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Individualism: The Next Big Thing in Kitchens
Forget boring, run-of-the-mill kitchens; today's cooking spaces are all about personality. Here are 5 ways to achieve it
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Today’s multi-tasking kitchen is about more than just cooking – it’s the hub of the home, where we dine, entertain, work and more. And with the growing popularity of open-plan layouts, it often connects with our living and dining areas. As a result, homeowners are looking for exciting, new ways to add individuality and flair to their cooking spaces. “Homeowners want a kitchen that is not only functional, but beautiful too – like an extension of their furniture,” says Ania Forster, creative director at Zephyr and Stone. “And with advances in technology in products and materials, anything’s possible.”
Looking to add personality to your kitchen? We’ve teamed up with cutting-edge hardware solutions brand Hettich to reveal five smart ways to go about it.
Looking to add personality to your kitchen? We’ve teamed up with cutting-edge hardware solutions brand Hettich to reveal five smart ways to go about it.
1. Flexible set-ups
A kitchen that performs multiple roles as a cooking, entertaining and dining zone requires a flexible layout and smart inclusions.
If you’re planning a new kitchen, start by considering how you will use the space, who will use it, and the different activities you will do there. Do you need a recharging station for devices? Space for a wine cabinet? A study nook or a butler’s pantry so you can keep the on-show parts of your kitchen clutter-free?
If you’ve specified a kitchen island, make the most of its potential. The latest islands combine everything from two-sided storage, prep and display space to a dedicated dining zone – all housed in the one, savvy unit.
A kitchen that performs multiple roles as a cooking, entertaining and dining zone requires a flexible layout and smart inclusions.
If you’re planning a new kitchen, start by considering how you will use the space, who will use it, and the different activities you will do there. Do you need a recharging station for devices? Space for a wine cabinet? A study nook or a butler’s pantry so you can keep the on-show parts of your kitchen clutter-free?
If you’ve specified a kitchen island, make the most of its potential. The latest islands combine everything from two-sided storage, prep and display space to a dedicated dining zone – all housed in the one, savvy unit.
Consider aesthetics too. Do you want your kitchen to be a visual extension of an adjoining living or dining area, with matching finishes? Do you want it to be the focus of an open-plan space or blend in? Do you like the idea of an ‘un-kitchen kitchen’ where cabinetry resembles furniture or do you prefer the look of a classic kitchen?
Style-wise, a softer, organic aesthetic is coming through, says Forster. “There’s a strong trend towards natural and raw materials and finishes – think timber, stone, handmade tiles, rattan, and brass and nickel accents.”
Style-wise, a softer, organic aesthetic is coming through, says Forster. “There’s a strong trend towards natural and raw materials and finishes – think timber, stone, handmade tiles, rattan, and brass and nickel accents.”
Hettich AvanTech YOU drawer system
2. Luxe drawers
The shift towards individualism isn’t just about layouts and finishes – it extends to the inner workings of the kitchen too.
Features such as storage drawers are no longer a one-size-fits-all, with designers offering up creative and flexible options so you can express your personal style.
Hettich’s AvanTech YOU drawer system allows you to customise the side panels of its high-performance drawers with any material you like, such as timber, stone, glass or slate, so you can make a striking visual feature of your storage or harmonise with your cabinetry finishes.
2. Luxe drawers
The shift towards individualism isn’t just about layouts and finishes – it extends to the inner workings of the kitchen too.
Features such as storage drawers are no longer a one-size-fits-all, with designers offering up creative and flexible options so you can express your personal style.
Hettich’s AvanTech YOU drawer system allows you to customise the side panels of its high-performance drawers with any material you like, such as timber, stone, glass or slate, so you can make a striking visual feature of your storage or harmonise with your cabinetry finishes.
Hettich AvanTech YOU drawer system
The sleek, smooth-running drawers have a slender 13-millimetre profile and no visible screw heads or cover caps for a seamless look, as well as a choice of design profiles in oak-, walnut-, aluminium-look and more.
“Details such as these add contrast, character and depth to your kitchen, and they allow you to create a visual connection with other elements in the space, such as lighting,” says Forster. “Choosing quality hardware also ensures the longevity of your cabinetry and makes items such as drawers a pleasure to use every day.”
The sleek, smooth-running drawers have a slender 13-millimetre profile and no visible screw heads or cover caps for a seamless look, as well as a choice of design profiles in oak-, walnut-, aluminium-look and more.
