We talked to the trend experts to find out what kitchen trends will be big in 2020.
See our news section for more tips from experts in their field
With cool new kitchen brands popping up and lots of innovative design ideas on display in kitchen showrooms across the country, there are plenty of on-trend looks and state-of-the-art appliances to pick from.
1. STONE AGE
It’s the time of strongly veined marble, the busier the better for unmissable luxury and next-level style. If there’s one thing that’s storming the style charts and shaking up interiors, it’s the return of marble.
Bespoke kitchen featuring Paonazzo marble, around £115,000, Blakes London, blakeslondon.com.
See our favourite kitchen designers – to help you on your way to creating your dream kitchen
2. ASH BACK
Out of fashion for a while, wood is now enjoying a bit of a revival. Use subtle-grained ash, paler than oak or walnut, to pick out the warm tones in manmade stone.
4043 Primordia engineered quartz island from £550sq m, Caesarstone, caesarstone.co.uk. For similar ash doors, try Nebraska, kitchens from £10,000, Schmidt, home design.schmidt.
3. DARK DRAMA
Often overlooked as purely an ‘accent’ colour, black walls, cabinetry and work surfaces are having something of a moment. Black becomes liveable, luxe and inviting, with textured woods adding rustic, homely charm.
Suffolk kitchen, from £12,000, in Walnut eggshell, £54 for 2.5L; walls in Walnut matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5L, all Neptune, neptune.com.
4. COLOUR POP
Throw the rulebook out of the window in favour of unexpected paint-colour pairings. Kitchens are rife with colour opportunities, from appliances and flooring, to window treatments and cabinets.
Start by deciding how much of permanent commitment you are willing to make. One of easiest and least expensive options is to paint a wall can be easily updated should you tire of it. Choosing colour is such a personal experience – in fact no one knows for sure whether we all even see the myriad shades in the same way.
Mark Wilkinson, founder of Mark Wilkinson Furniture, believes that the colours we choose automatically are naturally influenced by current fashions. ‘The colour in a kitchen – be it on walls or fittings – should last for at least five years, minimum, so try to look beyond immediate trends and choose a colour that will keep you feeling good long term,’ he advises.
Bespoke kitchen, from £35,000, Martin Moore, martinmoore.com. Similar paint, Spanish Olive and Fiesta Orange aura eggshell, £86.50 for 3.79L, both Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore paint.co.uk.
5. DOUBLE ISLANDS
With the move towards larger kitchens, in open plan spaces, the kitchen island has become an essential kitchen feature. A pair of island units has become the last work in luxury, an expansive addition for when space is no object.
Kitchen design, Kitchen Architecture, kitchenarchitecture.co.uk.
6. HANDLELESS DESIRE
The latest contemporary designs are all about a multi-tasking, free-flowing design with a paired-back look. Technological advances in push-open and close doors means that it has become possible to dispense with handles in both wall and base cabinets. If you prefer not to have push-open cupboards, then recessed handles provide the same sleek look and can be lined with contrasting colours and materials to add interest.
‘Handleless kitchen cabinets are one of the biggest trends for 2020 for more pared-back, streamlined look. It’s all about simplicity and a focus on cabinetry details,’ explains Busola Evans, Kitchen and Bathroom Supplement Editor.
Kitchen design, Neil Lerner Kitchen Design, neillerner.com.
7. LARDER LOVE
Larder cupboards, sometimes known as pantry cupboards, have been kitchen staples for centuries and, in the last few years, have established themselves as one of the must-have items in modern homes.
‘Having a larder makes perfect sense. All the food goods are in one place and not scattered around in numerous wall cupboards, meaning people can be more organised when doing their food shopping.
The other great advantage of a larder and its storage capacity is that a kitchen no longer needs to be full of wall cupboards. It frees up entire walls to either be left free or have an attractive piece of artwork in the kitchen which in turn helps it feel less like a kitchen and instead more of a relaxed environment, perfect for open plan living areas,’ says Leisha Norman, Designer, Harvey Jones.
Kitchen design, Harvey Jones, harveyjones.com.
8. WALNUT WONDER
We have recently seen a rise in walnut cabinetry. It’s rich, dark colour, fine grain and natural warmth are prized by makers for its feeling of instant luxury.
Bespoke all-walnut kitchen design by Charles Yorke, charlesyorke.com, from £25,000.
9. GOING FOR GOLD
Now that taps are available in a wide choice of colours and finishes, sinks are following, too. Aesthetics have made an impact in wet areas just as they have in furniture and appliance design, with colour, shape, size and material heavily influenced by the overall look of the room.
‘Sinks have moved up on the scale of importance in kitchen design,’ says Joan Fraser, product development and training manager for Smeg. ‘Models are introduced to meet customers’ demands for a sink which, in addition to being purely functional, also makes a definitive style statement.’
K700 undermounted stainless-steel sink in Brushed Cool Sunrise, £1,017, GROHE, grohe.co.uk.
10. THE CURATED KITCHEN
As pride in interior styling takes centre stage, we have witnessed an increase in sales of glazed cupboards and opening shelving, following a growing demand for kitchens designed for a ‘curated’ look. Thoughtfully designed, these visual spaces are carefully styled with artworks, decorative ceramics, cookery books and other curiosities, to achieve an instant lived in look – adding personality and resulting in a space that feels homely.
‘In an age of uncertainty and with busy digital lives, people are increasingly nostalgic for a space to slow down and surround themselves with the comfort and security of tactile items and personal treasures. We are moving away from hiding everything away in cupboards, instead drawing inspiration from displays of china and silverware in glazed cabinets and on shelving, racks and dressers of grand houses – the end result sitting between the maximalist and minimalist styles,’ says Merlin Wright, Design Director at British Standard and Plain English.
Image credit: British Standard
11. ‘BROKEN-PLAN’ LIVING
Set to define the next decade, zoning will replace open-plan in a phenomenon being referred to as ‘broken-plan’. Retaining the spacious feel of an open plan design, the trend employs the use of screens, freestanding furniture, cabinetry and house plants to create distinct zones and nest-like nooks intended for cooking, relaxing and entertaining.
Image credit: British Standard
12. ANCILLARY SPACES
Functional but thoughtfully considered utility, pantry, larder and boot rooms provide the perfect space in which to house everyday essentials away from the main kitchen. Ancillary spaces and larder cupboards have become the ultimate status symbol and are fast becoming no.1 on kitchen wish lists. ‘Having a utility room has become a status symbol. Coupled with the current trend for neat and tidy spaces and zealous cleaning, it provides a much-needed dedicated housekeeping area,’ says Merlin Wright.
Image credit: British Standard