Kitchen Appliances: Hot Benchtop Products and How to Display Them
From pretty retro designs to sleek, contemporary styles – the latest benchtop appliances are designed to be noticed
With the trend for open-plan kitchens in full swing, benchtop appliances are more on show than ever before. As a result, we’re seeing a raft of super-stylish designs hit the market – think vintage-inspired models in pastels and metallics, and sleek contemporary styles that you can match with everything from your oven to your fridge. We’ve asked a panel of experts to reveal which benchtop appliance trends you should be paying attention to, and how best to make them work in your kitchen.
Matching designs
Forget mismatched appliances; according to Rob Sinclair, joint managing director at e&s, one of the most exciting developments is the advent of cohesive ranges. “You can now match your mixer, toaster, kettle, coffee machine and food processor, giving your kitchen a sleek and seamless look.” And it doesn’t stop at benchtop appliances. Many of the big names in kitchen design have released large appliances in matching colours and finishes too, allowing you to tell a continuous story from your toaster to your oven and fridge.
Forget mismatched appliances; according to Rob Sinclair, joint managing director at e&s, one of the most exciting developments is the advent of cohesive ranges. “You can now match your mixer, toaster, kettle, coffee machine and food processor, giving your kitchen a sleek and seamless look.” And it doesn’t stop at benchtop appliances. Many of the big names in kitchen design have released large appliances in matching colours and finishes too, allowing you to tell a continuous story from your toaster to your oven and fridge.
A colour revolution
“There is a huge range of colours and finishes available to choose from – everything from soft pastels and metallics to traditional cream,” says Katie Lansdale, marketing campaign manager at Appliances Online. “Black and grey are also trending, and have been shifting from small appliances to large ones such as fridges and washing machines.”
“It’s all about having your appliances fit your kitchen and not the other way around,” she says. “It’s now just as easy to find that cream kettle and toaster set to match your traditional country-style kitchen as it is to find a high-gloss black set to complement your smart, inner-city apartment.”
“There is a huge range of colours and finishes available to choose from – everything from soft pastels and metallics to traditional cream,” says Katie Lansdale, marketing campaign manager at Appliances Online. “Black and grey are also trending, and have been shifting from small appliances to large ones such as fridges and washing machines.”
“It’s all about having your appliances fit your kitchen and not the other way around,” she says. “It’s now just as easy to find that cream kettle and toaster set to match your traditional country-style kitchen as it is to find a high-gloss black set to complement your smart, inner-city apartment.”
Space-savvy styles
With many of us moving to smaller abodes, benchtop appliances are getting slimmer too, Sinclair adds. “Sleek design has become a huge thing in kitchens, as people don’t want appliances and unnecessary clutter taking up precious bench space.”
Sneaky Storage Ideas for Small Appliances
With many of us moving to smaller abodes, benchtop appliances are getting slimmer too, Sinclair adds. “Sleek design has become a huge thing in kitchens, as people don’t want appliances and unnecessary clutter taking up precious bench space.”
Sneaky Storage Ideas for Small Appliances
Old-school cool
The retro aesthetic, with its curvy lines and pretty sherbet hues, continues to dominate, according to Sinclair. “People love their luxe, vintage look.”
The soft pastels perfectly complement the pale timbers of Scandi-style kitchens, Wilson says. “Meanwhile, metallics such as brass, bronze and copper look fabulous paired with matching metallic tapware and pendant lights, and marble benchtops.”
The retro aesthetic, with its curvy lines and pretty sherbet hues, continues to dominate, according to Sinclair. “People love their luxe, vintage look.”
The soft pastels perfectly complement the pale timbers of Scandi-style kitchens, Wilson says. “Meanwhile, metallics such as brass, bronze and copper look fabulous paired with matching metallic tapware and pendant lights, and marble benchtops.”
Textural appeal
“Interesting textural finishes are also coming through,” Lansdale says. “You’ll find, for example, high-gloss black appliances with chromed details and transparent resin rings, which have a bold, modern look, and at the other end of the spectrum, you’ll see appliances in subtle, matt black.
“Looks aside, black is appealing as it hides fingerprints better than lighter-coloured appliances, and needs less wiping down too.”
“Interesting textural finishes are also coming through,” Lansdale says. “You’ll find, for example, high-gloss black appliances with chromed details and transparent resin rings, which have a bold, modern look, and at the other end of the spectrum, you’ll see appliances in subtle, matt black.
“Looks aside, black is appealing as it hides fingerprints better than lighter-coloured appliances, and needs less wiping down too.”
Advanced functionality
With space an issue for many of us, it’s no surprise that multi-functional appliances that do the jobs of several machines are becoming increasingly popular. “Having one appliance that does several different functions will save you both bench space and money,” Sinclair says. “The KitchenAid Artisan Stand mixer is a success because it comes with a range of attachments that allow you to do everything from make pasta to cakes. Plus, it’s beautiful enough to be left out on display.”
