With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, Paul Jenkinson, Founder and Managing Director of British kitchen brand LochAnna Kitchens has his finger on the pulse when it comes to predicting the next big thing. Below are his thoughts of what to look out for….

2021 was all about learning to live in a new way, changing your space out of necessity and practicality, and adapting to more time spent at home. Last year we saw a trend for earth colours, that brought nature inside while we were spending more time at home. For 2022 we’re seeing a shift towards making choices that will help you enjoy your kitchen more and reclaiming your space to suit the lifestyle you want.

Colours reminiscent of the sea

More than ever before people are wanting to express individuality and have fun with bolder colours in the kitchen, while introducing a sense of calm to their living space. Throughout 2021, we saw increased demand for earthy, rich tones that sought to bring nature into our spaces, whilst we spent more time indoors. However, with the continued emergence from lockdown regulations, we are now seeing huge demand for colours reminiscent of the sea, such as airy and fresh tones of bright blues and greens, that encapsulate feelings of optimism and new horizons. This bright hue can be paired with more neutral tones such as wooden counters or if you want a bolder look, pair a bright blue cabinets with a beautiful white countertop for a classic and eye catching colour scheme.

The Georgian Collection – LochAnna Kitchens

Elswich Stone & Thicket – LochAnna Kitchens

Storage, storage, storage!

Over the last year, we found new ways to store away our clutter at home – including all of our office supplies! The trend for innovative and beautiful storage solutions will continue to dominate kitchen spaces throughout 2022. As homeworking continues to be a reality in many of our working lives, homeowners are reclaiming their space from clutter and tidying it away into practical designated spaces. From bespoke lifestyle larders to pull out storage, we have seen a huge increase in demand for integrated storage that makes the most out of the space that you have.

Bringing texture into the space

Rich textures in the kitchen are becoming extremely sought after. In the same way that we are seeing bolder, brighter colours enter the kitchen, interesting shapes, textures, and patterns are also in demand. This is a trend that lends itself to individual expression as there are so many different ways to bring texture into your space; whether you want to keep it all natural or create the perfect basis for a pop of colour, using wooden-style cabinetry in your kitchen design is a great sustainable design choice. The Tavole collection by LochAnna Kitchens is available in 7 rich colours and the stain used is designed to allow the natural characteristics of the wood to emerge. As it is a natural product, the oak will also have variations of grain structure and shade for bringing added depth, interest, and texture into the kitchen.

The Tavole Collection – LochAnna Kitchens

Beauty on the inside

Gone are the days where the only focus in a kitchen design was the outside aesthetic; innovation in drawers and storage design has led to better quality and alternative materials being more readily available. As we move into 2022, we are expecting to see homeowners upgrade the ‘hidden’ elements of the kitchens as well as the exterior. Oak dovetail drawers have been growing in the more traditional kitchen setting, but we see these also becoming popular in modern styles as homeowners look towards quality and creating a sense of individuality in their kitchen.

Oak Dovetail Drawers – LochAnna Kitchens

Minimalism is making a comeback

With the popularity of ‘hidden’ or ‘concealed’ kitchens, minimalism is back but in a new way. With straight lines, fuss-free details, and clean polished finishes, minimalist kitchen cabinetry, such as our Faversham collection, uses elements of the pared back handleless design, whilst incorporating some bolder features such as the distinct colour of the cabinets. Keeping the rest of the kitchen neutral tones makes this bold pop of colour into a focused statement that avoids clutter.

The Faversham Collection – LochAnna Kitchens

Sustainable AND beautiful products

Now more than ever consumers are conscious of the impact that their choices have on the environment. Homeowners are looking for products that are environmentally friendly, but that don’t compromise on style and quality. Over the past few years, we have been seeing huge interest in products that would still offer beautiful design but take care of our environment. Our answer to that demand has been our EcoStone splashbacks, but there are many ways to introduce sustainability into your kitchen design such as choosing products that will stand the test of time; for example, a natural worktop is a great choice, as even if you want to change your cabinets a few years down the road your worktops will complement whatever colours or finishes you might choose.

The Mala Collection – LochAnna Kitchens

Reclaiming your home with broken plan

Multiuse social spaces will be a big design trend throughout the next year. As we move into 2022, we are moving away from true open plan to more of a broken-plan style. Creating smaller areas of intimacy within larger open rooms allows the whole family to use the space for different activities, whether it be working from home, cooking, or indulging in a long breakfast, in a connected space whilst still enjoying a degree of privacy.

