Future-proofing your kitchen design – trends versus timeless elements

The trick to future-proofing your kitchen design is to choose elements that will retain their functionality and aesthetic appeal for years to come.

But this doesn’t have to be at the expense of trends. You can combine the two!

Choose classic materials

Cabinets and worktops are the backbone of the kitchen. If you want your kitchen to retain its appeal, these are the areas to focus on.

Choose worksurfaces that will withstand years of wear and tear. Natural stone such as granite or marble is expensive, but it will never date. Alternatively, engineered quartz or Corian give a durable and rock-hard surface that offers easy maintenance and longevity.

When it comes to cabinets, choose products from leading manufacturers such as Nobilia. The latest Nobilia 2023 Collection cabinet fronts have an anti-fingerprint coating that stays spotless after it’s touched.

Every Nobilia cabinet is built to last – and designed to be easy to clean. As a result, your kitchen will stay looking great without much effort.

Opt for timeless styles

Timeless designs include authentic-look and feel wood and stone finishes. A neutral palate is also a safe option.

Trends in colours and patterns change very quickly. A bright shade can become outdated, whereas black, white, concrete grey and softer greys have a timeless quality.

Natural stone, stainless steel, and timber bring character and charm without being overwhelming.

This doesn’t mean you can’t indulge your passion for bright colours. Go wild with your wall colourings, as this is an element of your kitchen design that can be changed easily and without costing too much. The same goes for accessories – bring in an accent colour with soft furnishings that can be easily changed if they lose their appeal.

Design a functional layout

The kitchen is invariably the busiest room in the house, which is why you need to prioritise flow.

The work triangle of sink, cooker and refrigerator should always be at the heart of your design if you want your kitchen to be functional. This classic arrangement brings efficiency of movement.

The key is to be able to switch easily between food preparation, cooking and cleaning up afterwards. You should allow enough worktop space between oven and fridge to make preparing easy. And give yourself plenty of room next to the sink so cleaning up is less arduous after big family meals.

Allow for extra storage

An essential step in future-proofing your kitchen is to consider how your storage needs might change.

If you love to cook, it’s highly likely your range of cooking accessories, gadgets and utensils is going to increase. If you don’t allow enough space for their storage, they’ll forever be cluttering up your worktops.

By including deep drawers for pots and pans, extra height cabinets to make use of vertical space, and handy pull-out pantry shelves – you’ll give yourself room to expand over time.

Choose high-quality, energy-efficient appliances

High-quality appliances from reputable brands will last longer and should offer a higher level of energy efficiency.

Every element of your kitchen design should take energy into consideration. You’ll not only reduce your environmental footprint – you’ll also cut your energy bills over the longer term.

Get smart with technology

Future-proofing your kitchen from a technology point of view is challenging as everything changes so quickly.

But by embracing smart technology, you can take steps to stay ahead. If you start to connect your kitchen appliances and devices to a central hub, it will help you to stay organised.

In time, you may want to expand this hub to include features such as self-generating shopping lists, voice-activated commands, and remote control from wherever you are.

Futureproof your kitchen design with German Kitchen Store

German Kitchen Store is the German kitchen specialist.

Order your German kitchens at trade prices with our easy online ordering system. Choose the range, door style and colour – the process is easy. Carcases, accessories and appliance package options are clearly displayed, allowing you to build a kitchen designed to your specifications.

Our customer service team is on hand to help with any questions or queries regarding your order and delivery.

Call us on 01525 851 642 or email hello@germankitchenstore.co.uk