Five 2021 kitchen trends you didn't see coming

As 2021 quickly approaches, so do upcoming interior design trends! Although a trendy kitchen can be risky unless you’re renovating for sale in the near-future, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest ‘wants’ for buyers in your area. These styles are easily incorporated with timeless features, to create a space that is current without quickly going out of style. 

1. Bring back conspicuous luxury

One noticeable trend in upcoming kitchen design publications is luxurious features and finishings. Marble has been taking a backseat to more sleek, affordable options like quartz in past seasons, but it is coming back with a bang. Not only is marble more prominent in  the coming season, but the more bold, the better. Likewise, gold features or finishings are following the same luxurious vein, highlighting options like gold focal point sinks or cabinet handles. 

2. Don’t rule out dark kitchens 

Next year, colour choice and method of application are big defining features in kitchen trends. Hand painting is seemingly being favoured over factory applied laminate, possibly for the endless freedom in colour choice. When it comes to picking the perfect shade, a prominent upcoming trend is dark and luxurious blues and blacks. Although intimidating, juxtaposing black cabinets with rustic woods and rich accent colours creates a surprising inviting, cozy space. Soothing colours like soft greys and greens are also recurring in next year’s popular choices. Dulux’s colour of the year for 2021, ‘Brave Ground’ is a light sage green, rooted in nature and simplicity, much like the other colours we are likely to see in 2021.

3. Shop mindfully and locally

Eco-friendly features like reclaimed wood, vintage pieces and local goods are popular in upcoming design trends. Wood with a natural finish is long-lasting, attractive and unlikely to quickly go out of style. Shopping second hand furnishings or features reduces your carbon footprint and adds character to your space with unique pieces. Nowadays, consumers are becoming more mindful of where their goods are sourced, and the impacts of overconsumption on the environment. Shopping local brings a fresh and geographically relevant twist to your pieces and puts your resources back into your community. Greenery, like countertop herb gardens, is also popular in the upcoming season. This brings in a pop of colour, while serving  a relaxing and useful purpose. 

4. Incorporate technology 

Functionality remains an important aspect in the making of a great kitchen. Next year, we expect to see even more of an emphasis put on smart cabinetry, touch to open features and functional layouts. Smart appliances are also growing increasingly popular, including integrated appliances, appliances compatible with smartphones and high-efficiency appliances. Styles that favour clean lines go particularly well with integrated appliances, like fridges hidden behind cabinets or stoves that flow seamlessly with countertops.

5. Change your layout with furniture, not walls

Open-plan has been the most desirable home layout for the last number of years, but we are slowly moving into a new version of this layout, ‘broken-plan’ or zoning. Integrating your kitchen space with your living space creates flow, and makes your kitchen and living room appear larger. The ‘broken-plan’ concept takes the same principles, but uses movable furniture, screens and plants to create zones for different purposes. This separates your kitchen and living spaces a touch more, without disrupting the flow between your spaces or making it appear smaller. A key feature is also the flexibility of zoning, as you employ changeable features instead of fixed walls to separate spaces. 

Whatever features you decide to incorporate in your kitchen remodel, consider your preferences, goals and trend longevity. Let us know what 2021 kitchen trends resonate the most with you!