Try before you buy

Homeowners are spending more time researching kitchen choices; they are thinking more about what they want from their kitchen and with the enormous choice of doors, colours and finishes, they are looking for inspiration to help them make decisions. To aid this, TG Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms have the very latest Computer Aided Design (CAD) kitchen visualiser which will allow customers to change the cabinet door styles, colours, handles to create their perfect combination. Please contact your local Bridgnorth, Northwich or Oswestry Showroom for more details.

The kitchen work triangle is a concept we use in the design of efficient kitchen layouts that are both functional and aesthetic. The main tasks in any home kitchen are carried out between the cooker, sink and the refrigerator and it is these points and the imaginary lines between them offer you a seamless workflow. So if the shape of your kitchen is U-shaped, L-shaped, galley or otherwise a layout using the triangle at its heart can change the way you use your kitchen.

We have moved on from when it was the responsibility of one person in the home to prepare food, as families like to cook together. so we should think of this as a more evolved triangle which should create work ‘zones’ rather than distinct work areas.  For example your prep ‘zone’ should have everything you need to prepare your meal including knives, utensils and chopping boards.

Designer Tip: When redesigning a kitchen, put function first. Whatever the kitchen shape, plan for the sink, fridge and cooker to form a triangle for ease of movement.

Using the kitchen work triangle to create a space to socialise

The kitchen has taken over from the dining room as a place to relax and socialise, it has become central to the family home. Not only will a bar with stools or a kitchen island offer extra kitchen work space to prepare it will also serve as a central focal point to your kitchen design.

Your kitchen should be a place to relax

No longer hidden as the back of the home, the kitchen has changed with the times we live in. It has become an all-purpose room where everyone gets involved. It is a place to relax and entertain as well as a place to cook.

Release your inner chef

For those wanting to release their inner chef, the ultimate gourmet kitchen requires lots of space for easy manoeuvring and top of the range gadgets to prepare and cook your exquisite meals. Use the kitchen work triangle to create the space you need to move freely around your kitchen. Is there anything in the way that would stop the flow of the design?

For more information about how to incorporate the kitchen work triangle into your designs, contact your local TG Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms Showroom in Bridgnorth, Northwich or Oswestry

The workhorse of any kitchen, worktops need to be tough and practical to use, as well as stylish

While cabinetry will be the main style decision you make for your kitchen, never underestimate the impact your worktop choice will have on the overall scheme. Along with the flooring, it sits on a horizontal plane, making it highly prominent, so it’s important to give it due consideration and not to view it as an after-thought. Our Showroom staff at TG Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms will be able to help you choose the right worktop for your kitchen.

Worktop materials have changed quite radically in the last few years, offering a vast choice across all budgets. Technology has given us super tough materials that are virtually indestructible options for the busiest of family homes.

Here’s what you should consider before you buy…

What is your budget?

Worktops are available at a variety of price points – from cheaper laminates to expensive granites – and what you choose usually be driven by how much you have to spend. Cheaper options can be good idea but may not last as long more durable stones or composites.

If budgets are tight, try mixing and matching your worktops. Place panels of more expensive stone in harder working areas such as by the cooker or sink and wood or laminate everywhere. Combining worktops is on trend, too, so your kitchen will look very up-to-date.

Look at your kitchen layout

If this has already decided, it can give you a good steer towards what worktop might be best. Straight runs are cheaper and easier to fit, while seamless materials such as composites make sense if you have lots of corners.

Choose your profile

The depth of worktop you choose can also alter the look of a kitchen. Thinner profiles of 10 or 20mm are still popular but thicker edges, created by adding a strip of the composite or stone to the front of the worksurface creating edges of 50mm, are also having a resurgence. The standard thickness is 30mm.

Choose the best kitchen worktop material for you

The most popular materials for kitchen worktops – laminate, granite, wood, composite stone– have different advantages, so it’s important to look at all the factors involved. Our TG Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms’ staff will be able to go through all these with you in more detail.

Hardwood worktops

What is a hardwood worktop? A traditional favourite for its natural warmth and the character that comes as it ages, hardwood is preferred over ‘soft’ woods like pine for its strength. Popular choices of hardwood include oak, walnut and iroko.

