Colour Code
Keep your finger on the pulse with our guide to the hottest trends in stylish shades for the kitchen.
It's well known that colour can have an effect on our mood - a green scheme is likely to lift the spirits, conjuring up an organic feel of the great outdoors, while an eclectic red décor is often chosen for its arresting aesthetic that's sure to arouse passions in romantics the world over.
In terms of our interior, the palette we decide upon can say a lot about what we are trying to achieve. In selecting light shades like creams, whites and pale yellows, it is possible to open up the room, giving the illusion of space in more compact areas. Deep and moody blacks and ebonies, on the other hand, are best suited to unrestricted quarters or for the style-conscious bachelor keen to embrace a seductively dark theme within a generously proportioned pad. When hunting down paint, paper, fabric and furnishings, it's often a case of playing it safe with subtle hues. But, thanks to the widespread bold-is-best ethos, bright styles are now big news - and our most functional of rooms is no exception. Says Sara Wells, Designer at In Design, "Colour has always been a key consideration at the planning stage, but, as kitchens are increasingly being used as extensions of living areas, the necessity to get it right has never been more important." So, with this shift in lifestyle has come a new wave of open-plan kitchen-cum-sitting rooms being decorated in a variety of hues, finishes and materials. The options are endless; SieMatic's Natural Colour System (NCS), for instance, offers 1950 shades to be specified for any of its bespoke schemes.
Of course, in the fast-paced environment of kitchen design, popular trends change as often as the weather, and it's imperative that manufacturers are able to accommodate a range of tastes. In line with the season's impact-packed palette, as seen on the catwalk, scarlet-red, burnt ochre plus dramatic burgundy and purple tints have made their way into the cook zone, in place of low-key pastels that once used to be favoured.
Technicolour rainbow
They say black never goes out of fashion and, true to form, it has enjoyed a recent renaissance in the hub of the home, teamed with beautifully grained stained natural timbers and high gloss coloured lacquers. Evoking something of a 1920's-style elegance, this most arresting of hues does chic, designer looks in abundance.
If you shy away from the monochrome look, with a preference for beautiful, statement-making shades, there's an amazing selection of acids, like orange or lime, to choose from. Says Simon Wild, UK & Ireland Marketing Manager at Formica, "We are seeing a move towards brights and glossy finishes teamed with more neutral carcassing to create a high impact design that's perfect for the on trend consumer." If, however, these vivid options are a swing too far in the other direction, then consider a cool blue. From pale as ice to ocean-deep, you might find the effect is easier to live with, and you won't have to compromise on where you stand in the style stakes either.
Down to earth
If the idea of an adventurous scheme doesn't excite, fear not - the cook zone need not be an iridescent attention-grabber to be bang on the money trend-wise. The 'new' neutrals include timeless creams mingled with smart slate-greys,
moss-greens and taupe, as designers welcome in the autumn and winter months. Expect a spectrum of warm browns to be popularised this season, especially rich chocolates. This classic shade combines splendidly with accent hues in teal or apricot plus with natural wood elements. So, with such a beautiful array of colours now available, which will you pick from the palette?
