Kitchen lighting that is chic but incredibly practical See: Kitchen countertop ideas – worktop inspiration in marble, granite and composite materials 9. Think about combining materials such as quartz and granite with end-grain timber to provide you with resilience and durability as well as a strong, statement look.’ 'They are also always on display and so are a key part of the design process. As such, they need to be able to withstand regular, intensive pressure from pots, pans and utensils as well as remaining timeless. ‘Your work surfaces are continuously used, whether for preparing and serving food or dining as well as to store everyday items. Graeme Smith, Head of Retail and Commercial Design at Life Kitchens explains: If your units are plain, you can add extra pattern or texture with natural stone, or a stronger marble veining, for example, or combine different materials within a kitchen to create a more eye-catching decorative aspect. Our advice? Avoid on-trend countertops or designs that are brightly or boldly colored if you are looking for 'timeless'. Kitchen flooring that's up to the taskĬountertops need to work hard from a practical point of view – but also from a design perspective. See: Kitchen island ideas – clever ways make a statement 7. Islands also make great space dividers between the kitchen and adjacent dining/living areas and you can add even more design focus in your choice of color and worktop materials.’ 'They help us multi-task: cooking for a dinner party, chatting to friends gathered around the island or sitting kids down to do their homework whilst we prepare supper. They make a great focal point for the room, especially when they are multi-functional incorporating appliances and informal seating. and this helps significantly with the flow of traffic around the room.

‘Islands provide the most space-efficient way to organize everything in dedicated zones. Richard Moore, Design Director at Martin Moore explains why they’ve become such a key design element: You can play with scale and shape to suit your needs – but they have to work hard to cater to all the needs we place on a modern kitchen. You’re more likely to see a kitchen with an island these days than without – they’ve evolved into a kitchen essential that’s become a design must-have. 'Organised kitchen cabinets make meal planning and grocery shopping easier because everything has a place and you can see at a glance what you need to use up, or stock up on.’ 6. You won’t do that if the world can see what you’re up to so it does promote a level of organization too. It also deters the clutter that might build if you keep your items closed away behind cupboard doors – it’s sometimes too easy to stack paperwork in the same space as your breakfast bowls. 'Having items that you use everyday on display is a great time saver – you go straight to the things you need. 'Many people may shy away from open shelving as a storage option fearing that it may leave the kitchen looking cluttered or untidy but, done well, it actually helps to open up the kitchen and create a sense of space. ‘Whether you are displaying your best glasses, earthenware, pots and pans or plants on open kitchen shelving, there are ways to get the look just right. ‘Having items on display can breathe life and personality into any kitchen,’ says Tom Howley, Design Director at bespoke kitchen company, Tom Howley. We believe that open shelving is now one of those timeless kitchen design elements it’s not for everyone, but it’s a look that’s not going anywhere. A perfect kitchen layout is essential to a timeless kitchen See: Kitchen cabinet ideas – the materials, styles, colors and trends to know 3. Walnut can have a rich and beautiful effect and wood cabinetry is most timeless as an accent rather than dominating the space if used on all of the cabinetry.’ ‘The use of a dark natural wood, like this walnut, as an accent against a light cabinet color creates a modern feel, but with warmth and depth. Mindy O'Connor, Principal of Philadelphia-based architecture and interiors studio, Melinda Kelson O’Connor Design, talks to us about contrasting materials and using natural wood: Traditional Shaker-style and more contemporary flat-fronted cabinetry are both dependable, while painted and wooden kitchen cabinetry are always classic choicees.Īnd while we have started to see a move away from the all-painted kitchen to one that includes wood finishes and even plywood – which we love – the basic elements remain steady. Kitchen trends come and go, but some timeless kitchen elements never date. (Image credit: Melinda Kelson O’Connor Design/Wendy Concannon Photography)

Timeless kitchen design 2020