At the time of writing, 2023 is exactly two weeks away. It’s the perfect time, then, to start thinking about renovation projects for the twelve months ahead of us, especially as things wind down for the year.
Being in the tile industry, we’re constantly immersed in the world of interiors, from colours and materials to styles and settings. And from Salone del Mobile to Grand Designs Live, we visit all the main kitchen trade fairs and catch up with the everyone from trusted journalists to interior designers. So here’s our take on what lies ahead for the heart of the home next year. Even if you’re not thinking of re-doing your entire space, you’ll hopefully find some inspiration for your next project.
Metallic Brassware
Metallic kitchen taps are set to be a huge trend for 2023, and for good reason. Not only do they add a designer twist and luxurious feel to any minimalist kitchen, they allow you to make something as humble as a tap the centrepiece of your room. And the best thing is - you don't need to go over the top and redo your entire kitchen for a whole new look. A glamorous gold or brushed bronze mixer can really make all the difference.
A New Type Of Living Space
For a while now, kitchens have been thought of as a living space and not just a place to whip up dinner in. But over the next year, we’ll see this trend shift direction slightly. The kitchen becomes more homely - so glossy and pristine is out; messy and real is in. Think pans and tableware stored on open shelves, reading a book in a cosy corner or digesting the day over an evening brew. It’s a living space, designed for living in - and all the better for it! Achieve a similar look at home using our wood effect and patterned tiles.
Statement Lighting
Often overlooked, lighting has the power to make a break a kitchen scheme. So while spotlights always have a place - especially when it comes to flooding a room with light - why not have fun and make a statement with your kitchen lights?
If your existing kitchen needs a little lift, a spectacular pendant will work wonders; an unusual, over-sized light over an island or table will always catch the eye. Alternatively, there’s a swathe of modern linear LED pendants which will add designer style to an ordinary worktop. Either way, the trend is to go bold and create a kitchen that looks just as good on Instagram as it does in real life.
Eat Your Minty Greens 
In the last couple of years, darker green tiles such as Opal Emerald have been incredibly popular. However, we’re now noticing a subtle shift towards lighter tones. So why not stay ahead of the design curve and invest in some mint green tiles for 2023? While they’re not as rich or bold as their darker counterparts, they certainly offer a brighter and more relaxing style - helping to make your home a comforting space. Certainly something to think about, given the rather gloomy economic and social climate.
And as they’re so pale, they can be used almost like a neutral colour. So in other words, mint green tiles can be used all-over, without overpowering your kitchen. They also combine extremely well with oak furniture, helping you style a space that feels zingy and fresh, yet natural and timeless.
XXL Handles
Sure, handles might not be the first thing that spring to mind when you think of kitchen trends. However, after a decade of handleless kitchens hogging the high-end look, we think it’s time for oversized handles to jump into the limelight.
And we’re not the only ones - Vipp, the distinguished Danish maker of high-end kitchens, feature elongated handles on their cabinets, as shown in this stunning red design above. These longer handles don’t just catch the eye, they’re really easy to grasp; the perfect marriage of form and function. So if you’re looking for a way to bring your kitchen into 2023 without splashing out, why not look at replacing your cabinet handles?
Oversized Islands
As a nation, we’ve always loved our kitchen islands but with more of us investing in home extensions and creating larger kitchens, it makes sense to maximise the size of these. And just like cabinet handles, kitchen islands will follow the ‘bigger is better’ mantra as we head into 2023.
But that extra length of worktop shouldn’t just be intended for cooking, preparation and the like. Instead, think of it more as additional living space. So why not add a few high stools and create a continental-style bar where you can enjoy your morning coffee or Sunday papers? And with more of us working from home, a longer island is the perfect place to work from - especially if you don’t have the luxury of a home office. We recommend keeping the end of your island open; it’s more natural to sit at for longer periods of time and helps to make the room feel more spacious.
