Experts discuss the hottest (and coolest) features in kitchens for the year ahead

Whether you’re planning a new kitchen or simply updating your existing one, you may well be looking for inspiration. From supersize fridge-freezers and hidden extractors to the latest colours and finishes, here’s what the experts say will be hot in the year ahead.

With thanks to kitchen designers Lis Valenzia, of Haydown Kitchens and Helena Myers and Jaye Tidbury of award-winning The Myers Touch

Warm, natural colours

Image supplied by Haydown Kitchens, photographer Jane Collier of Visually Virtual

Cabinet colour is one of the first things many people consider when looking for kitchen ideas. Associated with sunshine, happiness and positivity, yellow is an increasingly popular choice for the kitchen, says Myers. In addition to the feel-good vibes, a light buttery yellow will brighten up a dark, north facing room. There’s a wide range of yellows to choose from subtle lemons to eye-catching brighter hues that might be better in small doses. 

Natural, warm tones, such as soft pinks and rich browns will make resurgence in 2024, adds Tidbury. “Warm beiges, browns truffle and very deep anthracite tones. Dark walnut wood stains are a very popular and timeless finish.”

Glossy, all-white kitchens are not as popular as they once were. Valenzia says neutral colours tends to be combined with bolder hues of blue or green. “For example, a client may have their island in dark blue, and cabinets in a soft, pale grey. Our British-made kitchen furniture can be supplied in a huge range of colours and can be matched to any Little Greene, Farrow and Ball and Paint & Paper Colour.”

Combining textures and materials

Kitchen design by The Myers Touch in collaboration with AR Design, photographer Paul Craig

Kitchen designer Tom Howley expects to see the Scandi inspired trend, combining natural woods, off-white cabinetry and tactile stone surfaces to continue to evolve in 2024 with the addition of glass patina finishes and natural stone flooring.

Valenzia broadly agrees. She says: “Quartz is a very popular choice for kitchen worktops because it’s hard wearing, easy to clean, stain and scratch resistant.” When clients mix and match materials it can look stunning, says the kitchen designer.  “For example, use natural oak on the island and quartz elsewhere in the kitchen. Natural stone is in-demand. Tidbury adds: “Many of our client choose quartzites for their boldness and character and its obvious natural feel compared to its manmade counterparts.”

With so many different finishes available, such as stone, concrete, veneer, glass and laminate, there is a trend toward customers choosing bespoke surface finishes that will add “texture, personality and individuality to their kitchen space,” says Myers.

Multi-functional ovens

Image supplied by The Myers Touch, photographer Mark Hardy

Nobody is predicting the demise of the range cooker just yet. But high energy prices have led many people to seek smaller and faster cooking appliances. Sales of microwaves and air fryers have continued to increase over the last three years. Kitchen designers have also seen a rise in enquiries about steam ovens and predict this trend to continue. Steam cooking takes longer but keeps the flavour and key nutrients better.

The ultimate kitchen status symbol may be a wall-mounted bank of ovens covering a range of functions from steamer to microwave to slow cooker. But lack of space is an issue in many modern kitchens. So, multi-functional ovens that combine a conventional fan function with steam cooking or microwave are highly coveted. Check out the Siemens Wi-fi connected-built in electric single oven with microwave and steam function. Meanwhile, Miele offers combination steam and microwave ovens for healthy cooking and rapid heating. “Many ovens are now introducing dehydration style and low-cooking options, removing the need for additional appliances on the worktop,” says Myers.

Venting induction hobs

Image supplied by The Myers Touch

The trend for induction hobs shows no sign of abating in 2024. “The majority of kitchens we sell include an induction hob,” says Valenzia. “They are easy to use, cook food quickly and efficiently, and are simple to clean.  They are also safer than other types of hobs as once you remove the pan, the hob stops heating up. Plus, they are more energy efficient than other hobs.”

