The modern Australian kitchen acts as the hub of our home and is a place where people gather and spend a lot of their time. Not everyone enjoys slaving over a hot stove, so it stands to reason the kitchen should be an inspiring spot, even for the most reluctant cook.
It should be orderly, with well-thought-out design so that you can spend less time doing chores such as stacking and unstacking the dishwasher and putting the groceries away, and more time creating epic meals and chatting with family and friends.
It’s not only an engine room, it is also a meeting place often in a central point of the home, so it needs to look the part. And if international trade shows and trend reports are anything to go by, there’s change in the air.
Ultra-sleek and neutral kitchens are getting a makeover. No longer expected to fade into the background, kitchens are becoming bolder and more decorative and architectural.
Colour
If there is one thing major suppliers have in common recently, it’s that they’re all launching ranges that are bolder, moodier and more textural than we’ve seen in previous years.
Dark cabinetry is in hot demand. Whether it is stained, lacquered or burnished, designers are suggesting their clients install it and that’s exactly what they’re doing.
For those who can’t quite commit to the look, white or light cabinets up high work well with darker cabinetry on the base.
It won’t be a surprise that new-season benchtop ranges include designs created especially to complement dark cabinets.
Picture: Dulux/Lynne Bradley Interiors. Photographer: Anson Smart
Texture
Interesting spaces featuring surfaces with multiple finishes are also on trend. Not only do different surfaces create visual interest, they also offer different functionality.
A stainless-steel benchtop is perfect for people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen producing high volumes of food because it is extremely durable and easy to keep clean. A concrete benchtop can double as a dining table.
Anything and everything goes and the idea is to mix and match.
Picture: Phoenix Tapware
Timber
Designers are aware that there’s a universal swing back to nature and anything that is handmade.
Our homes are our havens and for them to truly allow us to take refuge from the rat race, they need to have an air of tranquility. So bringing the outdoors in has become popular.
Natural timber adds warmth, is aesthetically pleasing and makes a space feel alive.
You can include it as a feature benchtop, on the doors of overhead cupboards, as panelling on a feature wall, and in the form of some beautiful stools or dining table and chairs.
Picture: Town & Country Designs
Multipurpose
Benchtops are now expected to function as a prep space, a spot to gather with family and friends, and a place to eat.
Homeowners, particularly those with space constrictions, are looking for clever ways to make their kitchen bench double as a dining table and it makes perfect sense. It’s convenient, close to the action and when it comes time to tidy up after a meal, the sink and dishwasher are close by.
If you get really creative, you can turn a multipurpose bench into an architectural element too – think about changing levels, changing surfaces or even changing directions.
Picture: Zeel Kitchens
Picture: Auswest Kitchens
Tapware
Gone are the days of the boring stainless-steel tap. If your tap is on your main island or in a space that is clearly visible, it deserves some special attention.
That’s why decorative taps are bang on trend at the moment. Gold, brass, black, matte finishes and gorgeous shapes are now readily available and they won’t break the bank.
If you really want to be on your game, add a tap that provides icy and boiling water right at your benchtop. Aside from the convenience factor, you will eliminate the need for messy filters and kettles.
Splashbacks
Ultra-sleek glass splashbacks still have their place in the right kitchen but why miss the chance to express your artistic side? If you’re renovating or building a new kitchen, you should not miss the chance to choose a tile that reflects your personality.
After all, this is a wall you are likely to spend a lot of time looking at, so it should bring you joy and it most definitely should inject some artistic expression into the space.
The choices are endless and there’s so much inspiration online so you don’t have to spend hours trawling through tile shops.
Picture: Kitchen Capital
