Kitchen Design Trends of 2021

We are now in the Spring of 2021 where the last year has been particularly challenging for each and every one of us. As we look back over the past year, we reflect on the key kitchen trends of 2020 and how they have enveloped into the new space adapting to “normal” life.

The effect that the global pandemic (Covid-19) has had on the way we live has influenced the design choices that we as homemakers have had to make in our homes. From homeworking to homeschooling, the demands on our kitchens have reached another level.

In this blog, we look at how these new demands have influenced the kitchen design trends of 2021.

Boiling water taps

Hot water taps have been around for many years and are proving to be popular in homes today, we have designed them in many of our handmade kitchens, with the Quooker tap being the main one. They replace the traditional kettle, with so many different styles and designs to choose from, you will be sure that there’s one to suit your taste. In the last 12 months, the designs have evolved, including gold and brass-tone finishes, reflecting the trend in kitchen accessories.

In the last year, homeworkers have been drawn to the benefits of a hot water tap, allowing them to make instant hot drinks in between meetings over zoom. The lack of noise from this innovative product also reduces the disruption to other family members sharing the same space.

Our client in the Henham project opted for a Quooker boiling tap to provide the whole family with instant boiling water. It’s a two-in-one design where cold water is available too. A chrome finish was chosen to match the whole aesthetics of the kitchen as well as the other fixtures and fittings.

Something a little different in the Stock project. Our client opted for a brass Quooker tap to add to the sink area and complement the traditional brass Perrin & Rowe taps. A perfect addition to this classic shaker in the country.

Opting for a green hue

The colour green has been a popular choice in handmade kitchens throughout the last year, with the bolder, darker shades being paired with brass and gold-toned accessories. The trend this year is going for a lighter green with softer tones that are paired with more natural finished textures and materials.

According to experts softer greens, natural tones, and materials have reflected on how the pandemic has made us feel, making us want to connect with the outdoors more after spending so much more time than ever within the same four walls.

Last year saw us complete a few projects in a two-tone colour scheme of green and white. The project in Stock, Essex features a kitchen island hand-painted in Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball. It’s a grey-green that comes alive when contrasted with a lighter hue. Natural materials such as stone, solid wood, and metal, work perfectly with this green hue.

Another project hand-painted in green was this kitchen located in Broxbourne, Herts. Our client opted for Cooking Apple Green from Farrow & Ball, a fresh iconic green that creates the feeling of health and vigor and freshens up the room when contrasted with the bright white. A beautiful granite worktop known as Cosmic Black was chosen for the island to make an attractive focal point.

Amazing storage solutions

At the beginning of the first national lockdown in 2020, homeowner’s food shopping habits changed having to plan for every mealtime and snack, 24/7 for the whole family. This naturally led to the need for more storage for both fresh and dried food goods.

We no doubt expect walk-in pantries and larder units to be a big trend in the kitchen design for 2021. A lot of our handmade kitchens last year saw day pantries being added to store more goods, as well as breakfast pantries being the ideal cupboard for working from home and homeschooling.

This walk-in pantry we designed for our client in Billericay functions as many things. An unused corner in this room was destined for the ultimate walk-in pantry that would be the ideal place to store dry goods and even the microwave.

This freestanding pantry built in the Hatfield Broad Oak project offers a great addition to the kitchen, giving our client lots of storage whilst looking beautiful too underneath that triangular window.

Handmade home bars

Drinking at home has become the new normal due to the national lockdown and restrictions during 2020, it saw us limiting our ability to socialise in pubs and bars.

This gorgeous open handmade home bar was completed at a property in Bishop’s Stortford. It met our client’s taste and requirements and offered a place to serve beers and cocktails like you’re on holiday. Built with beautiful features it’s definitely an eye-catching piece.

This wonderful drinks cabinet in Billericay, Essex was built into this unused space and is everything you could wish for in one place. Prepare drinks before and after dinner, store the bar essentials, and keep the drinks cool.

Broken plan layouts

Open-plan layouts have become very popular in the home in recent times with the kitchen design styles suiting your personality. However, with the whole family living and working from home together throughout the year 2020 the need for privacy and a sense of personal space has increased massively.

Designing a broken plan layout in your kitchen can create separate areas behind sections of walls or screens to accommodate the different activities such as working from home, homeschooling, or watching TV.

This stunning kitchen in Clayhall, London features a large kitchen island with a drop-down edge in a Carrara style Quartz to make an informal dining space. It has created a section to be able to work from home but also a handy spot to get a drink and snack.

This is another great example of a kitchen layout being broken up in the home. This classic shaker in Golders Green, Barnet features a breakfast bar on one level and a banquette on the lower level both looking out onto the gorgeous views of the garden.

Seating for everyone

This year we expect integrated seating solutions such as banquettes and breakfast bar seating to be popular. Before the year 2020, for the majority, eating together as a whole family was a less regular event, only for Sunday roasts and special occasions.

The smart seating areas in this hub of the home come together whether the family or guests are sitting together or not. The Winchmore Hill project provides luxurious seating options to eat Sunday roasts and mid-week meals.

In the Billericay project, the large open-plan space provides seating for every one in three different areas. There’s plenty of space to dine together.

Do these kitchen trends of 2021 appeal to you and your dream kitchen? Contact us today for more info – we look forward to hearing from you.