While bold patterns and a more is more maximalist approach to kitchen design came to the fore in 2023, the forecast for the year ahead is a slightly calmer, restful outlook. The kitchen is being used now more than ever for preparing nutritious meals at home, but also as a social space and somewhere that time with family and friends can be cherished.
With our homes seen as safe havens and the kitchen firmly at the centre of family life, creating an ambience of comfort and relaxation will be key. The kitchen remains a hive of activity too and as such is a versatile space used for a variety of functions. There’s the kitchen island with integrated appliances, seating and storage, multi-functional appliances and surfaces that are used not just for food preparation but as desk space, homework areas and dining tables.
Whether you’re planning a new build or sprucing up an existing kitchen, many of the latest trends can be incorporated to ensure it’s a space you will love spending time in throughout 2024 and far beyond. Here are five to look out for.
A way with colour
While a sense of calm and tranquillity is apparent in kitchen design currently, colour is increasingly being used to create a cosy, inviting atmosphere. The monochromatic, all-white kitchens of the past have been replaced with dramatic tones that introduce a contrast to understated neutrals. Azure blues and greens, as seen with in the Cristallo Collection are ideal for creating this look, while rich browns and smoky blue and greys are also popular choices.
Storage displayed
No matter the size of your kitchen, there’s no such thing as too much storage. Butler pantries are a popular choice in larger spaces, while drawer inserts, pullouts and dividers all ensure the kitchen is extremely functional and highly organised.
Adding drama with marble
Nature-inspired materials, such as marble-effect quartz, continue to be popular for kitchen worktops and splashbacks. The earthy undertones and vibrant veining of quartz provides a connection to the beauty of the natural world, while also evoking a feeling of sanctuary and harmony at home. Lava Black is a great example of this in action, offering a sophisticated blank canvas for adding contrasting colours, eye-catching materials and tactile finishes.
Connecting the outdoors
The focus isn’t just about bringing nature indoors in 2024, it’s about connecting our internal and outdoor spaces too. Creating a seamless transition to the outdoors is possible with large sliding doors of course, but beyond the physical is the visual: choosing similar materials and complementary colour palettes throughout links the two areas.
The kitchen as a communal space
Above all, the kitchen is now a sociable space, designed to encourage families to come together. A variety of day-to-day activities are increasingly centred in the kitchen, and this is a space that is now used as much for lounging and relaxing as it is for cooking. The layout of the space in 2024 is therefore focused on inviting everyone to come closer, to sit and to stay for a while. The kitchen table – whether it’s part of an island or a separate dining surface – is integral, so the materials for its surface must be chosen wisely. Visually appealing, it needs to be family-friendly in terms of durability and longevity too, making CRL Quartz an excellent option.
Need ideas for incorporating 2024’s hottest trends into your kitchen? Why not request a copy of our latest brochure?
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