Like clockwork, kitchen décor trends fall in and out of favour, circling around as many designers draw inspiration from the past. And while they can help inspire your decisions, it would be best to stick with trends that are in harmony with your personality and lifestyle so you don’t have regrets later. The choices you make today will affect your life tomorrow, so be sure to choose wisely. If your goal is to create a kitchen that stands the test of time and is difficult to peg to any particular period, here are some trends to remember when upgrading your kitchen. Seasons change, tastes evolve, but some things never go out of style.
READ MORE: Family spends £500 decorating their home with Halloween decorations a month early
Using Wallpaper to Add a Splash of Personality and Whimsy
With a hot and humid atmosphere, pungent odours, and grease/food splatter, the kitchen isn’t the best place to hang wallpaper. Honestly, it seems like a recipe for disaster. You can use wallpaper in the heart of your home, but not all wall coverings are fit for purpose, so shop around for wallpaper that doesn’t absorb moisture and can be cleaned with a damp cloth or a sponge. Today’s options offer colours and patterns perfect for any and all styles of kitchens. Many say wallpaper is making a stunning comeback, but the truth is it never went out of style. It’s critical for a well-appointed, fashionable, and practical kitchen.
Wallpaper with vinyl coating can withstand exposure to water, and if applied correctly, you’ll get years of durability (15 years and beyond). Look for material that’s extra washable or highly scrubbable. If your cooking space brims with vintage details that radiate timeless style, put up wallpaper that pays homage and acts like a daring declaration of love to bygone times. Vintage wallpaper isn’t the same as retro wallpaper. Retro wallpaper has unique patterns, structures, and sculptural dimensions that meet your desire for top quality and recreate that vintage vibe you want.
Hand-Painted Cabinetry That Complements the Style You’re Going For
A hand-painted kitchen is a good investment because it accommodates all your requirements, so it doesn’t matter if you prefer a traditional, weathered, cottage, or sleek and contemporary look. And you can always repaint if you want a change in the future. The cabinets and door fronts are primed, and each little square is carefully painted by hand for hours and even days, a rarity in this age of instant computer graphics. Artisans use brushes to follow the grain in the wood, filling small, very narrow gaps to elevate the overall appearance. Your hand-painted kitchen will never need a spruce up, which means it’ll hold up well to daily use with kids – it’s ideal if you’re not on a tight budget.
Copper, Gold, Or Brass Accents That Age Well Over Time
Transform your kitchen into a culinary oasis with copper, gold, or brass accents that add personality and visual interest and are easy to clean. Copper is again a popular choice due to its eye-catching colour and bold finish. If you want to design a kitchen that’ll outlast fads and keep working for you in the coming years, copper accents age with use and time, developing a deep, solid hue as the metal reacts with the oxygen and moisture in the air. Install a copper backsplash to protect the walls and add to the room’s overall aesthetic.
Decorate in gold accents for a subtle (or dramatic) look. For example, you can add gold hardware like cabinet handles, drawer pulls, and taps for a sense of refinement or opulence, creating a beautiful contrast with other design elements in the kitchen, such as white/grey cabinets. The brass finish on your kitchen accents will wear away with time due to patination, but you might enjoy the aged look of brass, which often surpasses contemporary metals in their finish. Incorporating brass into the kitchen is as simple as using it as an accent for cabinet handles or drawer knobs.
Having A Good Number of Pendant Lights for The Island
Pendant lights transform the island into a focal point that adds an artistic touch that still complements the overall style, capturing attention subtly. Even if aesthetics plays an important role, don’t forget about the functional aspect of kitchen island lighting: you need ample illumination when chopping, prepping, and cooking. Invest in quality light fixtures to create a cohesive and polished look that’s sure to impress. If you have a vibrant and colourful kitchen, opt for neutral-coloured pendant lights as they add a touch of originality without overwhelming the space; they don’t compete with each other or the kitchen’s features.
Suppose you have a low ceiling. In that case, hang the light fixtures roughly 30 inches above the island counter. They shouldn’t obstruct your view when cooking. Equally, consider the height of the tallest person in the house – the last thing you want is someone hitting their head against the pendant lights by accident. If your kitchen island is less than six feet by three feet, it’s a good idea to use two pendants so the area doesn’t look cluttered. Sure, three is a more pleasing number, but you have limited space. The light fixtures should be installed thoughtfully by someone with experience to avoid danger.
A Hardwood Floor Just Because It’s Easier to Clean
And finally, a light, natural hardwood floor will never go out of style, so you’ll love it now and in twenty years because it only gets more beautiful as it ages. Trends come and go, but nothing can match the timeless elegance of oak, teak, or cherry that look mind-blowingly good, bringing a touch of outdoors indoors. If you install the right type of hardwood flooring and keep it adequately sealed, it can be relatively easy to care for, requiring periodic sweeping and mopping. Dishware will certainly survive if it falls onto the floor but bear in mind that steel and tin cans can dent the wood, and you might need to call in a professional.
