Schweigen ambassador Mal Corboy shares his 2019 Interior Trend forecast for kitchens and interiors in Australia and New Zealand.
Clever, Concealed Storage
With the kitchen now on display, it’s become popular to design clever ways to conceal storage within the room to keep clutter at bay. But now we’re seeing the emergence of clever design within the internal storage components, meaning the items chosen for doors, drawers and pantries can now be an active element in the design of the space. Most major hardware manufacturers now include colour and finish options so the storage can be customised to suit the kitchen.
In terms of technology, we’re embracing sliding and lift-up systems that make items easier to access and creating more opportunities for designers to use every centimetre of the room. As with lighting, as technology becomes more mainstream it also becomes more cost-effective and more viable for inclusion in a range of projects.
Kitchen appliances benefit from our focus on clever storage because, as space is maximised, it creates opportunities for additional appliances to be specified or how main appliances are integrated into the design. A rangehood, for example, has the potential to become an integral part of the cabinetry and an adjunct to the design and layout rather than an afterthought. We’ll definitely see slimmer, more discreet rangehoods in the future and less of the bulky rangehood that sits out on the wall. In addition to the discreet, slimline aesthetic of rangehoods, we will also be seeing a shift to silent hoods, bringing family, friends and conversations back into the kitchen.
More integration of appliances
Here’s where we’ve seen a huge shift in terms of kitchen design with the ongoing acceptance of colour and finish options for appliances. All-black appliances are hugely popular and they can be used to either disappear into the adjacent cabinetry or to stand out as the feature visual element. Stainless steel is still popular but it’s being increasingly challenged by the other options that are available, particularly the matte brushed stainless steel finish.
Our appliances are becoming invisible with the fridge and dishwasher integrated with matching cabinetry, and the induction cooktop installed flush with the benchtop. Ovens are often hidden behind doors that slide open to reveal the inner workings of the cabinet. Our open-plan kitchens demand a silent rangehood and many homeowners are making this a key “must have” on their wish list. And the rangehood can’t just be silent. It must also be powerful, particularly when cooking specific cuisines such as Asian or Indian meals. We’re finding more and more homeowners are demanding less and less noise from their appliances.
Metals and Metallics
The industrial look is still very popular so metals and metallic finishes are still big players in the design world. Brass and copper effects are prevalent in kitchen design to bring a warmth that you can’t get from stainless steel. Metal shelving is often used for open storage in a scullery or butler’s pantry but it is less practical in the main kitchen.
We’ve noticed an increase in softer tones as we move away from the “in your face” era of strong colours and contrasting schemes. The lovely Art Deco colours of pinks, greens and blues are more easily adaptable to a range of home environments and create a calmer, more relaxing ambiance for families. This application of colour is particularly well suited to freestanding cookers, such as those from the Scandium range, where the appliance can be used as a feature design item.
Wood and Wood Tones
This is an enduring trend which we see continuing into the foreseeable future. Wood and wood tones are a great design tool that allows designers to mix and match with other finishes such as glass and stone to create amazing spaces. The technological advances in manufacturing have created some of the most realistic wood veneers and textures we’ve ever seen, which are not only environmentally friendly but practical for use in the kitchen as well.
Traditional kitchen design will always be popular and these new surfaces only make it easier to apply a modern aesthetic to a traditional space.
Coloured Cabinetry
Gone are the days of white-on-white-on-white. Designers are benefitting from the advances made in board manufacture and homeowners are embracing the use of colour in their homes. We’re still seeing more muted and matte tones prevail over gloss surfaces, which is in keeping with the more subdued finishes seen in appliance design.
We’ve really seen an increase in knowledge within the design community about light and lighting and how light changes in different environments. This is a great step because it allows designers to really think about how they want to use colour and how their clients will react to different lighting levels and lighting styles in different situations.
Our thanks to Schweigen for facilitating the opportunity to speak to Mal about his insights into design. For more information visit schweigen.com.au/ or malcorboy.com/
