Burlanes' 2021 Trend Insights: Multi-functional Kitchens

There is absolutely no question about it, 2020 highlighted just how important our homes are, and how functional living spaces for all the family to enjoy are essential.

With the majority of us spending more time than ever at home, there has been a drastic change in how we use each room. With the new year underway, our design team are sharing their expert trend insights and what they are expecting to take the interiors world by storm this year.

From home office set-ups at the dining room table, home schooling lessons at the breakfast bar and The Great British Bake Off banana bread making lessons, to Zoom call quiz nights and ballet school practice, our kitchens have probably become the most multi-functioning room in our homes since the first lockdown back in March.

Martin Bepey, Burlanes Sevenoaks' Studio Manager, takes us through his top trend prediction for 2021; multi-functional kitchens.

The Layout
Turn your kitchen into the heart of your home with an open-plan layout; integrating the cooking area with the dining area and even the living room area too! If you are planning to extend your home for your new kitchen, decide on the layout early on, before the building works begin. Whether you opt for a L-shaped kitchen, a U-shaped kitchen or a galley kitchen created with a large central island, ensure the footprint of the extension is well considered and enough space will be created to achieve open-plan living.



Seating
Initially a simple room to prepare and cook food, the kitchen has come a long way from its origins, and having somewhere is more important than ever! If your dream kitchen has an island, make it a multi-purpose one and opt for a breakfast bar, as well space for a dining room table, and even a cosy living room area too.

Smart Storage
Storage is always an essential part of kitchen design, so take the time to ensure all storage is considered during the design process. Having lots of storage is all well and good, but it should be well considered, with everything within easy reach at relevant areas in the room. 

Larders and pantries are both beautiful and practical, so if you have the available space, consider including one within your new kitchen design! Having all the essentials for breakfast within one area is convenient, and you can also hide your appliances away too; freeing up valuable worktop space.

Storage elsewhere in the room is essential too, and a combination of both concealed storage and open-shelving is a great way of keeping your kitchen streamlined and clutter-free. 

Happy Hour!
With bars, pubs and restaurants closed, it is more important than ever to store your wine and drinks correctly, to ensure a perfect glass when needed! 

Whether you opt for a wine cooler, a handmade wine storage solution, an incredible gin bar area like Dame Kelly has, or even a freestanding home bar concealed behind beautiful larder doors, you will never regret creating the perfect drinks area in your kitchen. 

Our design studios are welcoming virtual design consultations via video call, so you are able to experience our unrivalled design service and immersive studio experience from the comfort of your own home. Any samples related to your project will be delivered to you at home, and your designer will always be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

To arrange an appointment, please call us on our usual numbers (Sevenoaks - 01732 605 001/Chelmsford - 01245 352 557) or email [email protected].