Best used Food preparation and dining areas, for example, islands and breakfast bars. Iroko and teak are ideal for using around the sink as they have a high oil content and are water resistant.

Best look Suits all kitchen styles. Can be incorporated into a contemporary scheme using glass or stainless steel to add a warm feel.

How durable is a wood worktop? If hardwoods are properly sealed and maintained they will last for a long time, but don’t use the worktop as a chopping board, or place hot pans directly onto the wood, as it can scorch.

Flexibility and fitting Wood is very easy to cut, and is suitable for use in most situations.

Do hardwoods require any initial treatments? Hardwoods require an initial programme of sealing using oil. Apply a coat once a day for the first week, then once a week for the next month, then once a month for a year.

How do I look after a wood worktop? Wood does need a certain amount of upkeep. Avoid direct exposure to heat and prolonged soaking, especially by the sink and tap area, where you may prefer to install a wall-mounted tap. Wipe up spills instantly to prevent staining. Once established, seal with Danish or linseed oil quarterly to stop drying out. The great news is that any scratches or stains can be sanded out to restore your worktops to their original glory. Start with 100grit sandpaper and build up to 150grit (no finer, otherwise oil won’t penetrate properly). An inset sink with a built-in drainer will help protect the time from contact with water. Never put a hot pan or tray directly onto a wooden worktop – always use a trivet. Clean your surface with warm water, washing-up liquid and a soft cloth is all you need. Avoid using any abrasive and chemical-filled cleaning products and wire scouring pads.

Composite worktops

What is a composite worktop? Made from about 90% natural quartz crystals mixed with a small percentage of binders, and referred to as both ‘quartz composite’ and ‘engineered stone’, this material is very tough, virtually non-porous and resistant to scratches, stains, heat damage and impact.

It also offers consistent composition, so unlike natural stone, there won’t be variation in veining and colour shading.

Best used A very practical and beautiful choice that can be used anywhere, including next to hobs and around the sink.

Best look Dramatic colours such as dark grey and blue look fabulous in modern and contemporary kitchens. If your room design is quite traditional, stick to neutrals such as cream.

How durable is a composite worktop? Composite is very tough and more durable than many natural stones. As the colour runs right the way through the material, any scratches can be sanded out. In the very unlikely case that your composite surface is scratched, chipped or stained it can often be repaired by a specialist. However, it is easier to achieve perfect restoration with acrylic composites as scratches can be sanded out, while quartz is more likely to be filled and any polishing can leave a dull area.

Flexibility and fitting This worksurface can be thermoformed into different shapes without joints to create streamlined, seamless worktop runs. Templates will be taken once the base units are in place and it can be one to two weeks before the worktops are ready to install.

Do composites require any initial treatment? No

How do I look after a composite worktop? Wipe up spills to prevent marks. Keep clean with a soft, damp cloth and a mild detergent.

Granite worktops

What is a granite worktop? For some, nothing beats the beauty of natural stone, its veining and colouring unique to each slab. Marbles are classically beautiful and luxurious, tend to be rarer and therefore more expensive.

Best used Any area of the kitchen, including around the sink and next to the hob or oven. A large expanse of glossy granite makes a striking island worktop

Best look It’s a luxury material that never falls out of fashion and suits traditional and modern styles. Choose from a classic polished finish, or a honed matt for a more contemporary look.

How durable is a composite worktop? Granite is hard and resistant to heat and scratches, but it must be treated with respect to prevent damage. The best of all the natural materials, it can withstand high temperatures, is water resistant and impervious to most stains, but wine and citric acids must be cleaned up at once to avoid damaging the stone. and will usually need to be protected by a special sealant.

Flexibility and fitting With advances in modern technology, granite can be cut into a variety of shapes and sizes, although it is very heavy to transport and difficult to manoeuvre.

Does granite require any initial treatment? Granite requires an initial sealing, and then another about 10 years later.

How do I look after a granite worktop? One great thing about granite is that it’s very low maintenance. You can clean it using a damp cloth and a mild detergent.

Laminate worktops

What is a laminate worktop? Long-considered the best budget option, laminates are non-porous, offer easy maintenance and come in lots of design and colour choices. Made by fusing multiple layers of impregnated paper under high pressure temperature, bonded to a substrate, they are resistant to impact, scratching and moisture.

Best used General usage, including food preparation areas, sink runs and around hobs and cookers.

