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Our kitchens have always served multiple purposes. They are the heart of the home where families and friends can gather, as well as a functional space for cooking, working or simply relaxing.
In 2022, our kitchens will continue their hybrid role, as we will be more inclined to introduce permanent solutions to home working, as well as taking a fresh look at the flow and layout of our homes. From a design perspective, deep blues and forest greens will lead in 2022, accented with brass hardware, feature flooring, and a new approach to kitchen lighting.
Below, 8 design experts weigh in on the kitchen trends we will see in 2022…
1. The breakfast pantry
We recently reported on the return of the kitchen larder owing to a collective desire for a more organised home life. The breakfast pantry is an infinitely adaptable addition to a modern kitchen, freeing up space to add more decorative touches, which in turn makes it feel less functional and more homely.
Homebase have launched butler’s pantries and a corner larder to meet new demands for better storage. “The breakfast pantry is great for busy households, with plenty of space for a microwave and toaster, not forgetting room for tea, coffee, cereal and more,” says Richard Ferguson, Kitchens & Bedrooms Buying Manager at Homebase. “Our brand new corner larder unit is fully walk-in with lots of storage that’s easy to use.”
Tom Howley, Design Director at the eponymous kitchen company suggests turning the clutter of kitchen cupboards into a stylish and well-organised display. “A breakfast pantry is a great place to hide all the everyday chaos,” says Tom. “Why not decant dried goods into stylish containers? This is a great option if you have glass-fronted or open storage as it keeps everything looking beautiful as well as being easy to find. Storing items in containers allows you to throw out bulky packaging and free up some room. Stackable square containers are the most space-efficient.”
Perfect pantry storage solutions
2. Metallic detailing
Google has reported a 90% increase in searches for brass homeware and lighting this year, so there’s no surprise that this will be the leading material for 2022.
“Brass finishes are an excellent way to draw attention to your cabinetry as well as adding warmth, especially when combined with a dark paint colour,” says Tom. “Create a cohesive look and go for brass hinges, taps and even statement lighting.”
Al Bruce, Founder of Olive & Barr advises using brass and antiqued metals in traditional settings: “When it comes to giving your shaker cabinetry a timeless finish, antique metals are in a league of their own,” says Al. “Striking and charming with a bespoke vibe, adding brass hardware to your kitchen always has a huge impact on the overall feel. Whether you opt for timeless cup handles or simple knobs, this subtle addition adds an element of sophistication and age-old character to your space.”
3. Kitchen zoning
A return to sectioned living to accommodate our new hybrid working schedules will inform the layout and flow of our kitchens in 2022.
Ben White, design and trade expert at Swyft says: “2020 changed the way we lived, slept and worked. There became this move towards “zoning” and creating areas for each area of our life. Compartmentalising made it easier for us to keep some normality in a very abnormal situation.”
Interior stylist, Chloe Jonason, foresees the creation of macro areas within the kitchen: “With people working from home more, there’ll be a need to create work stations, desk nooks, zoom friendly areas, and multi-functional living spaces.”
This translates to the addition of small desks, with thoughtful decorative touches like table lamps, a stack of books, or wall art, to make home working feel more intentional, and cosy corners sectioned off with occasional chairs, soft furnishings, and rugs for moments of relaxation.
4. Blues and greens
Rich blues and forest greens are predicted to be the most popular kitchen colours in 2022.
“Wellness, sustainability and interiors with a distinct sense of personality have been prominent trends throughout 2021,” says Tom. “Whilst we continue to move in this direction with our interior schemes, people are also becoming increasingly brave with colour, opting for adventurous earthy tones and brilliantly bold hues.”
“Green kitchens are having something of a moment right now. As a colour we associate primarily with nature, this grounding shade has an incredible way of reconnecting us with our surroundings, creating moments of calm and positivity.”
Blues and greens sit happily with the growing trend towards metallic accents says Richard: “Green was the emerging colour of the year and there’s no sign of this trend slowing down. Both colours are perfect for those looking for a bold yet sophisticated kitchen and they work well with all finishing touches, but I’d recommend pairing with brass and copper. Wooden textures can also be a great partner for navy and green kitchens.”
5. Adapting kitchen lighting
In 2021, we quite literally saw our kitchens in a new light – as more time at home meant a new understanding of how our lighting worked for us throughout the day. In 2022, this will translate to a new layering approach to lighting, introducing spot lights for focused working, and soft mood lighting to transition us from work to home life.
“The best way to get lighting right for such a demanding space is to layer multiple types of lighting,” says Stephanie Nix, Kitchen Designer at Neptune. “Start with ceiling spots to illuminate the broader width of the space. Under counter lighting can offer direct task lighting for prep areas and illuminate the interior of glazed cabinetry to showcase glassware and decorative crockery. Layer in pendants over the kitchen table or the island seating and you have task lighting as well as ambient lighting for every occasion.”
6. Feature flooring
In 2022, durability meets design for kitchen flooring. The high-traffic kitchen has become doubly so, and we will be searching for hardy flooring solutions that don’t compromise on style, with the classic flagstone tile and intricately patterned vinyls leading the way.
“The first trend we are seeing for 2022 has to be large flagstone tiles,” says Isabel Fernandez, Director at Quorn Stone. “For centuries, estates and country homes have used flagstone flooring, thanks to their hardwearing characteristics and classic appearance that have stood the test of time. Now more than ever, people are wanting to create this timeless look in their kitchens by choosing large format flagstones.”
Our collective desire to create a characterful kitchen that can withstand demanding family life will also see an increase in the use of patterned vinyls. ‘Vinyl flooring is a great and inexpensive way to add colour, pattern and personality to a room without compromising on safety or quality,’ says David Snazel, Hard Flooring Buyer at Carpetright. ‘In recent years there have been many developments in design and styles that mean the effects vinyl can create, such as tile or wood, are incredibly realistic.’
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