LivingKitchen, held in parallel to IMM Cologne every other year, is one of the leading international kitchen events – displaying the latest in kitchen design trends over the course of seven days in January. This year saw more than 150,000 visitors and over 200 well-known national and international suppliers from 21 countries presenting their latest ideas and innovations.

1. LivingKitchen 2017
Trend Report

2. Introduction
Trend Insights:
- Matt surfaces
- The new monochrome
- Natural elements
- Aqua and blue shades
- Material Mix
- Contrasting surfaces
- Framework detail
- Metallic
- Painted timber effect
- UK Focus
Over 200 well-known national and
international suppliers from 21
countries presented at LivingKitchen
2017, displaying the latest ideas and
innovations. More than 150,000
visitors came to experience all trends
related to the kitchen.
The 2017 edition took place from
16 to 22 January. With a diverse mix
of international visitors attending the
show.
Here, EGGER UK’s head of décor
development Elliott Fairlie talks about
some of the trends that caught his eye.
As you read, click the links for
samples and more information.
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T

3. L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
More than 150,000
visitors with 200
well-known national
and international
suppliers from 21
countries.
The trends on display
were focused on the
latest ideas and
innovations.
LivingKitchen, held in parallel to IMM Cologne every other
year, is one of the leading international kitchen events –
displaying the latest in kitchen design trends over the course of
seven days in January.
This year, over 200 well-known national and international
suppliers from 21 countries presented their latest ideas and
innovations.
For the first time, more than 150,000 visitors came to
experience all trends related to the kitchen. With one in two
customers now visiting from outside Germany, this show’s
international focus and overall importance in the calendar when
it comes to the latest trends and innovations is indisputable.

4. Matt Surfaces
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
"The emergence of
matt now taking
centre stage."
In recent years, we have started to see a shift away from
gloss in furniture design, after many years of
dominance, with the emergence of matt now taking
centre stage.
This year’s show was very similar in the fact that there
were many matt surfaces on display, such as EGGER’s
PerfectSense Matt, particularly in dark colours, with
Nobillia Nobillia
Pronorm
black slab doors and work surfaces being used in
combination with distressed, oxidised metals, such as
F302 ST87 Ferro Bronze as shown by Nobillia, or dark,
expressive timbers similar to the new U999 ST38 Black,
which Leicht and Pronorm used to great effect.
Due to a matt surface’s muted appearance, especially in
combination with dark solid colours, it allows for
combinations with a mixture of styles, expressive and
distressed finishes or contrasting textures and designs.

5. The New Monochrome
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
We have seen the emergence of monochrome design of late and this was also present at last
year’s EuroCucina. However, more recently, we have seen a combination of light and dark greys
creating contrast whilst offering a more subtle, less stark alternative. This was seen with Leicht,
who combined contrasting grey shades to create this new monochrome design. This could be
replicated using tones such as EGGER’s new U775 ST9 White Grey
Nobillia
Leicht
in combination with the
With texture now being so important, and seen as an evolution of the white trend, light timbers
are a more modern alternative on this well-established trend – adding colour variation in order to
promote combinations and character. Due to their tactile feel, they are ideal in combinations with
cool greys from light to dark – adding a new twist to monochrome design. As seen by Nobillia
who displayed EGGER’s H1176 ST37 White Halifax Oak with a combination of grey tones such
as the new U960 ST9 Onyx Grey.
decor U899 ST9 Cosmos Grey for a complementary modern look.

6. Natural Elements
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
Over recent years, we have seen the
introduction of natural elements in a whole host
of finishes. However, granites, stones and
marbles which, other than for worktops, have
been quite niche when it comes to furniture
design in the UK are now proving popular.
Used as doors and worksurfaces, in combination
with dark woodgrains such as Next 125 by
Schüller or Warendorf, they add texture and
contrast. And, due to their grey tones, they work
well in combination with popular woodgrains and
solid colours in grey shades, such as the new
F651 ST16 Grey Claystone, for a plaster finish
Nobillia
Warendarf
Marble designs are also becoming very
expressive, making them ideal for accents
such as EGGER’s F094 ST15 Black
Copper Cippollino Marble, which Nobillia
used as accent worksurfaces and feature
wall panels in combination with white.
Next 125
in combination with the elegant and highly
natural, H3710 ST9 Natural Carini Walnut.

7. Aqua and Blue Shades
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
Often in the past, in exhibitions in Europe,
we have come back talking about vibrant
primary colours, used as accents in furniture
design. However, we have seen that these
rarely lend themselves to the UK market
other than in the form of paint colours and
accessories.
But during recent European exhibitions, we
have seen aqua and blue shades gaining
prominence. This colour area is a lot more
subtle, whilst also working well in
combination with many of the current
popular designs and styles.
Nobilla
Leicht
Brigitte
Designs from Nobillia and Brigitte
demonstrated this to great effect, with Nobillia
opting for EGGER’s U636 ST9 Fjord Green in
combination with H1176 ST37 White Halifax
Oak, whilst Brigitte used a deep blue with grey
tones, where EGGER’s U599 ST9 Indigo
Blue could be used, in combination with
H3325 ST28 Tobacco Gladstone Oak adding
a subtle yet luxurious feel, and a particular
favourite.

