From alfresco layouts to kitchen cabinets in Perth and everything in between and everything in between, just about every aspect of home design has changed significantly over the years
Why Are Design Trends Evolving?
As technology continues to play an ever greater role in our day to day lives, manufacturers and consumers alike are exploring new ways to incorporate these innovations into our homes.
Of course, it’s not technological progress alone that’s responsible for evolving design trends. The modern Australian home has become a reflection of our contemporary lifestyles, and nowhere is this trend more apparent than in our kitchens.
Here at eco cabinets, we pride ourselves on our forward-thinking approach to designing and creating environmentally friendly custom kitchens and bathrooms in Perth. While we always keep one eye on the future, we also realise that history has a lot of important design lessons to teach us. What’s changed in the cabinetry industry? How are modern appliances shaping the kitchens of today? And what does the modern consumer really want from their home? In this article, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to answer these questions and more.
The Role of the Kitchen is Changing
It’s difficult to imagine, but kitchens haven’t always been the thriving hub of the home they are today. In the mid-1950s, most kitchens were little more than sparse utilitarian spaces where you prepared food, cooked and washed up. While the modern kitchen still fulfils these basic functions, there’s no denying that kitchens today play a much larger role in our homes.
Why the change? Well, although there are many factors at play, one of the most important is our change in lifestyle. In years gone, dining was more of a formal affair, with families assembling to share a meal at the dinner table. Of course, this still happens in many households, but the fast-paced nature of modern society means that a proper, sit down meal isn’t always possible, so the kitchen has naturally evolved to become more multifunctional. Yes, it’s still primarily a cooking space, but it’s also a place to socialise, to snack and to entertain. The kitchen is the heart of the home, now more than ever, and is critical for bringing family and friends together.
Perth Kitchen Cabinetry is Getting More Efficient
Good cabinetry has been a staple in kitchens here in Perth and around the world for decades, and that’s probably not going to change anytime soon. What is changing, however, is the design of these cabinets, both in terms of the manufacturing process as well as the end product.
Efficiency is the name of the game when it comes to cabinetry in 2017. We’re seeing a notable trend toward people wanting cabinets that offer clever storage, particularly in apartments and smaller homes where space is at a premium and every inch counts. This has encouraged cabinet makers to really tap into their inner creativity and has led to the widespread adoption of storage solutions on runners that are more like drawers than conventional cabinets.
It’s not just the efficiency of the design that has improved. As society in general becomes more environmentally conscious, we’re seeing a shift toward eco-friendly manufacturing processes that aim to reduce the ecological burden. As our name suggests, this is a core focus here at Ecocabinets and we always strive to operate in a manner that’s ethically and socially responsible. Whether you want to use zero-emission boards or recycled timbers, we’re passionate about doing everything we can to reduce our ecological footprint.
More Design Options
Taste is always subjective, and consumers want to ensure their cabinets complement the existing stylings of their homes. Contemporary cabinetry is typically sleek, minimalist, with strong geometric lines and comes in an array of colours to suit the broader aesthetic of the house. At the other end of the spectrum, traditional wooden cabinetry remains a popular choice for anyone who wants to achieve more of an organic, classical look.
Part of the reason why more cabinetry design options are now available is the fact that there’s now a much greater selection of finishes. In years gone by, customers were limited to a handful of finishes, but now have access to a huge range of colours, stains and textures. Highlighting and glazing remain popular choices, while those embracing a more organic aesthetic tend toward hues inspired by nature: stone, wood, shells and so on.
Regardless of what type of cabinetry you have in mind, Ecocabinets can help you bring your concepts to life. Whether it’s custom cabinetry or an entire kitchen build, our specialist team have the experience to design and build your project within budget and to a deadline.
Appliances are Influencing our Design Choices
As technology continues to advance in leaps and bounds, home appliances are steadily becoming more energy efficient, which is enabling modern households to save big on their power bills. According to the Australian government’s Your Home initiative, appliances account for around 33 percent of the average household’s energy use, so it should come as little surprise to learn that switching to more energy efficient models can drastically reduce power consumption.
The appliance revolution shows little sign of slowing. In fact, the Internet of Things (an interconnected network of internet-enabled devices and appliances) means that homes are going to become smarter, help automate more tasks and become more efficient in the years to come. Think smart light bulbs that can be controlled from your smartphone, refrigerators that automatically order more groceries from the supermarket when you start running low on certain goods and juicers that track the nutrients you’re consuming.
Kitchen design has changed in a number of different ways, but one thing that will always be valued is quality craftsmanship. If you’re considering building a new kitchen or designing some cabinetry, we’d love to hear from. With a focus on beautiful design and sustainable environmental practices, eco cabinets is your number one choice of custom kitchen cabinetry in Perth. Give us a call today to discuss your options.