At the beginning of each year, the latest trends for the kitchen and table setting can be found at traditional design trade fairs such as Maison & Objets. ‘BauNetz’ recently presented six current trends on its website with lots of photos and examples, from wild patterns and experimental shapes to subtle nude colours.

Trend #1: Extravagant shapes and patterns

#1 Go wild: extravagante Formen und MusterKaraffe aus der Serie Artifacts von White Dirt für Valerie Objects; Foto verlinkt mit BauNetz

#1 Go wild: extravagant shapes and patterns – carafe from the Artifacts series by White Dirt for Valerie Objects; photo linked to BauNetz

‘The shapes, colours and patterns of individual pieces such as vases or carafes can be quite daring,’ writes BauNetz in its article: ’Even cutlery, if the Florentine company Bitossi Home has its way. Cake forks, butter knives and cocktail spoons from the Torchon collection made of gold-coloured stainless steel look very playful with their ribbed handles and small coloured resin balls on the tips. Spanish designer Jaime Hayon is a master of playfulness, as demonstrated by the new Danza ceramic collection for northern Italian manufacturer Bosa, which includes table clocks, candle holders and side tables.’

Trend #2: Flowers, waves & clouds – motifs from nature

#2 Blumen, Wellen & Wolken: Motive aus der NaturFleur von Villeroy & Boch; Bild verlinkt mit BauNetz

#2 Flowers, waves & clouds using the example of motifs from Natur Fleur by Villeroy & Boch; image linked to BauNetz

The major porcelain manufacturers are less experimental in terms of design, as was evident at the Ambiente consumer goods fair in Frankfurt, writes the magazine. They seem to be focussing more on classics such as floral and blue and white decors and less on new shapes, which are cost-intensive. However, with Fleur, Villeroy & Boch has a new floral décor on offer, which is very effective in its abstract simplicity and bright colours.

Trend #3: Colour blocking with strong colours

#3 Colour Blocking: starke Farben als Einzelgänger oder im Zusammenspiel Teema von Kaj Franck in den neuen Frühlingsfarben von Iittala; Bild verlinkt mit BauNetz

#3 Colour blocking: strong colours as individuals or in combination – Teema by Kaj Franck in the new spring colours from Iittala; image linked to BauNetz

Alongside porcelain, glass is one of the most popular raw materials on the table, with glass products in bright colours being on trend. In keeping with this trend, Berlin designer Friederike Delius has created glass cake moulds in shades of pink, which look extremely decorative and show the classic baking mould from a completely new angle.

Trend #4: Elegant paleness and nude tones

#4 Vornehme Blässe: Nude-Töne Präsentations- und Schneidebretter von Nicolene van der Walt; Bild verlinkt mit BauNetz

#4 Elegant pallor: Nude tones characterise the wooden presentation and cutting boards, self-made by South African carpenter Nicolene van der Walt in her workshop in Berlin-Neukölln; image linked to BauNetz

However, browsing through the range at the design fairs has also shown that many nude colours are still popular. Nature and the natural play an important role here – in the form of muted colours, sensual textures and simple shapes. Everything looks very down to earth.

BauNetz mentions the Out of Lines collection from Belgian manufacturer Serax as representative of this ‘hygge trend’. Designed by the French collective Uncharted, the organic shapes of the stoneware bowls, cups and plates appear intuitive and imperfect.

Trend #5: Circles, stripes & checks as geometric shapes and patterns

#5 Kreise, Streifen & Karos als geometrische Formen und MusterContrepoint von Hermès; Bild verlinkt mit BauNetz

#5 Circles, stripes & checks as geometric shapes and patterns Contrepoint by Hermès; image linked to BauNetz

Bold and colourful geometric stripe designs combined with gold, such as Cookies and Dreams, characterise the Sip of Gold collection launched by Sieger Design from Germany, which the studio created for Fürstenberg. The Swedish company Orrefors uses geometric shapes in its Geometry glass series by the Stockholm-based architecture and design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune.

Trend #6: Plug in, plug cool turns small electrical appliances into design objects

#6 Stecker rein, Stecker cool macht aus Kleinelektrogeräten Designobjekte; Coffee System von Aarke; Foto verlinkt mit BauNetz

#6 Plug in, plug cool turns small electrical appliances into design objects; Coffee System by Aarke; photo linked to BauNetz

Although electrical kitchen appliances are increasingly common in contemporary kitchens, for a long time it was difficult to find trendily styled coffee machines, toasters and blenders. Now, however – writes BauNetz – there is movement in the market, for example through the new brand Marke. The Swedish company has designed kettles, coffee makers and water bubblers made of stainless steel that are technically and aesthetically harmonised, have a minimalist design and are of high quality. In addition to an electric kettle in matt black, the Aarke Coffee System is also new to the range.

You can read the full BauNetz article with numerous pictures of other products online here.