Lighter wood tones and large glass windows are attempting to bringing the outside in.

Major studies this year in the US and across Europe, involving kitchen designers, manufacturers and custom builders, point to a resurgence in the demand for wood cabinetry, or cabinetry that effectively mimics the look and texture of wood. This is a sea-change from the white-painted and pale-stained finishes of a few years ago.

Designers say people want to get a more “natural” feel in their kitchens. That points to an increase in the use of new textured laminate products that mimic the look and feel of real wood. It includes high-texture wood, and wood patterns or fluted finishes.

Lighter wood tones are at the top of the charts. This design trend has to do with “bringing the outside in”. It includes the use of large glass windows and warmer colours. After suffering through 50 shades of grey (and lots of white), some vibrant colours (blue, green and wood) have started to show up in Western modular kitchens.

Lighting up

Lighting in kitchens is getting increasingly sophisticated, combining ambient, room, under-cabinet, and other formats. Lighting has become a multi-level affair with combinations of different types and kinds of lighting systems, now integrated with advanced controls, including connection to mobile devices and motion sensors.

Under-cabinet lights are the top lighting add-on feature, but right behind them is interior cabinet lighting. For room lighting in the kitchen, pendant lights and recessed lights are still popular.

Reflecting the trend for warmer colours, gold, brass, copper and black have taken the lead in lighting fixtures. Silver, nickel and stainless have dropped.

Island dressing

As more and more the kitchens become the social centre of the home, even in India, the island is becoming the heart of the kitchen. Rather than just a big block in the middle of the space, islands are taking on more duties, becoming more functional and playing more roles.

Increasingly, kitchen islands are feature more built-in appliances such as beverage centres and wine refrigerators. Some of the important kitchen functions that were previously relegated to the perimeter of the kitchen are moving centre stage!

Storage is increasingly in demand in the kitchen, particularly with pantries, which are trending larger – this includes floor-to-ceiling units for maximum storage. Where space permits, pantries are getting bigger, in more ways than one: the open-shelf concept is giving way to walk-in pantries with doors disguised as another cabinet door. Appliance charging stations are also high on the demand list. Bye-bye appliance garages – move them to the pantry!

Green sensibilities are moving in as a strong consideration in kitchen making. The trend for additional practical storage dovetails with environmental concerns – such as low carbon footprint, energy-efficient appliances and lighting, integration of recycled materials and more efficient storage containers.

In all this churn, the continued demand for “uniquely personal” kitchens indicates that the doors are wide open for customised kitchen manufacturers.

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