Decorating & Design
10 Kitchen Trends You’ll See Everywhere In 2021
Updated on February 26, 2021
If spending more time at home has inspired you to overhaul your kitchen, you’re in luck. We’ve collected all the latest trends for your consideration, from colorful cabinetry and statement stone to eye-catching vent hoods and more. It’s time to fire up that Pinterest board and get inspired by the top 2021 kitchen trends!
Green Cabinetry
If you want to take your love affair with green to the next level, might we suggest swathing your cabinetry in this hot hue? In this old world kitchen, an apothecary-style counter, bespoke cabinets and trim stun in forest green.
Statement Stone
Whether it’s dramatic veining or unique materials, today’s countertops, backsplashes and islands are making a strong statement. Designer Nam Dang-Mitchell turned a rental apartment into a one-of-a-kind space with silver limestone. “That limestone was my design nucleus; everything else revolved around it,” she says.
Moody Hues
White kitchens are a classic for a reason, but there’s something so impactful about a moody palette. Dip your toe into this look with dark lower cabinets or go all-out — like this kitchen — with black subway tile and dark slabs of granite.
Artistic Touches
With the popularity of open shelving on the rise, kitchens are being layered with impactful art and meaningful keepsakes. Photographs by South African visual activist Zanele Muholi add interest to this all-white kitchen.
Prep Kitchens
Two kitchens are better than one, and here’s why: it’s the perfect place to wash produce, stash away pantry essentials and get messy (out of sight from the guests). “A second kitchen is popular here in Vancouver; I’ve done many houses with that plan and have one myself,” says designer Tanya Krpan.
Eye-Catching Vent Hoods
So long, stainless steel! In case you missed it, vent hoods are having a major design moment, so why not take the plunge and turn it into an eye-catching focal point? In this heritage-inspired kitchen, a custom hood with metal straps juxtaposes beautifully with the hits of brass used throughout the space.
Hybrid Islands
You might recognize this trend from our 2020 roundup, but it’s still going strong into 2021. A kitchen island becomes even more functional with a spacious table and seating attached to one end. The kids can easily pull up a chair to finish up homework before the family sits down for dinner.
Vintage Hutches
Don’t let your collection of china, tableware and glassware gather dust behind closed doors. Give them the attention they deserve on a hutch, which also injects plenty of warmth and character into the kitchen. (It’s also a budget-friendly alternative to built-ins.)
Old World Fireplaces
What better way to create a live-in kitchen than with a cozy fireplace? Designers Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens Craig painted this 230-year-old home’s original hearth an off-black to match the ebonized island.
Small-Space Solutions
With more people living in compact quarters, having a kitchen that is not only stylish but space-saving will be top of mind in 2021. Just look to Vancouver blogger Alison Mazurek’s light and airy kitchen. An Italian wall bed makes this one-bedroom apartment work for the family of four. “The matte lacquer finish blends nicely with the kitchen cabinets,” she says.