Now here’s some good news in amongst all the recent doom and gloom. A report by MTW Research (www.marketresearchreports.co.uk) on the UK kitchen market suggests that sales will rise by £50 million in 2019, despite ongoing challenges for the £3bn kitchen products industry.

Based on kitchen suppliers’ data, the research found that higher value rigid kitchen cabinets, cooking appliances, premium taps and dishwashers are outperforming the kitchen market. However, the mid market continues to experience a squeeze on both prices and profits with online retailers continuing to gain share through aggressive pricing strategies.

The report also identifies the top 10 kitchen design trends in 2019, noting that designs are more complex and nuanced than ever as consumers seek enhanced personalisation of their kitchens rather than traditional ‘off the shelf’ solutions. The wide-ranging innovation in design continues to support the higher value kitchen market in 2019, whilst at the same time the ‘unobtrusive kitchen’ continues to gain share due to smaller, urban open-plan living homes.

It’s confirmed that urban, industrial, chic rustic, vintage and other designs are set to drive the market this year. Knowledgeable consumers are seeking retailers and manufacturers who can help create a distinctly personalised kitchen. The report identifies a number of growth opportunities in 2019, though warns that suppliers slow to identify the new trends continue to languish in a fiercely competitive market with static volumes and a growing threat of price deflation.

Based on data from companies reporting over £180 million profit, the report finds that the ‘connected kitchen’ is driving value growth in the luxury market, with this impetus steadily filtering into the high-mid sector. Smart extractors, voice activated hobs and built-in smart speakers are just a few examples that illustrate how retailers are integrating technology to differentiate kitchen designs.

Here are some of the latest kitchen designs coming onto the market that really capture the current trends…

1) The new Ceramic Peral door from German kitchen brand Pronorm creates an elegant pared-back aesthetic and reflects the trend for ‘natural industrial’. The door fronts are surfaced in 3mm ceramic with a textured stone finish, which layers luxuriously with glass, wood and matt black accents. Three further door colours of Ceramic Grey, Ceramic Black Oxide and Ceramic Anthracite are available. Kitchens start from £18,000. www.pronorm.de

2) You can really personalise your space with new Spectrum colour match technology from Wren Kitchens. It allows customers to create their ultimate design in one of 1,950 colours in the Shaker Matt, Contour Matt, Contour Gloss, Handless Matt and Handless Gloss styles. Check out the online kitchen planner tool while you’re at it. www.wrenkitchens.com/kitchen-design/online-planner

3) This Sebastian Cox kitchen from deVOL uses English sustainable timber cupboards for a low-key, lived-in look. www.devolkitchens.co.uk

4) Crown Imperial’s Driftwood is one of the latest additions to its signature Textura collection. The striking textured wood style is teamed here with Zeluso cashmere and is ideal for modern spaces. http://www.crown-imperial.co.uk

5) Mereway’s contemporary Cucina Colore collection features pocket doors with slideaway technology, perfect for concealing appliances and clutter. There is a choice of colours and finishes from the matt woodgrain, gloss acrylic, super matt and designer collections that co-ordinate across many Lastra and Futura ranges. www.mereway.co.uk