The year 2020 has seen us spend more time at home than ever, and with that a surge in home cooking and entertaining. Perhaps all this time at home has made us re-evaluate our requirements for the kitchen space and work out what functions well and what doesn’t.
It’s no surprise that there’s been a huge increase in home renovations and kitchen makeovers and here at Retreat Design we’ve been busier than ever helping people achieve their home goals. Every two years we make the trip to Salone del Mobile in Milan to meet with our suppliers and view the latest kitchen furniture and furnishings which are showcased at EuroCucina. Due to Covid this was postponed in 2020, however we are pleased to have received remote presentations from our suppliers in Italy and we have been kept updated with all the latest international design offerings. Further to this, we have loved seeing our local Australian market dictate what’s hot in kitchen design with demand for a unique Australian style carving it’s own niche in the industry.
Whilst our designs are based on longevity and relevance for the years to come, here’s our predictions for the top kitchen design trends in 2021:
Matte finishes are hotter than ever with warm woods, black Fenix NTM, oak and coloured feature cabinetry proving popular. Dark sage greens and navy coloured matte finish cabinetry can be used to make a real impact and pair beautifully with other colours. Two toned cabinetry with overhead units in a contrasting colour to the base units look fabulous and can add wow factor to the kitchen.
Our love affair with bringing the outside in continues as organic shapes, raw & natural materials and ample natural light and ventilation allows us to feel connected to nature. Continuing on with the layout of open plan kitchens of the past few years, it is essential to have a great flow between the outdoor dining area and indoor kitchen. Skylights, stacking doors, louvres, feature stones and rustic woods help to create a nice ambience and its always lovely to incorporate plenty of greenery and indoor plants into the kitchen. If space is limited, even a small bi-fold window can act as a servery to the outside alfresco.
It’s all about being unique and allowing your kitchen to showcase your personality. By allowing for large pieces of art to be on display in the kitchen and adding open shelving, glass cabinets and pigeonholes into the design you can showcase ceramics, candles, books, photos and designer wares. Indoor plants and vases are also are great way to add personal style. Clever selection of unique pendant lights can add character to the space too.
We predict that high quality, beautiful looking ovens with design finishes to complement the kitchen interior will be big. The Lecanche French cooker and Falcon Ovens are popular but high end choices for a standout aesthetic. Statement range hoods in different powder coat finishes add interest to an otherwise functional piece. Suspended rangehoods and pop up rangehoods offer a unique design selection.
The integration of appliances and pantries is a really effective way to de-clutter kitchen spaces. Integration provides a streamlined aesthetic and is starting to feature more and more in Australian kitchen design. The overall effect of integrating appliances and pantries into kitchen cabinetry is a space that look like an extension of the living room. Hidden appliances such as the fridge, freezer & dishwasher help to make a smaller kitchen look more open.
Large island benches provide ample room for multiple bar stools and open plan dining. Further elements such as ‘Teppanyaki’ tables can be added as well as cantilevered dining tables so guests can dine directly where the action is. There is less of demand for a formal dining room these days as people tend to cook, entertain and dine around the kitchen. In addition to this, we will see plenty of homework/study nooks added to the open plan kitchen as parents keep an eye on children.
Bold marble, black granite and stones and quartz with dramatic veining and colour are hugely popular at the moment. Dark benchtops are making a comeback for 2021 and we’ll see benchtops continue up the wall with seamless splashbacks in the same material as the benchtop. Integrated cabinetry lighting is a great way highlight the splashback and add ambience. We predict that counter top profiles will either be super thin and light (12-20mm) or bolder and chunkier than ever (no in betweens!)
In-roads to sustainable design, technology and manufacturing practices are emerging and will continue to advance in the years to come. The recent focus on disposable fashion as un-sustainable will continue to garner momentum with consumers moving beyond fast fashion and towards ethically sourced and manufactured products. This awareness will extend into kitchen design with more and more consumers turning towards cabinetry sourced from sustainable forestry and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices. Sustainable manufacturing practices and longevity of cabinetry will define the major players going beyond 2021.
Many of these design features are a staple in our kitchens and we look forward to continued design development over the year ahead. We’d love to hear your thoughts too!
Drop in to our showroom for a chat today at 156, Onslow Rd, Shenton Park or call us on 08 6101 1190 to book an appointment.
Connection between indoor & outdoor space
Contrasting cabinetry colours with super matte black Fenix cabinetry
In kitchen dining with Majestic dining table connected to the benchtop
Ample light and connection to the outdoors with warm wood detailing
Statement marble benchtop with rich veins
Suspended floating rangehood and integrated dining table
Pop up rangehood and statement chunky marble benchtop
Glass ‘Gem’ units display cabinetry with integrated lighting
Personalised cabinetry with bookshelves and glass cabinets
Connection to nature with open plan kitchen
Statement shelving and greenery for a personalised space
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