Kitchen trends 2021: Materials, colors and room solutions for a modern kitchen design

You have oneKitchen renovationat the top of the list next year? Even if you already have your dream kitchen in mind, it's worth taking a look at the kitchen trends for 2021. Which colors for the kitchen should you consider next year? Is the high-gloss look still relevant? What kind of kitchen fronts and furniture are popular? In this article we have summarized the latest trends in kitchen design for you.

Kitchen trends 2021: What's going, what's staying, what's coming?

Despite the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, kitchen manufacturers still have some innovations to offer for the coming year. Next year's modern kitchen will be aesthetically pleasing and functional at the same time. Natural materials and looks are still the focus and are complemented by dark tones. The high gloss that has long characterized modern kitchens is being replaced by matt surfaces on fronts, cupboards and appliances. Color accents also remain, although they become stronger but toned down. Metallic accents come into their own in the form of kitchen fittings and give the kitchen a particularly elegant look. Appliances and small kitchen helpers that work independently are also more popular than ever. Kitchen furniture will also be more functional next year - with clever storage solutions and “floating” kitchen cabinets, even the smallest kitchen can be furnished in a practical and modern way at the same time.

The latest kitchen trends for 2021 at a glance

Now we would like to take a closer look at the trends for kitchen furnishings. The selection for the coming year is really wide-ranging, so you can always find a suitable solution for your own kitchen.

Dark colors dominate in the kitchen

Black, anthracite and gray are the colors that will become an integral part of the modern kitchen in 2021. Already last yearblack countertopsVery popular in combination with white fronts, but next year white will fade into the background. The dark kitchen fronts look particularly elegant and leave plenty of scope for accents - for example furniture and accessories made of wood or in light tones. If you don't mind a dramatic look, you can furnish the kitchen entirely in dark tones.

Color accents in toned down colors

The kitchen trends for 2021 offer gently toned, yet strong colors to complement the dark tones in the kitchen. Earthy tones that symbolize naturalness are particularly popular. From terracotta to spice colors to warm brown nuances – strong colors in soft nuances harmonize wonderfully with dark kitchens. Pastel shades such as blush can also be wonderfully combined with the black fronts. Whetheras wall paintor in the form of kitchen furniture or accessories - these colors put you in a good mood and at the same time create a warm, comfortable ambience.

Marble is making a comeback

All fans of marble kitchens can be happy. Because marble will be on the rise again next year.Whether for the kitchen back wall, for the worktop or as a holistic look – the noble material will dominate kitchen furnishings in 2021. The popular marble look can be combined with dark kitchen furniture as well as with the natural effect of wood. Marble with anthracite-colored veins is particularly popular. However, if you want to make the kitchen a little more homely, you can use natural stone with brown or beige grains.

Marble is a symbol of unmistakable luxury and can add a noble touch to any room. If natural stone in the kitchen is too expensive for you, worktops or kitchen back walls with a marble look are a possible alternative.

Back to nature: natural materials in focus

Not only natural stone, but also other natural materials can be considered for the modern kitchen in 2021. Naturalness is combined with timeless elegance, with visibly grained wooden fronts combined with elements made of stainless steel or glass. Kitchen furniture with a concrete look looks particularly appealing in combination with real wood and gives the room its popular industrial charm.

Wood in the kitchen is not a new trend, but next year even more wood tones will be used in the design of kitchen fronts. Entire kitchen walls can be covered with a real wood veneer made from oak or walnut, for example, which creates a cozy atmosphere with a natural touch.

If you just want to add a few new accents to the kitchen, a rustic dining table made of solid wood, for example, is a good choice. For example, the table goes wonderfully with simple white kitchen fronts and can quickly make the old kitchen shine in new splendor.

The use of natural materials that are durable and resistant speaks for more sustainability in the kitchen. In addition to marble, granite, slate and concrete are also used. The pleasant stone look gives the kitchen a particularly elegant design that you can admire for years.

