10 of the best kitchen trends in 2022
There’s no doubt our kitchen hubs have taken on new meaning in the past year and here’s 10 trends leading the way.
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Kitchens are on the boil. We are asking even more of them, as they become part of the WFH phenomenon and a family retreat, not merely somewhere to prep, cook and serve meals.
That’s reflected in the fact that kitchens are the space Australians renovate the most and spend large amounts of money on, according to the Housing Industry Association of Australia.
A typical spend on a kitchen renovation is in the $30,000 to $40,000 ballpark, which includes stone benchtops, appliances, trades and installation, a full increase of some $5000 plus when
compared to average spends just a year ago, says John Hall of Nobby Kitchens, who attributes this rise to two things.
“Customers have been focusing more on their home due to lockdown during Covid,” explains John. “And, with overseas holidays off the agenda for the past two years, many Australians have higher disposable income.”
So, if the kitchen is working harder than ever before, what features are we looking for in this domestic hot spot? Here’s what’s cooking.
NOT-SO PRETTY POLY
“For joinery, two-pack polyurethane is still the first choice of most homeowners when they walk into our showroom,” says John, who has up to 25 kitchens on display in
each of his outlets.
“But, after they have visited, only 10 per cent choose it. There are materials out there today
that far exceed polyurethane in durability. Fingerprint-resistant laminates, textured timber grains and smooth thermo-laminates are exceptional choices.” And those timber laminates look and feel like the real McCoy.
BENCH PRESS
Timber and timber lookalikes have come to the benchtop.
“Timber adds warmth, texture and a tactile quality that people are clearly loving and we don’t think this trend will disappear anytime soon,” says Monique Parker, of flat-pack kitchen company Kaboodle.
Her customers are also mixing their benchtop styles, opting for a stone-look for one section of the kitchen, and timber for an island. “This helps to create zones and is also a great way to create a feature out of your island. We have noticed customers are choosing thinner profiles for their benchtops, creating a more streamlined, seamless aesthetic.”
That’s echoed by John. He says composites, such as Caesarstone and Silestone still rule and make up nearly two-thirds of his sales, but they are thinner than in the past.
“And a reverse shark-nose benchtop profile is in at the moment. It’s very minimalist.”
High-impact compact laminates in a calacatta marble pattern are fronting up more and more, he says. They might soon give composites a run for their money.
SAVVY STORAGE
Most kitchens will have at least one corner and it can be difficult to know what to do with – and how to access what’s inside. However, it’s not as hard as you may first think, says Alisa Fraser, spokesperson for custom kitchen company Kinsman, you just need to look at corner pull-out cabinetry and swivel shelves.
One of her favourites is Hafele’s LeMans II Corner Unit which has the Arena Classic Kessebohmer clever storage inside, consisting of shelves on a pivot (left-hand and right-hand options), which allows easy-peasy access to corners that would otherwise sit idle.
COLOUR FEST
Colour is spicing things up – and expect more on the menu.
“The resurgence of colour is not just a passing trend. It’s here to stay,” says Monique. “Greens and blues are being used in new and playful ways, where cabinetry becomes the hero, adding vibrancy and character.”
“Another trend we are loving is pairing two colours for a bold statement,” adds Alisa.
“Think selecting a darker cabinet colour for an island and a lighter, more neutral shade for the rest of the cabinetry.”
While a white kitchen remains classic and ever-popular, she adds, it can come with a twist. “We are seeing white teamed with soft-grey cabinetry, to add depth and interest within a neutral scheme.”
And the even more adventurous are stepping away from a neutral palette to a bold, darker one.
“Deep navy works particularly well if you love a Hamptons or a country look,” she adds. Not everyone’s getting carried away by the colour swatches, though.
“White, white and shades of white, with an accent neutral or a timber grain, comprises 90 per cent of our sales,” says John.
SEE THE LIGHT
Lighting makes a statement in the kitchen – and we are not talking rows of downlights like an airport runway. A popular choice is pendant lights suspended above an island bench, says Alisa.
