Sliding wardrobe doors which are mirrored are one such type, which, since 2010 have particularly risen in popularity with consumers and understandably so. 

The use of mirrors to create the illusion of brighter, larger spaces is a trick used by homeowners for many years and mirrored sliding wardrobe doors are no exception, particularly given the impact of natural light these always create within the bedroom space.

In fact the use of sliding wardrobe doors is possibly one of the most beneficial additions in any bedroom no matter what space there is in the room. Notably, homeowners are realising that bespoke fitted sliding wardrobes in place of freestanding are a far better option because they take up far less bedroom floor space and provide greater storage potential.

Consumer demand has grown particularly for bespoke fitted sliding wardrobes professionally measured and designed with utmost precision; homeowners are realising they gain more from internal storage space. Additionally, consumers now understand there is no longer a need to leave areas of space at the front of sliding wardrobe doors because they do not open outwards.

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At the top of consumer bedroom demands for 2010-2011, therefore, are fitted sliding wardrobes which allow the homeowner ultimate storage ability and extra floor space along with clean lines and an unsurpassed professional finish.

Emerging consumer bedroom trends during 2010-11 relating to colour schemes, fitted bedroom wardrobes and furniture and not least, overwhelming popularity for attic or loft bedroom conversions.

Firstly, bedroom loft conversions are at their most popular and savvy homeowners have realised converting extra space to gain an additional bedroom in the current market is a cheaper alternative to moving home.  The demand for complete fitted bedroom furniture therefore, has risen as homeowners realise the ‘space saving’ benefits of sliding and fitted wardrobes.

Earlier this year the KBB exhibition in London highlighted design trends and the more recent popularity of fitted bedroom furniture and these bedroom trends are set to take us into 2012. 

Modern bedroom styling points towards rich colour textures, this sees fitted bedroom wardrobes moving toward richer tones, although white is still a popular choice it is not as popular as it once was. 

Successful bedroom loft conversions see an innovative use of storage solutions and fitted bedroom furniture to provide the best use of space. Bedroom lighting is another essential element in a loft space with limited natural daylight and the use of electrical lighting and built-in skylights are popular.

Plumbing is another major consideration for attic bedrooms which require central-heating within the roof space; it is often likely that existing boilers require upgrading.

 In view of the sloping walls and ceilings in an attic most homeowners are choosing the most economical, space-saving method of furnishing their bedroom attic room through the installation of bespoke fitted bedroom furniture, particularly fitted bedroom wardrobes, which are measured to the exact space available and may stretch the height of the room if required.

Kitchen corner fridge units are ingenious space-saving devices capable of holding 1200 liters (equal to four or five standard refrigerators). Integrated kitchen corner fridges provide ideal solutions to maximizing kitchen space and are very easy to install; the installation guide suggests only 1 hour completing.

Low on energy consumption and built using the latest technology, integrated corner fridges are not only quiet but completely maintenance free.

 This type of kitchen corner fridge utilizes what is often underused corner space and the standard design is 60cm of wooden panels (also available in brushed steel) with the ability to integrate into 2.10metres to most ceiling height units. When it comes to the outer finish, integrated corner fridges easily blend into most kitchen types with the use of customized materials for a uniformed kitchen finish match.

Fitted with superior air circulation systems which use air pockets to chill food, (keeping it fresher for longer); the kitchen corner fridge is superior in functionality in relation to standard fridges proving it is quieter when in operation, has automatic defrosting and an R134A cooling agent.

For those who struggle to reach kitchen corner units the ergonomic  benefits of the integrated corner fridge includes left or right door hinging and height adjustable feet.

Ensuring ease of air ventilation and to maintain air circulation the integrated corner fridge comes manufacturer supplied (as standard) with a ventilation grid fitting into its’ base which ensures that there will be no condensation or rot damage to kitchen units or decor.

 The integrated corner fridge comes with three temperature settings provides chilled temperatures which range between (- +2 to 10°C).

Whether newly fitted kitchens or updating kitchen decor consumer trend this year sees emphasis on the ‘intelligent use’ of kitchen storage options enabling sleek kitchen design.

Demand for kitchen lighting is firmly energy-saving LED and clever kitchen storage options are on the increase particularly for kitchen waste and ‘niche’ space-saving solutions such as deep storage kitchen corner units.

Earlier this year the National Kitchen & Bath Association conducted a survey with 100 kitchen designers to reveal ‘hot’ kitchen trends in 2011; the following reveals some of this year’s consumer demands.

Kitchen finishes

Moving away from medium natural, white paint, glazed and distressed finishes, 2011 shows a greater demand for light or dark natural kitchen finishes.

Kitchen cabinetry

Maple kitchen cabinetry has become the popular choice over 2010’s cherry cabinetry and consumers are taking full advantage of ‘in genius’ kitchen corner cabinetry ideas which enable intelligent use of kitchen space such as concealed corner fridge cabinets.

Kitchen designs and colours

Moving from 2010’s off-white and brown tones demand has risen for greys, beiges and bones with increased demand for kitchen shaker styles (characteristic of finely crafted style and simplicity) although traditional kitchen styles are still the number one design choice. 

