Kitchen designs have changed a lot over the years but the one thing that has remained consistent in recent years, is the kitchen becoming the heart of the home. Kitchens are no longer just for cooking meals. It has become multi-functional and a more open space to accommodate everyone’s needs. The global pandemic has reinforced this more than ever as families are working and even educating from home. The kitchen is on display now and needs to be as comfortable as your living room.

The projected 2021 kitchen trends take all of this into account. As we are spending more time at home and in the kitchen, the trends need to reflect these needs. In this blog post we’re going to explore 12 trends that the experts say we can expect to see in 2021!

Now I’m not one to recommend following “trends”. Many trends come and go and if you are renovating your kitchen, you don’t want to see your design go out of style in 5 years. But the trends that we can expect to see in 2021 are solid, classic and functional. Let’s take a look at what we can expect.

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1. Quartz Countertops

Quartz has been very popular for many years now and will continue to be the primary choice for kitchens. It has a great return on your investment and provides a contemporary, upscale look to any home. Quartz is essentially maintenance free so it’s super easy to care for. You will continue to see a lot of marble looking quartz in white, grey and other light cool tones.

Some of our favourite brands are Cambria, Silestone, Hanstone, Vicostone, Dekton, Viatera and Caesarstone. Be very careful when selecting your quartz. The brands we offer (those listed here) are the top high quality brands available. We trust them implicitly and they contain the highest quantity of solid quartz (92%-95%). Some of the lesser quality quartz has much less pure quartz (70% or less) and a lot more filler. This makes it less durable and more prone to cracking.

2. Dark kitchen countertops

We’re also going to see a lot of darker kitchen countertops, even in black. With matte black fixtures (faucets, sinks, shower faucets) gaining in popularity, you’re going to see a lot more matte black countertops, as well as glossy black. Dark countertops are a great contrast against white or light wood cabinets.

3. Wall to wall cabinets

For a few years we saw a trend of little or no upper cabinets with open shelving sometimes being installed in their place. That trend is slowly fading and now we’re seeing wall to wall cabinets making the best use of space in kitchens, providing a lot of additional storage.

However, I always tell my clients to do what best suits their needs. One of my clients had a concern about her kitchen looking too heavy and bulky. She opted for very few upper cabinets. Instead she put in a large island that created additional storage space.

4. Clean lined cabinets

In 2021, kitchen cabinets will take on a minimalist appearance. We’ll see a seamless look with more flat panel doors, minimal hardware or even a touch release design. So many 2021 trends are moving toward this Scandinavian design of minimalism. It emphasizes simplicity and clean lines, and light, bright spaces with plenty of space to move. Clean lined cabinets are a move toward simplicity and a focus on cabinet details.

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5. Multi-Level Island

Islands in general have always been hugely popular. They increase your storage space and prep area. But having two different heights on your island can accommodate a prep area and a seating area for school work, office work, or eating meals without having to opt for bar height stools.

6. Changing Colour Palettes

With the pandemic, we were all looking for grounding and a feeling of safety. Earth tones are rich, warm colours that are comfortable to be around. Consequently we’re going to see a lot more wine reds, deep greens and rich browns in the paint on the walls, the cabinets themselves and backsplashes.

However, we’re also going to see some dark drama. Full black kitchens will start to become popular as well as the classic black and white monochrome kitchens. Black kitchens will look especially elegant but properly selected and sufficient lighting will be a must for these kitchens. With the classic black and white kitchens, to add interest, we’re going to see combinations of matte and shiny, and rough and smooth surfaces. We’re even seeing the use of wallpaper returning in some gorgeous white wallpaper with black patterns.

7. Solid backsplashes

The one piece slab backsplash is gaining in popularity. We’re seeing the same material the countertop is made from being fabricated into a one piece backsplash as well. Although a little pricey, the look is gorgeous and seamless. We’re also going to see more solid metal backsplashes.

8. Backsplash statement walls

As the kitchen becomes more of a living space, we’re going to see backsplashes becoming part of the décor and a visual focal point. In 2021 we’ll see more geometric bold designs, textured or patterned backsplashes, metal or natural wood, bright mosaics particularly at the stove, and even painted artwork as a backsplash.

2021 will also see more shiny backsplashes with super glossy tile, mirrors and solid glass. At the home show in 2020 we selected fabulous wallpaper as a backsplash and put clear glass on top of it. Visitors to the show were amazed that it was wallpaper. The best part? If you tire of it, it’s super easy to change the wallpaper for a whole new look.

9. Faucets as art

With the innovative designs in faucets these days, faucets aren’t just a fixture to help you wash dishes. They’ve become works of art and a focal point of their own. There are so many designs that are contemporary, colourful and artistic. Be creative and see what tweaks your interest.

10. Linear suspension lights over islands

These are your bar style hanging lights that reach horizontally rather than the typical vertical drop. They look great over islands or long dining tables. They are sleek, contemporary and bring a bit of streamlined drama to the space.

Now I’m not suggesting that pendant lights are out of style. They certainly are not and are still gaining in popularity in kitchens. However, if you’re opting for a more streamlined look in your kitchen, consider a linear suspension light above your island for that minimalist look.

11. Smart kitchens

Technology has made our lives easier over the years and the kitchen is no exception. We’re now starting to see more motion sensor faucets, refrigerators that can alert you when products run out and coffee makers with timers that are ready when you wake up. These smart appliances pair with helpful apps to make cooking that much easier. Here’s a link to a great article on the more popular smart kitchen appliances.

12. Composite sinks

Composite sinks are a composition of various highly durable materials such as granite resin, quartz and heavy plastic dusts. The materials vary by brand but most composite sinks are made of approximately 80% quartz or other similar materials that are basically designed to make the sink as stain, heat, impact and scratch proof as possible. As such, they are distinctly more durable than stainless steel or ceramic counterparts. The smaller 20% materials are typically made of acrylic like particles to act as bonding agents to the more solid materials. We’ll also be seeing more marble, concrete and ceramic sinks. The disadvantage of these sinks is that they are typically more expensive than stainless steel sinks, are extremely heavy which means they typically come with a higher installation cost, and they can chip (sometimes quite easily).

The kitchen trends for 2021 will bring some grounding and harmony to our homes. It will also allow some expression of our personality and help to bring joy after such a difficult year in 2020. As we have worked on kitchen renovations during 2020 we have seen our clients create that integration of a living space within their kitchens. Islands have served as work surfaces, prep areas and dining tables. There tends to be very little demarcation between the living room, dining room and kitchen. When planning your 2021 kitchen renovation, always remember to create a unified whole between these three areas with consistency in your furniture and colours.

If you live in Durham Region or Clarington and would like to book an appointment for us to meet with you to talk about your kitchen, click here to find your preferred appointment time.