This summer, whether you’re jet-setting it abroad or having a staycation nearer to home, it’s always nice to come back to a clean, well-considered kitchen. If however, you’re spending your summer budget on a complete new refit or you simply want some ideas and inspiration for adding a few updates, here’s what’s new for the season ahead…

Benchmarx launches new lines

The Sherwood Charcoal design caught my eye, as I do love a dark, dramatic look. Already available in White and Grey, the new colourway is a welcome addition to the collection and is in keeping with the trend for all things industrial. Mix and match with the other finishes for a personal touch or stick to a single block of colour for a co-ordinated finish. Adding elements of copper and vintage metal with lighting and accessories and teaming it with reclaimed timber flooring will complete the urban feel. It has a durable PVC coating and costs from £2,200 for an eight-unit kitchen, with larder units and curved corners also available.

I also love an in-frame design but less the fussy, detailed look and more of a clean slab effect. The Chelsea Matt Dove Grey design is also new from Benchmarx and features door and drawer fronts neatly framed within the one-piece cabinetry. Priced from £3,069 for an eight-unit kitchen, fit with cornicing for a characterful look or keep it simple for a modern feel.

Caple’s new touch control ceramic hob

Not everyone is persuaded by the power of induction, so for those who like their ceramic hobs, Caple has just launched a stylish black glass design with touch control. The C824C costs £497 and has a frameless design, 78cm width and flush-mounted finish for a minimal look. There’s a 10-level digital power display for each zone and a handy keep warm setting as well as programmable timer and quick heat boosters.

Gorenje reveals special edition VW Bulli fridge

Inspired by the famous Volkswagen Bulli in Baby Blue and Bordeaux colours, this special edition refrigerator has an A+++ energy rating and a 260-litre capacity. It comes with IonAir and DynamiCooling food preserving technology and is sure to create a talking point in any kitchen! It’s priced around £1,149. (www.gorenje.co.uk)

Sensio launches glass shelf clip lights

If kitchen lighting isn’t something you’ve invested in, it’s not too late to add an ambient glow to cabinets. Sensio has launched the Edge LED glass clip lights to illuminate glazed kitchen wall units. In cool or warm LEDs, it’s available in 450mm lengths, fits a 6-8mm pane of glass and the diffused finish of the profile ensures that no individual diodes can be seen. It can be cut to length every 90mm and connects to a suitable driver.

Sleek stripes meet matt black in Mobalpa’s updated retro style

The Melia and Delice kitchen is perfect for bringing small spaces to life, as the combination of sleek matt black surfaces and a warming zebrano veneer will bring a contemporary look to compact kitchens. Hidden corner units create the illusion of even more space while the handless doors maintain a fuss-free streamlined look. Prices start at £7,000. (www.mobalpa.co.uk)

Quooker unveils the new Flex tap

Flex is a new tap from Quooker, which delivers instant boiling, warm and cold filtered water with a pull-out flexible hose for accurate delivery of water flow. Priced from £1,150, it’s aimed at making safety a priority as boiling water will not deliver when the hose is in use, thanks to its unique safety device. It has a push and turn handle and LED light, twin-walled construction for cool-touch design and an aerated spray.

Dualit’s New Neutral collection for iconic Classic toasters

In collaboration with colour and trend forecaster Anna Starmer, Dualit has launched a new collection of toasters inspired by the world we live in, organic materials, found objects and treasured items. The range comes in four colours – Porcelain, Feather, Shadow and Powder, perfect for a pared-back, sophisticated look. The two-slot design costs £149.50 and the four-slot, £195.

Belgian brand Novy is new to the UK market

Entering the UK market for the first time this July, premium Belgian brand Novy has been a leading manufacturer of advanced extraction technology for over 50 years and now we can benefit from its ONE space-saving appliance that sits flush-mounted within the worksurface. Combining energy efficient induction technology with noise efficient downdraft extraction, this two-in-one hob with integrated extractor silently rises up to two levels when it automatically detects pans on the hob. In black opaque glass, it has four zones and an automatic bridge function and costs around £3,489.