Modern kitchen design trends
A new style of kitchen
Homeowners are starting to move away from the sleek, minimal look for a warmer, more inviting look that reflects their own styles. This has seen the birth of a new style of cuisine: a fusion of modern and traditional elements.
The modern traditional style mixes colors, textures and materials. Now it is common for contrasting materials to be used side by side; textured wood or stainless steel with marble, or mirrors, marble and wood together on the kitchen island. And bronze, pewter, and brushed nickel are starting to replace chrome handles. An Art of Kitchens kitchen renovation that combines veneers, mirrors and wood recently won the HIA Kitchen of the Year 2014 by Art of Kitchens.
Shelving
This style is also reflected in the kitchen shelves; While built-in appliances remain popular, they are paired with open shelving so homeowners can display precious or interesting knickknacks to reflect on. Open shelving can be customized to make the kitchen feel lively and inviting without compromising functionality. Open shelving has the added benefit of being lighter on the budget and, if you have the right skills, installed for you.
Perfectly Imperfect
Imperfect, delicate, and textured materials such as granites, engineered stones, and materials that mimic rough finishes are popular as well as easy to maintain. In kitchen countertops, materials with slight imperfections and textured finishes are popular. Caesarstone Concrete Finishes and the new Silestone Suede Texture ranges are excellent examples of this.
High-gloss wood with smooth finishes is being replaced by textured wood finishes that characterize natural shapes, are popular, and add an extra dimension to the space. Companies like Laminex and Danzer have a wide variety of textured wood siding.
Colors
Increasingly, kitchens have a range of vibrant colors mixed with subtle hues that allow for more artistic options. The new seasons predictions from Pantones and Laminex reflect a wider range of vibrant colors to reflect their unique style: “The soft hues of jades, pinks and purples with the magnificent colors of royal Chinese reds and bold shades of gold, create balance and a laid back atmosphere “.
Another trend that is becoming popular is the use of wallpaper in the kitchen. Subtle use of the right wallpaper can help balance other materials in the kitchen, as well as provide additional contrast, texture, and interest.
Other considerations
What’s new in kitchen technologies is worth investigating, as they have likely changed dramatically. There have been great innovations in all aspects of kitchen design in the last 10 years, not just kitchen appliances. Companies like Blum have made great strides in internal cabinet hardware and shelving systems.
Ideabooks and Visual Bookmarks
There have also been many innovations in the way we plan our kitchen renovation. Websites that allow you to develop idea books (or scrapbooks) like Pinterest and Houzz are a great way to keep all your ideas in one place. Just find photos you like and add them to your idea book.
