10 Trending Kitchen Design Ideas

House 2 min read

28 Jul 2020

House2Home: The Complete Guide to Renovating or Redecorating

The Irish kitchen has always been the heart of home, the place that brings everyone together at the start of the day or after a long day away. Today’s kitchen is much more than a kitchen and its functionality and design is ever evolving to cater for our busy and varied lifestyles. We’ve probably spent more time at home and in our kitchen spaces than ever before this year, and you may be looking at a redesign or renovation.

With new products, concepts and designs emerging every year, as part of our House2Home series, where we're sharing expert advice, resources and style ideas on renovating or redecorating your home, we look here at the top 10 kitchen trends for 2020 to keep in mind.  

1. Pantry and Pantry Cupboards 
2, Open Kitchen Shelving 
3. Double Kitchen islands.
4. Handle less Kitchen units 
5. Statement Kitchen counter tops and back splashes 
6. Concealed Kitchen appliances and storage 
7. Broken plan kitchen/living 
8. Natural Kitchen wooden finishes 
9. Kitchen Colour Pops.
10. Statement Kitchen metallic accessories 

1. Kitchen Pantry Ideas 

Storage is, and will continue to be, a big part of the kitchen space. Pantries come in all shapes and sizes and are great if you are following the on trend kitchen design of having concealed appliances and storage. Whether you've got a large kitchen and are looking for a walk-in space, or need a smaller built-in kitchen unit there are a wide variety and price points to choose from to help maximise your storage options. 

A pantry is essentially a place to store your foodstuffs and appliances in one place while the kitchen area out front can be all clean lines and clutter-free. The pantry is your second space where you can house counter-top appliances as well as open shelving of different depths and heights so that you can store dry goods, canned and tinned foodstuffs, oils, spices, veg, kitchen linens, cookbooks, etc. Whatever you like!  A work surface is also a good idea to incorporate. 


Image credit: Newcastle Design, Wicklow 

Where you don’t have the space for a specific walk-in pantry a built-in or standalone pantry cupboard/cabinet, which blends in with the rest of your kitchen units could be the way to go. Sliding doors or bifold doors help maximise the interior space of a pantry and your kitchen.


Image credit: Custom Made, Dublin 

While either of these options may sound like an expensive addition to your kitchen, a woman with an eye for design in Perth Australia transformed her PAX wardrobe from IKEA into a well organised pantry complete with slide out drawers, custom name tags and mason jars. – check out her video and results here.

2. Kitchen Shelving Ideas 

Open Shelving 

While concealed storage will be big, there is still use for open shelves, as it adds interest to the kitchen and helps to open up a space, particularly if you have a small kitchen. 

Feature open shelving using rough cut wood to bring in natural elements or metal tubing for a more industrial attitude are said to be the most popular. 

In a minimalist kitchen, you can create interest and focal points by using open shelves to show off your best buys without creating any clutter and it can be decorated with anything from plants to crockery. 

3. Kitchen Island Ideas

Double Islands 

There’s nothing new about the kitchen island or breakfast bar. They have become focal points and the hub of the kitchen itself, but there are new adaptions that are becoming very popular this year. The first is an extension to the traditional island by way of a kitchen island dinner table. 

Image credit: LochAnna Kitchens, UK 

If space is not an issue, the double islands trend could add an air of opulence to your kitchen as they are a convenient way to divide the area of meal preparation and the area of gathering, while still being in the same vicinity. 


Image credit: Wrights Design House, Lisburn 

4. Kitchen Cabinets 

Handle-less units 

While not new, handle less units are having somewhat of a resurgence in popularity of late. Top edge recessed handles, or push open technology for drawers and base cabinets with side grooves for your cabinetry, will simplify the look of your kitchen, giving a sophisticated, contemporary, clean and minimal look to your kitchen. 

Image Credit: Tierney Kitchens, Balbriggan 

A common niggle of handle less units, especially high gloss units, has been when putting your hands on the door, smudges are a potential issue. We love the new touch-friendly finishes utilising nanotechnology for keeping finger prints at bay, especially if you have little ones running round, like this black matt finish using anti-fingerprint technology.

Image credit: Kube Interiors, Dublin. 

5. Kitchen Counters 

Statement counter tops and back splashes 

Seeing its importance in kitchen décor, choosing the material, finish and design of your countertop matters. Quartz was introduced some years ago as a high-end alternative to granite and marble, is non-porous and does not have to go through regular re-sealing. Quartz now comes in many colours, patterns, and finishing techniques that mimic the look of natural stone.

This involves creating veins in interesting patterns swirled into the countertop slabs, with the Calacatta Range in particular being tipped to be in vogue for 2020. Quartz is a cheaper alternative to granite and marble and with its advances in design and texture (including matt) it is a kitchen design trend with staying power. 
 