Consider upgrading to a venting hob. The days of the cooker hood look numbered. “With a venting hob, there is no bulky cooker hood on the wall dominating the kitchen or a ceiling extractor obstructing the view,” explains Valenzia. Instead of letting vapours and odours rise in the first place, cooktop extractors draw them away where they are created. The extractor systems are usually built into an island or peninsula and when switched on rise electronically from the work surface, but they can also be part of the cooktop. While sales of integrated extraction hobs are on the increase, says Myers, some clients still prefer “pop-up extraction function on an island to prevent accidental splashing and permit a larger surface space for pans whilst cooking.”

Larder love

Image supplied by The Myers Touch

“Most of our customers want a larder in their new kitchen – a place for all the store cupboard essentials,” says Valenzia. The larder, a kitchen essential for generations, but forgotten in the days of built-in cabinets and fridges is back. It’s a timeless way to provide organised storage for food items, such as dried goods, vegetables, bread bins etc, making them  accessible while keeping the kitchen clutter-free. See above a super-stylish, hidden larder by Italian kitchen designers Copatlife.

The breakfast pantry is another trend likely to continue. It’s typically a half-height cupboard with built-in power sockets, much smaller than a walk-in pantry but still big enough to store small appliances such as a toaster and kettle alongside your favourite teas, coffee and mugs away from the main food prep area. According to the latest Pinterest Predict report: 'In 2024, at-home coffee stations will become the new way to espresso yourself. Boomers and Gen X will bring the coffee shop vibe inside, searching for everything from ‘café chalkboard’ aesthetic and ‘coffee station décor’ to ‘coffee bar styling’.” The Myers Touch, among others, specialise in clever built-in solutions, including a cupboard especially designed for a Thermomix, a blender that cooks and stirs.

The coolest fridges

Image supplied by The Myers Touch, photographer Mark Hardy

If you want to score highly in the kitchen style stakes, consider a super-size fridge freezer. Chilled filtered water dispensers and ice-cube makers are often standard. Though fridges with built-in ice makers aren’t a new concept, the trend for 2024 is icemakers that produce quality ice much more quickly. Refrigerators with rapid-freeze ice makers are gaining traction as are under-counter cabinet ice makers.

Fully integrated design that keeps the fridge-freezer neatly hidden remains on-trend though you may prefer to make a statement with stainless steel double doors, for example. A freestanding Smeg fridge freezer with its signature curves and retro colours adds character, though it might not suit a streamline kitchen aesthetic. “Most of our clients are going for an integrated full-height fridge and freezer rather than a large American/French style fridge-freezer. This way there are no bulky appliances sticking out of the run or change in , giving it a flush and seamless looks,” adds Tidbury.

Useful innovations include humidity-controlled drawers with adjustable airflow, so you can keep different foods fresher for longer. For instance, put leafy greens like lettuce in a high humidity drawer and keep in a lower humidity drawer to prevent rotting.

Samsung has recently unveiled its new “smart” fridge. “This has some interesting AI features, including an internal camera that can identify individual food items and an app that can suggest recipes based on the food you have. It can also tell you when foods are about to expire to avoid food wastage,” says Valenzia.

Boiling water tap

Image supplied by The Myers Touch, photographer Paul Craig

The humble kitchen kettle could soon be a thing of the past. Boiling water taps have rapidly risen in popularity. With instant boiling water on tap, there’s no more waiting for the kettle. In addition to saving time, these taps also save energy. Over-filled kettles are a huge source of energy wastage whereas a boiling water tap delivers the exact amount required. Plus, they look stylish, reduce countertop clutter and free up workspace. Quooker first launched its version in the UK two decades ago, but it wasn’t until 2020 that sales really rocketed – and they’re still rising. At a starting price of £1,250, it’s a pricey gadget but one you’re likely to love for years to come. Prices correct January 2024.

Open plan kitchen-diners and large islands are still hot in 2024. Myers says: “Everyone wants the largest kitchen island possible. Bar stools are perfect if the dining area is not adjacent, otherwise there can be too many seats together. We always recommend considering comfort alongside aesthetics, especially if using bar stools for long periods.”

When planning a kitchen makeover, the latest appliance trends may not spring immediately to mind, but they are worth considering. People tend to focus on cabinetry, worktops and layout and then choose standard ovens, extractor or fridge as an afterthought, but this means you could be missing out on the latest innovations.