2022 Kitchen Design Trends To Look Out For
Which kitchen designs will continue to dominate the design scene in 2022?
The kitchen has evolved over time. From being simple and basic, the busiest part of the house — and arguably our most favourite — has evolved to become modern, chic, and sophisticated working stations. The evolution of kitchen ideas continues today, with new designs being introduced regularly.
Kitchen Ideas 2022 for New and Renovated Kitchens
Whether you want to revamp your kitchen or just add some new storage space, now is the time to start thinking about trending kitchens and how they’re designed. In addition to improving functionality, kitchens are also a great place to express personal style.
While current kitchen trends will evolve over time, they’re typically not like fashion trends – in one season and out the next. With a little bit of time spent exploring the top kitchen design ideas in Australia, you’ll notice that some kitchen cabinets and finishes are considered ageless classics.
It is worth noting that the kitchen is no longer just a functional area; it serves as a living room, dining room, party room, playroom, and even guest bedroom. If you plan on renovating your kitchen, don’t forget to follow the latest trends and incorporate them into your new design.
Latest Kitchen Trends 2022 in Australia
The latest design for kitchen ideas in Australia focus on incorporating a mixture of classic and modern design elements, with functionality considered a key factor. Because of this, Brisbane kitchens are starting to include a lot of innovative features which not only look great, but that are also practical for frequent use.
After spending hours pouring over the countless pages on kitchen design trends 2022, we’ve compiled a list of current kitchen trends 2022 in Australia
1. Benchtops that are easy to clean
In a post-COVID world, the ability to sanitise a surface has seemingly never been more important. This has been reflected in recent kitchen renovations, with a growing number of Australian’s opting for easy to clean kitchen finishes, such as stone benchtops. Reconstituted stone benchtops look great and are a very cost-effective option and are available in an extensive range of styles. Most importantly, they’re easy to sanitise.
2. The use of marble tones
Marble is a classic when it comes to luxury kitchen finishes, but the emphasis in 2022 is on affordable marble-look benchtops which feature bold patterning. This is because the naturally occurring veins found in marble create a really interesting contrast of texture. A marble-toned benchtop paired with neutral kitchen cabinets adds a luxurious element to even the simplest of kitchen designs. The timeless appeal of a marble-toned surface is now more achievable, thanks to high-quality reconstituted stone products created by Caesarstone and Smartstone.
3. Incorporating timber kitchen finishes
Timber can pair beautifully with a range of other natural finishes, particularly stone benchtops. Timber trend kitchens are currently gaining in popularity, partly because of the availability of high-grade timber laminate products such as Polytec’s Woodmatt Laminate range. Polytec’s range of timber-look laminates features a subtle woodgrain finish that creates a realistic veneer for kitchen cabinets and benchtops. Polytec’s Woodmatt Laminates are scratch-resistant. They’re also hygienic, low maintenance and affordable.
4. Creating a moody colour palette
Dark tones in the kitchen have often been overlooked in favour of pale or neutral colours – but the latest kitchen design trends have started to alter this. When used in a balanced way, dark colours (even black) can add real drama to a renovated kitchen, creating a luxe atmosphere. Dark cabinetry, benchtops or even walls can be balanced out with timber-look elements and sleek stainless-steel appliances.
5. Opting for bold splashbacks
Splashbacks can be viewed as the backdrop to any modern kitchen – they’re not front and centre, but they play a big part in setting the overall tone and style. A bold splashback doesn’t necessarily mean a bright colour – the latest splashbacks are available in a range of materials and textures, including geometrically patterned tiles, polished mirrors and even industrial-looking metals such as steel or copper.
6. Incorporating a ‘Butler’s Pantry’
As kitchen design trends in Australia focus heavily on minimalism, the ‘Butler’s Pantry’ is an elegant and practical solution for those who have the available space. Essentially, a ‘Butler’s Pantry’ is a small kitchen within a kitchen – similar to a walk-in pantry, but instead of just having shelving you’ll also have a dedicated food prep area and an additional sink for cleaning up. This allows you to keep the messy prep work and dirty dishes concealed from the main kitchen area when you’re entertaining.
7. Including two island benches
One of the newest kitchen trends of 2022 in Australia is the inclusion of not one, but two island benches. With more emphasis being placed on larger, open plan kitchens, the double island bench combination serves a practical purpose while also looking quite luxe. The inclusion of two island benches gives you double the amount of usable bench space while also allowing for substantially more storage space. However, if you’re considering a double island bench design, make sure you still have sufficient room to move freely around the kitchen.
8. Fitting “handle-less” kitchen cabinets
The handleless cabinet look has been popular for a few years now, but this is a kitchen design trend that shows no signs of diminishing. A handleless kitchen cupboard emphasises the beauty of the cabinets themselves, without the distraction of decorative handles. This makes handle-less cabinets perfect for sleek and streamlined kitchen designs. A true handleless cupboard utilises a push-open mechanism, making them simple to use. For those that prefer not to use push-open cabinet technology, a similar look can be achieved by incorporating recessed handles.
9. Bringing back the white kitchen
White kitchens never go out of style. A mainly white kitchen aesthetic creates a space that looks clean, minimal and bright, which is perhaps why white kitchens remain popular with potential house buyers. White kitchens are also an ideal backdrop for interior styling, allowing you to add bright bursts of colour or interesting textures.
