestablishing themselves as the heart (as well as stomach) of the home. They’ve evolved from being a utilitarian room, to a space which is multifunctional – to host, cook and wine and dine guests. My mother did eventually renovate our non-kitchen kitchen, getting rid of the loyal pan and steamer, replacing them with a brilliant Rangemaster oven. But despite the swapping of utilities, the feeling of communion for family remains, something I’ve tried to recreate
(even copying the same model of Rangemaster for my own kitchen). ■