Trend Report: The Latest Trends and Developments in the Kitchen Industry

What are the drivers for today’s kitchen trends?

Open plan living has dominated kitchen design throughout residential and commercial settings in recent years and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. With living spaces getting smaller, and increasing global populations, the definition between kitchen and living space is fading, with rooms losing their established boundaries. This trend has heavily shaped kitchen design, from multi-functional furniture to holistic lighting plans and a repurpose of door systems.

As always, innovation also influences heavily on design and in recent years technology has allowed designers to really bring flexibility to kitchens, complimenting the open plan trend effortlessly. Designers are now utilising clever technology within room settings to create a multi-functional space. The reflection of different usage patterns, subtle ambience-changing lighting devices and multi-functional furniture have created a trend for a subtly smart, open living space.

What are the most popular styles of kitchen at the moment?

The semi-industrial style remains popular, borrowing from the hospitality industry and now rising in popularity across sectors, including residential. Copper worktops, islands or units work hard here to really make a statement look, as well as providing durable and hygienic surfaces. Contemporary classic also remains popular with modern takes on classic statement appliances, such as Belfast sinks.

Bringing elements of nature indoors has also become an increasingly popular design style. This outside-in approach sees clever use of colour and innovative design shape lighter, more open room settings, complimenting the trend for open plan living. Sliding doors provide a stylish solution here, opening rooms up to the outside whilst maintaining the definition of the room.

How are Häfele helping kitchen designers to keep up to date with the latest styles and trends?

Häfele continuously monitor and respond to market trends. We regularly review our product range and add new products so that our customers have everything they need for a project in one place. In May, we showcase our latest innovations at Interzum and premiered the next evolution of the internationally successful Loox LED lighting system for light and sound in furniture, Häfele Connect. This innovative system, controlled directly by the Häfele Connect app on smart phone, sees complete control of light and sound through intelligent software. You can find out more about Häfele Connect in our Interzum trend report.

We also partner with industry experts to bring the best in class innovations to our retail partners. The Shüco smartcube is one of our most recent examples of this – the multifunctional shelving system brings complete versatility to storage and can be used on its own or with several together.

We also support our exclusive network of kitchen studio partners with our inspirational Ideas for Living platform. Ideas for Living has been specifically designed to support consumers to make informed decisions when planning a new kitchen; thinking about how to use space, how to maximise space and ideal layout. Homeowners are directed to use the studio partner locator to find their local studio partner.