INDUSTRY VIEWS INDUSTRY
VIEWS
Cooling beyond the footprint
As kitchen design continues to evolve, we’re seeing growing demand for refrigeration that works smarter within smaller footprints. Driven by urban living, multi-functional spaces and consumers seeking more tailored layouts, undercounter refrigeration is becoming an increasingly important consideration. Rather than
relying on a single large appliance, many homeowners are looking for more flexible refrigeration solutions, whether that’s maximising storage in compact kitchens or creating dedicated cooling zones for fresh food, beverages and entertaining. Designed to integrate seamlessly into modern kitchen schemes, undercounter appliances can enhance convenience, improve workflow and make better use of available space. For retailers, this presents an opportunity to deliver personalised, lifestyle-led solutions that go beyond the traditional appliance footprint. As consumers rethink how refrigeration fits within the home,
Comment by Louise Marshall, National Sales Manager, Liebherr UK
retailers have an opportunity to lead a different conversation centred on how appliances can better support the way people live and use their space. It is this demand that has shaped our recently launched built-under models, designed to deliver discreet, high-performance flexibility for modern kitchens.
The end of the matching set: why mixed materials are replacing coordinated suites
The matching bathroom suite seems to be falling out of favour, and it’s a trend we’ve been watching with interest. For years, coordinated
ranges meant choosing a manufacturer and working within their palette - one finish, one material story, applied uniformly across the room. What we’re seeing at Salacia now is clients wanting to mix: a warm, textured oak furniture piece alongside natural stone, finished with brushed brass or gold metal detailing. None of it comes from the same catalogue. Bespoke furniture is part
of what makes this possible. Because each piece is built to order rather than pulled from a range, it can be specified to sit alongside whatever combination of materials the client actually wants, rather than whatever the manufacturer happens to offer as a matching set. The result is a bathroom that feels personal rather than off the shelf. As clients grow
Comment by Ollie Streek, Managing Director, Salacia
more confident mixing textures and tones, it looks like the well-matched bathroom will matter far less in 2026 than the well-chosen one.
Technology in the kitchen
is no longer stealing focus Today, technology in the kitchen is no longer stealing focus; it’s about empowering daily rituals, and the modern kitchen is looking to intelligent designed in solutions like lighting, to support everyday life. Whether recessed to provide a clean, streamlined look, under-cabinet lighting to highlight key work
areas, or signature pendant lights for added character, both the fixture and distribution of light must be considered in equal measure. Lighting is often an afterthought with little to no understanding of the overall impact it can have on a
kitchen and wellbeing of the household. A well-considered lighting scheme should always begin with how a kitchen is used, and how that use changes over time. Layering is also essential. A combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting is helping the space to
shift gently between clarity and softness. This becomes particularly important in open plan kitchens where the atmosphere needs to adapt from practical daytime use to a more relaxed evening setting.
Comment by Jamie Harding, CEO & Founder, Et Lorem
BKU AUGUST 2026
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