Kitchen Trends 2021

If you are planning to renovate your kitchen in 2021, but not sure which look to go for, Siemens asked three industry experts to reveal their insights into this year’s kitchen must-haves.

For more design inspiration like this head over to our kitchen inspiration hub.

Colour confidence: Vibrant colours with plenty of contrast will be big in 2021. We’ll see high-pigment greens and blues modernising the classic kitchen and greys and blacks inspiring more contemporary schemes. Hard-wearing finishes, painted furniture and special surface treatments will also influence colour in the kitchen, as they can extend the life of your cabinets and provide added texture with lasting colour and protection.

In control: With WiFi-enabled products and appliances helping home chefs optimise their cooking, we’ll see an increase in ‘cooking by smartphone’ this year. You could already use apps to set the temperature and program of your appliances without even needing to be in the kitchen, and more options will increasingly be available – see Siemens smart appliances here.

We’re also seeing high-capacity appliances trending, with range cookers and giant fridge-freezers becoming more desirable. After all, size really does matter when you’re entertaining at home or batch cooking and baking.

Surface glamour: Kitchen surfaces are in the spotlight once more for 2021, with mixed materials including metal, wood and stone addressing the demand for statement islands and imaginative kitchen design. Innovative custom surfaces mean you’ll also be able to showcase the latest bespoke materials. Versatile quartz options that mimic the natural appeal of marble without the maintenance are set to be huge this year (variations of black and white are already proving popular). Mirrored splashbacks are also in fashion: they’re perfect for enhancing the spatial dimensions of your kitchen and exploiting every drop of natural light.

Designer details: The year 2020 has shone a light on the value of relationships with loved ones. In 2021, kitchens will help bring families together in multi-generational spaces with designer details such as integrated media systems, walk-in larders, hideaway storage and open shelving.

In terms of hardware, antique finishes such as brass and dark gold will become the go-to finishes in the kitchen and utility room. Look for bespoke furniture arrangements and custom fixtures and fittings that reflect family members’ personal styles, too.

New traditional: A modern twist on the classic Shaker-style kitchen has emerged as a consumer favourite in 2020, as both furniture and fashion focus on authentic product design and quality craftsmanship. In 2021, these themes are seen through master joinery techniques, eco-friendly materials and special surface treatments – all helping to create a tailor-made vibe.

This type of ‘layered design’ will continue to increase the level of customisation in kitchens this year, with bespoke paint finishes, custom larder options, utility solutions and butler-style pantries being used to give a new sense of style and purpose to the classic kitchen and embrace our return to more traditional values.

Green contemporary: We’ve moved into a post-industrial era in which the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ message speaks to us all. As a result, environmentally friendly materials in interior design have seen huge growth: for example, we’re finding that 100 per cent recycled furniture is popular in urban-inspired kitchens as it’s sustainable and originally designed.

Earthy colours: To echo the renewable trend, earthy shades of green will be front runners in 2021. They bring a solid foundation to the kitchen along with rich tones and design authenticity. Softer moss greens and shades of grey will define the contemporary kitchen while stronger, more traditional tones such as forest green will enrich more classic British schemes.

Dark colours in 2021 will reflect subtle variations in nature, with browns and blacks being introduced through rustic wood veneers, charred timber effects and matt black accessories. Natural materials will continue to define the modern kitchen and increase the interplay between mixed materials that we’ve all grown to love.

Oak: Real wood kitchens are infinitely stylish as well as perennially popular. We’re finding that solid oak is the go-to option for those wanting to create a sense of calm and serenity in the kitchen. Durable and lightweight with a defined grain, this hardwood is easy to mould and hand paint, and can be specially treated with oil or wax.

Oak is also ideal for creating areas of light and dark through the use of different surface treatments. For example, if you’re looking for Nordic-inspired interiors (which focus on textures and light colours) then why not opt for a whitewash to brighten the space? Classic oak is also available in warmer mid-tones – great if you want to create balance between light and dark.

Head room: Canopy-style storage is likely to be a major architectural statement in 2021. It’s ideal for optimising your kitchen space as it makes effective use of the floors, walls and ceiling. Look out for innovative hanging storage, which adds architectural detail as well as extra shelving space. Incorporating an extractor into these hanging structures also offers welcome flexibility when planning a central island.

Bicolour design: In 2020, we’ve seen restrained and purposeful use of colour, with contrast coming from variations in material and opposing finishes (just think of a planked raw timber set against coal-black furniture). Kitchen furniture that’s rich in contrast will be key in 2021 kitchens, creating a sophisticated but liveable look for those working in open-plan spaces. We also expect to see different shades of black, grey and authentic wood finishes standing strong.

Graphic lines: This year, look back to the 1980s and geometric, block-style furniture. You can make a feature of the clean lines, which can also be used to enhance the height and width of your kitchen space - see the clean lines of Siemens design here. Add personality with special design elements such as notched cabinets, flush-fitting plinths, custom panelling and statement gable ends.

Clean conscience: Research suggests that as customers, we’re increasingly concerned about the eco-credentials of our purchases, with many of us researching the manufacture, design and delivery of products before buying. One way to avoid harming the environment is to choose materials that are recycled or are an imitation of the real thing. Laminate is perfect for this, with metal and timber effects likely to be the most versatile options when going green this year.

If you are in need of some more home inspiration, check out our latest blogs: Home design trends 2021 with Jane Blakeborough or Balancing work & Home in 2021

Or, to find out more from our industry experts, visit their company websites:

Brandt Design brandtdesign.co.uk

Daval daval-furniture.co.uk

Rotpunkt rotpunktkuechen.de/en