Home has never been as important as it is now, and at the heart of every home is the kitchen. Open plan living sees the kitchen connected to other high-traffic areas of the house, particularly the living and dining spaces, as well as backyards or balconies. This idea of creating connectivity and designing spaces that have more than one use is being reflected in the designs and layouts of Australian kitchens this year.

Including an island bench in your kitchen is not only visually beautiful, it also provides a plethora of additional benefits. Islands are a natural gathering place in the kitchen and the entire home, creating an informal dining space and providing plenty of extra storage. When planning your new kitchen layout, consider incorporating serveries to connect to your outdoor areas, as well as dining nooks, desks, and bars into your kitchen design, transforming it into a multifunctional space that connects to the other rooms within your home.

Another consequence of the pandemic has been the shift towards predominately dining and entertaining at home. Create a streamlined entertainers kitchen by incorporating hidden concepts such as a butler’s pantry, integrated appliances, or small appliances hidden within an appliance hutch or behind a roller door to keep your kitchen clutter-free. Continue the sleek look with touch-catch cabinetry and integrated handles.

Don’t forget about the four-legged members of your family! Factor in your pets’ needs into your kitchen design, such as integrating a pet bed into your joinery. If your kitchen is connected to your garden or balcony, add the pet bed to the back run of cabinetry closest to the outdoor space; otherwise, it’s also a fantastic inclusion within your mudroom and laundry.

In 2021 kitchen colour schemes will reflect earthy, organic and natural tones, with cabinetry, benchtops and splashbacks celebrating textural, raw and matte finishes. Expect to see bright whites in a matte finish (gloss will be taking a backseat), blacks and soft greys with one focal feature of a vibrant yet natural colour such as green or blue. If adding a pop of colour appeals, opt for a deeper, calmer hue such as a sage green or inky blue- these are classic and timeless choices.

Another hot trend is adding warmth and texture by introducing timber tones. Whether you love a richer, warmer hue or something lighter and more coastal, open shelving or cabinetry in timber-inspired laminates will give you the look of real timber without the maintenance and expense of the real thing. Panelled joinery in a timber-look is also a popular choice- adding a modern element that further creates a sense of texture. Consider using panels across wall cabinets and/or wrapping around an island bench for maximum impact.

In recent years we have seen the emerging popularity of curves in interior design, from furniture design to archways throughout homes, and now we are seeing this beautiful feature taking the spotlight in kitchen design.

Adding curved features into your kitchen further complements the shift towards a more natural and earthy design. A sculptural island provides a generous, casual dining space where people feel closer and more connected and will contrast beautifully against the straight lines of the rest of your kitchen. If this is too much of a statement, arched hallways into pantries or arched windows will evoke this look in a subtle and chic way.

Your kitchen splashback provides an exciting opportunity to showcase your personality through colour and texture and bring your kitchen style together.

If you love a tiled splashback, consider a neutral colour palette or tones that bring the outside in, such as soft greens with a textural finish. Alternatively, extend your benchtop up onto your walls and splashback for a seamless look. Engineered quartz is an excellent option as not only does it allow you to mimic a variety of stylish looks from marble, concrete and terrazzo, they are also straightforward to clean and maintain.

Window splashbacks are also gaining popularity. Allowing for plenty of natural light, a window splashback is like living art- it will constantly evolve as the seasons’ change, and your garden grows!

In past years, metallics have been used across large stretches of cabinetry to create a dramatic focal point within the kitchen. Now, however, we have seen a shift away from this, with so-called ‘smaller details’ such as handles in metallic hues instead adding instant glamour to any kitchen space and style in a more subtle and considered way. Play with various shades from bright golds to soft Champagne hues as well as finishes ranging from polished to a brushed texture.