Prospective homebuyers house hunting and homeowners looking to optimise living spaces can look to top reasons from property experts as to why the kitchen should be a top consideration, as the heart of every home. It is fair to say that every house would be incomplete without the presence of a kitchen – it’s an area for family time, a hub for entertaining family and friends, and a space to unleash creativity; discovering new tastes through recipe making and dining. It’s where we refuel, scribble lists and notes, have conversations, and make memories during special occasions and milestones – and most importantly, the kitchen plays a significant role in connecting friends and families together, just through living. With many having spent the majority of their time indoors in the past year, the kitchen has taken spotlight as the new ‘social hub’ of the home, and it’s no wonder that post-pandemic, a newly renovated kitchen is estimated to add a value of £10,649 to a home, with kitchen extensions adding a further £11,514. James Hartley, director at North Sands Developments, said: “In the design and delivery of each of our properties, the kitchen is imperative and at the core of the home. As it is such a well-utilised space, it’s vital that it maximises ergonomic living and is a place where homebuyers want to be for multiple occasions throughout the day. This is a key consideration when choosing a kitchen in your new abode, or if you’re looking to design and upgrade the kitchen in your current home. “We’ve looked into the main reasons kitchens really are the heart of every home, to celebrate this central living space and provide insightful considerations for homeowners and potential new buyers.” Here are the top six reasons why a kitchen is at the heart of every home: It is beneficial for bonding Whether its discovering and creating new dishes together, or simply chatting over the table about the events of the day, the kitchen is a key setting for many aspects of living, and helps in strengthening relationships, whilst enabling family members to spend quality time together. Kitchens present a valuable opportunity to generate conversations, without the risk of interference from modern-day technology that’s in the lounge or other areas of the home; and dining time is an opportunity to refuel, whilst also having important discussions with those that you live with. Food is much more than a necessity Whilst food is a key function in everyday life, it is also a passion for many individuals. From maintaining a strict healthy eating diet to leading a vegan lifestyle, nowadays food has the ability to generate many intriguing conversations, whilst connecting individuals over shared mutual topics of interest. As food preparation takes place in the kitchen, it is a key location for the topic of cuisine to be discussed and trialled, whilst educating one another. It allows homeowners to showcase personality As the central point of the home, kitchens are a place to express personality aesthetically through interior design. Visitors can walk into a kitchen and capture the overall essence and taste of the homeowner, whilst dining and being entertained, so it’s an ideal space to put your stamp on and get creative. It provides an additional space for activities A kitchen is a largely interactive environment, so if the space is there for activities – kitchens can be great combined with a play area section, to keep an eye on the children. Why not introduce a reading corner or nook, workout space or office desk if you have the space and want to utilise it? It’s central in every daypart From grabbing a quick breakfast with family in the morning, to unwinding in the evenings with friends around the table of island over a bottle of the wine – a kitchens involvement in day-to-day life is constant, meaning it is a significant and functional area that is so much more than a space to simply prepare and consume food in. It is an evolving space Kitchens are an ever-evolving space, and with the introduction of open-plan living, we are seeing the traditional kitchen setup offer of an oven, hob, worktop and table, develop to include new tech aspects such as boiling water taps, high-spec coffee machines and wine fridges. The latest smart oven appliances, which include models by brands such as AEG, are tech savvy and can be linked to apps with cameras and temperature probes to ensure great cooking. New fixtures and fittings are also being introduced to create a versatile and ambient space, these include mounted wall TVs, built-in lighting and speakers to optimise the dining and entertaining experience.

