Top 5 Kitchen Design Trends for 2022
Trends come and go, but when investing in a new kitchen, you'll want to love it for years to come. From intricate flooring to natural bold finishes, here's what you can expect for 2022.
1. Think Green
This desire to be sustainable and closer to nature is starting to influence how we live and how we design our own home - often through the colour green. Why you ask? Well according to Christi Wharton, author of Psychology of Design: The Colour Green, “Green is a dominant colour in nature that makes you think of growth…Green evokes a feeling of abundance and is associated with refreshment and peace, rest and security”. In other words, having a green space in your own home creates the same calming feeling as you would if you were strolling down a leafy lane.
So, whether it is being used across the cabinetry or as an accent, green is becoming a key element in many industrial-inspired and urban spaces. In 2022, Graeme Smith, Head of Retail and Design at Life Kitchens adds "we'll also see softer, muted, mid-tone greens and earthy tones. To add interest to a scheme, pair these hues with statement features, such as large-scale patterned or textured worksurfaces, smoked glass cabinets or statement shelving, along with metallic accents for an opulent design statement."
2. Herringbone flooring
Herringbone flooring has increased in popularity over the last couple of years and we can see why. The name 'Herringbone' originated from the resemblance to the bone structure of a herring fish.
The timeless pattern shows up as a horsehair cloth found in Ireland, dating to somewhere between 750 and 600 BCE and it wasn't until the 16th century that the herringbone pattern was used as parquet flooring. The first known example of this can be seen in the Francois 1 Gallery at the Chateau de Fontainebleau in France.
Installing herringbone flooring is a great way to add grandeur, texture and warmth to the space and fits very well in an old traditional home, as well as, a new flat. A herringbone floor doesn't have to be timber either — there are many other types of flooring it comes in, such as LVT and porcelain. If you are looking for a floor that catches your eye, then this may be the pattern for you.
3. Bold Dark Colours
The trend for using bold, dark colours in the kitchen has been rumbling around for some time now but there has definitely been an expansion in the shades being used— with forest green and burgundy joining navy as top ranking colours. "2022 will bring a re-introduction of more heritage shades at the darker end of the palette such as jewel-like blues, greens and metallics," agrees Graeme Smith, Head of Retail and Design at Life Kitchens.
You may dark colours will make the room look bland and small, that doesn’t have to be the case. When used correctly and with the right lighting, dark colours can look sophisticated, elegant and will add just the right amount of drama to any space.
4. Veined Marble Surfaces
Marble has been a mainstay in stylish spaces for centuries. Whether selecting Calacatta, Carrara, Travertine, Arabescato, or Onyx the use of this beautiful stone in kitchens is certainly nothing new.
But, we have noticed a new trend towards the ostentatious. Designers and homeowners alike seem to be favouring colourful, cracked marble with interesting swirls and unique veining—the more imperfect, the better. Of course, this emerging trend also aligns with the 1980s renaissance currently dominating design and fashion; there’s a reason why luxurious stone pairs perfectly with flashy gold or copper hardware.
5. Kitchen Wallpaper
Often thought of as being about as practical as carpet in a bathroom, there is a new wave of wallpaper now on the market, specifically designed with kitchens in mind. “What we are seeing is plucky homeowners using wallpaper to counter the minimalism of white cupboards and neutral worktops,” says wallpaper designer Elizabeth Ockford. "While many might be afraid of using wallpaper in the kitchen due to its humidity, a non-woven paper combined with good ventilation will ensure wallpaper remains in great condition." Elizabeth recommends a coat of matt water-based varnish over the wallpaper once its hung and dry to seal all edges and joins for additional protection.
Contact
If you’re ready to make the upgrade, please contact us today. We can assist with a free virtual design consultation to help you plan your ideal kitchen complete with all of the best space saving design features and top appliances available. Or give our brilliant design team a call on 0118 939 3046.
