Shaker kitchen doors and boards in natural hues, like green, oak, and white on a grey floor. Propped up against a white wall.

Kitchen Trends

Top 12 Kitchen Trends For 2021

As another year passes, it is time to reflect on how our interiors have evolved over the course of a year to understand what will shape our decors within 2021 kitchen trends. 2020 saw a huge shift from office working to home wellbeing, as many of us set up to work from couches, kitchens, and wherever there was a chair, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, it comes as no surprise that home-working, sustainability, and show-home chic play a big role in the top kitchen trends of 2021.

Top 12 kitchen design trends for 2021

White matt handleless kitchen in single wall layout with under cabinet lighting, wood worktop and built under electric oven.

1. Simple style

Inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian interiors that focus on creating calming spaces, this year is the optimum time to cultivate an escapist environment. Pared-back palettes offer a less-is-more approach, providing a versatile space that is easy to customise. Opting for a blank canvas in a design will support positive wellbeing within the home and encourages switching off from everyday life.

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Contemporary blue kitchen idea with super-matt slab doors in a L-shaped layout. Has white marble worktops and brass handles.

2. Stately shades

With more time spent in our homes this year, we are investing more into boutique-like finishes to create a space that feels like a permanent luxury getaway. Dark, bold shades mirror hotel-esque design and pair well with aged brass and bronze accents for an opulent effect. Navy also shows no signs of slowing down, proving to be a stylish and timeless choice in new kitchen interiors.

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3. Colour resurgence

As less of us venture to warmer climates due to travel restrictions, many of us are looking to those rich tones we find on holiday to add a touch of character to our homes. Terracotta is the tone to watch, as its earthy shade reminds us of our environmental responsibilities. While bright hues like sunny yellow, cyan, and sage green can be used to offer a pick-me-up on rainy days.

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Hockley Super Matt Charcoal Towers Detail

4. Soft textures

With respite from the outside world becoming increasingly crucial, soft textures, such as muted matt surfaces, can play a big role in creating a soothing environment with few distractions. These finishes are easy to maintain too, thanks to new anti-fingerprint technology which reduces daily tasks, meaning more time can be spent on recalibrating for a more balanced sense of wellbeing.

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5. In-built handles

2020 trends saw handleless become the design of choice, offering a streamlined aesthetic that was easy to clean, reduced visual distractions, and helped make small rooms appear larger. This trend shows no signs of ebbing as more unique in-built handle designs surface, like our integrated handle cabinetry, which offers an opportunity to create a fuss-free, sleek interior.

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6. Multi-functional

This year has seen kitchens become a hub for home-working, with new designs focussed on making the most out of a room. Great for those without separate office areas, island layouts can create an informal place to perch for morning meetings, or a spot to socialise in an evening. Breakfast bars are an easily achievable alternative for small homes looking to pack in functionality.

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7. Sensory surfaces

Many disciplines outside of interiors have adopted sensory techniques as a way of embedding new learnings and easing uncertainties. Now interiors are following suit, adopting more texture through polished counters, glassware, and authentic timber materials that add a subtle design to a layout. Solid wood counters are a great option for grounding a look, for a soothing effect within the home.

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8. Marble makeovers

Opulent interiors will remain in fashion for 2021, with marble textures being a focal point for homes looking to achieve a stylish, high-end aesthetic. Light stone-effect surfaces add to a luxurious look and will lift a smaller space, making it appear brighter and more open. For a room that is right on point, switch to black marble, which is rising in popularity to meet the trend for dark and dramatic decors.

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9. Soft geometrics

From large tiles to intricately patterned textiles, geometric patterns have become commonplace in the home, offering a way of adding symmetry to a design. As we move into the new year, abstract flooring is set to be the big trend, with faux parquet and herringbone styles being the design of choice. These offer a softer take on geometrics, complementing both classic and modern interiors alike.

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Hockley Super Matt Slate Grey Handleless Island

10. Black accents

In both bold and pared-back schemes, black accents are featuring more and more to add trend-led touches in a small way. From metal-framed shelving to smaller decorative trims, matt-black designs punctuate a space with a dramatic shade, whilst keeping the look subtle and soft. Double up on style by pairing black profiles with a handleless kitchen for the ultimate modern look.

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Lamona White Granite Composite sink with Lamona Alvo tap

11. Co-ordinated finishes

Tying together a room with matching taps and handles is a key way to create a premium kitchen space. Opting for one style of metallic finish offers a harmonising effect that is easy on the eye and highlights a confidence in design. Stainless steel will keep the look soft and understated, while brushed brass adds an adorned look that showcases character in every corner.

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Dark-green kitchen cupboard with a glass door front, showing wooden shelves and neutral crockery, above a white worktop.

12. Design inside

2021 kitchen trends show that there is more to décor than meets the eye. Carefully considered design on the inside is growing in popularity, with storage accessories matching the overall aesthetic of a room. We recommend playing with cabinet colours that contrast or complement a design, or accessorise units with clever built-in storage that make items easy to access

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