Kitchens are unarguably the heart of the home and understandably, you’d want it to look its best. Whether you’re in the midst of a total makeover or simply wanting to freshen things up, here are some trendy updates that will bring your kitchen into the 21st century.
Go for a classic monochrome palette
The look may change as styles evolve but the charming black-and-white combination for kitchens never dies. All about high contrast, monochromatic tones can give the utilitarian zone the spatial quality and definition it needs. To complement this look, warm rustic hardwood floors are effective counterpoints to sleek cabinet materials.
Image credit: BC Concept Design
Or opt for grey, the new neutral
What colour would you use for your cabinets? Kitchen experts say that while white cabinets remain the top choice, grey is the shade they are betting on to break white’s top position. Pair grey tinted wood veneer laminates with aluminium surfaces for a balance between warm and sleek. Add a pop of zest with your favourite colour to create a strong trendy look.
Image credit: +tongtong
Update your fittings with new-age functionality
Not only are the colours and design of kitchen cabinets changing, hardware manufacturers are changing the way wall-hung cabinet doors and drawers are used. Hydraulic or automated easy-close doors fold up and out of the way with the touch of a button – making them perfect for kitchens where space is an issue.
Image credit: Kitchen Culture
Add automation
The kitchen of the future is here. From sensor-activated lights that brighten up a space when it’s in use to food thermometers that are connected to your smartphone when dinner is ready, kitchen technology is here to add convenience to our daily life. An automated hands-free faucet, like Hansgrohe’s Metris Select Single Lever Kitchen Mixer, is perfect as a new addition to your kitchen. It’s great for any kitchen where busy cooks often have sticky hands.
Image credit: Hansgrohe
Maximise every square inch of your cooking zone
Use the corners of your island counters as additional display and storage space. Sacrificing the depth of your drawers by a mere 6 inches makes wonders to your kitchen island. Double the function of a standalone beyond food preparations and storage spaces as now, the island is a great chatting corner for morning breakfasts or even entertaining guests.
Image credit: Studio Ashby
Upgrade your countertop surface
Along with natural stone, quartz countertops continue to top homeowners’ list of favourite kitchen finishes. Caesarstone recently introduced a line of new concrete in beautiful colours for its durable quartz surfaces. Nonporous and heat-resistant, quartz countertops are also less susceptible to spills and scratches; and perfect for food preparation or even kneading. Easy to install, quartz exudes a muted sheen that expresses a collected look into the overall space.
Image credit: Caesarstone
Deck your kitchen hardwearing aluminium surfaces just like the professionals
Looking for something hardy and long lasting at the same time? The aluminium kitchen is a great way to keep the cooking zone looking sleek and updated while ensuring minimal maintenance works. Perfect for a classic utilitarian look, this kitchen ensemble echoes the theme of industrialism or even a contemporary home. Match this look with walnut or redwood surfaces with tinted glass backsplashes for an elevated look; and the appliances should be in high-gloss black.
Image credit: Abiboo Architecture
This was adapted from an article originally written by Martin Teo published in the December 2016 issue of SquareRooms.
