Sleek, clean, straight lines without curves and fussy detail. Cupboards off the ground wherever possible and island units that double as eating and serving areas – those are the hottest kitchen trends at the moment.
You’ll be able to see what’s in and what’s out in kitchen design at this year’s East Coast Radio House & Garden Show at the Durban Exhibition Centre until July 3.
To achieve a sleek and neat look, washing machines and dishwashers are hidden behind cupboard doors.
Two-tone strong contrasts are a hot new trend – think dramatic black maple floor cupboards contrasted with light, embossed laminate wall units with light quartz worktops and shiny chrome handles.
Laminate doors are the most durable finishes for kitchens and seem to be replacing high gloss, acrylic and painted doors. Laminates, traditionally used for worktops, are water-resistant and the most durable synthetic door material available for kitchens.
“Although touch door, handle-less kitchens look great they require a fair amount of upkeep,” says Vinesh Maharaj of Kitchen Studio.
“A new material called laminated ply for shelving and carcasses is quickly replacing melamine on chipboard. It is more water resistant and stronger than melamine on chipboard and lasts longer. Standard concealed hinges have been replaced by the soft close hinge that closes silently.”
Drawers are now also available in the soft close options. Materials being used today are black maple and light embossed laminates.
People can expect to see Italian natural and engineered veneers combined with embossed water resistant laminates, solid acrylic feature shelving and supports at the show.
Visitors will also be treated to a variety of other specialised areas including the food market, the gardener pavilion, homegrown fair, kidz zone and the new Kids Shoppe.
For more information about this year’s show, visit www.housegardenshow.co.za or call 031 303 5941. – Daily News