The key trends in kitchen design for 2025 & 2026 are moving towards a much more understated elegance and functionality. The hyper-minimalism that has defined this space for the last decade or so is now undergoing an evolution away from the stark and clinical lines and finishes that it was so reliant upon. Subtlety is still very much in high regard but there is more texture and warmth appearing with some interesting contrasts and reintroductions of colour too.
The continuing advances in sustainability and eco-conscious design methods and applications are also having a big effect. Longevity and the use of timeless and hardwearing materials, often recycled, such as glass, metal or stone is a fundamental aspect of any kitchen remodelling strategy for any upcoming projects.
Choosing A Kitchen Design Provider in Berkshire
Understanding this in the planning stages will allow for much simpler project management and execution at every step. Of course, the most important thing is to find a kitchen designer who shares these values and can align their work with your overall vision in the best possible way.
Our guide to the finest providers in the area will help you navigate through this crucial step towards the perfect new kitchen at the heart of your home.
Maple & Gray
For over a decade, Maple & Gray have conducted their operations from a home workshop in Winkfield to the highest standards of design quality and production. Their specialism comes from exquisite hand-built and hand-painted shaker-style units that encompass bespoke cabinetry for pantries and utility spaces. The success of Maple & Gray is a result of their foundational philosophy that every kitchen has a unique brief to accommodate the lifestyle and requirements of the client, brought together in a remarkable way. It is precisely this attention to detail and uncompromising craftsmanship that informs the process from commissioning to consultation and on to build and fitting.
Customisation is also key to the value that Maple & Gray deliver on every project. They are keen to ensure that every design is sympathetic to the existing architectural considerations of your home and can comfortably adapt to changes, additions and revisions along the life of the fit-out.
Vogue Kitchens
The Berkshire branch of Vogue Kitchens has become renowned as a partnership showroom for the prestigious German kitchen brand, LEICHT. As you would expect, this means that focus is drawn to an emphasis on precision, high design standards and a flawless integration of cutting-edge materials and finishes throughout the whole scope of work undertaken.
There is a clear modern European aesthetic to the kitchen spaces that Vogue creates, incorporating innovative lighting methods, laser cut screens and the familiar integrated appliances in clean lines with sharp functionality. A complete, holistic process is encouraged between the client and the Vogue team that uses the showroom qualities extremely well to curate initial ideation alongside their comprehensive on-site surveys and planning sessions. Product knowledge and design application are always well aligned with a primary source of contact on project management, also encouraging a personal and collaborative process from start to finish.
Applewood Kitchens
In 2008 the husband and wife partnership of Scott and Sarah Husband created Applewood Kitchens with a clear aim to reject the basic cabinetry materials used by the majority of kitchen furniture providers. The position they took up was intended to develop a more sustainable approach to luxury kitchens that were built to last.
It is fair to say that they have delivered on this goal, consistently producing kitchens with a wonderful blend of design integrity, craftsmanship and quality materials. The Moss End Garden Village showroom demonstrates how they work with style themes ranging from In-Frame and Country Shaker to the Modern Handless and Contemporary innovations. Particular attention is paid to worktop choices with Dekton, Quartz, Granite and Corian all providing a solid foundation for both aesthetics and practicality. Their 3D visualisation tools also prove to be a wonderful tool for realising initial plans and iterating the design for any challenges or changes that may lie ahead. With a simple and structured workflow that sees Applewood coordinate all trade services involved on behalf of the client, there is a solid reassurance that every project will be delivered on time and to budget too.
Simon Taylor Furniture
For 40 years, the Simon Taylor Furniture name has built an enviable reputation for high-end and handmade bespoke kitchens amongst its suite of services. In that time, they have perfected a design philosophy and process that sees them truly working from scratch without the restrictions of standard or limiting catalogues and materials. This may involve building from client sketch ideas or rough plans that the Simon Taylor team will develop into a complete and tailored design. Their complete project management methodology also comes as standard, which can be incredibly valuable, particularly when innovative electrics and lighting may be required at ‘first fix’ for the appropriate trades.
A niche specialism has also developed over projects on a collection of Grade II-listed apartments in the Berkshire area. The use of blended steel, glass and stained ash on these was implemented with stunning effect while attending to the sustainability and responsible sourcing aspects of the job that client was keen to address. This was a masterclass of style and skill in a sympathetic way to the original features of the home.
Krieder UK
The Krieder UK tagline of ‘Engineered for Life’ gives more than a hint into the levels of attention to detail one can expect from these kitchens. Using a build-to-order methodology means that there is more freedom of design thought involved from inception, which takes in function, durability, longevity and performance within the kitchen space. With German-manufactured components in a range of finishes, innovation is combined with specifications on a Krieder UK kitchen in a consistent manner throughout the project. Their approach illustrates how creating a low maintenance kitchen in terms of functionality and post-fit care does not have to compromise on the aesthetics or primary design choices. Marble, glass, liquid metal and stainless steel often coalesce across their signature collections of Instinct, Kuadra Alt and Tone that are linked to the evolving styles of new textures and minimalism in kitchen design. The brand is also keen to convey a comprehensive attitude to any remedial work of after-care that may arise, ensuring that their engineered for life philosophy continues when the fit out is complete.
The world-famous chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud once supposedly remarked that ‘Kitchens should be designed around what’s truly important, fun, food and life’. Working with the finest designers, producers and fitters, such as the selection of brands in our guide, goes a long way to ensuring this idea endures for your very own project.