Best look Can accurately mimic other worktop materials, including granite, slate and wood, so will suit modern and traditional schemes.

How durable is a laminate worktop? Resistant to most stains and chemicals, but not to heat or steam. Not suitable as a cutting surface. Choose a thicker, high-pressure worktop for greater durability.

Flexibility and fitting Laminate is one of the few materials that can be cut and fitted by a DIY enthusiast rather than a kitchen professional.

Does laminate require any initial treatment? No

How do I look after a laminate worktop? Laminate is very low maintenance. Clean with a cloth and mild detergent.

Corian and solid-surface worktops

What is a Corian or solid-surface worktop? Made from a blend of acrylic resins, minerals and colourings, solid surfaces are warm to the touch with a natural lustre; they can be totally seamless too with one- piece, moulded sinks and splashbacks.

Designs are often pioneering and the material can be thermoformed into fabulous, organic curves, slick, cantilevered breakfast bars and seamless wrap-around surfaces on islands. The material can be engraved, back-lit with LEDs and even fitted with built-in wireless charging for smart phones.

Best used In wet areas. Perfect for a seamless integrated sink and worktop run.

Best look Suits most schemes. Available in a variety of colours – choose bright hues for modern kitchens, white for architectural, and any pale shades for traditional rooms.

How durable is a Corian worktop? Solid surfaces are stain and water resistant. They’re also heat-resistant to 250°C, but it’s still best to use a trivet. As it is a solid surface material, like hardwood, scratches can be sanded out.

Flexibility and fitting Can be formed into any shape without the need for ugly or unhygienic joints.

Does Corian require any initial treatment? No

How do I care for a Corian worktop? Solid-surfaces are another low-maintenance option. Clean with a soft cloth and mild detergent.

Blue bathrooms are the latest trend to emerge in bathrooms. Classic Blue was even named 2020 Pantone Colour of the year. Just check out these three stunning blue finishes…the Brecon Dusky Blue, Brecon Dark Sapphire and Chiltern Blue Ash. Three new blue hues to give your bathroom that wow factor.

Whether you are renovating, extending or building from scratch, planning your bathroom design early on in the project will ensure the end result is spot on.

Whether you’re re-fitting an existing bathroom to bring it into the 21st century, or adding a brand new one in an extension, planning and designing a bathroom that lets everyone wash and go in a hurry as well as enjoy spa-style pampering can be a challenge.

Before you start, spend some time on planning the room, carefully considering what it is you need and want as part of your bathroom design. Our design experts at our Bridgnorth, Oswestry and Northwich Kitchen & Bathroom Showrooms will be able to help you with all these details.

Who Will Be Using the Bathroom?

One of the most important considerations in planning a new bathroom is who will be using the room most. A master en-suite will have totally different requirements than a family bathroom, for example.

In a family bathroom, practicality should be your lead, whereas in a room to be used solely by one or two adults, you can afford to focus a little more on luxury and design.

Getting the Bathroom Layout Right

Your first task when designing a new bathroom should be to decide on the best layout for the room. It’s important to know exactly how much space you have to work with when designing a bathroom.

Start with the position of the toilet. Work out where the soil pipe currently enters the room — or where it will enter the room. This should guide you as to the best place for the toilet — you can then work around this.

Using a few sheets of graph paper, play around, drawing out your bathroom layouts to scale, marking on any windows, doors, alcoves, sloping ceilings or bulkheads. Be sure to keep the sanitary ware to the same scale.

Even a very small bathroom can be turned into a restful and practical space with some thorough planning.

Decide on what to Include In the Bathroom

Start with a list of what you’d like in a new bathroom:

• Bath
• Freestanding bath
• Shower bath
• Spa bath
• Over-bath shower
• Separate shower
• Pedestal basin
• Console basin
• Twin basins
• Toilet
• Built-in storage
• Freestanding storage
• Heated towel rail/radiator

Select a Bathroom Style

With the fittings you want in your bathroom decided, the next step in designing a bathroom is to consider the style you prefer. The overall choice is between a modern look and one that’s more traditional.

For traditional bathrooms, baths, basins and loos with a classic or period look tend to be more decorative with ornate lines.

Contemporary bathrooms can be either angular or curvaceous in appearance, but both are typified by clean shapes and an absence of extra detail.

