Whether we’re talking a simple refresh or a full-scale remodel, kitchens are an area of our homes where we tend to be a little cautious. No one wants an expensive design mess on their hands, which is why the word ‘trend’ alongside ‘kitchen’ strikes fear into the heart of every renovator. But this needn’t be the case. Nor does your kitchen have to be a style vacuum. There are plenty of great kitchen design ideas that allow you to merge some on-trend looks with some serious forever room vibes. It’s the centre of your daily life, so let’s get it right. Read on for all the Australian kitchen inspiration you are going to need to take you all the way into the 2020s and beyond.
An Australian style kitchen is always a good idea
What do you think of when you think of Australia? An absolutely gorgeous landscape? A super-casual, easy breezy lifestyle? Loads of natural light and long days? These three ideas alone have had a strong influence on Australian interiors, and they have found their way into kitchens as well. Bringing the outside inside, a perennial love of breakfast bars and a commitment to lighter shades and tones - despite a move towards dark and moody in the northern hemisphere - are all markers of kitchen design ideas that are here for a good time, AND a long time. In general, designers and influencers tend to pick and choose from design trends and make it work for the more relaxed pace of life on this side of the pond.
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1. Kitchen islands are here to stay
Kitchen islands are something of a veteran in the world of Australian renovations. They certainly tick a lot of boxes bringing extra storage, extra bench spaces and extra social space - three key elements you can never have enough of in the kitchen. A good kitchen island is the perfect spot for family and friends to gather around and is in tune with the relaxed Australian lifestyle.
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2. Bring the outside, inside
Who has seen the gorgeous window acting as a splashback look all over Pinterest and Instagram recently? *raises hand* It creates an absolutely jaw-dropping effect and is essentially the epitome of the design adage of ‘bringing the outside inside’. This close connection to the natural world also ties together ideas around wellness and sustainability into our homes.
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3. An easy, breezy, lighter shade of pale
White, greys and other light tones still reign supreme in Australian kitchen design. It must be something to do with the blues skies and an abundance of natural light that means these hues are still going strong, despite darker toned cabinetry and benchtops being the new cool kid on the clock. For some, classic white kitchens are undoubtedly a safe, trend-resistant option that will stand the test of time. Whatever the reason, our affinity for all the light shades in kitchen design is here to stay.
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4. Matchy-matchy
There is no denying the bench, splashback and shelving in one material is an insanely chic international trend. That it has made its way into Australian kitchens in such a strong way is no surprise. It’s a look that is functional, stylish and seamless. Whether it’s done in stone, timber of even engineered materials; it’s breathtaking.
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5. Wall to Wall storage
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that everyone would like more storage in their kitchen. In response, we are here to welcome wall storage into our design-loving hearts. Beautiful and functional storage will never go out of style. These floor-to-ceiling storage solutions are simultaneously both dramatic and, thanks to the fact that all visual chaos is behind closed doors, quiet.
Mirrors in kitchens, shelves above splashbacks and a chic reinterpretation of the farmhouse kitchen are other trends we can look forward to seeing in Australian kitchens sooner, rather than later.
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