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With space an issue for many of us, it’s no surprise that multi-functional appliances that do the jobs of several machines are becoming increasingly popular. “Having one appliance that does several different functions will save you both bench space and money,” Sinclair says. “The KitchenAid Artisan Stand mixer is a success because it comes with a range of attachments that allow you to do everything from make pasta to cakes. Plus, it’s beautiful enough to be left out on display.”
8 Biggest Kitchen Blunders
How to choose the right design
How do you know where to begin when choosing the right look for your kitchen? “Start with colour, then style and finish,” advises Megan Brown, interior designer and principal at Penman Brown Interior Design. “Choosing the right-sized appliance for your kitchen is also important.”
When considering colour, it’s also important to factor in the surrounding permanent fixtures and finishes, Wilson says. “While an appliance is more easily replaced than, say, a coloured splashback, you still want to ensure it flatters the space and sits well with the existing finishes.
“In an open-plan space, your goal should be to unify the spaces. This doesn’t mean that everything has to match. You could, for example, mix different tonal shades of blue in kitchen, living and dining zones to give a cohesive feel.”
How do you know where to begin when choosing the right look for your kitchen? “Start with colour, then style and finish,” advises Megan Brown, interior designer and principal at Penman Brown Interior Design. “Choosing the right-sized appliance for your kitchen is also important.”
When considering colour, it’s also important to factor in the surrounding permanent fixtures and finishes, Wilson says. “While an appliance is more easily replaced than, say, a coloured splashback, you still want to ensure it flatters the space and sits well with the existing finishes.
“In an open-plan space, your goal should be to unify the spaces. This doesn’t mean that everything has to match. You could, for example, mix different tonal shades of blue in kitchen, living and dining zones to give a cohesive feel.”
Confident colour choices
When displaying multiple appliances on your benchtop, aim to have a single unifying thread running between them – either appliances from different manufacturers in one colour, or pieces in the same style in different colours, Wilson says.
When displaying multiple appliances on your benchtop, aim to have a single unifying thread running between them – either appliances from different manufacturers in one colour, or pieces in the same style in different colours, Wilson says.
Eclectic appeal
If you favour a more casual, mix-and-match style, make sure you carry it through from appliances to larger furniture pieces, Wilson says. “Mixing different styles can work really well if you keep a common theme throughout. To make an eclectic look work, the trick is to repeat it throughout the space – pair dissimilar small appliances with mismatched bar stools and unusual pendant lights.”
If you favour a more casual, mix-and-match style, make sure you carry it through from appliances to larger furniture pieces, Wilson says. “Mixing different styles can work really well if you keep a common theme throughout. To make an eclectic look work, the trick is to repeat it throughout the space – pair dissimilar small appliances with mismatched bar stools and unusual pendant lights.”
Display and storage ideas
Prefer to keep your appliances tucked away and your benchtops clear? “Many people building new homes are choosing to have a butler’s pantry for appliances and the like,” Lansdale says. “This allows you to keep your kitchen sleek, uncluttered and tidy all day long – perfect in an open-plan room.”
Prefer to keep your appliances tucked away and your benchtops clear? “Many people building new homes are choosing to have a butler’s pantry for appliances and the like,” Lansdale says. “This allows you to keep your kitchen sleek, uncluttered and tidy all day long – perfect in an open-plan room.”
Alternatively, you could specify cleverly concealed benchtop storage for appliances, as the owners of this Sydney Harbour home have done. Appliances are on-hand for prep and cooking, but out of sight when you have guests.
The importance of practicalities
When choosing where to arrange appliances on your benchtop, don’t forget to factor in the location of power points, Penman says. “Also try to ensure electrical cords and plugs are attractive too – ideally they should be the same colour.”
When choosing where to arrange appliances on your benchtop, don’t forget to factor in the location of power points, Penman says. “Also try to ensure electrical cords and plugs are attractive too – ideally they should be the same colour.”
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Are you a fan of the latest look-at-me appliances? Tell us in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like, bookmark or share this story. Join the conversation.
More
Read more kitchen stories
“In the past, appliances were called ‘white goods’ for a reason. Today, the trend for varied colours and finishes is growing, and I love that we can now accessorise our kitchens the same way we do other areas of the home,” says Justine Wilson, interior stylist and principal at Vault Interiors Property Styling. “The latest appliances are also a great way to introduce colour into the kitchen without too much of a commitment.
“When it comes to kitchen cabinetry, we have seen a shift towards darker colours and timbers, but they’re still fairly safe – think navy, grey and walnut. This is where brightly coloured benchtop appliances come in, injecting instant style and personality into a space. Also, with many layouts now open-plan, pops of colour can help unify the different zones – think an accent colour that runs from kitchen through to living room.”