TREND TALK
BIG TRENDS ARE LESS NOTEWORTHY THESE DAYS, WITH MICRO TRENDS TAKING THEIR PLACE. WE EXPLORE THE LATEST CRAVING: KITSCHENS
At the end of last year, trend tracker Pinterest released its predictions for the upcoming year and the one that we can get wholeheartedly behind is #Kitschens. Also known as, Kitsch Kitchens.
TREND ORIGINS
Let’s face it – these days, as a result of the cost of living crisis, going out is rather expensive and more of us are entertaining at home. These gatherings however, aren’t dressy, posh dining room affairs. They’re far more informal, relaxed and… well, fun. And where better to host your friends than in your kitchen-diner? Suffice to say that because of this new-found love of kitchen entertaining, homeowners are taking more pride in their surroundings. This means that plain white kitchens are being eschewed in favour of décor that sets the scene for lively get-togethers, reflecting a far more expressive and personality packed vibe. Pinterest reported that ‘Gen X and Boomers alike will elevate their cooking areas with thrifty finds, vintage appliances and dazzling colours like retro pink’.
BE BOLD & BEAUTIFUL
‘The Kitschens trend is all about embracing a vibrant and eclectic aesthetic with bold palettes, retro patterns and personal touches,’ explains Al Bruce, founder of kitchen company, Olive & Barr (oliveandbarr.com). ‘It reflects a desire for carefree, playful designs over more minimalist schemes.’
‘I’m not surprised that this is a new trend,’ agrees Simon Ribchester, head of design at renovation platform, Beams (beams renovation.com). ‘Homeowners are moving away from traditional home aesthetics and into more expressive interior designs that mix a wide range of styles. Kitschens is all about expressing and bringing personality into a space; it’s a really fun and joyful trend that we can get behind and embrace.’
Simon continues, ‘The most important thing to remember when incorporating colourful, fun, and kitsch elements into any kitchen is balance. The key is to offset vibrant appliances and décor with light, neutral colours, such as whites, off-whites, and pastels, so that the look doesn’t feel overwhelming. The paler colours will reflect light, which creates a sense of expansiveness, while still being warm.’
THE IDEAL HOME VIEW ON...
Do we think this micro trend is here to stay? Ideal Home’s content editor Holly Cockburn weighs in…
While this trend is cropping up in the most chic of kitchens, I’d say that it’s not one to follow note-for-note. The whole point of the Kitschens trend is to have more fun and experiment with colours. However, it c
