Kitchen inspiration 2021 – fabulous design ideas to kickstart your planning

January 2021 is looking set to be a long, wintry and potentially locked-down month, but there is a silver lining. If you’re dreaming of a new kitchen in 2021, you’ll have plenty of time to plan it!
To help you come up with fabulous ideas for your new kitchen, here’s our roundup of the most inspiring kitchen design trends for 2021…

Dramatic dark colours
All the kitchen design experts agree – dark tones are very much in this year. Black is no longer just an accent colour. The trend at the moment is to use it absolutely everywhere, from the units to the walls, to create a rich, luxe and dramatic space.  You’ll need to be brave and have a real vision for your space, but you’ll end up loving your inky-toned kitchen once its finished.
  
Double islands
Islands are usually at the top of kitchen trends lists every year, but something a little extra is happening in 2021. There’s a real demand for double islands, where a pair or configuration of central units create so many more options for prep, cooking and entertaining. If you have the space and the budget, go for it.

Wood revival
Wood surfaces and finishes are experiencing a resurgence in popularity in 2021, after falling out of fashion for a while. The best looks for this year are soft, pale tones and subtle-grained woods such as ash. Pair with a stone worktop or island and your kitchen will be bang up to date.

Downdraft extractors
Extractor units have been completely transformed for 2021. You no longer have to put up with a head-height extractor hood ruining your open-plan kitchen. Instead, you can fit a downdraft extraction system. These clever gadgets nestle neatly in the worktop, capturing odours and vapours straight from the hob before they can disperse into the room.
Clutter-free simplicity
We all love a kitchen gadget, but this doesn’t mean everything has to be on display at once. Embrace the minimalist approach and either Marie Kondo your clutter, or hide it away behind sliding doors or pantry units. As an added bonus, clutter-free kitchens are so much easier to clean.

Handle-free units
Another consequence of the push for clutter-free minimalism in kitchens is that we’re losing door and drawer handles. Instead, drawers can be opened with a push, or even a nudge of the hip in some higher tech models - ideal if your hands are full. These handle-less units offer clean lines and a pared back look, and they’re also easy to keep spotless.

Greens and blues
Throughout 2020 and into this year, two kitchen unit colours have been growing in popularity. People are being bolder with their colour choices, moving away from plain black, white or cream towards moody blues, and emerald and forest greens. These strong colours certainly make a statement, but pair them with the right colour palette and materials and they can look more stylish than you think.

If you have exciting plans up your sleeve for a new kitchen in 2021, don’t leave it too long to speak to a kitchen fitter. The team here at A&J Kitchens can help you figure out what works best and of course, deliver an exceptional finish when the time comes.
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