Located high up above the river, lies a spacious and inviting penthouse apartment that overlooks an entire city – beautifully embellished with bold, striking interiors that encompass modern city living. The Waterside Penthouse, part of The Waterside Apartments development in West Bridgford enjoys expansive views of the tranquil River Trent, the historic Trent Bridge, the world-famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, and miles of city skyline. Developed by Monk Estates, with interiors by Curious Design, The Waterside penthouse features three- bedrooms, open plan living space and a large balcony with spectacular views. Boasting elevation, large windows and an impressive balcony space means that this property unapologetically allows natural light to pour in, dominating each room and playing a huge part in the overall aesthetic. “Everything in this property revolves around its stunning views, and the design of each room has deliberately maximised and captured as much of the natural light as possible, so your eyes are always drawn towards the outdoors when you walk in. Each room within the penthouse has been thoughtfully designed, with neutral tones interspersed with bold splashes of colour, striking ornaments and wall art to finish,” said Steve Parker, director at FHP Waterside Living. The open plan kitchen and dining space offers a combination of practicality and sleek style – with sharp, straight lines creating a classic look, and shades of Art Deco giving a sense of symmetry and balance. The use of minimal colour here – white, black and grey – means this large open space, is versatile for personalisation, and ideal for family living and entertaining. If the living space is comparatively muted with strong, sharp lines, then the master bedroom is glammed up with sparkle, luxury and different textures. Alongside the sprawling views, the king size bed is the superstar of this room – with its elaborate headboard and plush velvet bench. Contrasting rugs with geometric patterns complement the wallpaper – a jazzy yet understated design which is cleverly broken up by star-shaped wall sculptures. The colours go hand in hand – rich silky green complements charcoal grey, and muted beiges and creams add elegance and grandeur to this room which is a cosy place to rest. The property’s en-suite really makes the most of the natural light and picturesque views. A stand-alone bathtub –the epitome of indulgence and luxury – is perfectly placed to take in the vistas. Wherever you are in this property, you are never far away from beautiful views, offering both serenity and vibrance – with the river flowing beneath you, and the city on your doorstep – the lifestyle of The Waterside Apartments is simply unrivalled.

Junction 32 Yorkshire Outlet Shopping has partnered with Castleford’s Siobhan Murphy, finalist in the BBC’s Interior Design Masters, to create a unique pop-up window display at its centre. ‘The Junction 32 Edit by Siobhan Murphy’ will see the flamboyant star of Interior Design Masters designing a pop-up display in a large shop window, utilising key products from the centre’s homeware, fashion and beauty brands. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be designing some of the window displays for Junction 32. I live here in Castleford and it’s great having such wonderful shops right on my doorstep. I just love being creative so expect to see some flamboyant window displays this summer,” said Siobhan Murphy. Known for her brightly coloured clothing and creativity, Siobhan will inject her maximalist interior style which she incorporated into her own Art Deco house in Castleford, coupled with her favourite aspects of the local community. Visitors will be able to watch Siobhan create the window display first-hand on Wednesday 5th May and the display will be live until Wednesday 23rd June. “We’re really excited to be partnering with Castleford’s own Siobhan Murphy. We know what an inspiration Siobhan was during Interior Design Masters and we wanted to showcase our retailers’ products in a fun and uplifting way,” said Kerry Ford, Centre Marketing Manager at Junction 32. “The window display is designed to inspire our visitors on how they can add their own sense of individualism to a completely blank canvas through their beauty products and wardrobe choices and in their own homes. We hope they join us on Wednesday 5th May to welcome Siobhan to the centre and unveil her pop-up display which we’re confident will truly brighten up everyone’s day.” ‘The Junction 32 Edit by Siobhan Murphy’ follows news of Yankee Candle and Baytree Interiors opening stores at Junction 32 Yorkshire Outlet Shopping earlier this month.

