A round-up of cutting-edge design and materials developments
WORDS PAULA WOODS
Ergonomic base units
There’s no need to go bespoke when looking for cabinets at a non-standard height. Next125 (next125.com) base units come in 750mm, 812mm and 875mm-high options and Rotpunkt (rotpunkt.co.uk) in 780mm and 910mm.
Next125 kitchen in nx505 satin lacquer Jaguar Green with Systemo marble carrara-effect worksurface, from £13,595, InHouse Inspired Room Design (inhouseltd.co.uk)
Right to repair
Seek out cabinets built with dowel and screw construction that are easier to repair than glue and screw units, extending the life of your kitchen – a win for your pocket and the planet.
Aberford FSC-certified in-frame painted kitchen, from £10,000, replacement doors/panels supplied under the kitchen’s 10-year guarantee, Laura Ashley Fitted Kitchens (lauraashleykitchencollection.co.uk)
Colour match details
Blum supplies kitchen manufacturers with hi-spec fittings such as hinges and drawer runners, and recently launched them in black to suit carcasses and doors in dark tones.
Legrabox drawer system in Carbon Black and door hinges in Onyx Black, Blum (blum.com). Available on all good units including Wickes made-to-order range, from around £4,000-£20,000 (wickes.co.uk)
Eco-aware options
Manufacturers such as Lochanna (lochanna kitchens.co.uk) and Rotpunkt (rotpunkt.co.uk) produce fitted furniture from recycled materials, while Ikea’s Bodarp and Nickebo flatpacks use recycled timber and plastic bottles (ikea.com).
Metod/Bodarp particleboard cabinets wrapped in recycled plastic foil, from £750 for an eight-unit kitchen with worksurface, sink and tap, Ikea
Permanently pristine
Contemporary slab doors in a matt finish tend to show fingerprints, unless they have a lacquer coating designed to prevent marks. Try Kütchenhaus (uk.kutchenhaus.com) or Magnet (magnet.co.uk).
Easytouch kitchen in Fjord Blue, from £18,000 depending on specification and size, Kütchenhaus
Design for everyone
This kitchen collection includes features that support independent living such as motorised wall units and surfaces, and pullout drawer systems.
Freedom kitchen in Urban Grey Walnut with rise-and-fall wall cabinet, hob and sink surface housing, £POA, Symphony (symphony-group.co.uk)
Ingenious material mix
Manufactured in Italy, these doors have ribbed glass fronts
