The 20th edition of EuroCucina, the prestigious international kitchen exhibition held in April at the Rho Mila Fairgrounds in Milan, Italy attracted a sell-out crowd and also set new benchmarks in kitchen design.
EuroCucina 2014 featured 128 exhibitors who paraded classic and designer kitchens constructed from brick, timber and laminated plastic catering for every palate over 24,800 square metres.
Describing EuroCucina 2014 as ‘sensory compelling’ Lincoln Sentry National Manager – Cabinet Hardware, Kevin Bruce said there was an expectation and anticipation of what was behind every door and drawer with the array of textures inviting spectators to interact with displays.
The technology-rich displays at EuroCucina 2014 emphasised the evolution of kitchens into environments, which are now extending beyond the cooking of meals into social and entertaining havens. Homeowners expect their kitchens to be functional as well as warm and welcoming, generating a growing interest in natural materials and innovative design.
In addition to organic, natural textures juxtaposing industrial stainless steel surfaces, geometric handles and shark noses, a dominant element was lighting being featured inside drawers and glass design elements in the drawer as vertical or horizontal highlights. Motion sensors, warm and neutral lighting, and strip lighting with diffusers creating soft glows were some of the standout elements of modern kitchen design.
Lincoln Sentry, a leading specialist hardware distributor supports the building, renovation, furniture-making and shop fitting markets, supplying leading brands such as Blum, Vauth-Sagel, Hera, Lamello, Assa Abloy, Breezway and many more.
Lincoln Sentry listed out the Top 10 kitchen trends based on the exhibits at EuroCucina 2014.
Lincoln Sentry’s Top Ten Trends:
1. Lighting is a popular trend with the use of task lighting, ambient lighting and mood lighting inside and outside cabinets, even under glass design elements highlighting drawer profiles.
2. Flush and non-intrusive handles are trending – handles recessed into drawer fronts produce a pop of colour creating a new design feature.
3. Wider drawers manufactured from timber with customised internal organisation.
4. Inner drawers maximise usable storage space.
5. Shark nose detailing continues streamlined, handle-less façades.
6. Cabinetry displayed in neutral colours and wood grains.
7. Thin benchtops overlayed by thick benchtops creating layers and becoming a standout design feature.
8. Aluminium benchtop rails and handle rails used as colour accents.
9. Matt surfaces in stainless steel, glass, laminate and faux stone.
10. Open shelving utilised as practical room dividers.