Fluorescent Smogg is excited to present ‘Portal Patch’, in collaboration with world renowned US artist Mars-1. The new collaboration focuses on 15 hexagonal, bas-relief ceramic tiles exploring natural form and geometric patterns, designed by Mars-1 and made with master craftsmen and tile artisans Viuva Lamego. Mario Martinez, aka Mars-1, is known for his fantastic, imaginary worlds. Inspired by surrealism, street art and abstract expressionism. He creates densely composed extraterrestrial landscapes brimming with light effects, floating orbs, and other flying geometric forms, referencing physics, collective consciousness, and the mystery of life itself. Nike CEO Mark Parker and Grammy Award-winning musician Everlast are among the collectors who have bought his work. The tiles are showcased via a cutting-edge virtual gallery, inviting collectors, art fans and interior designers to see the tiles in virtual environments alongside world class artists represented by Fluorescent Smogg. Collectors can visit the gallery to explore hand finished editions of the tiles and tile artworks. The tiles are available in 3 colourways, black, white and teal. PortalPatch.com also features a configurator, enabling visitors to place combinations of the designs to suit their application and wall size, switching between single and mixed colour schemes. It also showcases 3 different configurations from Mars himself. The collection represents a lexicon that can be arranged in almost endless combinations, whilst retaining the artisanal process that makes these ceramics unique. The designs include shapes like Icosahedron Suction Cup and Multi Vortex, reflective of the otherworldly influences for which Mars-1 is famous. “When starting this project, I had the idea to build on old world knowledge and traditions, to connect with and blend modern technologies and tools for creating art,” said Mars-1. “We worked closely with Viuva Lamego in Portugal, a company that has been in business for 150 years, to hand produce and manufacture the tiles. We utilised 3D software and printing for the prototypes to lean into the symmetrical and perfect geometric nature of the shapes and designs that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to create.” Fluorescent Smogg has long held a reputation as a forward-thinking production house, working with the world’s leading contemporary and progressive artists for over a decade. This new venture continues that trend, merging art and interiors, fusing traditional and cutting edge crafts.

Tiny homes are fast rising in popularity and for good reasons. After all, young singles and empty-nesters need a smaller space for themselves as it makes no sense for spending money on spaces and utilities you really don’t need. However, it is not common to come across the perfect home design plans for tiny homes with one or two bedrooms. Tiny house plan designs follow small square footage and are a great option for budget-friendly house hunters. Sometimes, these house plans cover less than 1000 sq ft and thus are a lot more affordable and easier to maintain. It is seen that most tiny house plans offer open floors and outdoor living spaces. Go ahead and browse through some great ideas and flexible plans for tiny houses. Live in a shipping container- Design your own tiny house in a modern shipping container and maximize space and connection to lead a luxurious and comfortable life. Go ahead and make room for optimal efficiency and cover those floors with quality carpets. Incorporate a full-size bathroom and kitchen with a flexible layout. Ideas for large families- Who said that couples with large families could not live-in tiny homes? Well, new designs and ideas ensure that each family member has privacy, and there is even private space for mom and dad in a master bedroom in the loft. Having the bedroom upstairs means more lounging space downstairs. A cottage plan and façade- If you like the idea of a fairytale-style life, then opt for the cottage plan for your tiny house. You could use the house as a stand-alone home or your office or art studio. The cottage looks sure looks adorable, and one can customize the plan as they like. A multi-functional tiny house- Many people prefer a flexible and portable house that is multi-functional too. All you need to do is make sure you have a separate office and a trailer chassis. Incorporate all the green technologies in the house that allows in natural light with skylights. The minimalist look- If you are the minimalist kind who prefers a tiny house interior design with a clean, sleek look, well, you can go for it! This is a great option for homes of all shapes and sizes, and the minimalist look makes the tiny home look larger and less cluttered. The simplistic yet sophisticated design indeed looks attractive and spacious. For the creative types- If you are an artist or a writer or are involved in any kind of creativity, the tiny house can be your haven and give you the freedom to follow your dreams. You could stay alone and let those creative juices flow with a tiny house plan that is just perfect for you. Spend time with nature and create art or music or write a book in your tiny house with a dedicated space for your creativity. The modern tiny homes- If you are a modern millennial, there are plenty of simplistic innovative design plans that add efficiency for minimalist living. Still, living in a tiny house doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on comfort or luxury. You can place all your attention on the details and get more out of every inch of the space.