Every two years, Eurocucina is known to show us the finest in European kitchens and how they are going to influence trends in kitchen design in the whole world. Now that the popular tradeshow has closed its doors once more, it is worth recapping what we have learned.
KITCHEN CABINET FINISHES GO RAW NATURAL
- The new preferences are dark and natural oaks;
- Extensive use of unfinished woods with unrefined edges within a modern design setting.
WHITE AND BLACK APPLIANCES TAKING OVER
- Within predominantly white kitchens: white and black appliances are less commercial-looking and blend better into the overall look of the kitchen, for a more sophisticated feel;
- Part of the growing trend towards open plan kitchens that extends into the living areas and therefore must look more and more like furniture pieces that add elegance to the home.
MATTE FINISH PREFERRED FOR APPLIANCES
- If stainless steel is used for appliances, it is a matte or satin type finish instead of polished and glossy.
INTEGRATED HANDLES BECOMING THE NORM
- Integrated handles offer a more streamlined look without going for the more extreme, handle-free option;
- They substitute bar handles and regular pulls;
- The integrated handle can be in the form of a channel running through the entire width of the cabinet door.
“WATERFALL” COUNTERTOPS
- With a solid countertop block constituting the surface top and then transforming into the leg that goes all the way to the floor;
- Visual consistency and very contemporary look.
EXTRA THICK AND EXTRA THIN COUNTERTOPS
- Used separately (just thick or just thin) or as a combo;
- Mostly quartz, but also lots of wood and glass countertops (all in light colors).
TEXTURED COUNTERTOPS APPEALING TO THE SENSES
- Instead of the standard polished stones, the preference is shifting towards finishes that are more textured, not only visually but to the touch as well (to provide that raw, natural look also seen for the kitchen cabinets).
INDOOR GARDENS GROWING IN THE KITCHEN
- Indoor gardens were a significant part of all the kitchens displayed on the Eurocucina showroom floors;
- Built-in countertop plants and a variety of indoor gardens as new kitchen island design ideas.
OPEN SHELVING UNITS FOR VISUAL VARIETY
- Seen absolutely everywhere in the models presented at Eurocucina;
- The open shelving systems go to replace the upper cabinets for a lighter look;
- Way to display your best accessories, décor items;
- Ample storage is still provided through base cabinets and pantry units;
- While this trend is very popular in Europe, it still remains to be seen whether it can make its way into the North American kitchens, where upper cabinets are still loved and very much seen as a necessity.
LED PANELS OFFERING NEW LIGHTING OPTIONS
- LED panels in different shapes and placed in different parts of the kitchen as a new source of illumination but also as an aesthetic element and a way to visually divide up the space into distinct functional areas.
So, what do you think of the new trends? Do you think American kitchens will eventually replace upper cabinets with open shelving systems?
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