Choosing the Right Sanitary Ware

Shower Enclosures: Good planning is essential if your shower enclosure is to be a pleasure to use. Enclosures with doors that swing open should have enough space around them for the door to open and to allow you in and out. Enclosures with fixed glazed panels work well in small bathrooms — as do sliding shower doors.

Baths: There are various sizes of bath sizes available. For those who want a shower and a bath but are working with a small bathroom, a shower over the bath is a brilliant solution. A shower bath is a good option, with a wider section at one end for showering.

Basins: Even if you have a small bathroom, don’t skimp on the size of your basin — particularly in a family bathroom. Wall-mounted basins, or semi-pedestal designs, can give the illusion of more floor space and also allow the basin to be set at a height that works well for you and your family. Full-pedestal basins give a more traditional look.

Choosing the bathroom paint

When you’re choosing bathroom paint, colour will be a big factor, but there is more to consider. Bathroom paint has to be able to cope with moisture, and might need to be wipeable, too. You may want to think about finish as well. If your bathroom is on the small side, the soft sheen of an eggshell finish or satin will bounce the light around to make it feel bigger.

Choosing Wall Tiles

Wall tiles are a bathroom design must-have to protect them from water, whether that’s in the shower area, by the bath, or behind the basin. They can also be used creatively for an injection of colour or pattern. Try these strategies:

• Use a change of tile colour to zone a space. For example, you could use white tiles all round then pick out the shower area with a pop of colour.
• Hang the same tiles on the walls as the floor, but change the format with rectangular versions for walls and square on the floor.
• Smarten up walls with high-gloss metro tiles and crisp white grout.
• Create interest with a mosaic splashback.

Our Bridgnorth, Northwich and Oswestry Showrooms all have a wide range of wall and floor tiles to choose from.

Choosing Bathroom Flooring

There are several things that your bathroom flooring needs to be:

• Water resistant
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Warm underfoot
• Non-slip

Good choices for bathroom flooring include natural stone tiles, porcelain and ceramic, rubber flooring, vinyl and linoleum and even engineered timber providing it has been properly acclimatised.

Perhaps even more important that the final finish of the floor is the bathroom sub floor.

In the case of renovation projects, you may find that the existing floor requires some preparation. Timber floor joists should be sound and capable of withstanding the weight of new sanitary ware, or heavy stone tiles.

Bathroom Lighting

Once you know the layout of the bathroom, you can plan your bathroom lighting, taking into account any features you want to highlight, as well as how much natural light enters the room.

• Downlights can provide the room with good overall light.
• Task lighting around mirrors will make precision tasks easy.
• Accent lighting can highlight a statement item like a designer radiator, or the base of the bath.
• Dimmer switches enable a change of atmosphere from morning to night.

A combination of downlighters (for general background lighting), task lighting (above mirrors, for example) and accent lighting (such as spots directed at features of note) works well. You might also consider some feature lighting set into the floor around the bath.

When it comes to Building Regulations, the bathroom is split into zones and the ingress protection (IP) rating of the lighting you choose should reflect the zone that it will be used in. TG Electrical Services will be able to discuss your requirements and give a free estimate on all work involved.

The planning process is the key time to consider big changes to your kitchen’s design, so think carefully about how you use your current space and how you would like to use the new one. Ask yourself these questions:

• How do you move around your kitchen? Elements that you often use at the same time, such as the fridge and work surface, should be close together.
• Where do you prepare food? Put your worktop space where you like to prepare food – possibly next to the hob.
• How much storage do you need? Do you need more than you currently have? Open shelving or big, deep cupboards?
• Who will you be entertaining in your kitchen? You may want space for a table or a breakfast bar where people can sit and talk to you while you work.
• Which utensils and crockery do you use the most? Ensure they’ll be easily accessible in your new kitchen design.
• Do you have a lot of gadgets? If you want them on display you’ll need lots of worktop space; if they’ll be tucked away you’ll need deep cupboards.
• Do you have room for the large appliances you want? For example, range cookers or American-style fridge freezers will take up a lot of space.

Remember to consider your kitchen’s constraints, such as its size and the positions of doors, windows and plug sockets. If you’re not planning any structural work, you’ll need to be realistic about what your space can accommodate.

Our Staff will be able to help you with all these questions, and can visit you in the comfort of your own home to design the perfect layout. We’ll measure your room and discuss how you want to use the space. Once we understand your requirements we’ll help you choose the right products. We’ll then bring your design to life in-store using our specialist computer aided design software.

