Elliott Fairlie, product lead at Bushboard, reveals the four designs he expects to dominate kitchen design this Spring/Summer:
Kitchens
Biophilic design
Adding a touch of nature to a kitchen through biophilic design can bring a much needed sense of calm and warmth to a modern, minimalist décor scheme.
Drawing on inspiration from the world around us, this theme is reflective of patterns and materials found in nature. Wooden decors such as Heritage Walnut, Fluted Oak and Natural Blocked Oak evoke an instant connection to our natural environment and when paired with muted tones such as greys, creams and greens it further connects us to the outside landscape and creates a space that exudes serenity.
If you’re on a budget, opting for a laminate kitchen worktop is a great alternative to solid natural materials. Laminate worktops are also relatively low maintenance and easy to clean, unlike raw material worktops, so you can spend less time on housework and more time enjoying your newly curated kitchen space.
Energised pastels
Light, playful and joyous, pastels create the perfect pop of colour for year-round appeal. Whether you choose to welcome them into the home through cabinetry, splashbacks or accent colours in soft furnishings, crockery or accessories, these hues instantly inject an element of fun into the space.
Blues, pinks, greens and yellows remain popular choices for a kitchen space due to their versatility, plus they can pair nicely with pre-existing colour schemes, especially neutrals.
When dabbling in the world of colour, consider incorporating natural textures and finishes to keep the scheme balanced. Marble-finish worktops and splashbacks pair beautifully with pastels as they keep the space feeling light, airy and modern. Alternatively, wood finishes are a great option for someone who prefers a more traditional aesthetic. When picking a worktop, I’d recommend opting for a wood finish that replicates the knots, lines and natural flaws found in real wood as this adds interest and texture to the space.
Maximalism
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it should reflect your individuality and be personal to your style. The maximalist trend teaches us that more can really be more. However, well executed maximalism takes careful planning to ensure the balance is right, and that the patterns and colour introduced complement one another.
Decorating with a bold splashback design is a great way to experiment, adding colour and pattern into a space. Bringing in colour through updating kitchen cabinets can be a bold and expensive choice, whereas opting for a solid colour or patterned splashback is a seemingly straightforward upgrade as it’s easily installed without having to completely renovate the space. Easy to clean and maintain, and available in a variety of patterns and colours, Alloy kitchen splashbacks are the perfect addition to many maximalist schemes.
Mixed materials
A neutral kitchen looks effortlessly on-trend, especially when layers of interest are thoughtfully added through texture and curated accessories. It’s also a great way to experiment while keeping to a calming colour palette.
Warm tone neutrals are increasingly popular in kitchen design, with more homeowners moving away from cool tone greys and white. Wood finishes welcome warmth into a space and balance a scheme when colder finishes like cement and stone are present.
Marble and wood is a material combination that is already dominating in 2024, and this is set to continue. Warm veined marble finishes complement wood tastefully, creating a scheme that oozes sophistication. We’re seeing wood welcomed into the space through a variety of ways, from cabinetry, fluting and panelling to flooring, splashbacks and worktops, whereas marble finishes are often present in the form of just flooring, worktops and splashbacks.
Opting for a marble finish kitchen worktop or splashback, rather than the solid raw material, has its advantages. You can achieve your desired look within budget, while having an easy-to-clean and easy-to-maintain space. The options available span both dark and light marbles, as well as light and deep veining, meaning there’s something to suit any taste.
Bathrooms
Elliott Fairlie, product lead at Mermaid Panels, comments on the three designs he expects to dominate bathroom design this Spring/Summer:
Warm metallics
Oozing luxury, these metallic finishes are the perfect accent to a neutral scheme, and create a stand out design when paired with stone finish bathroom wall panels like slate and marble.
When introducing a warm metallic into your bathroom, ensure all your metals coordinate to create a considered and cohesive look. From your taps and shower to your towel rails and door furniture, keep the same finish flowing throughout your design scheme.
Pair warm metals with cool tonal wall panels, and introduce a variety of leafy green houseplants. This colour palette is a fool proof approach for anyone looking to create a nature-inspired bathroom; the greenery effortlessly bridges the gap between warm and cool tones, and breathes life into the space with a nod to biophilic design.
Colour drenching
Colour drenching is a trend that is gaining momentum across the entire home. A bold yet sophisticated statement, the trend involves choosing a single colour to work your design around.
Invigorating and energising, colour in the bathroom awakens the senses and creates a focal point of interest. Whether you opt for something light and airy like lilac or soft blue, or something bolder like aqua or sunflower, using colour is a great way to express your personality and individuality.
Bathroom wall panels are a simple way to flood your space with colour, as their application can be extended beyond a shower enclosure. Available in a wide choice of designs and decors, there’s something to suit all tastes, including those who are more daring, and are looking to welcome pattern into the bath time routine.
Wood
The idea of using natural wood in the bathroom is often considered a no-go due to the damaging humidity levels associated with such a space, but by choosing the right materials, this aesthetic can be used to create a stunning designer-led finish, that’s functional in its application and 100% waterproof.
Wood-effect bathroom wall panels are perfect for those wanting to add the texture and interest that a raw material, such as wood, can offer. Available in a variety of grains and shades, wood-effect bathroom panels are the perfect alternative to tiles; they require no grouting and are so easy to maintain.
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