Kitchen design trends for 2016
These are the kitchen design trends for 2016 we expect to be hot.
True handleless kitchens
An increasing number of people are starting to ask for true handleless kitchens rather than the integrated handle type. Therefore, we’re predicting that true handleless kitchens will become one of the kitchen design trends for 2016.
True handleless kitchens, favoured mainly by German kitchen brands, feature a continuous rail that’s built into the cabinet (1st & 2nd pictures below). The continuous rail allows your hand to glide over the top of the door & open the door from behind with ease.
The benefit this system has over the integrated handle type (3rd picture below), is that the doors are much easier to open. This is particularly the case with those doors attached to integrated fridges, freezers, fridge-freezers & dishwashers – which can be almost impossible to open with the integrated handle type.
The other benefit this type of handleless system has, is that it is much more durable than the integrated handle type. With the integrated handle style, 75% of the top of the door has to be removed to make the handle recess. The problem with this is that the top edge of the door often chips or splits because it’s so thin & weak. You don’t have this problem with a true handleless kitchen.
Kitchens with subtle handles across the top of the door
Up until recently, you had the choice between buying a kitchen with a handle or buying a handleless kitchen. So, if you liked the look of a handleless kitchen, but didn’t want to give up the practicality of having a handle, you would be forced to choose between looks or practicality.
Now there’s an alternative. For people that like the seamless look of a handleless kitchen but also the practicality of a handle, they can now choose a kitchen with a subtle handle across the top of the door. Below are a few examples of these. We’re predicting that these will become increasingly popular and will become one of the kitchen design trends for 2016.
Grey kitchens
Over the last year, grey has firmly established itself as the second most popular kitchen colour after white. We predict that 2016 will be the year that grey kitchens become as popular as white. Whether its light grey, mid grey or dark grey, modern or traditional, the increase in demand for grey has been explosive. We’re predicting that this will increase even more. In fact, we’re predicting that grey kitchens become so popular, that they’ll be one of the kitchen design trends of 2016.
Pictured below: several on-trend grey kitchens:
Natural stone & metal effect kitchens
Another one of the kitchen design trends we’re starting to see is natural stone & metal effect kitchens. Until recently, if you’d wanted a concrete, ceramic, sandstone, copper or slate kitchen, the only option you would have would be to spend £50,000 + on the real thing. However, over the last few years, some German brands have introduced stone & metal effect kitchens. These look almost identical to the real thing, but cost a fraction of the price.
In fact, we’ve had several clients this year that we’ve recommended to German kitchen showrooms that have gone on to purchase stone effect kitchens. To give you an idea of cost, these kitchens all cost between £14,000 – £17,000 & were for rooms of approx. 5m x 3m containing about 18 units. This figure included German kitchens units, quartz or granite worktops, Neff appliances & a dry fit.
Below: examples of stone & metal effect kitchens:
Ceramic worktops
Launched 3 years ago by Jetstone, Ceramic worktops have become increasingly popular with clients looking for something a little different. Over the last few years two other ceramic worktop brands have been launched: Neolith by THESIZE & Dekton by Consetino.
The big advantage ceramic worktops have over quartz and granite worktops is they are more durable. Being even harder than quartz & granite, ceramic worktops are more resistant to scratching, chipping & heat.
Pictured below: ceramic worktops:
We’re predicting that ceramic worktops will become increasingly popular next year & one of the kitchen design trends for 2016. However, we suspect that this trend will be confined mainly to the luxury end of the market. Ceramic worktops still cost more than quartz & granite worktops, therefore we don’t expect ceramic worktops to become a mass market product for several more years.
Smooth painted shaker kitchens
Another trend we are starting to see is the growth in popularity of smooth painted shaker kitchens. Rather than having a more traditional grained/textured finish, the door has a silky smooth finish. This gives the door a much more contemporary feel.
Below are a few examples of smooth painted shaker kitchens.
Our FREE service recommends the best value kitchen suppliers in your area.
We’ll recommend local showrooms whose kitchens cost similar to the chains & trade only suppliers, but are higher quality & will last much longer.
All showrooms offer free, no-obligation quotes & are within 30 minutes drive.
But don’t just take our word for it, check out what our clients say below:
“The kitchen your guys came up with is far more competitive than anything I have had quoted so far and the quality is in a different league”
Samantha Michaels, Watford, Herts
“The price was similar to builders merchants & DIY chains, but the kitchen was much better quality”
Hannah Malone, Wivenhoe, Essex
“If you’re looking for a good value kitchen supplier, these are the people to speak to first!”
Natalie D R, Stanmore, Middx
Find Out More
For more information on Ceramic worktops, visit the manufacturer websites below: