PLANNING to refresh your kitchen this year, and don’t know where to start? Thankfully, The Panelling Centre, Ireland’s leading destination for kitchens, wardrobes, flooring, and appliances, is here to help with a step-by-step guide on the latest kitchen innovations that are here to stay.
From getting the smaller tasks right such as finishes to taps and lighting, to bigger jobs such as changing the kitchen’s backdrop, the warm summer months provide optimal conditions for kitchen renovations and is the best time of year to give the ‘heart of the home’ a dream makeover. But, before you put your kitchen wish list together, here’s everything you need to know about creating a space that will remain stylish for years to come.
- Consider nature-inspired colours
Research by The Panelling Centre has previously revealed that one of the top five regrets homeowners have after completing a kitchen renovation was choosing the wrong colour scheme1. Tonal kitchens, however, are a timeless choice, and colours such as mid blues, earthy greens, off white and natural wood, never go out of style.
Three popular colour choices by The Panelling Centre’s clients this year are Reed Green, Bone and Charcoal, with demand high for finishings in these tones. The special-order Burbridge Finsbury kitchen in Reed Green and Chartwell kitchen in Charcoal are both popular, thanks to their modern style and shades which continue to stand the test of time. The Burbridge Fenton kitchen doors in these three colours will also soon be in stock at The Panelling Centre.
- Add in hints of contrast
The best kitchens are a perfect balance of function and flair. As the hardest working room in the house, where many people dine, work, and socialise the most, making sure your kitchen has a sleek design, layout and aesthetic is the least it deserves!
Stoneware flooring and Quartz countertops are great finishing touches to a kitchen that will also last. Gentle contrasts can soften the overall look of a kitchen, and for kitchens with sage green and charcoal tones, the team at The Panelling Centre recommend considering contrast colour taps, such as St James Living taps in gold, black and copper, for a subtle but impactful finish.
- Choose ambient lighting
When designing a kitchen, lighting should be a key consideration. Illuminating LED lights for drawers are a recent innovation that adapts a kitchen to different needs throughout the day. Layered lighting such as Hettich Avantech LED lights create a warm ambience suitable for any space and need, and are eye-catching and simple to install, coming with a clip that easily secures them to drawers.
In addition to the wide range of lighting solutions currently on display, The Panelling Centre will also soon stock a brand new range of innovative lighting solutions that can be added to cabinets, under counter or even incorporated into acoustic panels, that will give any kitchen an incredible glow.
- Make smart appliance choices
Downdraft hobs are a smart choice for anyone considering upgrading their kitchen appliances. These hobs are versatile appliances that seamlessly integrate the benefits of both induction cooking and a built-in downdraft ventilation system, which efficiently extracts cooking fumes and steam. The downdraft hob removes the need for a separate cooker hood, which is required on other types of hob appliances, for an overall sleeker look.
Several downdraft hob ranges from top providers such as Neff, Siemens, Bosch, and Elica, are available to order now at The Panelling Centre.
- Integrate hints of texture
Countertops and islands are a staple feature of kitchens, and the right finishings will provide hints of texture and add depth to the space. Feature end panels are worth considering for a simple and sophisticated touch, the panels are finishings at the end or side of any countertop or island, and rather than a standard or ‘tongue and groove’ style end panel, The Panelling Centre is now offering a new feature panel option that perfectly match with kitchen doors.
Commenting on the latest kitchen trends, Anthony Ridgeway, General Manager at The Panelling Centresaid: “From relaxing to entertaining, the kitchen is often at the centre of all the action at home, and it’s no surprise that people toil over what choices to make before starting a kitchen renovation. With so much information out there, it can be difficult to navigate through it all, but at The Panelling Centre, we strive to make homeowners’ lives easier with tried and tested recommendations that will ensure your kitchen renovation remains sleek and modern for years to come.
The Panelling Centre stocks an extensive range of kitchen, wardrobe materials, appliances, flooring, and wall panelling solutions too, and our team is here to help with all the information you need to get the job done right. Our team is here to help with all the information you need to get the job done right, so be sure to call and book an appointment in one of our showrooms on our website, panellingcentre.ie, and we will guide you on your kitchen makeover from start to finish.”
For more guidance on kitchen renovations, visit www.panellingcentre.ie to locate your nearest branch or do a walkthrough of the showroom virtual tour. All branches nationwide (Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Clare, and Galway) have extensive showrooms that are open to the public, either drop in to browse the wide range of kitchens available or book an appointment online to meet with an expert designer.
