Five ideas for classy kitchens

To Build’s editor scoured the internet globally, looking for some grand ideas for those most essential of spaces, the kitchen. Seabring Design’s website was a source of inspiration for our humble editor. [Ref https://sebringdesignbuild.com]

Martin Meyer, Kitchen Studio, Miele and Allison Gillett/Pixabay

Gareth Griffiths

Trend one: Smart kitchens

New refrigerators that can alert you when your grocery items are running low or a coffee maker programmed to have your coffee ready when you wake up, or a device that monitors egg quality in the refrigerator, these are other easy but expensive retrofits. But we are not talking cheap kitchens here!

An easy one is the updating of the home lighting system, allowing the smart device to control all lighting.

Trend two: Darken your cabinet doors!

Miele smart device.

Technology has entered the kitchen in full force and not just in the form of fancy gadgets and appliances. Today, you can have a kitchen with technology integrated into every function and appliance, including the taps and lighting. Designers agree, this is a smart kitchen.

Technology integrated kitchens are becoming more popular as homeowners experiment with novel technologies. This is one of the biggest trends of the new decade.

Smart kitchens are an evolving aspect of design. In fact, many new kitchens are being built smart from the start. For older kitchens, sensors, smart gadgets and the like can be retrofitted. The property owner will soon reap the rewards. [Ref: Houseace idea aggregation platform] For example, an easy add-on would be motion sensorequipped kitchen taps that can sense the presence of hands underneath and will turn on automatically, or try a one-touch feature, loadshedding notwithstanding!

House Meyer by Martin Meyer Kitchens JHB, courtesy the KSA.

Although white cabinets are a classic look that can be used in almost any type of kitchen style, they are reported to be on the decline during 2020.

Breaking up the all-white kitchen, are islands in a variety of different paint colours or wood stains. The mixing of finishes creates an accent piece and additional pops of colour for the brave of heart.

These pops of colors will be most popular in shades of blue and green. In addition to these neutral nature shades, is another colour palette that is making its way

into the kitchen – dark jewel tones: black, navy, emerald green and even plum. It will surprise you, say the experts, at how well dark kitchen cabinets can work to enhance a kitchen space with its dramatic and luxurious feel.

Trend three: Streamlined designs and textures While styles like farmhouse and mid-century modern are still popular, homeowners are getting more streamlined in their overall aesthetic, designs and alternative materials for kitchens.

Everybody wants come home to a stress-free environment. This often distills down to simplicity. Simple looks are all about modern clean lines. They will continue to be a huge hit throughout 2020.

Trend four: Lose the cabinets! Yes, even removing upper wall cabinets has become a growing trend in the last few years. It has the effect of opening up visual space, making the kitchen appear much larger and brighter. It also allows you to use the countertop space more productively. Hint: Most people can’t reach what is on the top shelves of the cabinetry anyway. (Our Editor has been known to use a pair of braai tongs to reach food objects on the top shelf and he is over 6 foot!)

Open shelves would be a great alternative if the added storage space is needed or a focal point element was desired.

Don’t make it boring - use materials with texture. In the case of open shelving, deeply rough-cut wood brings in natural elements or metal tubing for a more industrial feeling.

Floor tiles in a natural stone or backsplash tiles that are sculpted, beveled, or stacked, make for a perfect focal point. These interesting textures are very different to the usual polished or glossy finishes we see everywhere. A ceiling treatment can bring in that added emphasis. You can add coffered, tray, and wood beams to give that feel.

Trend five: Quartz it At the top end, quartz countertops have it all. The material is extremely hardy, can last virtually forever, and is virtually maintenance free and germ free. Granite, on the other hand, can require slightly more maintenance, say the experts.

Thanks to technology and innovation, manufacturers have provided a wide range of colours to choose from as well as realistic stone patterns.

Kitchen Studio in KZN courtesy KSA.

These can even include swirl patterns and veining to imitate other materials like natural stone. But there is a notable trend among quartz specifiers toward softer and more neutral colors.

And don’t forget composite sinks made from the same material as the countertop. This creates a cleaner uniform look and makes cleaning and maintenance much easier. Let the battle against stainless steel begin.

Trend six: Incorporate the great outdoors

Semi-outdoor kitchen.

I think this has been a common feature in SA for a long time, but finally it seems like international property owners are connecting the kitchen to an outdoor space or patio. Hint: By installing a glass door in your kitchen, you can easily connect these two spaces in your home.