Spa-Like Spaces
As we navigate through uncertain times, it’s more important than ever that our homes become a soothing sanctuary. And aside from the bathroom, the kitchen is the obvious place to create a relaxing, spa-like vibe next year.
Creating an atmosphere that’s calm yet sophisticated doesn’t need to be difficult - with just a few simple steps, you can easily create an oasis of tranquility. If you’re completely renovating your kitchen, look to natural materials; wood for your cabinets and stone or granite for your worktops. Choose soothing colours where you can; clinical whites are out, calming maples and ash are in. Organic materials such as wicker and terracotta are also an obvious choice, especially if you’re looking for a quick update rather than a full kitchen re-furb.
If you have the space, a wicker chair in the corner will quickly become the go-to spot for a little R&R - not to mention day-dreaming!
The Dark Side
2023 will be the year of sophistication and drama in the kitchen - and how better to nail this trend by layering black on black? We have our friends at luxury Danish brand Vipp to thank for popularising this trend and showing us just how striking an all-black kitchen can be.
And while moving away from glossy white kitchens might feel like a step into the unknown, it’s best to embrace the darkness. Whether it's sleek matt black cabinets, charcoal-coloured flooring or tiles inspired by the midnight sky, you’re sure to create a monochrome look that’s as chic and dramatic as it is edgy and unexpected. Metallic accessories and brassware will really pop against black, so they can be used to add a contrasting layer of luxe. Alternatively, you can tone things down a touch with contrasting white worktops or low-level lighting.
Not-So-Smooth
While we’ll always have a soft spot for white metro tiles, it’s fair to say that tile design has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years. Where flat and matt was once the norm, there’s now plenty of choice when it comes to tile surfaces these days. And in tandem, we’re noticing a subtle shift away from clean and contemporary splashbacks, in favour of kitchen wall tiles with detailed texture and glazes etched in geometric patterns.
Using these kind of tiles will help you add a new dimension to your kitchen - and they’re a great way to give your space a fresh new look, without changing your entire kitchen. So if you're ready to break away from the ordinary and make your kitchen feel one of a kind, why not give it a go?
Free The Fridge
We like to think of fridges as the unsung heroes of the kitchen - they’re usually hidden away, content to let ranges and ovens take centre-stage. But no more; 2023 is the year of the freestanding fridge and we couldn’t be more excited! Marking a shift away from all-in-one cabinets to something a little more retro, stand-alone fridges are sure to make a unique design statement in any home, whether you opt for a vintage Smeg or a contemporary American fridge-freezer.
So if you're looking to update your kitchen next year, why not consider a freestanding fridge? It just might be that standout design feature you've been looking for.
Marble, Marble, Everywhere
We’ll admit it - white marble tiles have been a huge trend in kitchens for the last few years. And with good reason; Carrara and Calacatta tiles have timeless design written all over them, so they make a great choice whatever your interior style.
But thanks to recent advances in tile production, porcelain tiles are becoming larger and more realistic than ever before, with some porcelain slabs measuring over 3 metres long! And the latest designer kitchens are completely clad in these slabs, offering a seamless look with very few grout joints to disrupt the visual flow. We’re expecting to see many more of these kitchens as we head into 2023 - they’ll give your home that million-dollar designer look, for a fraction of the cost and without any of the hassle associated with natural stone.
Mermaid Magic
Kitchen design is moving away from the modern and minimal, into spaces that are more relaxed and personal. A great way to reimagine your kitchen - especially if you’re on a budget - is to update your splashback with interesting tiles. And interesting doesn’t always mean colour or pattern; the shape of the tiles can play a huge part in how your kitchen looks and feels.
So remove the rectangles, don’t be a square and hop past the hexagons - fish scale tiles are the way to go! Their beautiful curvaceous shape will instantly upgrade your kitchen, adding a healthy dose of personality and style. They can be styled with almost any existing cabinet design, from the clean-lines of German units to the bespoke charm of handmade Shaker furniture.