Dulux Trade has just revealed Tranquil Dawn, a soft green hue, as its Colour of the Year for 2020.

According to Dulux Trade: “The natural colour is reflective of a need to disconnect from technology and bring the outside in.”

If forms part of the ColourFutures 2020 palettes, which were selected by an expert panel of colour designers, trend forecasters, design specialists, architects and editors from around the world.

The panel was chaired by Heleen van Gent from the AkzoNobel Global Aesthetic Centre who said: “We live so chaotically that our homes, workspaces and other parts of the built environment really need to be safe spaces where we can feel both relaxed and creative.

“We want to be able to unwind and separate ourselves from the chaos that goes on around us and have time to regroup and find peace.”

How will it work in my home?

“It’s an easy colour to use, and ideal for people who are nervous about using colour in their homes.

“We’re generally a conservative bunch, so many people still have their reservations about bold colour, but Tranquil Dawn is so subtle and easy-on-the-eye, we feel it will work for everyone and every style.

“Rather than a stand-out feature colour, this is one which you could totally wrap around all the walls in a space and it would look absolutely beautiful.

“Alternatively, pairing it with neutral pastels or rich jewel shades can have a totally different impact.”

Dulux have also created four palettes – Meaning, Play, Creativity and Care – each designed to correspond with Tranquil Dawn, showing how the shade and various combinations can be used to create different moods and atmospheres. These ColourFutures 2020 palettes include:

THE MEANING PALETTE
Inspired by a cold winter’s dawn, this minimalist palette features icy green, warm cream and charcoal hues, creating a feeling of calm and contemplation.

THE CREATIVITY PALETTE
Inspired by a warm autumnal day, a palette oh maroon and tobacco hues, pale and moss greens provide a space for self-expression and storytelling.

THE CARE PALETTE
Inspired by a hazy spring horizon, this palette evokes a feeling of deep relaxation and peace thanks to a blend of earthy neutrals, muted greens, dusky pinks and pale blues.

THE PLAY PALETTE
Inspired by the horizon of a hot summer morning, this palette features vivid reds, alongside baby blue, cream and pale green.

Dulux named Spiced Honey as the Colour of the Year in 2019.

We partner with leading names in the Shropshire and Cheshire property development industry, furnishing new-build properties across the counties, from large-scale developments to quiet country villages.

Our product portfolio offers extensive choice that’s flexible to suit all size project needs, and is backed up by industry leading service.

One such project was our work with local developer Capital Construction on the Mytton Mill Developments, where we supplied and fitted a range of stunning kitchens.

Are you a private property developer or house builder looking for a kitchen or bathroom supplier? With a full turnkey service available, you can trust TG Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms as your preferred partner.

Please contact Ben on 01691 672596 to discuss further.

Some ‘oddly’ shaped walls makes the kitchen install a little ‘different’ for the installers but oversized end panels allows them to scribe them not only into the walls…but the brick work too! Here’s an example for a customer’s kitchen and bathroom carried out in a barn near Oswestry.

Kitchen – Symphony New England ‘in frame’ kitchen. Painted in Dove grey, complimented with Indigo Blue accent cabinets. Finished with a solid Mirostone & oak worktops, cut and finished on site to accelerate fitment.

Bathroom – Traditional Burlington sanitary ware with a walk in shower enclosure, put these items with up to date tiling gives this bathroom a modern yet traditional mix!

On trend with our growing need to reconnect, more and more homeowners are removing walls, installing folding doors, and incorporating islands around which to congregate. Today’s dream kitchen is a relaxing communal area for the whole family, plus friends. With a broken-plan layout, the kitchen is able to spill into the rest of the home. The family can feel closer together, even while inhabiting their own individual spaces – whether that’s the food prep area, a media centre or a nook for reading and homework. But how does one achieve this tricky layout?

Fortunately, Sinead Trainor, Kitchen Category Manager from LochAnna Kitchens is here to give you 5 tricks to help you achieve the best-broken plan kitchen designs.

Storage solutions:

With broken-plan living spaces becoming more popular, consumers need to take even more consideration over the best ways to optimise on storage space in a way that fits in with their own personal style and vision. Solutions such as internal drawers or tall corner larder cabinets can be a great way to offer a discreet look that makes the best use of space in the kitchen and other areas.

