ENGINEERED STONE SURFACING TRENDS Chris Hay, National Projects Manager at Cosentino UK, focuses on the findings from the


company’s recent research into kitchen trends across the globe and identifies which styles and designs are most popular when it comes to kitchen and bathroom surfaces.


Surfaces play a vital role in kitchen and bathroom design, holding the power to completely transform a room with a striking pattern or with a more neutral design that pulls the rest of the room together.


Longevity of products is also key for kitchen and bathroom design – professionals are looking for surfacing products that will withstand years of use, and clients want the peace of mind that comes with branded products which offer warranties and incredible customer support.


Engineered stone surfaces, such as Dekton and Silestone by Cosentino, allow customers to achieve any look they want, combined with the reliability of a premium material which offers a high resistance to scratches, staining, UV rays and heat.


Our most recent Global Kitchens study, a research project undertaken by our insights platform, The Silestone Institute, confirmed that modern attitudes towards kitchen usage in the UK are driving demand for hardwearing, versatile surfaces in residential homes. The study, titled ‘The Domestic Kitchen in the Globalisation Era’ looked into the function of the kitchen around the world, involving undertaking surveys in eight different countries. The results showed that more and more UK homeowners, in particular, see the kitchen as a truly multi-functional space at the heart of the home, with 34% of UK participants stating they use the kitchen for activities other than cooking and eating, above the global average of 17.4%.


As kitchens continue to evolve into a space which is required to be multi-functional, open-plan interior setups have remained popular, in turn driving more neutral and classic surface colours, such as white and grey, to reign with their desirable versatility and pared-back style. When it comes to patterns, striking marble-look worktops and islands remain popular, their luxe look even more


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desirable without the hassle of the ongoing maintenance demanded by natural marble. Dekton comprises both bold designs and surfaces with more subtle, natural veining; offering something for everyone.


For those who seek something even more daring, surfaces evoking materials such as industrial concrete and aged metal, of which demand continues to rise, can help to create an on-trend, urban-inspired interior, such as the five designs within the new Silestone Loft series. Each of these new colours represent an iconic town and its industrial aesthetic.


To create a truly seamless, modern look, matching large- scale single slab splashbacks and sinks are a popular choice. Aesthetics have never been more important as the sink is now often on show via an island within an open kitchen-living space. More and more professionals are now choosing sinks that match the worktop material, resulting in a continuation of design while offering peace of mind that the sink will not be easily scratched or stained.


Not only for kitchens, surfaces are also imperative to bathroom design. Extra-large tiling is a key trend for bathrooms this year, a striking design option which also means less grouting to maintain. For a truly eye-catching look, entire walls can be clad, or sinks and shower trays can match seamlessly. Dekton Slim offers a range of 4mm surfaces which have been designed specifically with this kind of wall cladding in mind and are quicker and more cost effective for covering larger areas. Paired with an oversized shower head or freestanding bath, the result is highly effective.


With engineered stone designs, the client can rest assured that their kitchen or bathroom design is both beautiful and functional, while saving the time and effort otherwise spent maintaining natural stone.


www.cosentino.com/en-gb/dekton www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk


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