Kitchen Idea Centre

If 2021 was the year in which the humble kitchen reinvented itself (largely due to the pandemic), what's in store for the modern kitchen in 2022?

A successful kitchen design includes many elements – layout, cabinets, worktops, appliances, and so forth, and today's modern kitchen seamlessly combines function, aesthetic and technology where every square inch needs to work harder. Essentially, our spaces need to do more.

2022 is set to be a 'landmark year for the blended kitchen space', Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations at Rotpunkt, declares. 'Presenting a true democracy for today's lifestyle, the kitchen of tomorrow will be contemporary in style and spatially ergonomic with the very best sustainable furniture forming the basis of each scheme.'

Modern & Luxurious Kitchen Designs

The most desirable modern kitchen designs will reflect what Daval Furniture refer to as 'whole-house interior design schemes', where the kitchen-living space includes added value living areas like a home bar or utility/boot room.

Optimising how the kitchen space adapts with our lifestyles will be vital this year, says Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval: 'Post pandemic life will bring a deeper appreciation of the capabilities of custom-made furniture, alongside the introduction of hygienic surfaces and hardworking kitchen storage like walk-in pantries.'

From adventurous earthy tones to brilliantly bold hues, we're getting braver with colour, too. Ian Penney, Business Unit Director for Room Solutions at Homebase, elaborates: 'There will be lots of earthy tones as we continue to appreciate the great outdoors, but also bright colours such as teals and vibrant accents like copper or gold handles for an optimistic burst of colour. We’ve introduced new cabinet colours into our on-trend collection of contemporary House Beautiful kitchens. Designed and built right here in the UK, these kitchens are sleek and stylish with smart finishing touches. There really is something for everyone, especially those looking to turn their Pinterest dreams into reality.'

Designing A Kitchen: An Expert Guide To Planning A Kitchen

Not all kitchen makeovers have to be expensive. 'Kitchens can be costly investments and aren't easily interchangeable. Using paint to add a splash of colour to walls, cabinet fronts, tiles, or shelving units is not only cost effective, but also allows for a unique burst of creativity and personality to be injected with ease, ' says Helen Shaw, Director at Benjamin Moore UK.

To give you all the modern kitchen inspiration you need, here are the top kitchen trends for 2022. From colour and surface choices to finishes and layout, planning your dream kitchen starts here...

'As a colour we associate primarily with nature, this grounding shade has an incredible way of reconnecting us with our surroundings, creating moments of calm and positivity, ' says Tom Howley, Design Director at the eponymous kitchen company.

Top Kitchen Trends For 2023

Ben Burbidge, Managing Director of Kitchen Makers, agrees that we'll continue to a surge in popularity of green finishes: 'A positive and versatile colour it can be used in deep, rich saturated tones to deliver a luxury look, especially when combined with marble worktops and brass detailing. At the other end of the scale softer, more powdery tones are particularly efficient in delivering the aspirational country kitchen look.'

When paired with authentic raw materials, painted furniture creates a durable kitchen environment that is classic in nature, yet contemporary in finish. The grains in the wood are still visible too, giving an element of texture. Above all, it's cost-effective, providing a great way to renovate your kitchen without the expense of replacing whole units.

The British Standard design team are seeing an increase in cabinets being painted in bright, playful hues. As seen here, Jacqueline Mercer aka @tinyandthehouse, transformed her hand-painted British Standard kitchen by repainting the originally inky blue cabinets in a cheerful yellow.

Beautiful Kitchen Island Ideas

Storage is, and will continue to be, a big part of the kitchen space, with a specific focus around hidden storage solutions. Essential for a streamlined finish, storage systems will maximise space without negatively impacting the look and style of your kitchen.

Ian at Homebase comments: 'Storage remains a top priority, which is why Homebase are launching butler pantries and corner units to help customers to make the most of their kitchen space.'

To balance the stylised aesthetic of statement taps (from brass to matt black), we are placing more attention on sink details when it comes to kitchen design.

Design Ideas To Help Master Your Kitchen

‘Statement sinks are a trend that continues to gain momentum. More and more clients are focused on finding “the one” when it comes to their kitchen sinks, with vintage and vintage-style pieces, such as this fluted farmhouse design, among the most covetable, ' says British Standard Design Manager, Adrian Bergman.

