The heart and soul of the house, where the magic really happens, the place that most defines hospitality within the home, is most surely the kitchen. But it’s also an area of the home so often neglected in terms of aesthetics, where function wins out over visual appeal.
But that shouldn’t be the case. There really is no reason for the kitchen not to pop with vibrancy and a sense of well-pitched cool. Should you be planning on having a new kitchen installed and you want to bring your ideas into the 21st century, then you might be interested in the below; our 6 contemporary features to include in your 2023 kitchen installation.
Invest In High Quality Appliances
To create a luxurious, modern kitchen that never fails to impress your guests, consider investing in various high-quality appliances which serve to improve the look of the room as well as the cook.
Your guests are also bound to marvel at a two-door refrigerator that offers an ice-maker and ample storage space. They’re also going to coo at your latest Kitchen Aid. We’ve recently been lusting after the bespoke refrigerator which taps into trends of modularity and customisation from Samsung on Michel Roux’s French Country Cooking program. Just lovely!
Guests are also likely to fall deeply in love with a large industrial stove, which will prove you take your cooking seriously, too.
Should you be really looking to add a bold, unique touch to your kitchen installation, consider investing in a custom range hood. Kitchen range hoods were once a grimy eyesore, clad in cumbersome steel and something that was purely functional. Today, they are works of art, available in all different styles, shapes and colours. Indeed, kitchen designers are increasingly making statements with their range hoods and we’re very much here for it.
Read: 11 essential kitchen gadgets to take your cooking to the next level
Choose A Bold Colour Scheme
While white cabinets and walls can make your kitchen appear fresh, hygienic and modern, they tend to point towards a lack of personality and slightly clinical feel within. Indeed, all-white minimalism may look crisp, it provides little visual comfort. Accordingly, it’s kitchen trend that is seemingly falling by the wayside. Instead, breathe life into your kitchen space by incorporating bolder hues.
In the last year, bolder, darker shades have become fashionable for the kitchen; think forest green and teal, more precisely. Muted colours have also given way to bright, joyful splashes that are designed, primarily, to put a smile on your face. The more saturated the colour that envelopes you in the space, the better, we think.
There are all sorts of ways to add some colour to your kitchen. Colourful kitchen cabinetry is perhaps the best way. Just be sure to use paint with an anti-fingerprint finish or your pride-and-joy is getting pretty grubby, pretty quickly!
Install An Eye-Catching Splashback
Want to instantly grab a guest’s attention when they step inside your kitchen? Do so by adding an eye-catching splashback.
Splashbacks aren’t purely for protecting walls from cooking splatter and stains; they are a quick and effective way to add a stylish finish to your kitchen, creating a strong visual focal point and a chance to add some playfulness to your otherwise functional kitchen. And isn’t playfulnesss something we’re going for in 2022?
When it comes to choosing a new splashback, think outside the box and away from the traditional, boring white tile versions. You could install antique mirror tiles that feature slight ripples and imperfections, which creates a distinctive, stylish design. Or, channel a Mediterranean vibe with a geometric tile splashback will give real visual appeal.
Here at IDEAL, we’re fans of creating a bold contrast (more on this later) between kitchen cabinets and splashbacks – think opposite ends of the colour wheel. Or if bold colours aren’t your vibe, add interest by using unusually shaped tiles. For instance, geometric white tiles can add a contemporary feel to your kitchen.
Switch Up (& On) The Lighting
If your lighting is failing to complement the kitchen, then the appearance of your food (and the eating – eyes first and all that) might suffer. Indeed, it might be time to make an upgrade. You could shine a light on your stunning cabinets and worktops with contemporary spotlights. Alternatively, you could create a more rustic appearance by adding copper pendant lighting, allowing others to see your kitchen in a different light.
Introduce Glass Panelled Cabinets (& Plenty Of Light In The Process)
Freshen up your old kitchen by switching your upper cabinets with glass-paned fronts. It can be a great way to make the room appear less claustrophobic, as the glass will reflect natural light across the room. Plus, it can be a cool tactic for showcasing your high-quality crockery and carefully curated storage features.
Inject Some Texture
Sometimes kitchens can feel too clinical, especially if you’re trying to achieve a contemporary look. Enter texture.
Interior designers are always touting the benefits of adding texture to a room. Indeed, while colours are of course important in defining the overall mood for your kitchen, it’s textures that add character and dimension. They add intrigue, personality and even cosiness to the kitchen.
So, how do you add texture to your kitchen? Simply by using different materials and shapes. Perhaps you could warm up a bright white kitchen by adding a butcher block worktop in uber-cool sanded wood tones reminiscent of the most exclusive sushi bars. Butcherblock countertops are also a more budget friendly way to update your kitchen counter tops than quartz and granite options.
Patterns are also a great way to add texture to your kitchen. Natural stone and brick walls can add a rustic vibe, channelling that country kitchen aesthetic that is going to be just as big as a more contemporary look this year.
The Bottom Line
2023’s kitchen design trends suggest a bold, contemporary approach will serve your installation best. Now, when are getting an invite round to dinner?