“Details such as these add contrast, character and depth to your kitchen, and they allow you to create a visual connection with other elements in the space, such as lighting,” says Forster. “Choosing quality hardware also ensures the longevity of your cabinetry and makes items such as drawers a pleasure to use every day.”
3. Mix and match appliances
Flexibility is a major trend in built-in appliances such as fridges, dishwashers and ovens – not just in terms of style, but when it comes to installation options. “These appliances allow you to tailor a kitchen layout that suits your needs in terms of functionality and practicality, without compromising aesthetics,” says Forster.
Bright, stainless-steel finishes and prominent handles and logos have given way to appliances with sleek, matt-black facades, character touches such as copper detailing and minimalist styling. This refined aesthetic allows you to showcase appliances as features of your kitchen or you can integrate them behind joinery doors for a seamless look.
Flexibility is a major trend in built-in appliances such as fridges, dishwashers and ovens – not just in terms of style, but when it comes to installation options. “These appliances allow you to tailor a kitchen layout that suits your needs in terms of functionality and practicality, without compromising aesthetics,” says Forster.
Bright, stainless-steel finishes and prominent handles and logos have given way to appliances with sleek, matt-black facades, character touches such as copper detailing and minimalist styling. This refined aesthetic allows you to showcase appliances as features of your kitchen or you can integrate them behind joinery doors for a seamless look.
Hettich AvanTech YOU drawer system
Installation options have expanded too. Take your pick from column-style fridges and freezers that can be positioned together, separately or combined with a matching wine cabinet for a show-stopping set-up; dish-drawer dishwashers that can be installed anywhere in your cabinetry at a height that suits you; cool drawers that convert from chiller to freezer; and compact, built-in wine cabinets that you can pair with a built-in oven.
Installation options have expanded too. Take your pick from column-style fridges and freezers that can be positioned together, separately or combined with a matching wine cabinet for a show-stopping set-up; dish-drawer dishwashers that can be installed anywhere in your cabinetry at a height that suits you; cool drawers that convert from chiller to freezer; and compact, built-in wine cabinets that you can pair with a built-in oven.
4. Bold tapware and sinks
The right tapware and sink, like jewellery, can elevate your kitchen to something truly special. Fortunately, chrome tapware and a white sink are no longer your only options.
Consider sculptural, matt-black or matt-white taps, designs in brass or brushed nickel, or one of the hottest trends of the moment – taps with textured handles.
For sinks, opt for a colour such as black or taupe, or up the ante with a concrete-look sink or one crafted from copper, marble or limestone. You can create a sense of flow by repeating the colour or finish in your splashback material.
The right tapware and sink, like jewellery, can elevate your kitchen to something truly special. Fortunately, chrome tapware and a white sink are no longer your only options.
Consider sculptural, matt-black or matt-white taps, designs in brass or brushed nickel, or one of the hottest trends of the moment – taps with textured handles.
For sinks, opt for a colour such as black or taupe, or up the ante with a concrete-look sink or one crafted from copper, marble or limestone. You can create a sense of flow by repeating the colour or finish in your splashback material.
5. Art and display
Complete the look with a few soft, personal touches, such as artwork and greenery, suggests Forster. “Incorporate ceramics and special pieces on open shelves, artwork on walls, and plants and foliage,” she says. And remember; less is more. “You only need a few key pieces to create a beautiful display and some natural elements such as fresh or dried plants.
“Include items of varying heights to create a balanced display, and in colours and materials that complement the finishes in your kitchen,” says Forster.
More: See how Hettich AvanTech YOU drawer systems can add functionality and flair to your kitchen here.
Tell us: How have you added individuality to your kitchen?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Complete the look with a few soft, personal touches, such as artwork and greenery, suggests Forster. “Incorporate ceramics and special pieces on open shelves, artwork on walls, and plants and foliage,” she says. And remember; less is more. “You only need a few key pieces to create a beautiful display and some natural elements such as fresh or dried plants.
“Include items of varying heights to create a balanced display, and in colours and materials that complement the finishes in your kitchen,” says Forster.
More: See how Hettich AvanTech YOU drawer systems can add functionality and flair to your kitchen here.
Tell us: How have you added individuality to your kitchen?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
We meticulously work on products that often are not visible – used inside furniture cabinetry – but provide... Read More
We meticulously work on products that often are not visible – used inside furniture cabinetry – but provide... Read More