We’re nearing the end of 2014 but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some inspiring and innovative design trends that you can still make the most of when designing your current or newly installed kitchen space.
We’ve been blessed with some truly wonderful design trends this year with non-traditional lighting, natural materials and sleek hardware designs all playing a central role, so take a look at these outstanding examples and give yourself a face of your kitchen in front of the family. come to Christmas dinner!
Copper, gold and black
Standard kitchen metals were revised this year by some truly inspiring designs that integrated warmer metals into the picture. Expect to see various shades of graphite and iron that play an important role in the atmospheric aspects of your kitchen along with distinct shades of black hardware coating.
These hot distinctive metallic hardware trends are growing in popularity and are often complemented by statement hoods, which work very well among these material combinations and finishes. In addition, you can turn your back on the standard materials of chrome, nickel and stainless steel for something with a little more warmth; an excellent prospect for the coming winter months.
Natural raw material
Who doesn’t love a little rustic warmth over the Christmas period? That’s exactly what you’re getting from the raw material designs that continue to dominate the top kitchen trend ideas. During 2014 people have been embracing natural raw materials, so any new kitchen installation you come across is likely to incorporate some exposed brickwork, a few exposed beams, wooden planks, concrete and the like.
Any newly built or renovated space retains that industrial warmth when brick veneers are left alone. Plus, there’s plenty of scope available if you want to do a quick DIY job and have your kitchen looking a little more rustic in time for Christmas. Open shelving using reclaimed wood or planks of some kind proves to be a particularly popular DIY design trend.
Backsplashes
So there is more space to work with in kitchens today… but the question is what do we do with all that extra wall space? Many stoves and cooker hoods are left exposed as a result of the free space, so backsplashes have proven to be an excellent method to bring some unique natural design trends to the table.
2014 in particular has seen an abundance of kitchen backsplashes as designers look to create some wonderful artistic finishes to complement their marble or limestone walls. The artwork comes from the natural veins that you tend to get with marble and other forms of natural stone.
Scone light
We’ve packed our kitchens with shelves and cabinets and left little to the imagination when it comes to lighting ideas in the past, so sconce lighting was resurrected in 2014 and it’s proven to be great success. The under-cabinet light is losing its need and the sconce light gives you efficient flexibility with adjustable arm designs available.
Adjustable wall sconces let you direct the light where it’s needed, so whether you’re chopping some home-grown vegetables for Christmas dinner or sitting at your rustic country table to read the newspaper, never there has not been such a pragmatic approach to kitchen lighting.
Sconce lighting goes really well with the other two trends we’ve already mentioned, so if you can get some copper, gold or black fixtures, there are a few kitchen designs that complement the lighting of the sconce too.
Built-in cabinets
Making the most of the space has been something that many kitchen design trends have sought to comply with in recent years and there is no doubt that built-in cabinets give you the chance to create an attractive interior design and promote effective use of space.
While it’s a relatively new trend, we’ve seen cabinets that carry stoves, stand on either end of kitchen counters and complete a run of cabinets, so they’re definitely a regular fixture in today’s world.
They stand out because they tend to have contrasting and expansive color themes and styles, with the level of detail surpassing simpler cabinet doors found in the same kitchen. The tall and narrow design means that they can be placed anywhere in the kitchen to improve the freedom of space and still give you that storage capacity you are looking for.
Mike James is a passionate foodie with a small family and spends a lot of time in the kitchen. With a background in interior design he is also always on the lookout for new design trends and writes about his findings for Price Kitchensa family-run kitchen manufacturer.
