Let’s launch ourselves into 2023 with a selection of new ideas for kitchens… As ever there are several strands of trends that we’ll be covering over the coming months, and we’re starting here with a look at some bright colour suggestions to combine with fashionable dark cabinetry. Dark kitchens can look elegant and restrained – but add a pop of colour or a swoosh of neutral to balance things out.

PANTONE COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2023 VIVA MAGENTA

We’re long standing fans of adding a blast of colour to a kitchen colour scheme – it’s a simple way of introducing a change of emphasis or just including a fun zingy accent. The Colour of The Year for 2023 from Pantone is Viva Magenta 18-1750, described as a shade that vibrates with vim and vigour, brave and fearless, joyous and optimistic. Absolutely the perfect choice to add a swathe of optimistic colour to a dark or pale kitchen. Think of it as the paint colour used between upstand and wall cabinets, the internal colour for a glazed cabinet, a tiled splashback or for a more understated accent, a light shade or tablecloth.

SHAKER STYLE WITH ROUTED GROOVE – UPTON FROM CAPLE

The new Contemporary Upton kitchen, shown above in Hunter and Light Grey has flat panel doors that have a groove to give a hint of Shaker style. Also in Indigo and Dust Grey, so there are four shades which can blend or mix to create that block-contrast look – dark for island cabinets and a lighter shade for perimeter cabinets. The finish is super matt, and Furniture Manager Doug Haswell says, ‘This design is ideal for clients who are looking for a contemporary design that also has elements of classic detailing’.

DARK AND LIGHT SHADES FROM HUSK KITCHENS

New finishes from HUSK are perfect for the mixed materials look – such as contrasting island or peninsula cabinets with lighter or darker shades for the perimeter cabinetry. Shown here, Mocha is a dark stained ply door that adds a strong texture and colour to a scheme. For contrast, Natura laminate doors in Clay add a softer beige accent to the scheme. HUSK founder Dave Young says, ‘Homeowners are choosing statement finishes for cupboards to provide a striking focal point and visual dramatic contrast’.

A STRONG LOOK WITH GREY GLOSS HANDLELESS FROM SHERATON BY OMEGA

For a sleek, strong and minimalist look, handleless is the way to go. This is Oblique Gloss, in Grey, a chamfered gloss door with a stainless steel trim on the top edge. A good choice for a long-lasting and stylish kitchen, with striking choice of surfaces and splash backs/wall panels to add more drama. Also in Indigo Blue and Graphite as well as White and Limestone if contrasting cabinetry is required.

TERRA NATURA WITH FOLD HANDLES BY HUSK

On the brighter side, this is the Natural HPL (High Pressure Laminate) finish, it has a timber core and HPL front and back, in the Terra shade from HUSK. Other handle options include bar and pull designs by Buster + Punch, as well as a simple scallop cut-out. A terrazzo-style work surface also adds a whoosh of colour …

SILVERKOAST BY DEKTON FROM COSENTINO

Dark cabinetry is very often teamed with pale surfaces, and two new predominantly white designs are the new Silverkoast series from Dekton by Cosentino.  Available in polished and velvet surface finishes, which can themselves be used in contrasting situations, Silverkoast is suited to walls, furniture, flooring and bathroom surfaces. It’s carbon neutral, and can be used both indoors and out. The pale shades work beautifully with natural wood finishes, as well as brights – for paint and fabrics.

MUSTARD MADE LOCKER FROM ROSE GREY

Poppy Red is a zingy colour choice and adds warmth and personality to a colour scheme. Old-fashioned school-style lockers are a great way of adding surface space and storage to a living room, or indeed a dining/kitchen space. Just the job for extra glassware or crockery. This is the Mustard Made Midi Locker in Poppy Red, available from Rose & Grey. Short and skinny versions are also in the range, great for halls and porches too. Choose from Blush Pink, Sage and Slate Grey.

LINJE HANDLELESS FROM SMILE KITCHENS

Textured timber effects and handless style are combined together for the new Linje range, to be launched in late January,  from Smile Kitchens. There will be 20 finishes to  mix and match. Choose from natural grains and industrial finishes including Iron and Rust, as well as plain neutrals and colours. The Linje design was conceived as a linear, uninterrupted look that lends itself to open plan spaces.

NEW SYMPHONY LINEAR KITCHEN – PART OF THE ICON RANGE

The Turin Dark Stone kitchen is another dark and dramatic look, this time from Symphony. There’s also a Turin Dark Walnut option and both are part of the Symphony Linear  collection, which part of the new ICON range. Shown here, the Loox Under Wall Cabinet Light, also part of the collection.

THE NEW LAUNDRY DRYING CABINET FROM ASKO

Utility rooms and boot rooms are becoming more and more popular, with homeowners wanting to allocate specific spaces that can be kitted out with laundry and cleaning appliances that don’t necessarily need to be in the kitchen. This tall cabinet is the Drying Cabinet from ASKO, available with a Heat Pump or Vented system, and it will dry clothes and coats as well as soggy shoes, boots, hats and scarves.

EXTENDING TUBIST TAP FROM ABODE

Make light work of kitchen or utility room chores with a flexible hose tap. This is the Tubist T Pull Out Spray in Matt Black with aerated water flow, also available in Brushed Nickel and Chrome. The 60cm pull out hose will enable awkward jobs like filling big pans or hosing down large trays or even shoes and boots (!) to be tackled with ease.

IN-COLUMN WINE FRIDGE FROM CAPLE

 There may not be enough floor space in a kitchen layout for a tall floor standing wine fridge or cooler, but it could be possible to slot one into a bank of tall cabinetry – or perhaps to house one in a utility room. The In-Column Single Zone Wine Cooler Black Steel from Caple could sit in a separate part of the kitchen-living space, or even be installed alongside a bank of ovens. It has a single temperature zone and can also accommodate 750ml champagne bottles.