“Brass pendants complement a Hamptons or country look, while more modern or urban spaces look great with white or black pendants.” Over island bars – strip lights running along the entire bench – and two to three pendants are still the most popular, says John. Downlights still have a place – usually under wall cabinets to illuminate prep zones. There’s always room for a feature light too.
MULTIFUNCTIONAL LAYOUTS
We have long been fans of open-plan kitchens – and they usually top a kitchen reno brief.
“We often take out walls to help clients achieve an open plan and an island bar, so the whole family can congregate around the kitchen bench,” says John from Nobby Kitchens.
But, with WFH, forced isolation and the lingering memory of lockdowns, we expect our kitchens to really roll up their sleeves.
“We include areas within the design that are multifaceted, for example, a floating benchtop attached to an island, which could act as a work-from-home station, cocktail bar or tea-and-coffee zone,” says Monique from Kaboodle.
“Today’s kitchens have dual functions.”
And more besides. For example, they can be the perfect place to share a celebratory drink with loved ones or blow out the candles at the next birthday party.
TAP DANCE
For tapware and handles, homeowners are shifting from high-gloss towards more matt, textured finishes for a warmer look. “Worn gold and brushed brass are definitely having a moment – we love seeing these paired with the muted greens and blues of the cabinetry to create a sense of luxury,” says Monique.
“Traditional silver or stainless-steel tapware and accessories have been replaced with matt brass details,” adds Kinsman’s Alisa.
“The metal of choice in interior design, brass complements natural and organic-inspired surfaces, injecting glamour into your kitchen. The same applies to handles, which have shifted to brass or soft gold-looks, suiting many kitchen styles.”
CUPBOARD LOVE
When it comes to storage, we are getting inventive and more practical to keep up with day-to-day life.
“No kitchen is complete without high-functioning storage,” says Alisa.
“Our extensive range of (Kinsman) storage options includes pullout pantries, cutlery trays and pullout bins.” And when it comes to mastering tricky, hard-to-reach corners – Hafele Magic Corners and LeMans II, and corner Blum drawers are on many wishlists, adds John. Drawers, too, are in demand thanks to their functionality as no space is wasted, especially deep, broad drawers, perfect for storing bulky items such as pots and pans, as well as wide trays and platters.
“They also allow full access to the contents of the entire unit,” says Alisa.
“Internal wire-ware within cabinetry maximises usable space and increases functionality,” says Monique.
“This could include corner cabinet baskets, spice racks or pullout pantry baskets.”
While a butler’s pantry is a must-have for larger homes, apartment dwellers can choose a more modest option that’s compact and efficient.
“Those with smaller homes opt for pullout pantries, due to their space-saving qualities and because they bring the contents of the pantry out in front of them,” she says. “They can actually see and reach everything.”
CABINET BRIEFING
“A Shaker-style profile has always been popular for cabinetry, but we are seeing a shift to a more refined and subtle take on it,” says Alisa.
Its enduring appeal could be partly because it works so well with the Hamptons style, which never goes stale.
“More customers are opting for timeless profiles, such as our Alpine classic – Shaker-like with panelled front, with a smooth, flat centre and raised border – and also modern profiles, clean and streamlined without borders,” adds Monique.
Meanwhile, statement stainless-steel rangehoods appear to be fading into obscurity, instead being hidden behind joinery, says John.
THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS
The most important thing about a new kitchen is that it works, says cooking and kitchenware buyer for The Good Guys, Geraldine Gillespie.
“Every family has different needs but the kitchen is always the heart of the home,” says Geraldine. “Whether you’re cooking, eating or entertaining, the kitchen should be a stylish space you enjoy being in, and thoughtful kitchen appliances can help make that happen.”
Electrolux 60cm pyrolytic oven in dark stainless steel, $1799; Fisher and Paykel 90cm induction cooktop in black glass, $2199, both available at Thegoodguys.com.au
Single bowl kitchen sink in brushed gold, $749. Meir.com.au
Originally published as 10 of the best kitchen trends in 2022
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