Kitchen trends may come and go – think shabby chic, 50s retro and the current vibe for all things industrial for instance – but there are two styles that will always endure; and that’s classic and contemporary design. When planning for a new kitchen, it’s one of the first things to consider as it will have a huge impact on each and every element, from which appliances to choose - a statement Rangemaster range cooker in ivory, black or slate perhaps for a traditional look or the sleek built-in collection for a modern finish – to the worksurfaces, sink, tap, tiles and flooring.
To help navigate your way through the style options, we’ve compiled some hints and tips for each along with some inspirational schemes to get you started…
Character building
The first thing to remember is that choosing your own kitchen means picking a style that you’re going to love, for longer. So while you may lust after slab doors in a high gloss finish, does a modern look really suit your home or would it be more in keeping to choose a classic décor? Period properties and even new-builds are ideally suited to traditional cabinetry. The modern take on Shaker style is hugely popular with its simple in-frame timber doors that can be painted in an on-trend shade such as dark grey, charcoal, petrol blue or moss green. It may not be the most practical solution for families with young ones, as door fronts can be tricky to keep clean, but it’s certainly a timeless look. Granite worktops will keep it purely classic but to freshen it up, go for a quality quartz or solid surface in a marble effect. Natural stone flooring can be cold underfoot so consider underfloor heating and jazz up walls with the latest hexagonal, pencil or scallop shaped tiles.
This design has a Rangemaster Classic Deluxe as its focal point and uses contrasting natural wood and painted pale blue cabinets to add warmth and personality.
For a modern version of the wooden kitchen, this scheme uses pale timber in-frame cabinets and teams them with crackle glazed brick tiles and the striking Rangemaster Elise cooker in cream.
Chimney breasts are ideal for slotting a statement range cooker into, especially in period properties. The Falcon Deluxe in cream has everything today’s family needs for everyday meals and more
Caple’s Finton painted ash collection has a timeless look with part bevelled beading and a choice of 10 colours including anthracite, blueberry, cashmere, storm grey and white, so you can mix and match for an individual look, www.caple.co.uk
Lifestyle Kitchens has added a striking grey slate colourway to is Gala Shaker-style kitchen collection, which also comes in oyster, cashmere, dakar, tan grey, grey and light oak, www.lifestylekitchens.com
Modern romance
Contemporary kitchens are cool and clean lined, often featuring slab-style handless doors in a high gloss or matt finish. Bright bold colours are hugely popular, especially for a mix and match finish with contrasting shades. Keep the room light and airy with open shelving and if space allows, add a multifunctional island for casual dining, food prep and that all-important storage. Modern cabinetry designs tend to be easier to keep clean as they are fuss-free and straight-lined, while worktops with matching upstands and splashbacks in solid surface or quartz offer maximum impact in an on-trend terrazzo or marble effect. Choose a bank of built-in Rangemaster appliances to keep it streamlined or go for a focal point range cooker and pair with a stunning coloured glass splashback and contrasting coloured units. Stainless steel is also great for a modern finish, especially when teamed with crisp white cabinets, timber worktops and simple white brick tiles on walls. Add pendant lighting over an island, breakfast bar or dining table and some funky accessories and you’re ready to go.
It may be a little on the small side, but this kitchen looks ultra sleek with its Rangemaster Professional cooker set within high gloss white handless units
Add your own personality to a simple white space with a bold coloured splashback behind a Falcon Deluxe range cooker and use plinth and under-cabinet lighting to add wow factor after dark
Blue is set to continue as a huge trend in kitchens this year and who wouldn’t fall in love with this Denim Blue and Smoke Blue design from Trend Interiors in a Supermatt anti-fingerprint finish, www.trendinteriors.co.uk
Dark Green is another big look for 2019 as this design from Pronorm shows so well with its contrasting calacatta stone laminate worksurfaces and natural oak drawers, www.pronorm.de
Terrazzo is back in a big way, for tiles, worktops and accessories, so match it with something that offers equal impact such as Wren Kitchens’ Milano Contour Ermine range in Spearmint, www.wrenkitchens.com