‘Hybrid’ storage solutions:

A new ‘hybrid’ storage solution is becoming increasingly popular in the kitchen area too. Imagine a cupboard that features workspace. Homeowners who do not want small appliances on display, such as food processors and coffee machines, can now consider spacious cupboards that feature deep shelves, they can even incorporate plug sockets inside the unit. When they have finished using the appliances, they can simply shut the door on it (as illustrated in the image below).

Doubling up:

Consumers should also consider investing in kitchen furniture and appliances that double up in their functions. For example, an island can work as both a storage area and a preparation area and can be oriented in such a way that allows the person doing the cooking to interact with the rest of the family. As well as being an iconic design element for the home, the island includes cupboards that are a useful place to keep pots, pans or food. Larger islands also mean that a hob or sink can be fitted in as well, again utilising every inch of surface space.

Creating cohesion:

Designers are increasingly utilising kitchen furniture to create bespoke storage in areas outside the kitchen space. If we consider a broken plan space in which a family room borders the kitchen area, designing a media centre or storage area in the same finishes as the kitchen is perfect to achieve a cohesive look, whilst creating a space that feels separate. This is demonstrated in the image below:

Informal dining space:

A breakfast bar in the kitchen is the perfect way to divide space, whilst keeping the social aspect of open plan living. Creating a design that incorporates storage and even a hob or sink, as well as seating ensures that homeowners make the most of the available space. Many broken plan kitchens incorporate this informal seating area in addition to the more formal dining table where the whole family can gather.

A successful kitchen or bathroom transformation can do wonders for a home—and it’s value.

Any homeowner who’s ever embarked on a home renovation project has had to consider the question of whether they’ll see a decent return on their investment. The last thing you want to do is plunge a large amount of money into a remodelling project that really won’t add any substantial value to your home.

Two of the most common areas of the home that receive makeovers for the sake of increasing resale value are kitchens and bathrooms. As any estate agent will tell you, these two areas garner the most attention during a house sale; for many people, having an updated kitchen or bathroom area can be a make-or-break issue in terms of purchasing a home.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Customers regularly find it difficult to visualise how they could possibly create their perfect bathroom or kitchen into small or awkward shaped rooms. Following our free home measurement and design service, we are able to show customers (with our computer aided design (CAD) software) exactly how it could all fit in and look. Below are a couple of examples where we created a full bathroom suite (with Jacuzzi bath, bespoke shower enclosure, vessel wash basin and WC) into a small cottage attic with vaulted ceilings and also a modern kitchen into a 16th century cottage with beams.

Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms regularly work with a variety of developers. We offer an inclusive service from design and specification and on-going support. Every project has the benefit of a truly bespoke design service, suiting the needs of any architectural difficulties as well as a personal, in-house project management service to ensure quality is upheld at every stage. We aspire to provide every client, developer, interior designer, trade person or architect with the ultimate in kitchen and bathroom design whether it be 20 or 200, through professional management and creative design innovation. We offer a free bespoke design service that enables one of our kitchen and bathroom planners to come to your project or home to measure up. Then using our in-house design software they are able to maximise the space available to realise its full potential.

We offer high quality kitchen collections and bathroom suites for all budgets and tastes. The kitchen collections come in both modern and traditional styles with the latest appliances including hobs, cookers, washing machines, dishwashers and accessories such as tiles, flooring, taps, worktops, sinks, lighting and storage. Our bathroom suites include showers, baths, screens, panels and all the finishing touches such as mirrors, towel rails, tiles and cabinets.

Here are some images of a recent project with local developer Gratton Oakes where we supplied the bathroom suites, as well as all the tiles and doors.

A kitchen renovation can be one of the biggest investments a homeowner can make, but a successful transformation can do wonders for a home—and it’s value. Whether your kitchen just needs a light refresh or a full gut renovation, the best place to start is with some inspiration! So if you’re thinking about giving your home’s kitchen a makeover, then visit our Showroom in Oswestry. There are over 20 beautiful kitchen and bathroom displays to view and hundreds more to choose from. We’ll then visit your home and carry out a free home measure and design service. You’ll be able to discuss the perfect layout and design ideas in your home with one of our expert designers. We’ll take this information back  and using our computer added design (CAD) software our designer will present a free price estimate and 3D plan. All you then need to do is choose your ideal kitchen or bathroom and arrange a suitable delivery date. We think you might be surprised at how little money it takes to completely revamp the look of a tired kitchen design.

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