Spring home improvements
This has to be one of my favourite times of the year. As we transition from winter to spring and the days gradually become lighter, I find my mood brightens and I begin to look forward to the year ahead with new found optimism.
It’s the perfect moment for pondering Home Improvements- and wether you are on the hunt for some new furniture or thinking of updating a room scheme. It could be a new kitchen or bathroom and we at Chameleom Interior Designs are here to help you along the way.
If you do nothing else this month, find some space for s bunch of seasonal flowers – 100 percent guaranteed to connect you with nature and boost your spirits.
Let’s start with kitchens
Whether you want to overhaul your current kitchen design or refresh your current kitchen, every effective kitchen combines many elements – layout, cabinets, worktops, appliances, tiling, and so forth. But what’s hot in the world of kitchen design?
2020 is the year of the ‘living kitchen’ where function, aesthetic and technology combine to make day-to-day life a little easier and unify the rest of the home.
‘Irrespective of trends, when it comes to kitchen design, people still set out with the same objectives: they want an efficient and comfortable workspace that looks good and is nice to cook in. What has changed dramatically – and will continue to do so – is the amount of technology we now have at our fingertips,’ says Emile Azan, founder of Chameleon Designs Interiors. ‘This not only influences the performance of materials but also what we can achieve with the final design.’
There are, of course, some strong key themes this year. Storage is, and will continue to be, a big part of the kitchen space, especially for smaller kitchens. We’re looking at ways to conceal storage, maximise space and improve userconvenience, and we’ll be utilising corner units more than ever before.
There’s also an increased focus on sustainability and the need for quality furniture that is environmentally friendly, so as consumers we’re becoming more conscious about the products we buy for our home.
And tapping into the idea of the ‘anti-kitchen’), the kitchen is still a space to love and cherish but a growing number of homeowners want to conceal parts of the kitchen, something which we are calling the ‘unobtrusive kitchen’.
Emile Azan, founder of , Chameleon Interior Designs explains:http://www.chameleondesignsinteriors.co.uk ‘Gone are the days of having a show kitchen, clients now want that kitchen to be fully functional, durable and easy to maintain and work in, while also being trend-led. A rise in technology in the kitchen has also titled the shift between function and aesthetic.’
The painted kitchen
The ‘painted kitchen’ is a practical choice, offering a modern take on a more traditional look and finish. This is great for emphasising both furniture and architectural detail, and the ever-versatile grey will continue to be the neutral of the moment, with taupe and light greys through to charcoal and slate grey, proving to be the most popular in 2020.
‘Offering a new lease of life to the kitchen cabinet, painted furniture when paired with authentic raw materials like marble and concrete will create a durable kitchen environment that is classic in nature, yet contemporary in finish
‘Flextensions’ and family first layouts
Multi-generational living has ousted the one-size-fits-all kitchen to welcome future-proof design catering to a growing population that is living longer, marrying later and demanding more in terms of valuable interior design.
This year presents a focus on custom-made kitchen furniture that is able to accommodate different types of user and application. According to Brandt Design, it’s not so much about extension, but rather, ‘flextension’.
‘Flextension’ will create the ultimate in flexible living for you and your family from just the kitchen alone. There’s a focus here on integrated seating areas, low-level and full height storage solutions, and extended breakfast bars or island units that become an all-inclusive workstation, complete with food prep areas and space for cooking, dining and home office work.
Clever Concealed Storage
Interior storage solutions are having a moment. We have lots to store in the kitchen but we don’t necessarily want it to be on show, so it’s no surprise that discreet storage solutions, or rather hide-and-seek storage, is a must in the kitchen – whether it’s simple cabinetry to hide a fridge or dishwasher, or a storage design that minimises counter top small appliances.
This is achieved through bespoke storage elements such as multi-purpose island units with custom seating, built-in appliances, and reactive banks of furniture made up of sliding doors, pull-out larders, pop-up shelves, integrated wine stores and departmental drawer solutions.
Sustainable and ‘Eco Conscious kitchens’
As we move into 2020, research shows that eco-credentials are a growing concern to the modern homeowner, following a new consciousness surrounding our planet and how we can save energy.
Ethical consumerism is set to grow as we increase the value of our homes by reducing its carbon footprint and attempt to seek out eco-friendly interior solutions to help to create homes of the future.
Making steps towards more sustainable living could include adding dedicated recycling bins in your cupboard, installing a 3-in-1 hot water tap, or choosing induction hobs to reduce the amount of energy used and wasted.
The focus will also be on the eco-credentials of kitchen manufacturers. In 2020 it is just one way for you to “feel good” in the home, reduce its carbon footprint and ensure the UK high street can serve this growing demand.
Broken Plan Living
Broken-plan living will ‘define the next decade’, say the design team at Chameleon Interior Designs. An emerging trend in the last few years, the kitchen, living room and dining area are all merging into one open-plan space. Making the home a connected space, zoning is replacing open-plan layouts with the ‘phenomenon’ referred to as broken-plan.
‘Retaining the spacious feel of an open-plan design, the trend employs the use of screens, freestanding furniture, cabinetry and house plants to create distinct zones and nest-like nooks intended for cooking, relaxing and entertaining,’ the team explain.
Open Storage for Small Spaces
While concealed storage will be big, there is still use for open shelves, as it adds interest to the kitchen and helps to open up a space, particularly if you have a small kitchen.
‘As homes are becoming increasingly smaller, storage trends for the space poor will rise in popularity in the new decade,’ says Emile Azan at Chameleon Interior Designs. ‘Using clever systems like Record Cucine’s Magneto Lab glass splash back which removes items usually placed on the worktop and places them on the splash back with magnetic holders, will become more popular.
In a minimalist kitchen, you can use open shelves to show off your best buys without creating any clutter and it can be decorated with anything from plants to crockery.
And finally – the Larder on display
A desired kitchen feature, the modern kitchen larder is becoming more bespoke for 2020.
Emile Azan of Chameleon Interior Designs explains: ‘A throwback to times when refrigeration was not commonly available, in recent years they have been re-purposed to store dried goods. Indeed it is often a more suitable place than a fridge to store eggs, certain vegetables and of course herbs and spices which are better stored in dark places.’
Modern kitchens can integrate sections with open storage so beloved decorative pieces can be beautifully displayed or those essential items used most frequently can be accessed effortlessly.
Mixing a full height larder unit, which boasts large storage capacity, with feature shelving and open units, will help to create a balance between a practical and decorative finish.