Pantry or larder storage is an essential part of any modern kitchen, and for 2022 the focus is – as British Standard by Plain English calls it – Peekaboo pantries.

'With pantries continuing to top kitchen wish lists, people are adding open shelving to slimline doors or a curtain to even the smallest of spaces to create mini ancillary spaces, ' Adrian at British Standard explains.

Kitchen Trends 2023

Broken plan will be the layout of choice and statement furniture solutions combined with modular furniture will become the building blocks of the modern kitchen.

The experts at Rotpunkt explain: 'Industry forecasts indicate that versatile pieces of furniture that create a more flexible home environment will top the charts in 2022, with integrated wall and ceiling storage systems through to all-inclusive islands with space to cook, dine and do business.'

Case in point: The stylish and practical NX510 kitchen from next125 features tall wood veneer doors which open with a tap, then slides effortlessly to disappear to the sides of the cabinet with a gentle push.

Small Kitchen Design Ideas

As we're entertaining more at home, the modern kitchen needs to accommodate this, so it's no wonder that built-in bars (however big or small) are becoming a must-have feature.

The team of expert designers at Davonport explain: 'With restrictions on socialising over the past two years, our homes have evolved from being our sanctuary to our main social and entertaining hub. As a result, the demand for a home bar or drinks cabinet within the kitchen has increased and is not looking to abate any time soon.'

There's also an increase in demand for the breakfast bar. 'A breakfast bar is a versatile piece perfect for a multifunctional kitchen – with the right seating it can work as a dining table where you can enjoy a quick breakfast or informal meal with family and friends, while it doubles up as a bar and buffet area to serve drinks and canapes when hosting a party, ' say Harvey Jones designers.

Kitchen Design Trends & Ideas

The idea that 'old is the new' is driven by a sense of nostalgia and comfort. The design team at British Standard by Plain English say customers are seeking to create spaces full of intrigue and charm. How? By blending older, more characterful pieces into their new kitchens. 'These homely spaces go beyond function and are a backdrop to treasured personal objects, ceramics, glassware and artwork, ' they explain.

Equally, filling your home with natural stone flooring, for example, will lend a soothing quality to any room, complementing both contemporary and more traditional kitchen interiors.

On the modern kitchen wish list this year is glass. 'Not only do glazed cabinets break up the monotony of repetitive, solid fronted doors – especially in large spaces – they maximise the flow of light into darker corners, ' Tom Howley explains. 'Having glass-fronted doors is as good as open shelving when it comes to displaying your prized pieces.'

The Complete Guide To Kitchen Layouts

Davonport designers say in the last 12 months glass has been used more decoratively and dramatically as splashbacks or backdrops for open shelving.

'Instantly softening, a sink skirt is also a great way to inject colour and pattern into your kitchen or pantry, ' says Karla Patterson, Designer at British Standard. 'Affordable and stylish, it's also a clever way to conceal any unsightly storage and undersink spaces.'

Kitchens will continue to require extra worktop space for home workers who may not have a home office, making way for laptops and monitors and even spaces for craft making.

Kitchen Island Ideas To Inspire Your Next Big Renovation

There's a continued focus on integrated seating areas, storage solutions and extended breakfast bars or kitchen island units that become an all-inclusive workstation.

For a high-traffic area like the kitchen, you need durable flooring which also looks good. The choice for 2022? Flagstone floor tiles.

Isabel Fernandez, Director of Quorn Stone, explains: 'For centuries, estates and country homes have used flagstone flooring, thanks to their hardwearing characteristics and classic appearance that have stood the test of time. Now more than ever, people are wanting to create this timeless look in their kitchens by choosing large format flagstones.'

Large Kitchen Design Ideas

The British Standard design team have noticed a growing number of clients opting for plain or patterned glazed tiles to create eye-catching sink walls. This rich, glossy depth of colour on glazed tiles provides great textural contrast against pared back, hand painted wooden cabinetry.

Ian Penney at Homebase says tiling is the perfect way to upgrade to a modern kitchen: 'If you’re looking for a simpler refresh, tiling is a great way to go. We’ll be launching a new tiling range that will suit every style; everything from fun patterns and bright shades to darker and