p06-p07 BKU-MAY21 Industry Views V2_bku 07/05/2021 11:16 Page 7
INDUSTRY VIEWS INDUSTRY
The importance of kitchen storage
Comment by Steve Tough Commercial Sales Director, Masterclass Kitchens
The storage and functionality of a kitchen has come under huge pressure over the past 12 months. With consumers expecting so much more from their space, it is key for a designer to understand how the family
uses their existing kitchen and more importantly, recognise the areas that they can improve. Creating a Wishlist of must-have functional storage will allow the designer to comprehensively explain every feature to the customer, illustrating why the storage will benefit them during the lifetime of the kitchen. We shouldn’t take for granted that the customer will spend their hard-earned money on features if they don’t fully value them. Storage solutions such as internal drawers and
pull-out systems will prevent losing items at the back of the cabinets. For customers who enjoy entertaining, they may want to consider adding a showpiece such as a cocktail cabinet, or internal pantry arrangement that will become a real focal point and add a sense of elegance and glamour to the finished look of the kitchen. Ensuring that customers are given a specialist’s viewpoint on how to best maximise the storage in their new space, is a vital aspect of all quality design driven kitchen retailers.
Changing lifestyles encourage new kitchen design concepts
The past year has required us all to ‘stay local’ and this has placed greater emphasis on both the home and lifestyle. In fact, many homeowners have taken to the great outdoors and so the back door has changed its role in the home. The Bootility Room, which combines the best attributes of a utility room and bootroom, is now becoming a preferred choice to support modern lifestyles. Given that pet ownership is also higher than ever before,
taking a more considered approach with dedicated storage space, integrated pet stations and durable materials that can withstand heavy use, yet remain beautiful is going to be essential in kitchen areas. This change in lifestyle has given our customers the impetus
Comment by Simon Bodsworth Managing Director, Daval Furniture
to really think about space planning in order to boost home- efficiency. I believe that bridging the gap between indoor and outdoor living will only grow in popularity as we move into summer and fresh design concepts like the Bootility Room help to retain the social aspects of open-plan living.
Hartford Holdings acquires specialist tray manufacturer, Traymate
I've noticed that one positive aspect of lockdown is that it has given us the time to sit back and look critically or constructively at our homes and how we now use our spaces. For many of us, this has developed into a welcome opportunity to repair, refurbish, embellish and generally improve our homes in happy anticipation of potential visitors. Prompted by a sense of individuality, colours, textures, prints and
materials are more vibrant, deep, exotic, and extravagant, driving us to think big and be bold. We are continuously bombarded by trends which influence our choices in life and it is our uniqueness that filters them down to shape what we are and indeed what we want people to perceive us to be. I’ve identified six key themes influencing design today – colour, texture, organic, eccentric, pattern and monochrome. Interpreting these themes has led to us offering our widest choice of colours and finishes ever, with styles ranging from modular minimalism in luxurious glass with metallic accents through to solid timber inspired designs.
Comment by David Mosley Managing Director, Trojan
Balancing design and durability is the key to future product development
Comment by Dan Cook Product Manager, HiB
Lifetime design, sustainability and product longevity are all hot topics today. As commercial product designers, these thoughts are never far from our minds when considering the development of new products, concepts and technologies. The rise of consumer power and influence within the industry is having a greater effect on how and what we design, where perhaps historically it was driven by manufacturers and their visions for bathroom advancement. As consumers become more aware of their impact on the environment and the introduction of the Right to Repair law, manufacturers need to adapt their approach to ensure that products not only look great, but are also practical, hardwearing and sustainable. At HiB, all these things have always been important to us, it’s why we’ve always held ample spare parts, have a CSR policy and strive to create beautiful, innovative products that are also designed for longevity.
VIEWS
BKU MAY 2021
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