THE GLOSS and interior designer Sara Cosgrove teamed up at the BSH Home of Innovation to discuss the dos and don’ts of kitchen design, and to explore the latest trends
THE GLOSS welcomed readers to the second Hot Kitchen event of 2024 in association with Bosch, Siemens and Neff at the BSH Home of Innovation, on Saturday, October 12. The event began with a delicious brunch before Jane McDonnell, co-founder and publisher of THE GLOSS and THE GLOSS INTERIORS was joined by interior designer and RTÉ Home of the Year judge Sara Cosgrove for a session on the latest trends in kitchen design. Discover some of Sara’s top tips below …
Planning
The most important thing to do before you embark on a kitchen remodel is to consider how you are going to use the space, the location of the kitchen in your home, the orientation of the rooms, and to keep track of what works and doesn’t work for you in your current kitchen. As Sara says, the kitchen is “the most expensive room to get wrong.” Top tip: Try to get it right at the beginning. By really knowing what you want to get out of the project and focusing on its durability, you can ensure your budget will be money well spent.
Pantries
Pantries are on trend, according to Sara. Having a room off the kitchen for storage, food preparation or other uses can make such a difference to your workflow. It doesn’t even have to be a room; a large cabinet will do the job. The important thing is that you can see everything. Top tip: Keep the dishes or serving ware that you don’t use often at the top.
Kitchen Islands
Kitchen islands are very personal. While they provide an opportunity for extravagance (think quartzite and recycled glass instead of marble), according to Sara, the most important aspect of an island is in the spatial planning. It is all about the proportions. It is important to have an island that fits and works in your space and works for your way of life. Never oversize your island at the compromise of other living areas, Sara advises. Personally, she says, she almost never places a sink or hob on the island, preferring it be clutter-free. Top tip: Don’t go over 1400mm in island depth, or you won’t be able to clean the middle of it if you go any deeper!
Hand Painted or Spray Painted Cabinetry
The dilemma of choosing between hand paint and spray paint is a question of budget, practicality and durability. Sara says that sprayed kitchen cabinetry is the durable option, but hand-painted kitchens look much softer and are the flexible option as you can update the colour easily. Top tip: Dark colours look great in kitchens where there’s lots of glazing as they absorb the light.
Flooring
If you opt for timber flooring in your kitchen, incorporating a shuffle zone (a tiled area around your sink) is a smart design choice. This is the area of the kitchen that gets the most water splashes, spillages or wear and tear, so the timber floor can get destroyed. Sara will be incorporating a shuffle zone in her new kitchen redesign. Top tip: This is a feature that can always be retrofitted, so do not panic if it is not on the immediate plans.
Sinks
The sink is undoubtedly a very important part of the kitchen. Sara recommends a sink that has a chopping board and a drainer integrated in it. It is all about space saving, says Sara. A split sink is good if you need the extra space and dual function for your sink, but it might not work if you use a lot of large roasting trays. It all depends on how you use your kitchen. Top tip: If you don’t like clutter, don’t put your sink on the island. Dishes, sponges and soaps will inevitably build up on the countertop beside the sink and make the surface seem busy.
Innovative Appliances
One of the major innovations in the world of appliances is the induction hob. Nobody is banging holes in walls anymore, Sara says. The integrated extraction is a huge development in technology, and one we need to make the most of. Another development in technology is the Home Connect App, with which you can now download additional functions onto your Siemens oven, like the airfryer function! Wine fridges and warming drawers are also very trendy at the moment. www.siemens-home.bsh-group.com. Top tip: Read the manual! Learn about your appliance so you can make the most of it or simply book a demonstration at the Home of Innovation to find out all you need to know. www.homeofinnovation.ie.
Appliance Customisation
Sara is seeing a serious quest for customisation in kitchens and certain appliance brands offer that service. NEFF has introduced customisation for their ovens in different trims, making the oven face feel a bit more discreet and in style with the rest of the kitchen. Top tip: Read more about it here. www.neff-home.com/ie
Lighting
When it comes to lighting, it is a nice design choice to incorporate task lighting and decorative lighting, so that it can all come together and create an ambient atmosphere, says Sara. She looks to hotels and restaurants for inspiration. You want your kitchen to work from 6am to 2am, so consider the aspect of your kitchen when planning it. Top tip: Incorporating a Scandinavian style light amidst a contemporary or period style kitchen adds a real element of interest to the space. PH 5 Mini, Louis Poulsen, from €934, available at Nordic Elements.
Are you considering a new kitchen? Or do your current kitchen appliances need replacing? Then come to the Home of Innovation (just off Junction 10 of the M50), Dublin, and get inspired by the extensive collection of kitchen appliances from Bosch, Siemens and NEFF. Book your free product advice consultation in the showroom or join a cooking demonstration or hands-on workshop. www.homeofinnovation.ie
