4 kitchen ideas to kick-start that 2012 renovation!
Posted on Wed, Jan 11, 2012 @ 09:22 PM
There has never been a better time to kick-start that kitchen renovation or build. If your kitchen is in dire need of an overhaul then why not begin 2012 by getting stuck into that renovating or decorating project? Forecasters predict that 2012 is the year when homeowners will become more creative with their surroundings. Instead of simply selling up and moving on, we will be more inclined to make improvements to our current home rather than ship up and ship out. To help you on your way, we've rounded up our four top kitchen ideas for 2012. Check them out below...
1. Appliances
Nothing gives your kitchen an instant lift like a new fridge, oven, dishwasher or cooktop. If your budget doesn't quite stretch to a complete renovation of your cabinetry and flooring, then consider investing in a new appliance or two. New technology means many appliances work as time-savers by featuring multiple functions such as the combination oven which offers three modes of cooking. Energy-efficient appliances are also more prevalent than ever before, with many people seeking homes that are "green" in their design. Check out our New Year Clearance, which ends 29th January 2012, for some great sale prices on ovens, cooktops, fridges, dishwashers, rangehoods and more.
2. Space
We all know that the kitchen is no longer a place just to do the cooking. It is also a socialising area, a homework space, a place to entertain and much more. Often the kitchen will lead into the living area, which means the spatial elements of this area are very important. For instance, an island bench has become more relevant than the dining room table over recent years. With this in mind, maintaining a comfortable distance between the cooking areas and socialising areas of your kitchen is an important factor to consider when renovating or building. As is the classic "working triangle" kitchen layout, which is between the washing area, cooking area and fridge.
3. Materials
For 2012, kitchen trends are moving away from using traditional materials such as wood, granite and ceramics to new materials. These include glass, quartz, Corian, composite, and laminates which offer a contemporary look in benchtops and splashbacks. Another trend is to match a traditional material with a new product, for example laminated glass and stone, or wood and quartz.
4. Colour
Don't be afraid of adding some colour to your kitchen whether it be a complete or contrast colour. Painting walls or cupboards is a great, affordable way to change the look of your kitchen. Alternatively if you are wishing to add just a touch of colour then a coloured-glass splashback is a popular way to achieve this. While choosing a colour is a very personal decision, some of the current shades are mid-tones such as greys, creams and light browns.
Looking for some further inspiration or tips? Check out these previous blog posts:
[Sources: InCreation / Skeletonglass]