Designing a new kitchen is an exciting time for homeowners, with considerations from the initial functionality and layout of the living space to the style and finishing touches. Handles are one of those finishing touches that can really cement a look, adding personality and function to the kitchen. However, handle-less kitchen design continues to grow in popularity the UK market – a trend heavily influenced by European markets.

Handles

Handles are one of the most versatile finishing touches for a kitchen, providing functionality for everyday access to storage areas, as well as highlighting design features. Whatever the kitchen style, careful handle choice can really inject personality to a design and drastically change the look from something traditional to something more modern.  Any kitchen needs to be built to stand the test of time, and this can sometimes be tricky with cabinets and storage areas that are used frequently throughout the day. Handles offer durability, as well as quick and easy access to cabinet contents.

Handles are a great way to define a space, providing a physical indication of different living areas or highlighting specific design elements – ideal for the increasingly popular open / broken plan living trends.

The kitchen should be designed to suit the lifestyle of the homeowner today and in the future, but just as needs evolve during the lifetime of a kitchen, so do trends. Handles offer a cost-effective and easy way for homeowners to update their kitchen as preferences and trends change.

Handleless

Handleless kitchens have been dominating design for luxury kitchens in Europe for some time, and the trend is now growing in prominence within British kitchen design. With a clean, seamless aesthetic, it’s easy to see why this style is winning over designers and homeowners alike. So, could this style be for you?

Uninterrupted, clean lines are rapidly becoming the hallmark of contemporary kitchen design, with appliances, utensils, crockery and food increasingly being kept behind closed doors. After all, if homeowners are investing in surfaces such as splashbacks and worktops that are design features in themselves, why hide them? The handle-less trend builds on this, creating a completely streamlined style.

Modern kitchen design demands fluidity between living spaces with kitchens increasingly being used for socialising, working or entertaining in, in addition to preparing and cooking food. Handle-less design helps create a smooth transition between zones for multifunctional use.

As households increasingly continue to accommodate multigenerational living, it is imperative to consider design that will be safe for all ages.