With 2020 coming to an end (hopefully taking all the not-so-pleasant things with it), 2021 could serve as a new beginning, fueled by changes to ourselves. With so much time to reflect on our lives, simple things are more important than ever. I have seen kitchen become more and more decorative over the years, and now we are stepping into furniture-like cabinetry. Spending all that time at home really kicked the trend into high gear. With the mid-century still high in it’s come back, another style is about to emerge: modern rustic. And open concept kitchens are as big as ever. Read on for the latest trends in kitchen design for year 2021.

1. Colors

That’s always a big one: what colors will be popular. There are no surprises here: blue is still going strong, albeit loosing some of it’s brightness. Think navy, deep hues that are easy on the eyes.

And green is BIG this year. From subtle and light shades of sage to deep almost avocado greens – everything goes. Go with gold, brass metals and natural wood for that “outside inside” feel.

Mix the two for a winning combo! Calming, comfortable colors bring back “my home is my fortress” feel.

Mixed metals, gold and brass, statement backsplashes and statement floors are in. Plenty of things to have fun with!

Another color that is making a comeback this year is black! Or near-black for the matter. Dark shades are experiencing a revival, possibly because of the furniture-like kitchen trend I mentioned earlier.

Black kitchen does not have to be dark, quite the opposite. The contrast that black kitchen cabinet provide with the floor and the walls might actually brighten up the space, making lighter surfaces stand out more.

Another thing to keep in mind is the ceiling height. If your ceiling is rather low, black kitchen might not be the best choice. If you live in a loft, however, black will do a wonderful job of taking up all that space you have, making the kitchen cozy without shrinking the room visually. And don’t forget the ceiling, it needs your love!

If you are considering dark or black kitchen cabinets, I have a post dedicated to that topic you might want to read here.

2. Materials

While composite and recycled materials trend is strong, the wood is coming back. Especially warm, soft tones of walnut. Wood finishes are being used by themselves and mixed in with colors for a beautiful laid-back look.

Bring wood back with wood countertops, accessories and islands.

All wood kitchen is also a trend. To avoid the outdated look, choose marble-looking countertops, simple cabinet design and keep trims and decor to a minimum.

If all wood kitchen is a little too much for you, throw in woven lighting fixture for a dash of warmth in your space.

Now, to the countertops, quartz is still the favorite, but it is quickly being pushed aside by porcelain countertops. Those are thinner, allowing for a more modern, cleaner look. It is being produced in a variety of colors, mimicking natural stone. And it is even less absorbent than quartz. Oh, and it looks GORGEOUS!

If you prefer a thicker edge, it can be built up.

Black countertops are all the rage now, but keep it honed, if natural stone, and concrete finish if you are going with quartz.

3. Cabinet designs

Clean-lined, simple cabinets are all the very much in (still). The european-style cabinets get their twist from the colors: grey, green, blue, natural wood and the combination of all of the above.

Straight lines, sleek slab face of the cabinets speak volumes with color. It is usually a dark flat color and lighter wood combination. Also, note that flat panel reflective finishes are not present. Cabinets come with flat or satin finishes and wood

The furniture-like cabinets are becoming more popular, pushing shaker out of the picture (crazy, right?). You won’t hear me complaining. I think those look beautiful! And think about all the storage! One thing to note, keep the storage decorative!

Add rugs, table lamps, decorative china and cookware to your kitchen to achieve that decorated look.

4. Layouts

Over the range microwaves and wall cabinets are becoming a thing of the past. Decorative and one-of-a-kind range hoods and wall-to-wall storage are in. Microwaves are being hidden, like the rest of the appliances (more on that below).

Decorative pantries are the storage of choice for a more classic kitchen designs. Add mesh, glass, use French doors or barn doors for your walk-in pantry or go with a kitchen larder!

Need a little more privacy for your pantry? Go for solid doors or opt for decorated glass as inserts!

Make room for dining at the island this season!

Multi-level island is another trend, and I don’t mean your usual breakfast bar, I mean a dining table attached to the kitchen island. So, if you have space in the kitchen, go for it!

5. Appliances

Appliances are being hidden out of sight this year. If you can afford it, go with flush-installed panel ready fridges and dishwashers, hide your microwave under counter or put it into the oven cabinet with your oven. There are under counter induction cooktops, that use magnetic qualities of your cookware to heat it up!

In integrated appliances are outside of you budget, opt of a counter-depth fridge with sleek design, there are plenty of those on the market.

6. Mid-century is back

And the new comer of this year is modern rustic!

This trend has been evolving for some time now but, to me, it has just gained it’s strength, grew out of the puberty faze and turned into a swan.

Somewhat eclectic, colorful and charmingly mismatched, this trend is very forgiving and has plenty of space for life without clutter.

I know mid-century has been back for a while now, but it’s not going anywhere, so it’s definitely worth mentioning!

That’s it for now! If you need help, let me know, I’ll be happy to assist you!