1. Use natural materials
Natural materials such as timber and bamboo are beautiful, timeless, and easy to incorporate into your kitchen. The raw tones will neutralise your space, add warmth and texture and can be worked into several kitchen styles.
When it comes to choosing your benchtop material, Lisa says: “Many people are opting for durable laminate benchtop surfaces because of how easy they are to install. They are budget-friendly, and you can choose surfaces that replicate the look and feel of real timber as well as marble too, without the maintenance required.”
2. Add a splash of colour
While white kitchens will always have a place in the home, trends are moving towards something a little moodier and bolder. Darker palettes, such as black, rich greens and navy, are certainly making their way into people’s kitchens. If you are going for a dark colour palette, make sure you have a lot of natural light entering the space, and create balance with accents such as timber tones to soften the aesthetic.
3. Get creative with open shelves
When done right, open shelves can make your kitchen look brighter and more spacious. They have become a popular choice, particularly in a traditionally styled kitchen, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down.
"Open shelves can be made at any size with some clever thinking outside the box,” Lisa says. “With the help of multipurpose panels, you can create visual interest in the space while also creating nooks for bits and pieces that you want on display.”
4. Incorporate clever storage solutions
While you will want some items openly displayed, others are better kept out of sight and that’s where clever storage solutions come into play. Kitchen items are being conveniently hidden behind stylish cabinets, making it all the more important to integrate your storage when planning your kitchen.
“Avoid clutter and create usable spaces for everyday items, as well as pieces that you want tucked away,” Lisa says. “Using cabinetry in smart ways creates a modern look without compromising space.”
Integrate as much cabinetry storage as possible and consider blind corner cabinets and spice and wine racks to ensure everything in your kitchen has a home. Using cabinetry underneath your island bench is a great way to win extra storage space. If a clear, uncluttered bench is what you are after, then ample storage is the answer.
