Words: Anne Schauffer | Image: Shutterstock
For designers, a kitchen needs to be a strong marriage of functionality, flow and good looks with the integration of the individual owner’s tastes and preferences. Brendon Watkins, Capital Kitchens, adds, “Each customer’s kitchen is unique – innovative and stylish, sure, but also functional, well thought out, and easy to use.”
Sustainability
Gas has long been the fuel of choice for cooks – an induction or gas stove is certainly the greener option. For all other appliances, check their ratings – it’ll not only save money but importantly, contribute to the planet. Look for fridges, dishwashers and washing machines rated A or A+ when you replace yours – close on 60% of energy used in a washing machine goes towards water heating, so less water used, less energy.
Hardware design innovation
Brendon says the focus on hardware has ramped up considerably, “Now we’re looking at small, luxury details which make life easier like slow-close drawers, gas-stay cupboard doors, anti-slam doors, Tiptronic (touch) doors and drawers, carousels, butler larders and pop-up plug points (pop up through the counter) and dedicated cellphone or tablet chargers.”
Not only is it about making kitchen life easier, but equally, a good design element, “Much revolves around invisibility – conceal the fridge, the microwave, even the door handles and light switches. Cupboards are customised to hold everything unsightly, and cupboard doors and floors are all pared down to a stylish simplicity,” he says.
Countertops
Brendon says some style trends are more shifts than complete changes, “Like the old, thicker 32mm granite countertop. Now the market wants sleeker ones, which are not only more cost-effective, use less material (the greener option), but just look better.” Sealed, matt or sheen finish, uncoloured concrete surfaces are relatively inexpensive, and you can choose chunky, slim or sleek. As a countertop, bamboo is a sustainable material with antibacterial properties, and, of course, different thicknesses and finishes.
Lighting
With kitchens becoming as much living spaces as workplaces, the lighting needs to be flexible enough to accommodate the change between a living and working environment. Balancing mood and functional lighting can be tricky, so dimmers and timed lighting settings are popular. The greenest option (quality LED downlighters) are not only becoming more affordable, but they last years longer than incandescent bulbs. “The trends range from large metal industrial pendant lamps to massive and glam chandeliers, this is often predicated on the size of the kitchen and whether it has distinct zones – cooking, eating, storage, and so on,” says Brendon.
Smart kitchens
Remote controls like cellphones or timers, allow lights, ovens, music stations and televisions to be managed from a distance. Green and smart, a food recycler turns your food scraps into fertiliser, or, at least, says Brendon, “integrate a recycle centre into your cupboards, with partitions for recycling different materials.”
