Contemporary Kitchen Trends for 2017

From 1950s Formica-kitsch, to the mottled grey cupboards of the 1990s; kitchen designs have changed a lot over the decades. While the kitchen remains the heart of the home, how we interact with it has transformed significantly. A focus on sustainability, culinary influences from all over the world and an endless stream of new gadgets continue to change what a “modern” kitchen looks like, and how we can maintain one in our homes.

Having a comfortable, stylish and practical kitchen helps to maintain the flow of our lifestyles, and also makes a confident statement to friends and neighbours when we invite them over. A beautiful kitchen somehow makes the rest of our homes feel more put-together – a fact that is also not missed on potential homebuyers.

So whether you want to impress your friends, or increase the value before selling up, this summer could be the time to give your kitchen a new lease of life. Read on for some design inspiration from the trends that have been making their way into our homes so far this year.

Industrial Chic

An interior trend that seems set to stay, industrial chic has been infiltrating every room in our homes over the past year or so. Inspired by factories and warehouses, the industrial style is striking, functional and full of character. While the clean lines and minimal flourish of this look might seem easy to pull off, don’t be deceived. The secret to is a careful balance of rugged materials like wood, concrete and exposed brickwork with sleek metals and monochrome finishes.

Contrast Flooring

It looks like the era of floor-to-ceiling neutral décor is coming to an end, as dark shades creep back into our kitchens from the ground up. Charcoal and ebony shades are making a statement, working in dramatic contrast to pale cabinetry. Different flooring materials make this trend work for both traditional and contemporary kitchen styles, so if you’re not ready to replace your entire kitchen this one update can make a big difference.

Big Colour

If you’re ready to make a bigger splash, 2017 is the year for bright, bold kitchens. Not only are we seeing sinks, range cookers and fridges pick up new colourways like indigo and claret, but contemporary kitchen designers are offering more colours, patterns and textures for cabinetry. To pull this off, pick two or three striking shades (depending on the size of your kitchen), and let them pop against a background of white or grey.

Handleless Cabinets

Although younger homeowners may not realise it, the trend for handleless doors and cupboards is actually a revival from the 1970s. It’s easy to see why they’re so popular again – a lack of clunky handles makes cabinets look understated and elegant, lending sophistication to a kitchen of any size. Outdated handle styles are also one of the first factors that cause a kitchen to look tired, so handleless cabinets avoid this issue completely!

Innovative Storage

Thanks to minimalism still running strong, kitchen renovators are looking to upgrade their drawers and cupboards to include the most practical storage solutions. We’re used to keeping utensils, spices and knife blocks out of sight, but 2017 is calling for stricter measures to be taken. Bulky kitchen gadgets like microwaves and toasters spoil an otherwise tidy countertop, so specially designed cupboards, complete with sliding trays and outlets, allow them to be stored out of sight but accessed at a moment’s notice.

Technology, Everywhere

As we embrace virtual personal assistants and start to get our heads around driverless cars becoming a reality, it’s no surprise that our homes are becoming taken over by technology. Don’t let your kitchen fall behind, and look out for coffee machines you can switch on from your bed and fridges that know when to reorder your groceries.