The kitchen remains one of the most expensive home renovation projects you can undertake. That’s why, when undertaking a kitchen renovation, it’s important to think about longevity when it comes to design. 

So how do you decide which of the new trends and looks to incorporate into your kitchen renovation project for 2021 and beyond?  In this month’s B&C Home Journal, the Balnei & Colina team of kitchen design experts in Sydney have pulled together a list of current trends to explore for your 2021 kitchen renovation project. 

The team at

Balnei & Colina Renovations Sydney

 

Balnei & Colina kitchen renovation Sydney

1) CABINETS WITH COLOUR 

The all-white kitchen remains popular because of its timeless appeal and versatility, aligning with almost any style. However, 2021 will see this simple all-white look expanded to include natural elements, like timber, and splashes of colour, for an even more contemporary look. 

Coloured cabinetry, especially darker tones, is a key trend for 2021 kitchen renovations. The Balnei & Colina renovations Sydney team encourage clients to create more visual interest by injecting colour into cabinetry, especially in more traditional kitchen designs like Country and Hamptons-style kitchen renovations.

Design Tip: You don’t have to take colour to the limit to create an impact. Keep things simple and use colour to create a focal point or for added contrast against white coloured cabinetry. For example, try opting for a dark colour like Navy for your kitchen island or a dark feature colour like brown for kitchen base cabinets only. This way, you can inject colour subtly and avoiding overkill. 

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Balnei & Colina Kitchen Renovation Sydney

2) ACCESSORISE WITH BRASS

Brass fittings are a leading trend for 2021 kitchen renovations. 

Brass is a versatile material, suitable for almost any kitchen task. Brass can be used for tapware, sinks, handles, knobs, lighting and even range hoods in kitchen renovations. 

Brass can add warmth to space, makes a statement and blends beautifully with most colours from darkest tones to the crispest whites creating a moment in any kitchen design. 

Brass will patina, building more character over time. However, if you're not partial to natural tarnishing, opt for a lacquered option that will weather less over time. 

Design Tip: Brass is easy to clean and maintain; simply clean with soap and water. Fingerprints also aren’t as easily visible as compared with chrome and copper look counterparts.

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Balnei & Colina kitchen renovation Sydney

3) TIMBER INJECTION

The look of natural wood always helps to add warmth to a space. The kitchen design team at Balnei & Colina renovations Sydney feel Darker timber look colours with rich brown, muted grey and darker blacks and blue tones suit almost any interior style, from industrial to traditional to modern. A dark timber colour can inject character and texture into a kitchen space and offers a great contrast to smooth surfaces.

The team at Balnei & Colina kitchen renovations Sydney suggest steering clear of natural timbers for kitchen cabinetry. Apart from being costly, natural timber is porous, absorptive and subject to expansion and contraction when the temperature changes. Particularly in the Australian climate, natural timbers are not really suitable for a busy kitchen environment. Instead, opt for timber veneer substitutes that mimic natural timber's look and feel without any of the negative attributes of natural timber. 

Robert Fonti, Director Balnei & Colina renovations suggests - “If you want to use natural timber - opt for accent pieces like open shelving. These occupy less surface area, are less used and suffer less wear and tear in the kitchen space.” 

Design Tip: Want to add a touch of elegance or drama to your kitchen renovation but don’t want to overwhelm your kitchen space? Use dark cabinetry as an accent instead.

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Image Credit: Mim Design

 

Balnei & Colina Kitchen Renovations Sydney

4) MARBLE IS HERE TO STAY

Safe choice marble remains a favourite for 2021.  Its luxurious aesthetic means marble can elevate any kitchen renovation project. Used for centuries, marble offers the perfect balance of durability, purity and beauty.

Marble suits any kitchen design, from country to contemporary. Although it’s hard to go past natural marble, reconstituted stones like Smartstone and Caesarestone offer the look and feel of natural marble at a better price point and with less maintenance. Resistant to scratching, marks and chipping, it is a sound choice for any working kitchen. 

Design Tip: The addition of marble benchtops will add elegance to any kitchen renovation project. Continuing this marble look through to the splashback completes the design and creates a more seamless look, particularly in a more contemporary kitchen renovation.

Balnei & Colina renovations Sydney suggest balancing out an all-white kitchen with countertops and splashbacks that feature colour or texture to add visual interest.

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Balnei & Colina Kitchen Renovation Sydney

5) MULTI-FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN ROOM

An adaptive kitchen layout that can change and grow with your family will be a key focus for 2021 and beyond. 

Every room in our homes, particularly our kitchens, need to be designed to be more adaptable to provide an opportunity for work, entertaining and casual meals areas.

Future-proofing your kitchen renovation is about creating a flexible kitchen renovation solution that can evolve and adapt to your growing family’s changing needs over time. Balnei & Colina renovations believe in renovating your kitchen for the long term, not just for today, ensuring your kitchen remains functional and relevant over time. 

A note on Kitchen Study Nooks

There has been a trend for study/office nooks to be integrated within the kitchen. With more people working from home, needing to multitask and keep an eye on kids throughout the day, it makes sense to adapt the living space or kitchen space to include a dedicated office space. However, the team at Balnei & Colina encourage clients to opt for a built-in system allowing untidy office work to be kept hidden away when not in use, ensuring boundaries between work and leisure are kept clear. Relaxing or unwinding is much easier when work can be tucked away and out of sight.

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Balnei & Colna Kitchen Renovation Sydney

6) ANTIBACTERIAL MATERIALS 

With the recent pandemic, hygiene has become even more important. We’ve all taken steps to become more vigilant with increased sanitary practices, whether it be more regular handwashing, use of sanitisers or mask-wearing. Our refocus on hygiene has flowed into our home renovation projects and is particularly relevant to kitchen design and renovations. 

2021 will see an increase in the demand for touchless, automated products and sensors, including washbasins, touch-less flushing systems, and infra-red sensors in our kitchens and bathrooms, meeting our desire to reduce cleaning and maintenance as well as preserve a more hygienic environment.

We’ll also see a greater demand for surfaces that have antibacterial properties. Copper and its alloys, brass and bronze, fulfil these criteria, so expect to see more tapware and kitchen and bathroom fixtures made from these materials.

 

Balnei & Colina Kitchen Renovation Sydney

7) HIDDEN STORAGE

The demand for hidden storage is expected to increase with today’s homeowners seeking more ways to conceal appliances, maximise workspace and improve access and convenience.

Balnei & Colina renovations can create bespoke kitchen storage solutions that improve efficiency and accessibility like cabinetry featuring sliding doors, pull-out larders/pantries, open shelving, integrated wine storage and custom drawer solutions. 

Appliance cabinets are still popular this year, providing a dedicated storage area for small kitchen appliances (like the kettle and toaster) that is readily accessible, reduces clutter and increases countertop workspace.

Still unsure of what trends to incorporate into your kitchen renovation project? Leave it to the kitchen renovation experts at Balnei & Colina Sydney kitchen renovations. 

Book a kitchen design consultation today on 1300 450 320 or send us your project details via this contact form. You can also email us direct via info@balneiandcolina.com.au. 

Visit us at balneiandcolina.com.au and connect with us via Facebook or Instagram to keep up with the latest kitchen design trends.

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