Kitchen Islands Out, Prep Tables In: The New British Kitchen Design Trends
It's official: kitchen islands are out. The humble table-turned-prep-station is in. Versatile and space efficient, it effortlessly shifts from cooking surface to party-ready tablescape with just a few linens and taper candles, all without crowding your kitchen.
The Rise of the Prep Table
'A table is a great addition to a fitted kitchen,' says Helen Parker, creative director of British kitchen maker DeVol, which offers kitchen tables featuring shelving or drawers and a hardwearing work surface on top. 'Having everything match in a room isn't so imaginative, but add a lovely scrubbed-pine kitchen table and painted chairs, and suddenly the kitchen is a place you want to spend time in.'
For compact spaces, try an extendable Alston oak dining table (£520, habitat.co.uk). Rather than the usual kitchen island, this Bath basement kitchen, designed by DeVol, features a traditional-style Dairy table with low, open shelves and a hardwearing countertop to prep food. A similar Dairy table is £9,710 at devolkitchens.co.uk.
Statement Fridges Flex Their Design Muscle
It has long graduated from a humble kitchen appliance, but now the fridge is a statement piece in its own right. Think bold colours, smart storage solutions and design details that rival the rest of the kitchen.
'I want a fridge that is big enough for me to live in, and also tells me when food is about to expire,' says chef and food writer Anna Barnett. And she's far from alone. Interior designer Matilda Goad recently revealed her new standalone fridge-cum-cabinet on Instagram. Designed by Goad and her husband, Tom Corbett-Winder, it is a masterclass in stealth storage, with concealed shelves for glassware and platters, plus a playful integrated cocktail station lined with marble.
This bespoke fridge, designed by MG & Co founder Matilda Goad and her husband Tom Corbett-Winder of Blockhouse Build, has sent the internet into a frenzy.
Sub-Zero and Wolf sell flex-worthy fridges with integrated wine columns, smart tech (the temperature can be adjusted remotely) and air purifiers to keep food fresher for longer. Swanky, yes, but expect to pay £4,000 upwards for the privilege.
For a colourful, eye-catching option, try Smeg's iconic retro Americana-inspired designs, at £1,899 for a two metre-tall version with ice box. For those on a smaller budget, the sleek entry-level Samsung fridge freezer in silver (£999, johnlewis.com) delivers style without (quite as much) splurge. Or try the steel Hisense No Frost Fridge Freezer (£799, ao.com), which features integrated tech that lowers the temperature in the fridge for new food, and continues to adjust throughout the week to keep food fresher for longer.
Stainless Steel Surfaces Become Chef-Worthy
In this Milanese kitchen by Abimis, mixing stainless steel with warm colour palettes and metals such as brass stops the aesthetic from veering into cold and clinical.
Durable, heat resistant and hygienic, stainless steel has long been the signature of the pro's kitchen, armouring cabinetry and countertops against spills, stains and daily wear. Now, thanks largely to the ongoing popularity of streaming shows such as The Bear and Boiling Point, the material has gone from clinical to covetable.
For a high-end look at a more accessible price point, try The Used Kitchen Company or Rehome, which offer a wide range of stylish ex-display kitchens at a fraction of the original cost. The Insta-friendly pocket pantry of interiors influencer Sophia Ferrari-Wills maximises vertical space and features open shelving to make the room feel larger.
If you're in the market for a new model, the Jean Nouvel-designed Reflect fitted kitchen, which features brushed-metal cabinets paired with a stainless-steel countertop, delivers the look without dominating the space (from £10,000 for a small fitted kitchen at reformcph.com). Alternatively, for a touch-up rather than an overhaul, B&Q (diy.com) sells stainless steel countertops for £245 (204cm). Finish with a magnetic stainless-steel knife board for a final chef-approved flourish (£13.99, wayfair.co.uk). Meal times get an upgrade with Provençal black steel and black resin cutlery with brass details. From £16.50 a piece at davidmellordesign.com.
Four Quick Fixes for Creating Your Own Cult Kitchen
Upgrade your kitchen on a budget with these expert tips:
- Upgrade Ikea carcasses: Specialist companies such as Plykea, Superfront and Holte make custom fronts to upgrade inexpensive Ikea carcasses. Holte offers wood veneer and laminate door fronts and worktops to fit the units. Prices start from £3,000 for a full fitted kitchen.
- Swap handles for an easy refresh: Hunt through Ebay for vintage finds, such as antique brass knobs and handles, which often cost far less than modern versions, or turn to Etsy for more characterful designs.
- Consider vinyl wraps: These instantly revive dated worktops. Choose from marble, concrete and wood-effect finishes from £16 per metre at layed.com.
- Get painting to distract from tired cabinetry: Chalk paint works on most surfaces. Find a selection of shades for £27 for 1 litre at anniesloan.co.uk.
Embrace the Urban Pantry
Once the preserve of grand country houses, the pantry has officially gone urban – and Instagram is obsessed. 'The pantry is my haven,' says interiors influencer Sophia-Ferrari Wills (@thiscolourfulnest), whose soft yellow pantry was designed by Sheraton Interiors. 'The uniformed biscuit and cereal jars give my inner neat freak a hug,' she adds. 'And it has been supremely popular on social media.'
'We've seen an increase in demand for pantry spaces over the past few years,' says Shehryar Khan, founder and creative director at Sheraton Interiors. 'It has become less luxury add-on and more must-have for modern living.'
For those working with a modest space, like Ferrari-Wills, Khan advises using the full height of the room, keeping layouts streamlined and opting for open shelving to avoid heaviness. Pantries start from £15,000 at sheratoninteriors.co.uk.
Elevate Your Kitchen Essentials
You don't want to spend time upgrading your kitchen, only to be let down by a limescale-covered kettle or drawers full of tarnished cutlery. The Bernadotte kettle (£210, georgjensen.com) combines sculptural elegance with just enough art deco polish to earn permanent worktop status.
For place settings that will make your guests subtly reassess their own, look to David Mellor. The British design house offers hand-finished cutlery in stainless steel, silver plate and sterling silver. From £8 for a stainless-steel Café teaspoon. Worth it.