Kitchen Countertops

Solid kitchen countertops (easy maintenance) have overtaken laminate kitchen surfaces with preference to Silestone, Quartz and granite kitchen countertops along with an increase in niche uses of marble and butcher block countertops.

As  many kitchen fitters will know, The National Kitchen and Bath Association consider any kitchen space as ‘small’ if it contains 150 square feet or less of space. Research also shows that most customers who require a full fitted kitchen will be doing so with the intention of keeping the kitchen for at least 20 years.

Planning full kitchens for your customer often requires you to gain the best maximum use of kitchen space available. As kitchen storage space is fundamental to most fitted kitchen projects, indeed, kitchen drawer space along with kitchen cabinet space also plays a crucial factor.

Research shows that after a full kitchen remodel only 60% of customers actually claim to have more storage space and 80% still need to store kitchen items in other rooms as the initial stages of kitchen space planning was not considered properly.

Click here to view a PDF brochure on Dynamic space planning

With more kitchen appliances available to consumers than ever before ergonomic, functional and space-saving items such as pullout wire work for kitchens is more essential than ever and communicating this with your customer at the early stages is crucial. The customer will be using their new kitchen for many years to come and it is vital they understand that storage space is essential.

The majority of the UK’s major kitchen manufacturers have a standard depth of 450mm depth to their kitchen drawers. Although, such items as fully extendable kitchen drawers (with high load bearing capacity) may suit a smaller cluttered kitchen space and soft close doors will add an extra special touch.

In essence full extension kitchen drawers provide an ergonomic solution to the customer which is not always considered when a customer is considering ‘cutting corners’ on their kitchen design.

Probably the ultimate space-savers for kitchens are in the utilization of kitchen wire work, magic corners, space corners which build and save space into kitchen carcasses.

Austrian kitchen component manufacturer BLUM has perfected sleek lines and luxury closing-systems from cabinet hinges, draw-runners, metal drawers and space efficient kitchen storage systems which focus on high-end quality and functionality.

The TANDEM system is a popular BLUM kitchen accessory and this concealed runner design provides the optimal functionality to natural wood drawers finished with dovetailed joinery, as well as MFC drawer boxes for kitchens and bedrooms.   

TANDEMBOX is BLUM’S  line of metal kitchen drawers.   Both kitchen drawer systems provide 25% more access than found in standard kitchen extension drawers

With BLUMotion, both TANDEM and TANDEMBOX designs effortlessly glide open and closed with the slightest touch even if the kitchen drawer is full to capacity.  

In recent years BLUM’S ORGA-LINE kitchen drawer organizational system sits at the top of consumer demand and have been manufactured to work with BLUM’s Tandembox drawer system.

ORGA-LINE kitchen drawer components come in a range of spring loaded dividers (utensils, cutlery), stainless-steel trays and even plate holders (adjustable) which provide the ultimate in convenient drawer storage. In fact ORGA-LINE makes it possible to fit full extension kitchen rollout drawers which can hold even small kitchen items such as spice jars, knife racks, foil and wrap dispensers, through to pots and pans.

Mixing BLUM systems for complete perfection the new opening system SERVO-DRIVE may also be used with TANDEM and TANDEMBOX kitchen drawer systems and coupled with the amazing features of SERVO-DRIVE, kitchen drawers are now activated with the lightest touch, using an electrical drive.

SERVO-DRIVE is easy to activate and deactivate and using it with an on/off switch is highly recommended for the energy saving conscious. The beauty of this kitchen drawer system is that it will still remain functional whether the electrical power switch it is on or off.

SERVO-DRIVE also allows for flexible cabling so the position of the kitchen’s power supply is never a problem.

Click to view the Servo drive video from Blum.

When it comes to waste and recycling systems for the kitchen BLUM have got it covered with their waste and recycle sets for TANDEM and TANDEMBOX which can be partnered with the SERVO-DRIVE ‘touch to open feature’ ensuring kitchen drawers always stay clean and waste ends up exactly where it belongs.  This can be installed just on a singular base unit, if required – dedicated to the waste drawer.

If you are searching for superior quality of motion with unsurpassed drawer running action together with an exciting new design then TANDEMBOX Intivo ticks all the boxes. TANDEMBOX intivo provides a well-balanced deep, stylish kitchen drawer with amazing versatility.  TANDEMBOX intivo’s  components are available to choose from three very distinct finishes (terra black, silk white and stainless steel), this system provides enhanced height, side and tilt adjustments to be integrated into the kitchen drawer side.

For the ultimate in space-saving, kitchen ergonomics enter BLUM’s SPACE CORNER which is their premium kitchen cabinet solution for kitchen corners. SPACE CORNER kitchen drawers fitted within L shaped kitchen corner cabinets bring the contents right to you without effort because it also incorporates BLUMOTION full extension and for silent, easy operation. Utilizing ORGA-LINE internal kitchen drawer dividers even further increases ease of use and motion allowing the optimum use of every bit of kitchen cupboard storage space available.

If an economical metal kitchen drawer system is what is required then METABOX provides the answer as it allows for ultimate kitchen organization along with all the ergonomic benefits of easy access without bending and stretching reaching items in the kitchen.  METABOX is a great system to use especially suitable for the ever-changing storage needs of a kitchen it is easily adjusted to suit new storage requirements.