New design trends
How 2020 has changed the way we use our kitchens…
The past year has forced everyone to spend more time at home, and it came as no surprise to us that the most popular room in the house was, you guessed it - the kitchen. It got us thinking, what's so magical about this place? After all, it's got walls, floors and ceilings just like every other room in the house...
You see, it's the kitchens uncanny ability to shape-shift which makes it so popular. It can be everything from a pop up office to a home-schooling hub, family meeting zone and entertainment space. That's why we're drawn to it, even at parties it’s where people are always found, because it feels comfortable, malleable, familiar.
So when it came to Covid, and staying put, people tended to congregate in the room which could do the most. Okay, we won't lie... the living room boasting a 40 inch portal to Netflix and Stan was, of course, a very close second. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in that department too *wink, wink*.
Now that we're settling in to the New Year, the team at Wood Wizards are looking forward to 2021, exploring the new trends which are emerging in kitchen design.
It's not just us that has noticed a change in our new Covid-normal environment. Articles all over the internet have popped up explaining how the pandemic has altered the way we use space and function at home.
“Desks and workspaces are being incorporated into bedroom design, and homeowners are requesting larger kitchen islands with built-in seating to accommodate more people doing a variety of at-home activities. Rooms need to be able to easily transition, which has boosted the popularity of modular and multi-functional furniture.”
“Over two thirds of us are using this COVID time to experiment more in the kitchen and learning to cook. With lockdown forcing us to stay at home, it’s no surprise [people are wanting to upgrade their kitchens].”
Interestingly, changes and improvements to home interiors have long been linked to pandemics. The modern bathroom design is attributed to infectious diseases – with people swapping out carpet and drapes for tilling, which was easier to sanitise. The 1918 flu pandemic was another outbreak that altered floorplans, prompting people to install small bathrooms on the main levels of their homes, preventing guests from needing to walk upstairs to clean their hands.
When it comes to Covid, the changes may not be as drastic… but they are there. Let’s take a closer look at the main ones which have emerged from our recent lockdowns.
The New Kitchen Trends… and why they matter
Online Shopping = More Storage
The majority of people switched to online shopping during the pandemic (an already existing trend), which resulted in larger shops, less often. The ability to be contact-less and safe made it popular, but its convenience and economic benefits is what’s keeping it en vogue as normal-life resumes. The result? Kitchens now need much larger fresh food storage, freezer storage and pantry space than ever before.
More Cooking At Home = Smarter Layouts
With the re-popularisation of cooking and a newfound love of baking, 2021 kitchens will have designs that lend themselves to healthy, collaborative meals. This means more food prep stations and space for storing leftovers. With a rise in integrated appliances, and gadgets like the thermomix and air fryer, layout is key to ensuring there’s not only room for the appliances, but a power point nearby to make it whiz.
Custom Joinery + Ample Benchtop Space | Seaview Street Blairgowrie
Multipurpose spaces = Zoning
With everyone at home together more, the flurry of activity - cooking, dining, working, learning and relaxing - now takes place in the kitchen, or an open-plan kitchen and living area. With life’s daily routines and the rise in working from home, zoning is becoming increasingly important to allow for privacy, with space to work, rest and play all factored in. With regards to kitchens we’re seeing islands and benchtops being extended, to create more space and additional sockets strategically placed to account for multiple devices needing powering-up.
Easy To Clean = Safe & Sound
With cleanliness top of mind for many, it will come as no surprise that low maintenance cabinet finishes, tiles and fixtures have become popular. Why? Their cleanability. Consumers are opting for countertops that are non-porous, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and in some cases even antimicrobial. So if you’re keen to keep germs to a minimum, then make sure you opt for quartz (or quartz-blend) countertops.
Waste Management = Environmentally Conscious
Before Covid swept across the world, our focus was on global problems such as climate change – and how we can each play a part to reduce our impact. This led to waste management becoming key in modern kitchen design, with clients looking for an efficient process for sorting recycling and food waste. Concealed mini-bins in the food preparation area are a great way to quickly vanish vegetable peelings and food scraps. The guys at Hafele do an awesome job of this – check out their eco bin that makes sorting your recycling a breeze.
Minimal Contemporary Kitchen - Easy to Clean | Hampton
Top Tips from The Wizards
CONSIDER ALL AREAS OF CABINETRY
Cabinetry comes in all shapes, sizes and finishes, and can be found in almost every room in the home. From playrooms to entertainment areas, home offices, walk in robes, pantries, the kitchen and more… Plan out your cabinetry for each room carefully, so you can make use of having all required trades at your home only once. This ensures a more seamless design, efficient process and a better outcome overall.
SUSTAINABILITY AT THE CORE
As we all do our bit towards keeping the planet a little cleaner for us all to enjoy, smarter appliances are key. These can help to reduce our waste and carbon footprint – so it’s a win-win. It’s about making life easier, and helping you to adjust to changes, such as new recycling regimes. Don’t fret, we cover all these (and a whole load more), in our kitchen design consultations.
TIMELESS NOT TIMELY
Being cognisant of lifestyle changes and adapting to new routines is important, but it is vital that you do not deviate from classic timeless design. Acting too quickly and making snap decisions could result in selecting materials or layouts that will look dated in a few years’. We help you make sure your material selections will stand the test of time, to be enjoyed now and when it comes to selling in the future.
Brighton Luxe Kitchen | Ample Storage + Pantry Space
As kitchen experts we see again and again the value our kitchens bring to people’s homes. Not only in a wellbeing sense - by creating functional spaces that you'll love – but in an economical way too. A well designed and appointed kitchen makes a huge financial impact when getting a home valuation, or if you're looking to sell your property. So if you’re starting on your renovation journey, be sure to pay close attention to the heart of your home.
Remember, in the wake of Covid-19 it is not just kitchens that are being tweaked in terms of design. Additional cabinetry is being integrated throughout homes to create different zones that allow people to work from home with ease. Essentially, it’s about making sure your living space is set up to cater for your lifestyle in a way that works for you.
Need a hand? That’s where we come in. If you’re creating a kitchen with us, we’ll turn our hands to custom cabinetry within any room that needs a little sprucing. Our team meticulously design quality and completely customisable solutions for laundries, vanities, wardrobes, wall units, entertainment units, home offices and any other cabinetry conceivable.
We're always here to help, so give us a call (03) 9557 2988 and let's get started.
“Wood Wizards helped develop plans to incorporate a functional kitchen into a challenging space. They listened to our ideas and showed genuine interest in how the kitchen fitted into bigger-picture renovations and structural changes to our home. The high-quality drawings provided a clear picture of what to expect and this was backed up by effective communication and attention to detail. The team at Wood Wizards went out of their way to deliver what was promised and on time and we highly recommend them as trusted experts in kitchen renovations.”