Image Credits: Rathigan and Hick, Aughrim/Granite Tops, Slane 

Newly developed and highly rated, sintered stone or porcelain worktops can take anything your kitchen might care to throw at it. The product is non-porous, heatproof and very strong. With the addition of pigments in the fabrication process and the option of different textures, the design possibilities of sintered stone are endless. Neolith, for example, offers a rusted metal finish, while Dekton has some stunning marble-effect designs. 



Image Credit: Kube Interiors, Dublin. 

In residential applications, concrete is the latest innovation in countertop material and looks great in your kitchen as a countertop, backsplash or worktop for your kitchen island. Concrete can be pigmented to suit your taste, veined and you can also specify embedded glass, stone or other objects. Because concrete is naturally porous, concrete worktops should always be sealed to protect them from food stains, scratches and water absorption. The right sealer will not only protect the worktop surface, but also enhance its colour and sheen. 


Image Credit: Concrete Design Studios, Ashbourne  



Image Credit: Concrete Fair, Clonmel 

Backsplashes can be also be used to add personality to your kitchen. Trends for 2020 are to have large slabs from counter to ceiling, or at least to the extractor fan if you have a wall mounted one. These slabs can be marble, quartz, wood, copper, stainless steel, glass….Gone are the basic subway style tiles but using larger ones or in a herringbone design are still in if this is your preferred style choice.  




Image Credits: Interior360, Belfast 

6. Kitchen Storage Ideas 

Concealed appliances and storage 

We have lots to store in the kitchen but we don’t necessarily want it all to be on show. In 2020 we're looking at ways to conceal storage, maximise space and improve user convenience. Discreet storage solutions is a big trend. From cupboards to conceal everything from dedicated tea and coffee stations, to microwaves and toasters the aim is to have countertops free of clutter to keep that minimalistic feel. 

Taking minimalism to a whole new level, these kitchens are all about form and combine practicality with aesthetics. Coupled with the trend of a walkin/cupboard pantry if a clean, minimalist vibe is your thing this could be the way to go. 


Image credit: Eggersmann by Surreal Designs, Galway 

7. Broken Plan Kitchen 

An emerging trend in the last few years has been to have the kitchen, living room and dining area all merging into one open-plan space. Open-plan kitchens areas have revolutionised the way we cook and entertain, but they do have their niggles, especially if you want to hide away the dirty pots and pans from dinner guests! So if you’re after a little more privacy, zoning your kitchen, in a phenomenon being referred to as ‘broken-plan’, could be for you.  

Retaining the spacious feel of an open plan design, the trend involves the use of screens, freestanding furniture, cabinetry, half walls, fireplaces with see through glass from both sides and even house plants to create distinct zones intended for cooking, relaxing and entertaining. The concept is simple – create separation without the need for a full-on wall. 

Image credit: Hub Kitchens, UK 

8. Natural Wood Finishes 

Out of fashion for a while, wood is now enjoying a bit of a revival. Flat-panelled presses with minimal detailing and fuss in lighter colours such as Ash and Oak will be popular bringing warmth to any kitchen space. Usage will be not only for the kitchen cabinets but also for accents and added texture. Usage will include using wood as part of two tone kitchens, flooring, counter tops, open shelving, drawer boxes etc.  

Image Credit: Kitchen Makers, UK 

9. Kictchen Colours

Colour pops 

Pops-of-colours will be most popular in shades of blue and green.  


Image Credit: Newcastle Design, Wicklow 

In addition to these, also making its way into the kitchen are dark jewel tones; black, navy, emerald green and even plum. It will surprise you at how well dark kitchen cabinets can work in and/or enhance a kitchen space with its dramatic and luxurious feel. 


Image Credit: Dillons Kitchens, Ashbourne 

10. Metallic Kitchens

Statement Metallic Accessories 

While chrome and stainless steel are a long-standing staple of kitchen design, brushed finishes in brass, copper and bronze will be a key trend for 2020. Far from appearing cold and sterile, these metallic colours are warm and tactile.

You needn't use the metallic finish across the entire kitchen – limiting it to cabinetry handles & hinges, taps, lamp shades, kitchen utensils and small appliances will add that touch of decadence and warmth, but make sure to pair each element in the colour and finish you choose for a consistent style. These metallics are also the ideal shade for enhancing on-trend jewel colour cabinetry. It’s the finishing touches that can make or break a scheme. 


Image Credit: Magnet Kitchens, UK 


Image Credit: Franke 
 

Planning a home renovation? Keep up to date with all the latest articles from Roisin Murphy on our landing page and keep an eye out for #House2Home across out Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for more great advice on planning, budgeting, as well as design and style ideas and inspiring stories – so you can turn that house into the perfect home.

 If you need any help with budgeting or financial support with your project, (big or small) don’t hesitate to contact your local credit union - we’re here to help.