Show News

Our kitchens expert Amanda Hughes on why creating a kitchen that lasts needs a carefully balanced budget.

Everyone is talking about the kitchen of the future, but let’s not lose sight that this doesn’t always means smart appliances or new technologies. It’s also about designing kitchens that will still work for the customer in 10, 15 or 20 years’ time.

And that raises a difficult question for our industry: are we really designing for longevity, or just for the budget in front of us?

Budget is always a big focus for any new home renovation project and rightly so, it needs careful management and the choices we make can impact the budget in significant ways.

Customers often say they want a kitchen to last, but at the same time they are under pressure to control cost, which in turn leads to compromises, lower spec fittings, less ergonomic layouts, limited storage capacity and cheaper material choices

In the short term the project works, but in the long term the kitchen may not adapt to the changing needs of the occupant and frustration sets in.

Future proofing isn’t always about spending more, but it does mean making better decisions at the start.

We assume the decision-making flow for customers is:
Aesthetics. A big focus is on looks.
Cost. How much are they are prepared to spend to achieve the desired outcome?
Quality. They shop around to maximise their budget.
Future proofing & functionality needs. Included only if my budget allows.

What if we looked at this differently, framed it in a new way? Started the conversation with what this space needed to achieve in the next 20 years. Human centric first and foremost. It must last through the children growing up, working from home, ageing, accessibility needs, be sustainable and ethical.

If we only design for how the customer lives today, we create problems for tomorrow.

This is where installers, designers and suppliers can add real value and differentiate themselves in a competitive market. By thinking ahead there’s a win for everyone in the supply chain. Including the planet. You are already standing out and creating trust by approaching the project from new angles.

It can feel easier to sell to the price the customer expects, rather than the specification they need, futureproofing often means having a more honest conversation about:

• durability
• adjustability
• ergonomics and functionality
• serviceability
• upgrade potential

If those conversations happen early, the result is usually a better project and a happier customer long after the shine has worn off. When the whole supply chain is focused on longevity, not just delivery, the result is a kitchen that performs for years, not just until the warranty ends.

The kitchen of 2050 may look different, but the principles will be the same: good ergonomic design, good materials, long term thinking and honest conversations at the start.