Matte surfaces and handleless designs

The high-gloss look is already over. Just like in recent years, matt surfaces are increasingly being used – both for kitchen fronts and worktops. Not only do they look modern, but they are also easier to care for. Only the kitchen appliances are allowed to shine, although a matt look is also increasingly possible for the appliances.

The linear look of kitchen furniture is still a trend that is here to stay. Handleless, puristic fronts appear particularly modern and are thanks to technological progress. In the latest kitchen designs, even handle strips and recessed handles are removed and replaced with tip-on or push-to-open technology.

Kitchen fittings as eye-catchers

Stainless steel fittings will be replaced by gold and copper fittings in the coming year. We already know this trend from the bathroom, but in 2021 it will also be one of the innovations in the kitchen. In order to make the fittings stand out even more, they tend to be implemented in simple kitchen designs. The faucet should be the eye-catcher, so patterned kitchen splashbacks or other accents are not recommended. However, a harmonious overall picture is created by the combination of faucet, sink and possibly also lamp holders with a metallic look. However, the worktop, fronts and tile backsplash should be one color.

However, for many, this trend is a little pompous. If you like something a little more subtle, you can opt for a matt black finish instead. This one also makes a statement without standing out as much. In addition, kitchen faucets in black look very stylish and match almost any kitchen interior.

Kitchen lighting trends: Braided light fixtures

If you want to give the kitchen an airy, relaxed feeling, light fixtures with a braided look are the right choice for next year. Made from materials such as bamboo and rattan, light-colored woven pendant lights create a modern, natural mood in the room. Such lights are particularly suitable for the area above the kitchen island or above the dining table.

Kitchen trends 2021: kitchen appliances and smart technologies

New solutions for the smart home have been one of the biggest living trends for several years. And that certainly won't change any time soon. Because our homes are becoming more and more connected. When it comes to kitchen design, kitchen appliances that work independently are an important part of the modern kitchen. They can make our daily lives easier by saving us time and effort on daily activities.

Smart kitchen applianceshave been around for a few years, but they weren't as common in the past as they are today. With each passing year they become more affordable and can be found in more and more German apartments. Smart technology should definitely not be missing in the modern kitchen.

The trends in kitchen appliances not only rely on technology, but also on a homely look. Appliances with simple designs that integrate seamlessly into the kitchen interior are currently very popular. Just like the kitchen fronts, kitchen appliances in black and dark gray will be trendy in the coming year.

Clever solutions for more functionality

The kitchen trends for 2021 include functional room solutions that make the kitchen even more practical. For example, additional functions are assigned to the kitchen back wall using plug-in systems and functional panels. These are primarily used to store various kitchen utensils in an elegant way or to showcase useful decorations such as herb pots.

As a result of the increased storage, which was a big issue in 2020 due to the Corona lockdowns, floor-to-ceiling storage cupboards with several pull-outs and shelves are coming to the fore. The modern pantry is located in the kitchen and offers space not only for kitchen supplies, but also for small kitchen appliances, cookbooks and other useful kitchen aids.

Kitchen trends 2021 for the spacious kitchen

Large eat-in kitchens are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. They represent a holistic living concept that offers a seamless transition between the kitchen and living or dining room. This includes various furniture such as sideboards or open bookcases that coordinate with the kitchen furnishings. Another good option for the spacious kitchen-living room is the double cooking island. In this kitchen design, two cooking islands are connected to each other using an additional worktop. The connection can be equipped with bar stools and thus functions like a bar. Such a spatial solution looks particularly luxurious, but is only suitable for rooms where there is a lot of space available.

Trends for small kitchen design

A spacious kitchen with a cooking island, a long solid wood dining table and elegant display cabinets may look nice, but it doesn't correspond to urban reality at all. The 2021 kitchen trends also have a solution to offer for small city apartments: more storage space through floor-to-ceiling vertical cabinets. In the coming year, more and more kitchen manufacturers will address the problem of small spaces and provide additional clever storage solutions. Corner modules, for example, have height-adjustable compartments and walls are used optimally - with floating cupboards and shelves.