Design Buy Build Issue 36 2019 | Page 38

Five 2019 Kitchen Trends You Need to Know The kitchen has always been the place to socialise and with the ever growing movement of open plan spaces and shared living and dining areas, this welcoming layout allows homeowners to be creative with their kitchen designs and be more connected than ever before. Here Andy Briggs, Optiplan Kitchens Interior Designer, shares his five top tips on what to look out for in 2019: 1. Moveable spaces – We're able to move our living, bedroom and dining furniture around, but were limited when it comes to the kitchen. All these spaces are key areas to the home and all of them can adapt to how we live, so why should the kitchen be any different? Moveable work-surfaces, breakfast bars, and pull down units for unreachable spaces are on top of everyone's kitchen wish- list. Whilst hidden wall panels to conceal unsightly kitchen gadgets are ideal for homeowners looking for a sleek, minimalist design, but with additional functionality. 2. Dead space to better space – A kitchen doesn't always have to be large for space to work at its best. Every kitchen, no matter the size, needs clever design ideas to make it practical, yet stylish. A big trend for next year will see ceiling height cupboards and tall units with overhead cabinets to create seamless layouts that offer reams of additional storage. 3. Smart kitchens – The one room which you spend most of your life in should be the room that keeps you most up to date. Kitchen tech is endless and will keep on evolving, but smart appliances, built-in Bluetooth speakers and automatic lighting will soon become everyday necessities. 38