2023 Kitchen Design Trends with Oliver Deadman, Head of Design at Clive Christian Furniture

As the end of 2022 fast approaches and we prepare for the festive finale of the year, we start looking towards the prosperous new year ahead. In the excitement that comes with looking forward, we caught up with our Head of Design, Oliver Deadman to discover his predictions for the kitchen trends we’ll see emerging in 2023. Keep reading to find out more.

Materiality and Textual finishes

Materiality and the beauty of organic textures are two areas of design that we are looking to explore and evolve further as we move into 2023. As seen at art and design fairs during autumn 2022 we are seeing a greater correlation between raw materiality - timber, granite, marble - and the ultra-luxe market. From coffee tables carved from one lump of marble to delicately blackened oak light fittings, there is a beauty in allowing natural materials to take centre stage. Most recently, for one of our speciality finishes for our new classical kitchen, OPUS, we have used polished plaster to create a highly durable surface with a clean and modern look.

Within the kitchen arena, we predict a greater focus and exploration of unique stones and textures which can be applied to worktops and backsplashes. We are especially interested in working with Green Trinity Stone, which is composed of three minerals: Fuchsite Mica, Blue Kyanite and Almandine Garnet. The almost iridescent finish to this stone makes it a wonderful material to work with for kitchen worktops. Each piece is unique and casts a different aesthetic depending on its surroundings. 

Glass is another material which we see taking a more central position within kitchen surfaces for 2023. Whether blown to include whimsical bubbles and a sense of organic movement, or layered with shimmering painterly techniques to create an eglomise finish, glass will be seen as an integral and artistic development within the kitchen domain; it is a location where artistic expression can be displayed, whilst functioning for everyday use.  

Kitchen islands as living pieces of functional art

The island still stands as an integral aspect to the home kitchen however, we see there will be a shift in the way they are designed, promoting an overall more artistic and artisanal kitchen aesthetic. We predict we will see a stripping away of the more traditional elements of framework, to achieve endless and boundless designs. We are already working on orders for kitchen islands that go against the norm; amorphic styles that act as functional pieces of art. This adds to the beautifully-balanced and never-ending relationship between craft, materiality and design. 

An example of the kitchen island working as a living piece of functional art is a structure our workshop is currently developing that is crafted from curved timber. This unique island deploys curved end panels meaning the patination of the timber used (and the stylised stone counter top) is never ending.  

Keeping up with the [Food] Jones’

As food trends evolve, so must the integration of appliances within the kitchen. From sous vide cooking techniques to steam ovens, professional quality appliances are now a part of everyday kitchen life. With this, the aesthetics of the kitchen are still a number one priority and so kitchen designs must adapt to integrating large - and often less aesthetically pleasing - appliances within the kitchen cupboards, islands and carcass. Moving into 2023 we predict there will be a greater focus on subtly concealing your cumbersome appliances so that the kitchen retains a sense of calm and tidiness whilst supporting you in your food and cookery exploration. You no longer need a chef kitchen to produce chef-quality cuisine. 

Take a Seat - Evolving Kitchen Seating

Pull up a seat, the evolution of kitchen seating is taking centre stage during 2023. From banquette seating that’s perfect for family dining or relaxed kitchen breakfasts to statement bar stools that offer guests prime position when watching the chef at play, a greater focus on kitchen seating will headline in 2023. Whilst the dining room is still relevant today, the kitchen now offers a more relaxed and informal atmosphere for dinner parties and beyond and with that, the choice and design of kitchen seating has evolved. Gone are the days of the traditional kitchen chair, now there is the option to indulge in upholstered benches, sleek leather counter stools and cosy carver chairs. 

Security, But Make it Stylish

Security within the home has long been a priority for every homeowner, and now, moving into 2023 we see the kitchen becoming the hub for wider home security. Now that the kitchen is firmly cemented as the heart of the home, with most families or couples spending the majority of their time in their multi-functional kitchens, we believe wider security systems will be centred in this room.

Clive Christian Furniture has worked with locksmiths Chubb, who devised the Chubb Safety Drawer, a discreet safe mechanism that uses fingertip recognition or the remote use of your smartphone. Each safety drawer is integrated within a kitchen cupboard or carcass - from a discreet concealment within the pantry to the silent integration within your wine store. Signal blockers have been incorporated so car keys can safely be stored away without the concern that thieves will boost them. Using fingertip recognition anything from professional grade knives (that are better off hidden away from children) to jewellery and private documents can be accessed only by you meaning it is the ultimate solution to modern-day security. 

Statement Lighting & Poignant Pendants 

Lighting in the home is often under-considered or an afterthought in the overall design, but Clive Christian Furniture are continuously encouraging their clients to think about not only the practicality of choosing the right lighting but also the beauty and mood it can easily create, especially in the kitchen.

While every aspect of lighting is important, our favourite to consider is most definitely the lighting which sits above the kitchen island - it provides the best opportunity to add further personality and of course statement to the room. While drop pendant lighting is a very popular choice and looks rather striking when set as a trio, coming into 2023 we are set to see sharper looks come into play - inspired by architectural design, art and the essence of playfulness that contrasts against traditional kitchen lighting.