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10 Kitchen design trends from UCAN

Managing director of popular DIY kitchen company UCAN, Andrew Milne, regularly attends international trade shows and exhibitions to remain on trend. Although he admits that not every international favourite translates into an African have to have, many do and provide refreshing new ideas.

“We believe in simple, economical, inspired and quality living and that, by doing it yourself, you can really make your kitchen your own. Layout, design and colour choice must reflect your lifestyle and your tastes. That way, you can make your kitchen the heart of your home,” he says.

The wide variety of styles and finishes offered by UCAN not only mean that no two kitchens will be the same, but also that there is something special for everyone.

“The good thing is that revamping a kitchen is not just for those with large budgets. A great kitchen can be both affordable and trendy, it can tick all the boxes when it comes to functionality and design and still reflect your personality,” he adds.

Here are 10 kitchen design trends and tips from Andrew Milne:

1. WORK THE ROOM: Aim for a well-designed kitchen right from the start. Begin designing your kitchen using a classic kitchen work triangle. This is defined by an imaginary straight line drawn from the centre of the sink to the centre of the worktop to the centre of the refrigerator and finally back to the sink. Efficiency is the main goal as it keeps all the major work stations near the cook without placing them so close that the kitchen becomes cramped.
   
   
2. OPTIMISE YOUR SPACE: Because living areas are getting smaller as town houses and apartment living become more popular, kitchens are reducing in size. A well designed compact kitchen includes well placed cabinets that use space well – store lesser used items in overhead cupboards, leaving space to keep frequently used appliances and crockery close at hand.
   
   Although smaller kitchen cannot include the kitchen islands frequently found in larger homes, a separate mini top unit with lockable castors can be moved around your kitchen to double up as a kitchen island when needed.
   
   
3. FASHIONABLE FUNCTIONALITY: Practicality and stylish design can be partners in your kitchen. Remember, it is not just about what cabinets look like on the outside but what they can do on the inside.
   
   Include accessories that allow you to pack more items into each cupboard whilst also making them more accessible – try UCAN’s corner carousel which is designed to fit perfectly into corner cupboards so that even items in the back corner are within reach or our kitchen larder which comes with adjustable racks suited to different items of different heights. It can be pulled out of the cupboard like a drawer, enabling you to easily find everything you need.
   
   To throw some extra light on reaching into darker corners or finding elusive items during load shedding, UCAN has launched LED Smart Lights which are quick and easy to install. They shine a beam into your cupboards every time you open the door and switch it off as soon as you close it.
   
   
4. A DASH OF COLOUR: Should you go darker, lighter, neutral or bold? We recommend always choosing a colour which is a good representation of you and your family and fits in with the style of the rest of your home - especially because the kitchen is often the heart of the home and many are open plan and must blend in with living areas.
   
   Remember that a few bright colours in a kitchen can lift an otherwise bland room and make all the difference. UCAN is finding that brighter colours and contrasts are becoming more popular both as design themes throughout or as individual design features. But always take into account that combining two colours in a kitchen can be tricky. It’s always best to use a natural contrast of dark and light with smaller spaces best suited to predominantly light colours. You can also bring in colour through painting the walls of your kitchen to lighten and brighten the space – and it’s far easier to change should you change your mind or want a quick and easy revamp.
   
   
5. WHAT ABOUT WHITE: White is a perennial favourite for good reason – it never goes out of fashion, can always be updated and provides incredible flexibility and choice. White kitchens are clean, linear and uncomplicated. White is also a great partner to virtually any colour or texture - our Gloss White contrasts with any colour. White with a grain and black and white kitchens are becoming increasingly popular.
   
   
6. WARM UP WITH WOOD: Wood will still be a trend in 2015 and is a natural fit with a South African lifestyle. We are finding that darker, more traditional woods are going out as are high gloss finishes and suggest lighter, more natural woods such as Monument Oak or Rustic Oak which have natural matt finishes. Wooden cabinets also combine well with glass display cabinets and shelving and stainless steel accessories.
   
   
7. A TOUCH OF TEXTURE: Add a bit of interest and detail to your kitchen with texture. Use Coimbra for a very textured, wood grain door, lighten up a space with Peal Woodgrain on your cupboards or try one of our newest additions, Silver Lines, for added interest. Another way of adding texture and interest is with our kubu baskets that make idea pull out drawers with a difference.
   
   The texture and gleaming finish of UV also provides a stunning accent to most palette choices. High gloss is ideal for modern kitchens and sleek lines. UCAN offers UV in white and red – with red ideal for signature features and contrasts.
   
   
8. COMBINE OLD AND NEW: A combination of old and new is ideal for most homes, bringing together the warmth of traditional features and the clean lines of modern ones. Again, this can reflect in a combination of dark and light – darker woods offset by bright highlights and accessories, textured wood and sleek finishes.  This way, you can update an older kitchen with ultra-modern contrasts.
   
   Choose a detailed profile on all door faces to give your kitchen a classical look. We recommend using a Bevel square or Neo Classic door face profile, as well as an s-profile edge. The combinations are endless.
   
   
9. HANDLE CHANGE: Your ironmongery is an easy way to incorporate modern elements into your kitchen. Often just changing the handles can be a great way of reviving a kitchen. Latest trends are flat and smooth lines. Choose simple straight forward handles such as the curved crest, barrel and bar handles. Accessorise by using simple modern handles placed horizontally on all door fronts. Alternatively don’t use handles at all – something that’s becoming increasingly popular feature in sleek, modern kitchens – or add a quirky touch with our beaded handles.
   
   
10. PERSONALISE AND ACCESSORISE: To accent your personal style, add quirky elements such as paintings, old kettles or kitchen scales, pots of herbs or beautiful jugs and bowls. Open shelving and glass fronted cabinet doors are ideal ways to display items that are both beautiful and functional. Your choice of floor coverings, counter tops and wall colours and textures are also ideal ways to reflect your individuality.
    
    At UCAN, we’re taking this further and providing “raw” or “blank” doors through Trend-DIY outlets at Build-It. These provide a completely blank canvas for kitchen designers and home owners to paint or technique their own cabinet doors. This could be used for an entire kitchen or just a feature cupboard.