Looking to update your kitchen in 2021 and inject a bit of luxury into the room that is often referred to as the heart of the home? From sophisticated islands to huge cookers, there are plenty of little extras you can add that will quickly transform your kitchen and elevate it – and your social status – to whole new heights. But while installations and accessories can make all the difference, getting the basics right is vital, and will set the backdrop and the tone for everything else. Get it wrong, and even the most beautiful of statement tables won’t be able to save your aesthetic – so what exactly are the current trends?
Well, gone are the days when monochrome and muted tones were the only ways to go, and in 2021, kitchens have gone dark and brooding – at least, in parts. The modern colour palette has taken a distinctive turn, and has set the tone for a more dramatic cooking space that is homely yet endlessly cool in equal measures.
Here, we take a look at the top trends to have on your radar when planning your kitchen upgrade this summer – and the biggest influences we’ve seen dominating the year so far.
Dark and dramatic
We’ve seen both greys and navy blues enjoying a moment over the past few years, particularly when it comes to our living rooms – but in 2021, this darker colour palette is starting to make its way into our kitchens, too.
So, how do you pull off this trend without making your kitchen feel too dark? Opt for light-coloured walls and flooring and allow your dark surfaces to do the talking. Units and cupboard fronts in deep navy blue work perfectly when offset with creams and whites – and be sure to allow as much natural light into the room as possible to maintain balance throughout.
Compact design
Not all luxury homes have earned their credentials based on space, so if you’re dealing with a beautiful living set-up where space is at a premium, then 2021’s lean towards compact design could be just the solution you’re looking for. With more kitchen designs than ever looking to benefit from minimal clutter and maximum efficiency, the idea is to ensure that every inch of space has a purpose and is utilised to the full.
Storage space is perhaps one of the biggest challenges where space is limited, but creating a wall of cupboards from floor to ceiling is a great way to make the most of what you do have. Getting a custom-made kitchen will mean that you can source a bespoke design tailored to your needs – but buying a used kitchen is also a great way to pick and choose the components of a standard kitchen you love, and make them work with the space you have.
Think tall units, and keep statement features like islands or breakfast bars small so that they don’t restrict access to certain parts of the room.
Trendy tiling placement
Geometric tiles have long had a place in the modern luxury kitchen, but this year, we’ve seen a new take on the way they are placed. So, while rectangular and square shapes remain just as sought-after, we’re seeing a more exciting and innovative approach to wall and flooring designs.
Chevron-style wooden flooring has been in demand over the past few years, but now, we’re seeing the pattern make its way onto our kitchen walls, played out in rich-coloured ceramic tiling. We’re also seeing staggered brick bond and step-ladder effects for a thoroughly futuristic twist that is guaranteed to place you one step ahead in the interior home design stakes.
The bottom line
From what we’ve seen so far this year, 2021 is all about breaking the rules. And, after a year of following orders in wake of the global pandemic, the prospect of tearing up the rule book feels, frankly, quite liberating. So, if you’re upgrading your kitchen this year then don’t be afraid to play with shape and colour in a way that you never have done before, taking inspiration from some of the world’s top leading designers to create a kitchen to be proud of.
