We are finally paying attention to the little things! In this instance, the location for electrical points and switches. Some can be really visually chunky and stick out like a sore thumb amidst our sleek kitchens, so it is with some relief that we are seeing them being cleverly concealed underneath top cabinets. Yes to this!
With enclosed kitchens coming back in fashion (fumes and grease getting to the rest of our living spaces were not the best trade-offs), we are looking for ways to make ourselves feel less restricted in the cooking space. Enter window cut-outs that not only encourage more light to come in, they also give us a sense of spaciousness and breathability—minus the kitchen odours and grease.
Arched doorways
Design: Lemonfridge Studio
Curves have been HUGE this year. The kitchen of course has not been spared this décor trend. We are seeing them being incorporated into openings, in the form of arched doorways. Whether it’s entering the kitchen or leading out into the service yard, it has all been curves, curves, curves. We love the big visual impact they make and they really complement all the straight lines you see in the cooking space.
Design: Collate
Curved ends
Design: Three-D Conceptwerke
It’s not just the doorways that are getting the curve treatment. We are also seeing them on the ends of kitchen islands, built-ins, counters and any edges that can be rounded. Gone are the days of rigidity and cookie-cutter designs! It’s a win for families with young children and a major win for the discerning design-conscious.
Design: Free Space Intent
Pull-out tables
Design: The Interior Lab
As kitchens become an area we hang out in rather than simply for cooking, we are finding more homeowners integrating pull-out tables within their cabinets. These work as spots for light meals or after-meal tipples, or they can double up as work-from-home setups when the need arises. They are great for smaller kitchens, since they can be tucked away after use or pulled out when there’s a need for an extra prep counter.
Design: Wolf Woof
Fluted details
Design: Fifth Avenue Interior
Fluted designs have been around for a couple of years now, but we are really seeing them coming through in recent months. In the kitchen, they add a textural interest that is at once classic and elegant, elevating your kitchen’s style from zero to one hundred. You can use them on the sides of your counters and island or infuse them into a part of your cabinetry. We wouldn’t recommend too many though, especially if you cook often—the grease that can get trap in there, we shudder to think about.
Design: Weiken
Green kitchens
Design: Ace Interior Design
In terms of colour palettes, shades of greens are gradually dominating the scene. From deep emeralds to pastel mints, green kitchens—just like yesteryear’s blue kitchen trend—are trending this year. With green, you get to be bold without being too much. It’s still a relatively safe colour choice, but it definitely evokes a certain confidence. Our favourite combination has to be jewel green tones with brassy elements. For a fun and quirky combo, consider mint with terrazzo details.
Design: The 80’s Studio
All-white kitchens
Design: The Interior Lab
For folks who prefer a more minimalist palette, all-white kitchens are trendy again! Despite its somewhat clinical look—our readers have used words like ‘hospital’ and ‘laboratory’—and the fact that it’s not so easy to maintain, homeowners are still flocking towards this colour trend. We totally get it though—the sense of spaciousness is amplified with an all-white palette. It also feels bright, airy and ultra-clean. Now who wouldn’t want to cook in a space like this?
Design: Indoor Art Studio
Medium-toned wood laminates
Design: The Scientist
Homeowners are also opting for warm, medium-toned woodgrain laminates for their kitchen cabinets, in a movement we think is towards a more ‘natural’ aesthetic. In our humidity, real wood cabinets will be a pain to maintain, so these laminates offer a good alternative without all the hassle. Pair them with flat front cabinet designs and a more minimalistic style in the rest of your kitchen for a classic look that will stand against the test of time.
Design: Monocot
