When it comes to kitchens, 2018 is all about the year of personalisation – that’s what we revealed in our trend report of the biggest colours, materials and appliances to impact kitchen design this year.
We all strive to create our dream kitchen, and a quick browse on image sharing site Pinterest will leave you with all the inspiration you need to transform the hardest working room in your home.
With more than 20 million home décor ideas saved on Pinterest in the UK each month, it’s not surprising to hear that kitchens is a top category within home inspiration.
A new kitchen trends report from B&Q, in partnership with Pinterest, analyses the searches and saves of UK users on Pinterest over the past year. But what have they discovered? Find out the key insights below:
1. Unicorn inspired designs
Unicorns were a big deal in 2017 – granted, printed images of the mythical creature was seen all over accessories, appliances and soft furnishings – but, according to the report, it could take a hold on UK kitchens too, as “consumers look to bring the trend to life in a subtler way”.
But how, exactly? Well on Pinterest the trend’s pastel shades, bright whites and gold accents have seen searches and saves for ‘pink kitchen accessories’ sky rocket by 234%, whilst ‘pink paint’ has also boomed by 120 per cent. ‘White cabinets’ rose 262% and ‘gold kitchen accessories’ by 235%.
“The hugely popular Unicorn craze is cantering into kitchens,” says Mike Lavers, market manager for kitchens at B&Q. “Brits are embracing the theme and turning to glitter paint, gloss tiling and accessories like coloured glass tea lights to add extra sparkle. In 2018, we expect more people to experiment with these subtle colour schemes and introduce stand out furnishings to rejuvenate their kitchens.”
2. Touches of Morocco
Traditional Moroccan patterns and intricate designs is the kind of finishing touch kitchens need to stand out. According to Pinterest data, there has been a 128% rise in searches and saves for Morocco-led décor – ‘Moroccan tiles’ (+71%) and ‘Moroccan splashbacks’ (+66%) in particular have proved to be rich sources of inspiration.
“Designs from international climates will inspire vibrant colour palettes in 2018,” adds Lavers. “Striking mosaic wallpaper and feature floor tiles will be hugely popular, along with other light Moroccan touches such as chunky wooden worktops, gold lanterns and pendant lighting.”
3. Getting back to nature
A growing number of consumers are looking at the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, and this is filtering through to kitchen design. Consumers standing up for sustainability have helped searches and saves for ‘eco kitchens’ rise by 164%, and ‘Plywood’ rise by 139%.
It seems that achieving the ‘eco look’ is becoming a desired aesthetic. Searches and saves for ‘organic materials’ have risen 139%, with consumers considering natural materials for work surfaces and cupboards. Our trend report notes the emergence of characterful`veneers such as Pippy Elm & Walnut,while B&Q reveal they’ve witnessed a surge in sales of walnut worktops, concrete tiles and bamboo lighting.
4. Metallic touches
It’s no surprise that metallics features on this list. A continuing trend, the popularity of metallics is continuing to grow with kitchens set to take on an ultra-modern, luxurious feel. This will include big statement pieces such as shimmering ceramic wall tiles and stylish statement lighting, as well as glitter paint and metallic plug sockets.
Pinterest has seen an increase of 235% for searches and saves of ‘gold kitchen accessories’, 187% for ‘gold cabinet handles’ and 59% for ‘gold taps’.
