Last weekend I joined @theofficialjanemcdonnell co-founder and publisher of THE GLOSS and THE GLOSS INTERIORS for a session on the latest trends in kitchen design. Supported by my wonderful mum! Discover some of my top tips below…. Full description on @theglossmag

Planning

The Kitchen is “the most expensive room to get wrong.” The most important thing to do before you embark on a kitchen remodel is to consider how you are going to use the space, the location of the kitchen in your home, the orientation of the rooms and to keep track of what works and doesn’t work for you in your current kitchen.

Top tip: Try to get it right at the beginning. By really knowing what you want to get out of the project and focusing on its durability, you can ensure your budget will be money well spent.

 

Pantries

Pantries are on trend and the most important thing is you can see everything.

Top tip: Keep the dishes or serving ware that you don’t use often at the top

 

Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands are very personal, and although there is still an appetite for extravagance, the most important aspect of an island is in the spacial planning. almost never place a sink or hob on the island, preferring it be clutter-free. It is all about the proportions and it is important to have an island that fits and works in your space and works for your way of life. Never oversize your island at the compromise of other living areas.

Top tip: Don’t go over 1400mm in island depth, you won’t be able to clean the middle of it if you go any deeper!

Flooring

If you opt for timber flooring in your kitchen, incorporating a shuffle zone (a tiled area around your sink) is a smart design choice. This is the area of the kitchen that gets the most water splashes, spillages, wear and tear and so the timber floor can get destroyed. The tiles of the shuffle zone will take that on.

Top tip: This is a feature that can always be retrofitted, so do not panic if it is not on the immediate plans.

 

Innovative Appliances

One of the major innovations in the world of appliances is the induction hob. Nobody is banging holes in walls anymore, she says, the integrated extraction is a huge development in technology, and one we need to make the most of. Another development in technology is the Home Connect App, with which you can now download additional functions onto your Siemens oven, like the airfryer function! Wine fridges and warming drawers are also very popular a the moment. www.siemens-home.bsh-group.com

Top tip: Read the manual! Learn about your appliance so you can make the most of it or simply book a demonstration at the Home of Innovation to find out all you need to know.

Appliance Customisation

Sara is seeing a serious quest for customisation in kitchens and certain appliance brands offer that service. NEFF has introduced customisation for their ovens in different trims, making the oven face feel a bit more discrete and in style with the rest of the kitchen

Top tip: Read more about it here.  www.neff-home.com/ie

Are you considering a new kitchen? Or do your current kitchen appliances need replacing?

Visit the www.homeofinnovation.ie