KITCHENS
KITCHEN HARDWARE TAKES CENTRE STAGE
Kitchen design trends tend to focus on colours, door styles and worktops. However handles and hinges can make a big difference to the kerb appeal of a kitchen, meaning merchants could sell more, higher-value items. BMJ investigates.
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he past year has been awash with bold combinations in interior design, with strong use of mixed materials. Sophisticated designs have taken inspiration from a range of options, including wood, marble, metal and glass, to name a few. “021 is set to be different. That’s according to Justin Crofts, category manager for furniture construction at Hafele, who says: “When we hear ‘hinges, flaps and handles’ we think about items to make cupboards and doors close well; a handy set of components to aid a user.” Recent notable trends have included retro schemes with modern twists, tiled patterns from the 1970s and 1980s adorning hallways and bathroom floors and a whole host of colours proving popular, with bold dark hues such as navy, black and dark greens teamed with smoky glass and soft metallics dominating.
Crofts believes that, for 2021, a range of new styles and design trends will force the industry to help their customers change the way they think about hardware, and how it can seamlessly fit within their chosen styles of spaces. “In particular, manufacturers are looking at the ways hardware can deliver a finishing touch which wows but which also enables a room to work seamlessly. In essence, hardware will become a complementary accessory for a high-end design, but functional in equal measure,” he says.
Hinges on display
Homeowners will come to prioritise the hinges they select to build cabinetry, as much as the drawers and doors themselves, Crofts says. Kitchen purchasers will want to look out for heavy duty products that are equally functional and designed to be seen, as well as cheaper alternatives such as Häfele’s value range of hinges, including the soft-close Smuso. Manufacturers are creating hinges in a range of finishes to make them a key feature that can work to achieve a luxury feel in any kitchen area, and a specialist hinge can make a huge difference in giving a space that complete look.
Seamless integration
“For those who prefer an understated kitchen, we expect to see an increase in demand for concealed hinges which – when partnered with super slim doors – almost remove the hinge entirely from view,” Crofts continues. “These nifty devices also give that crucial extra inch of space inside cupboards and offer a discreet option to create a smooth appearance to the outer side of kitchen cabinetry. “
Meanwhile, though a soft close function has almost become a basic commodity in kitchen design, Crofts says that the latest updates to the Grass Tiomos range – the Tipmatic and Tipmatic Plus – are providing an extra point of difference. “The stylish design means it suits units or cabinets of varying shapes and sizes,
while the touch-to-open mechanism allows a user to access the cabinet internals with next to zero effort. With homeowners constantly striving to find new ways to make the most of smaller spaces, new storage opportunities can be achieved by making cupboards tall in the kitchen.”
Crofts says that the paler fittings and handles that were popular in the market for years, were replaced in 2020 with dark and bold colours. “Looking ahead, we’ll see a shift to warmer tones, especially when used in partnership with darker cabinets which are growing in demand. Handles in brass, rose, copper and even woody tones can soften dark matt finishes, while textured handles such as those from Graf add an extra sensory experience to the handle range. For fans of minimalist design who are tempted by black cabinets, anthracite and black handles or wirework will remain popular for continuation of colour,” he says.
“Whatever a consumer envisages for their kitchen, complementary handles bring the look to life, so they will continue to be prioritised as a way of adding the important final touches to a space.”
2021 is set to see an array of statement handles making bold appearances, while hinges that have been made to be admired will grow in popularity. To stand out from the crowd, merchants will need to supply the industry’s finest ranges to help their customers achieve designs which stand out from the crowd. BMJ
October 2020
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
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