Historically, the kitchen was hidden in the back of the house. It was a small room where meals were prepared, and dirty dishes were washed, and whoever was responsible for the cooking was largely hidden away. Today, the kitchen has become is the focal point of the home, and the place that brings everyone together. It is, without cliche, the – The heart of the home.
Kitchens have changed a lot over the years, and planning your kitchen layout and design is crucial for long term enjoyment very important. Technologically advances and changing social dynamics have contributed greatly to the popularity of modern kitchens. There is a far bigger focus today on open concept homes that revolve around the kitchen to accommodate gatherings.
While following trends may feel like a fleeting pursuit, when it comes to kitchen design they often outlast their time in the spotlight. From mill work to back splashes, color palettes and design styles, here are the top 12 kitchen trends most popular this year.
- It’s Smart to be Smart
Technology has entered the kitchen in full force, and not just in the form of fancy gadgets and appliances. Today, you can have a kitchen with technology integrated into every function and appliance -. From smart faucets to intuitive lighting the faucet to the fridge to lighting. At the grocery store and not sure if you need milk and eggs? Take a look with your built-in refrigerator camera! - Colour Them Cool
Rich, saturated color makes a bold statement in your kitchen, and guests will take notice. – Trending jewel-tone cabinets would add style to breakfast, lunch and dinner! - Color, but Make it Soft
If dark and rich hues are too stark for your taste, pops of pastel and gentler tones are great for coloring kitchen cabinets as well. It’s your home, so make it yours. - The Wonders of Walnut
Warm, rich and perfectly coordinated with clean, white kitchen aesthetics, walnut is another wood that’s popping up in more modern kitchen cabinet designs. - Take on Two Tones
Double the colour, double the style. Two-tone cabinets continue to top the trends when it comes to kitchens, with combinations of bright colors, or a mix of neutrals that create creating cool contrast. - Island Life
Kitchen islands add extra workspace and seating to your cooking space, but they can also create new opportunities for cabinets and bonus storage. Double islands in the kitchen is a convenient way to divide the area between meal preparation and serving or gathering. - The Softer Side
Wood cabinets are timeless, and creating a beautiful contrast to sleek appliances. Yet But not all types of wood create the same look. This year, more and more kitchen cabinets are showcasing warmer, softer-toned woods like ash and oak versus something clunky and old-fashioned. - Put it All out There
Showcase pantries with open-front shelving to make your daily items part of the aesthetic of your kitchen cabinets. As a side note: this is a trend that appeals most to the ultra-organized people among us who are proud to show it off! - Frosty Finishes
Get ready to Marie Kondo your kitchen, because glass cabinets leave you with nowhere to hide a disorganized snack cabinet. From frosted finishes to crystal clear, glass panels are bringing a bit of transparency to modern kitchen designs. - Look, No Hands!
Call it a mark of the minimalist kitchen movement: hands-free cabinets are creating super clean lines on kitchen cabinets as we enter the new decade. From hidden handles to cutouts to touch-release styles, barely-there and invisible hardware are trends to watch. They also do wonders for eliminating smudgy hand prints! - Open Up
While top cupboards add storage, they can take away a sense of openness in the kitchen. The common solution today is to either eliminate upper cabinets, or incorporate subtle shelving into the mix in order to create a more open feel. The solution, increasingly, is to opt for no upper cabinets or a mix of some upper cabinets and subtle shelving. - A Stylish Secret
Hiding from your fans? Integrating hidden range hoods into the design of the kitchen is an increasingly popular way to enhance the clean, modern look of cabinets.