A look back at the kitchen ideas and trends discussed in our 2022 article.
Design and quality in everyday details
The things we use every day can be practical and beautiful. In our 2022 look at kitchen design, we explored a growing interest in quality materials and interiors that express the owner's personality.
Alongside worktops and taps, solid brass handles can help define a kitchen's character. Handles are not just something to pull: they are a design detail. The article highlighted fitted kitchen brands such as Smedstorp as examples of using handles to complement the overall design.
At Copenhagen Home Design, we saw customers looking for handles with the right combination of feel, material and appearance. Solid brass and stainless steel offer a substantial alternative to choosing a handle purely for its shape. A product's finish, use and care also influence how it ages.
Repeating a material across cabinet handles, door handles and lighting can create a sense of continuity throughout the home. Texture can provide the same connection: for example, knurled kitchen handles alongside a textured tap and Patrone lighting by Thorup Copenhagen.
Kitchen trends in 2022
Our 2022 article described a move beyond the white, handleless kitchen towards bolder combinations. Bright colours and soft pastels, mixed materials and contrasting textures offered new ways to make a kitchen feel personal. Even where cabinets and worktops shared a material, handles could interrupt the uniform surface and add a distinct detail.
Another theme was the appeal of natural materials: warm timber kitchens, natural stone worktops such as those mentioned from Borderstone, and expressive brass handles. The shape and finish of a handle can change the atmosphere of a kitchen. Lighting matters too; see our guide to choosing a light source.
Copenhagen Home Design offers handles across different styles, materials and price ranges. The article singled out warm tones and brass and browned brass as popular choices at the time. Unlacquered brass can develop a patina, while coated finishes require different care. Brass tones can add warmth and contrast to an interior.
We also highlighted the distinctive Diamond Cut texture as a way to bring more detail to a handle.
Make more of the kitchen you already have
The article also explored an alternative to replacing a kitchen that still works well: updating it. Painting suitable cabinet fronts or changing the handles can give an older kitchen a new expression while keeping the existing units.
Whether you prefer a romantic, minimalist or practical look, a carefully chosen handle can help make the result your own. It is an approach worth considering before deciding to replace the whole kitchen; the work and cost depend on its condition and the changes you choose.
For another practical part of kitchen planning, read our guide to waste sorting.
