KITCHENS
KITCHENS: STILL THE HEART OF THE HOME
What’s next in kitchens for builders merchants? BMJ looks at some trends.
I
n 2025, builders merchants selling kitchens can expect to see homeowners placing more emphasis on personalisation, being bolder with colour and opting for more sustainable choices and designs that work harder for modern living.
That’s according to Simon Collyns, marketing director at Symphony Group, who says the kitchen company has seen a distinct shift away from high-gloss kitchens in favour of matt and textured finishes. “Our Brooklyn range, available in Matt Indigo, Matt White and Matt Pearl Grey, for example, with its low-maintenance surface and sleek J-pull handleless styling is perfect for modern family kitchens,” he says.
Textured cabinetry is also rising in popularity. Symphony’s Costina range, available in Fresca and Noce ribbed wood effects, adds visual interest and a tactile feel to cabinetry. The vertical ribbing can also help create a sense of height, ideal for rooms with lower ceilings. Whether paired with calming neutrals or dramatic dark tones, textured designs continue to gain traction.
The company’s Paint to Order collection has just expanded with two striking new colours; Caramel and Willow, available across all nine PTO kitchen ranges; New England, Austin, Wexford, Waterford, Princeton, Alta, New York, Ashbourne, Langdale and Linear Avant. Collyns says that Caramel is a rich, sun- warmed tone that reflects the growing move away from colder neutrals. “It’s already proving popular in our Linear Avant range when paired with dramatic black cabinetry for a glam yet grounded feel. Meanwhile, Willow
– a rich, muted olive – builds on the biophilic trend, is ideal for indoor-outdoor flow in homes with garden access.”
He adds that when it comes to worktops, they are as much about design as they are durability. “Our new Décor Laminate Worktop Collection, developed at our state-of-the- art 300,000 sq ft Barnsley facility, includes 26 contemporary décors inspired by four key styles; Industrial, Marble, Stone and Woodgrain. These designs come in multiple profiles, including 22mm square-edged and 40mm postformed, offering premium styling at a competitive price point,” he says. “Standout options include Lava Stone, Iceberg Marble and Carbon Steel – each designed to elevate kitchen spaces and reflect current trends,” he continues.
All the worktops are FIRA Gold certified, made from FSC®-certified chipboard, and offered with a cut-to-size service to reduce site waste and speed up installation. These are a great selling opportunity for merchants looking to offer more sustainable, high-quality work surface solutions.
Mixing and matching Homeowners are increasingly looking to personalise their spaces, so Symphony is expecting the mix and match trend to remain strong – bold-coloured islands in Hunter Green or Dusky Pink paired with wall and base units in Harbour Grey or Chalk White. With the rise of multi-generational living, adaptable, accessible kitchens are in demand, representing a massive opportunity. Collyns says that the Freedom by Symphony range delivers beautifully styled kitchens that support independent living, featuring pull-down wall units, height-adjustable surfaces and inclusive layouts.
May 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
“We’ve recently partnered with NEFF to integrate smart features such as app- controlled ovens, voice-activated functions and motion sensors. For merchants, this opens the door to new markets – from futureproofed family homes to retirement living and supported housing schemes,” he says.
Modern kitchens are about more than cooking – they’re lifestyle spaces. As such, the ability to conceal zones or switch seamlessly between functions is a huge plus. Symphony’s Folding Pocket Door Sets, for example, are the ideal solution for compact kitchens, utility spaces or even home bars and office nooks. Collyns says that, for merchants, showcasing these solutions, whether in-store or digitally, is a great way to engage end users and kitchen planners looking to optimise space. He adds that sustainability continues to grow as a genuine priority for both homeowners and developers, with many now actively seeking products that not only look good and perform well, but also align with their environmental values. “At Symphony, we’ve focused on embedding sustainable practices across our manufacturing and product development. That includes cabinet legs made from 100% recycled materials, door and drawer fronts using PET foil sourced from recycled plastic bottles, and our Ocean handle range produced from repurposed fishing nets.
“Even our Barnsley factory is heated using a biomass boiler powered by waste chipboard. These features are designed to meet rising expectations without compromising on quality, offering merchants and customers alike reassurance that environmental responsibility doesn’t have to come at the expense of design or durability.,” he says. BMJ
25
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
