It’s undeniable that investing in a brand-new kitchen is one of the most significant and crucial design considerations customers must make within the home. Add to that the cost of skilled labour, varied lead times, and the selection and installation of key extras and appliances, and it is clear to see why it’s a venture that most homeowners undertake carefully and sparingly, particularly within the same home. In a 2023 study conducted by leading platform for home renovation and design, Houzz, it was found that 43% of homeowners believe they opted for a timeless design as a sustainable choice during renovation, thus avoiding the pitfalls of being influenced by the ebb and flow of short-lived trends.
Sinead Trainor, Kitchen Category Manager at British Kitchen Brand LochAnna Kitchens draws upon her wealth of experience to share five key design considerations that will not only result in a kitchen design that stands the test of time, but that also instil confidence in the customer decision making process.
Select colours wisely
With kitchen trends seemingly emerging faster and faster in recent years, it’s understandable that a number of consumers find it daunting to decide on a colour that will likely be part of the home for several years. For those looking to the modest, universal appeal of neutrals, we recommend suggesting balanced hues such as off whites, soft greys, sage greens, and warm, soft beiges that feel modern yet retain an aspect of class and simplicity. Shades such as LochAnna’s Taupe, Chalk, Cashmere and Pebble Grey are excellent at achieving this natural effect and create the perfect canvas, allowing for home décor to evolve and interchange through the years. We also recommend steering customers that are looking for a timeless design to avoid selecting overly stark whites, which can bring a cold clinical feeling to the space, and equally overly warm neutrals as these can make the space feel confined and dated, alluding to the trends of yesteryear.
Create balance
Kitchen designs that are overly heavy-handed on the use of modern, engineered materials such as laminate and stainless steel, often look outdated in a number of years. Equally, a kitchen featuring a heavy use of more traditional and rustic materials like wood and stone can age it from the get-go. By advising customers on how they can create a complementary balance of materials, you can help them retain an element of the new and the traditional, creating a timeless feel.
Think to the future
Timeless design is not only about the aesthetic of the kitchen, it is also key to push customers to consider how the layout they select will impact their future lives. Accessibility is an often-overlooked aspect in the kitchen, especially in the initial stages of the design process where aesthetic preferences often lead the way. By helping customers consider such features from the start, you in turn help create a more user-friendly space in years to come. It is also important to encourage careful thought of the kitchen triangle and where appliances are in correlation to each other and in particular your sink, oven, and fridge. Balancing the placement of these three core elements of the working triangle is vital, which is where specialist kitchen designers can help devise a layout tailored to the consumers personal lifestyle and routine.
If unsure, go classic
While not for everyone, suggesting a design that has a neutral base can be hugely beneficial. Customers can’t go wrong with a traditional shaker-style or contemporary, flat fronted cabinetry in either a natural wood or painted finish as these have been in style for centuries and continue to be popular. A neutral base also allows for more possibilities when it comes to personalising other aspects of the kitchen like hardware, upholstery and décor, as neutral tones go with most things. At LochAnna, some of our cabinetry can be sanded down and repainted, taking some of the pressure and finality of decisions away in case you ever change your mind down the line.
Encourage personalisation
It is important to remember that timeless design is not necessarily a one size fits all, and it is understanding the customer that comes above all else, and ultimately, you should make sure that what they are choosing makes them happy. Combining practical, kitchen design tips with a customer’s own personal aesthetic preferences included is a win win. LochAnna Kitchens provide a full colour matching service, where the customer can provide a specific hue or even an object to replicate across their cabinetry.
Image Credit: Paul Craig
Image Credit: Paul Craig