10. Bringing back the black kitchen
While white kitchens are always going to be a classic choice, black kitchens are a league of their own. They are dramatic, atmospheric, and capable of making quite an impression. Black easily elevates the aesthetic quality of a room, and can blend with every style nicely. It also adds depth, texture, class, and an air of mystery too while we’re at it. Whether it’s matt or glossy, it’s difficult to go wrong with black as it is a neutral and versatile colour that can go well with wood, marble, concrete, stainless, and vibrant colours.
11. Hanging pendant lights
Pendant lights are undoubtedly one of the most popular current kitchen trends of 2022 in Australia and it’s easy to appreciate why. Pendant lights look fantastic when strategically chosen and are a cost-effective way to add a touch of glamour, whimsy or drama to any new or renovated kitchen. But pendant lights also serve a practical purpose, illuminating key workspaces (such as your main food prep area).
12. Using interesting finishes
When it comes to selecting your kitchen taps, you’ll soon discover that the options are far more varied than they used to be. Gone are the days where you were constrained to simple silver – tapware is now readily available in colours such as gold, copper, brass, rose-gold and even black. You’ll also have a choice between polished and matte finishes, allowing for a great amount of personal choice. Kitchen sinks are also now available in a wide range of colours, styles and finishes, so you can truly customise the aesthetic of your new kitchen.
13. Creating a curated space
A curated space is one that has been designed with a careful eye for display. This could include some open shelving where assorted cookbooks might be displayed, the inclusion of a favourite piece of artwork or even an exhibition of antique cutlery pieces. The idea of a curated space is to create a kitchen that tells a story about the family that lives there. This trend allows for a high level of personalisation in the design, leaving a lot of room for imagination and personal expression.
14. Adding a dash of colour
While you may feel uncomfortable committing to a long-term kitchen design that features unexpected colours (such as a bright red benchtop or vivid green cabinets), that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate some colour into your kitchen. Kitchens provide plenty of opportunities for you to add a dash of colour – it could be in the form of a vase, appliances, window coverings, a piece of artwork or even a feature wall (one that can be easily repainted should you change your mind in ten years’ time).
15. Concealing appliances inside cabinetry
Appliances inside cabinetry have been around for the past 20 years or so, but they were originally seen as more of a luxury item. In 2022, with a growing appreciation for design ergonomics, appliances in cabinetry are becoming more common. Rather than having to bend right down just to place a spoon in the dishwasher or retrieve milk for a cup of coffee, you can instead opt for integrated dishwashers, pantries and fridges that open smoothly from under the bench. These appliances are considered to be an innovative solution for those suffering from back or knee problems.
16. Opting for a mix of materials
Rather than sticking to just one colour palette or finish, it’s becoming increasingly common to see a mix of materials. The idea is to choose finishes that balance and complement one another, such as using warm-toned timber cabinetry to bring a bit of life to a cold stone benchtop. The key is to not overdo things – you want your kitchen surfaces to harmonise, not visually clash with each other.
17. Adding some floating shelves
The popularity of floating shelves is undeniable. At last count, #floatingshelves has appeared in over 145,600 Instagram posts, mostly in new or renovated kitchens. Floating shelves are very versatile, creating added storage space while also allowing for the display of much-loved decorative items. Floating shelves can also be placed in spots where there isn’t sufficient room for another cupboard.
18. Retro kitchen finishes
Kitchen trends tend to circle back on themselves with time, so it’s no surprise that retro styles from 30 years ago are once again becoming popular. The key difference between a modern retro kitchen design and a 30-year-old kitchen is the inclusion of modern design features. So, you could opt for a modern kitchen layout with all the latest appliances but then incorporate some retro-inspired timber cabinetry.
19. Outdoor kitchens
Outdoor kitchens are more in demand in 2022. There are many benefits associated with an outdoor kitchen like having more space around the house, extending your indoor kitchen for more versatility and functionality, spending more time outdoors, being able to accommodate and entertain more guests, easier cleaning, and increasing the value of your home! Investing in an outdoor kitchen will put your home in line with the latest in top kitchen designs, position yourself favourably in a real estate market, and upgrade the resale value of your property. In addition, you can also outfit your outdoor kitchen with a wider range of outdoor appliances like smokers, grills, sinks, pizza ovens, wine coolers, refrigerators, and side burners.
Let your personality shine through
While it certainly is helpful to check what the most recent census is on top kitchen designs and what a trendy kitchen looks like, it is still YOUR kitchen at the end of the day.
Trends come and go all the time. Hence, it is best to prioritise functionality and retain a certain degree of your character in your space to keep it unique — and you.
Looking to incorporate kitchen designs 2022 in your own space?
If you need a credible and renowned kitchen company to infuse new kitchen ideas and new kitchen trends with your own personal style into your own kitchen, our creatives at McColl Cabinetmakers are more than happy to realise that concept for you.
You will get an obligation-free measure and custom cabinetry design Brisbane service as well as supply and installation as per your requirements.
We have very high attention to detail and use the latest 3D design and manufacturing technology to achieve outstanding outcomes to the job done not just within time, but also within budget!
