When designing a new kitchen, you want it to have longevity - it's a huge investment, after all, and not something you'll want to redo every few years to keep up with the latest trends.
And with sustainability now at the forefront of everyone's minds, opting for a classic design using materials that will stand the test of time is perhaps the most essential part of kitchen design.
While many of us enjoy keeping up with the latest trends, a kitchen is - perhaps - one area of our lives where we should shun the latest fads and take the classic approach.
So, how can you create a timeless kitchen that'll look just as good in 10 years as the day it was installed? Here's our advice…
Opt for classic shaker cabinetry
Look back at kitchen design through the ages and you'll see one that has certainly stood the test of the time is the classic, clean lines of the Shaker-style kitchen.
With roots dating back to the 1700s, this centuries-old design has mass-market appeal - perfect if you plan to move at some point in the future - and will continue to sit comfortably, and stylishly, at the heart of a home for many years to come.
Keep kitchen cabinetry neutral
It can certainly be tempting to add a pop of colour to kitchen cabinetry - whether it be olive greens, dark and moody blues or a splash of sunny ochre - but, as with any trend, 'in' colours change from year to year and you don't want to be looking at your new kitchen cabinets a few years down the line thinking about a respray.
To give your kitchen longevity - and that is the key word here - we'd suggest opting for versatile and timeless neutrals on your cabinetry - think whites, light greys, beige and creams - leaving the bright pops of colour for areas that can be more easily changed and updated with the ebb and flow of trends, including wallpaper, decor and artwork.
Use hard-wearing materials
While there are many ways to cut costs when renovating a kitchen, the materials used - whether that be cabinetry, flooring or worktops - will need to work hard for you so it's advisable to invest in decent quality, hard-wearing materials and well-made cabinetry.
For painted cabinets, tulipwood is a good choice as it takes paint well and is dimensionally stable, so won't twist and warp over time, whereas oak or walnut are great choices for a wood finish.
While stainless-steel is known for its durability - hence why you'll find it used as a worktop in most professional kitchens, it's unlikely to be a great choice for the majority of classic kitchen designs in the everyday home, so instead opt for hard-wearing and scratch-resistant quartz or granite - though pricey, they should last your kitchen's lifetime.
Plan the perfect kitchen layout - first time
It's not just the look of a kitchen that has the potential to age it quickly, but also its functionality. A well thought-out layout will ensure you're happy with your kitchen for years to come.
Place your dishwasher or fridge in the wrong place - forcing you to do laps around the kitchen at meal or clean-up time - and you'll very quickly be looking at a kitchen design overhaul.
Add a kitchen island
A kitchen island is a multi-functional space - whether you use the large worktop for baking and meal prep, park up your guests here while you're cooking or use it as somewhere to sit with your morning coffee, it's worth including an island in your kitchen design, if you have the space.
Don't forget, below that mass of extra worktop space, an island also provides extra storage, and it's here - in the centre of the room - that things like integrated bins, chopping boards and cutlery drawers make perfect sense.
Get a handle on it
A great way to inject a bit of personality into your kitchen renovation is through clever handle choices. And it's also here that you can perhaps allow those trends to slip in, as, although sometimes costly, handles are relatively simple to replace in a few years' time.
Antique and cup handles add character to Shaker-style cabinetry, whereas a modern, oversized or knurled handle will add a more contemporary touch. Look for high-quality metals, such as stainless-steel or brass, which are durable and will age wonderfully over time.
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