8. Material Mix
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
Mix and match is a term that we have been talking about for
several years. Now, however, this has evolved and can be
found in various forms.
Material mix is gaining prominence in this area as designs try to
become more individual whilst integrating contrasting styles,
colours, textures and materials.
This has seen woodgrains, metals, stones and solid colours
from a similar colour palette being integrated together to create
unique and interesting designs.
Whilst this can be challenging, bringing all these various
elements together such as in designs from Varenna Poliform,
Alno and Elio demonstrates how this can work well – combining
materials to create modern and unique designs.
Varenna Poliform
ElioAlno

9. Contrasting Surfaces
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
Another area of mix and match can be found in the form of contrasting surfaces.
This sees the combination of work surfaces in various thicknesses, styles and materials coming
together to create texture and interest.
Varenna Poliform
Allmilmö
Pronorm
With increased use in kitchen design, due to
the popularity of the island unit, we are seeing
the integration of mixed uses with breakfast
bar areas, food preparation and social spaces
encouraging these design features.
Designs from Verenna by Poliform, Allmilmö
and Pronorm all demonstrated these design
elements to great effect, with a mixture of
colour, materials and surface texture.
Verenna by Poliform’s mixture of sleek metal
and rich wood surfaces was a prime example
of this.

10. Framework Detail
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
Open-shelving and framework detailing has come to the fore recently, as personalised design
and the need for choice gains momentum.
These design elements break up the uniformity of often large banks of doors and drawers, whilst
also creating interest and a touch of individuality due to the numerous ways that this can be
implemented.
Also, the way in which the shelving is now on display allows for personalised items to be shown.
Highlighted at the Scavolini Stand

11. Continued...
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
This also creates more focus on the types of materials and
designs used on previously internal elements, with more
emphasis and attention now being taken to show texture,
interest and value.
This could be seen from Scavolini’s collaboration with
Diesel, with the use of black framework, open shelving and
bevelled glass. Meanwhile, Sachsen Küchen used a mixture
of doors and shelving in varying depths in a textured
woodgrain to create interest and value.
Pronorm
Sachsen Küchen
Sachsen Küchen

12. Metallic
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
Metallic finishes are also a design feature that we have seen gaining prominence over recent
years within furniture, and has now transcended into other areas of design. As a result, this has
seen them become more accepted and now used in a variety of forms.
Brushed coppers, similar to the new F570 ST2 Copper Metallic, oxidised and distressed metals,
Scavolini
Lechner
Beckermann
Alno
and even gold’s such as F571 ST2 Gold Metallic, could be seen at the show, adding interest and
tactility to the overall design.
Lechner opted for an interesting use of a laminate worktop in EGGER’s F547 ST9 Metal Blocks
design.
Alno demonstrated this to great effect with the use of EGGER’s F302 ST87 Ferro Bronze, whilst

13. Painted Timber Effect
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
Painted timber is an interesting topic as it has been so
prominent in the UK over recent years, with painted
timber doors or the use of more cost-effective
alternatives, such as our ST27 range, proving
extremely popular.
Allmilmö
Schüller
Schüller
Usually, at European exhibitions, we often see trends
and styles from which we can take inspiration.
However, this clearly seems to be a trend which has
filtered the other way, with European designs from the
likes of Allmilmö using this in a contemporary way with
a horizontal grain. Schüller meanwhile opted for
EGGER’s ST27 painting grade and applying a grey
paint finish to incorporate this into their designs.

14. UK Focus
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T
And finally, as discussed previously about how this
exhibition has much more of an international focus these
days, it was great to see Howdens’ presence there for the
first time from the UK, demonstrating a mix of cool greys,
open shelving units and modern handless doors. Just
another example of just how this show has changed over
the years and how this has become a very important
fixture in the calendar internationally, to gain an insight
into existing and future designs and trends.
Howdens
Howdens
Howdens
Howdens

15. Overall, the show’s popularity and importance continues, and it’s not
hard to see why – as it continues to inspire with the latest designs and
innovations from around the world, and many of the world’s leading
brands, all under one roof.
Whilst there wasn’t one particular style or trend that stood out, which
just shows how individuality, personalisation and choice is still
currently such a key design feature, there were many highlights and
exciting elements to inspire future designs and ideas.
It will be interesting to see these designs and styles coming through
over the coming months and how they will be interpreted and
implemented in future designs.
Elliott Fairlie – EGGER UK – January 2017
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16. WANT TO KNOW
MORE ABOUT OUR NEW
DECORATIVE COLLECTION?
IN JANUARY 2017, WE LAUNCHED THE NEW EGGER DECORATIVE COLLECTION.
WATCH OUR VIDEO OR CLICK ON THE LINK TO FIND OUT MORE.
FIND OUT MORE

17. Page 3 banner image was provided courtesy of "Koelnmesse - Photo: Koelnmesse Entrance
South".
Page 16 banner image was provided courtesy of "Koelnmesse - Photo: Impression
LivingKitchen 2017".
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Hexham,
Northumberland, NE46 4JS
T 01434 602191
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To find out more visit: www.egger.com
L I V I N G K I T C H E N 2 0 1 7 T R E N D R E P O R T