Kitchens are ever-evolving spaces just like any other place in the home. But recently we have seen an emergence of pretty distinctive trends with a change of philosophy. Kitchens have long evolved from being simply places where meals were prepared and cooked to be the heart of the home. In light of the pandemic, people have been spending more time in the kitchens. For families they’re the places where they catch up, write homework, chill as well as cook their evening meals. It is therefore important that modern kitchens reflect this. You will notice that some of the major changes include making kitchens livable places with character and reflecting the personality of the people who use them.
Below I am sharing 8 interior design trends for the kitchen that are worth your time. They’re not only trends that will go with the wind but really timeless ideas that will transform your space and bring meaning to it.
If you’re going to implement one of the ideas, make sure that it fits with your family and personal situation. But more importantly, instead of thinking of the kitchen as an isolated place in the home, consider how the style will fit the overall style of your home and aesthetic.
- Matt Black Kitchen
Over the past years, we have seen a rise in the use of black in kitchens. But this has been more restricted to the only parts of the kitchen like the lower half cabinets. The trend now though, is to use black completely. If you are into a dramatic, bold and daring look then this is for you. If you’re still unsure, there is no need to be scared or intimidated by black. It evokes the feeling of comfort and draws the walls inwards thus making the kitchen cosy which is fitting. To nail the look, it is important that the cabinets are matt and not shiny since shine will be overwhelming when used throughout.
If you’re into an all-black kitchen in an open-plan space, be aware that you have to lock it in or restrict it within one space. You can achieve this by adding a focal point opposite the kitchen, it also has to be black so that the composition is unified and belongs together.
But if I still haven’t managed to change your mind on going all black on your kitchen then I have a few suggestions to make. To warm up the space you can add wooden cabinets paired with gold accessories. If you’re a colourful person you can still use fresh colours like green and blue which are also trending in kitchens. And the option of painting just the bottom half of the kitchen in black is there, all you have to do in that case is combine the cabinets with other neutral colours.
2. Mixing metals
Just like how jewellery serves to add personality and interest to an outfit, so do metals and hardware in a kitchen. Kitchen hardware not only provides the function to your kitchen but it is very much decorative too. In the past kitchens had matching and uniform hardware but this is slowly changing. Just like how you can wear silver and emerald earrings, so can kitchen hardware be mixed and played around with. This is a subtle way to show personality and set apart your kitchen from the rest.
To achieve it in a tasteful way, use the following principles. You can mix any metal with a neutral metal but when you pick one temperature then you have to stick to it. For example, the neutral metal can be black and the other metals can be gold and nickel which are both warm. The result of this mixture is a beautiful contrast which is interesting and captivating. But you cannot mix silver metals with brass finishes as this would create discord and go against the interior design principle of harmony. When picking your hardware remember to have the interior design.
3. Statement backsplash
Historically, the backsplash has been used to maintain hygiene in the kitchen. It prevents splashes from staining the kitchen and is usually in a cleanable material. But backsplashes present an important design opportunity for the kitchen. In contemporary kitchens we see a rising trend of using the same material on the countertops as on the backsplash, the overall look created is seamless, elegant and gives minimalistic vibes. You can choose the backsplash to go all the way up to the ceiling which will pull the eye up and emphasize the vertical. But you can also choose to have a stop below the top cabinets of your kitchen.
To achieve a modern look, showcase contrast by using different materials and textures from the cabinets. But if you want to keep it minimal, then use neutral colours on the backsplash. A great way to emphasise the backsplash as the focal point is by incorporating LED strips under the cabinets. Not only will they serve as accent lighting but will be great for task lighting when preparing food on the countertops. You want to strategically place the LED strip so that you don’t see the individual LED lights but you want to see the illumination as a whole.
4. Architectural lamps
Often times lighting planning is left to the end during the design process. Doing it this way makes lighting choices an afterthought. This robs you of utilizing the lighting as an important design element. The prevailing trend was that the kitchen island was adorned with a trio of pendants. Whilst this is great, the upcoming trend is to choose one bold chandelier or pendant which is more compact thus making a bigger impact. This way the lighting fixture can be the focal point in the space. The length of the fixture should be within the length or shorter than the kitchen island span, this way it doesn’t overbear the space.
If you have an open space, be sure to have a similar lighting scheme to the other nearby areas. One way to ensure that everything is cohesive is by choosing lighting fixtures with the same colour, shape or material. This will create rhythm in the space and show that you were thoughtful with your interior design. Always remember that it is insufficient to rely on ceiling lighting alone in any space. Therefore you want to make sure you have adequate lighting by having enough ambient lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. One easy way to get task lighting in a kitchen is by adding LED light strips and ceiling spotlights.
5. Wallpapering kitchens
Along with the new philosophy that kitchens are more than places where meals are prepared but rather the heart of the home, an incoming trend is to wallpaper the kitchen. If you think about it, if we can tile and paint kitchens then we can certainly add wallpaper too. The idea here is to make the kitchen an extension of the living room. It is a good way to add movement and playful interest in the space. There is no need to fear having the wallpaper ruined because there are modern wallpapers which are humid and water-resistant.
This might be worth your consideration because it is a non-committing option to upgrade your kitchen and can prove to be an easy DIY over the weekend. The worst thing that can happen is you don’t like it. In that case, all you would have to do is remove it.
6. Kitchens with personality
Over the pandemic, people spent more time than before in their homes as well as kitchens. Normally people worry about kitchens being very organized and orderly. But the trend is to show that the kitchen is a used and livable space. To achieve this look simply display some of your personal items like cooking books, cutting boards and even art. This trend has been labelled curated clutter. This means it’s not particularly clutter-free but the displayed clutter is well thought out and serves to show personality.
I’m sorry if you thought that it means you can finally live your best life with a dishevelled kitchen. Some level of consideration still has to be taken.
I’m curious to know which one of the trends is your favourite so don’t forget to let me know in the comment section below.
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