The new kitchen must-have appliances and accessories

The humble tea towel is an easy way to add a dose of style and personality to your kitchen without breaking the bank. There are a number of brands dedicated to making the kitchen staple covetable again with dizzying patterns and energetic colourways. We suggest La DoubleJ’s ‘Third Eye’ – a maximalist dream. £40, ladoublej.com

Though these colourful, geometric objects look like children’s toys, they’re Alessi’s latest kitchen utensils: beech-wood nutcrackers. Originally designed by the late Italian architect Ettore Sottsass in 1989, these functional accessories can also be left out as little countertop sculptures. £62, alessi.com

Danish kitchen company Vipp has partnered with Milan-based artist Alice Ronchi to reimagine its instantly recognisable pedal bin. The limited-edition version has colourful curved magnetic shapes, which can be attached to the bin’s surface in playful configurations. She’s the latest of an illustrious history of names, including street artist André Saraiva, to have reinterpreted this classic. £1,005 vipp.com

If you could only have five kitchen accessories, what would they be? This is what visitors to Very Simple Kitchen’s stand at last year’s Salone del Mobile were asked. The result is ‘Very Simple: Accessories’. Comprising a rail (approx £103), cutlery box (approx £141), drainer (approx £148), tray (approx £124), hooks (approx £27 for two) and lamp (approx £309), the sleek tools come in aluminium and soothing colours including lemon yellow and rust. verysimplekitchen.com

Only one cupboard is notorious for being more unruly than the Tupperware one, and that’s the spot for saucepans. Which is why Joseph Joseph’s latest launch has us singing its praises. The British brand’s first cookware range, ‘Space’, is designed to solve the awkward issue of saucepan storage with blue pans that have folding handles. This clever little design hack means they can be tucked away when not in use. Pans from £85, josephjoseph.com

You may already be familiar with Natalie Sytner’s kitchenware brand Bettina Ceramica (perhaps from last year’s pop-up at fabric brand Colours of Arley?) but this is the company’s first foray into stainless steel. Named after Sytner’s daughter, the lidded ‘Alba’ sugar bowls have been produced in a traditional factory in Lake Como from double-wall insulated steel. £50, bettinaceramica.com

Though this microwave measures just 60cm, what it lacks in width it makes up for in capacity. Four shelf positions mean it has space for 49L, and it incorporates 22 functions. £2,495, fisherpaykel.com

London design studio Otis Ingrams is the brains behind Abask’s oak, leather and brass drinks tray, ‘Dais’. Its tonal colours give it a sophisticated look while the double thick walls offer durability and practicality. Serving drinks has never looked so good. £1,225, abask.com

Bring Italian cafe quality to your home with this top-of-the-line semi-automatic lever espresso machine. With a special control feature that lets you manage the pressure exerted on the coffee puck, it’s guaranteed to make excellent, smooth and rich espresso for every morning brew. £2,499, coffeeitalia.co.uk

If your kitchen calls for something a little more retro, this stand mixer is just right for the job. Created for baking and food preparation, the stainless steel bowl is a whopping 4.8 litres, which means even the messiest of cooks needn’t hold back. While it comes in a multitude of colours, the cream (pictured) is a lovely minimal addition to your kitchen counter. £499.95, shop.smeg.co.uk

Named ‘Cairn’ after the historic man-made stacks of stones seen dotted around the countryside, these chopping boards act as sculptural features for the table. The solid ash wood combined with the organic shape will make chopping vegetables a somewhat meditative affair. £125 for three, fermliving.co.uk

No one wants a cluttered-looking counter top which is why Fellow’s electric kettle is such a gem. It has a minimal footprint (just 292mm x 171mm x 203mm) yet can still hold a healthy amount of water so you can brew your cups of tea with ease. £190, selfridges.com

To celebrate Aarke’s 10th anniversary, the brand has launched the ‘Carbonator 3’ in a striking shade of cobalt blue. Although the colour may be the trendiest of the season, the nifty gadget is a timeless feature that will look just as good on the counter now as it will in years to come. £179, uk.aarke.com

An original and iconic 1927 La Marzocco coffee machine provided the inspiration behind this colourful coffee cup by Pols Potten. Available in a set of four playful colours, the cups are made from thick ceramic that slots comfortably into the palm of your hand. Best of all they can be paired with the matching espresso set. Approx £42 for four, polspotten.com

Whether you’re toasting a crumpet for afternoon tea or a slice of sourdough for your breakfast, Sage’s ‘A Bit More Toaster’, has got your back. Alongside multiple functions, it can toast bread to different levels of brownness, making it a family favourite. £79.95, johnlewis.com

Cookery writer Skye McAlpine’s summery tableware brand ‘Tavola’ (which translates to ‘table’ from Italian) has released these rather delightful tulip-shaped wine tumblers. Each cup has been hand-blown with pink and white glass, making them all a little unique. £94, skyemcalpinetavola.com

You’ll instantly recognise this as Alessi thanks to its distinctive Plissé grooves. The same indents can be found across the Italian brand’s popular toasters and kettles. Designed by Michele De Lucchi, this filter coffee machine combines versatile functionality with elegant pleated volumes, making it a swanky addition to any interior. £170, uk.alessi.com