Renovating your kitchen rather than throwing it out completely and starting again is always the better option for your budget — and the planet.
And while it’s not worth buying wholesale into interiors microtrends that will be over before the paint has dried on your walls, these pointers will help steer you in the direction of a new kitchen look that will feel fresh in the years to come.
It might be time to wave goodbye to the ubiquitous kitchen island, but fear not — a wall-bound peninsula or a freestanding option can provide plenty of countertop space, especially in a space-starved city kitchen.
Green is having a definite moment, while natural wood and terrazzo continue to hold carbon-intensive marble at bay.
Scroll down to brush up on ten essential kitchen trends for 2024.
1. Hug the curve
Embrace a softer, more organic look with curved countertops, banquettes and detailing such as handles, as clean-lined sterility starts to feel dated.
2. Leave the island
Swap kitchen island dreams for “peninsulas”, attached to the wall on one side, they boost worktop and storage space.
3. Say bye to built-in
Or opt for flexible, freestanding elements such as islands that can be moved or reconfigured depending on the situation.
4. Display your credentials
A simple display shelf in sustainable timber continues to be a popular choice, replacing wall cabinets and saving money.
5. Get comfy
Make space for comfortable seating with sofas and armchairs. Even in the smallest kitchens, look for ways to add a folding stool or two.
6. Mix don’t match
Mix things up with different materials across cabinet doors and a bold, playful colour palette to create a space that feels personal and unique.
7. Go green
Nature-inspired greens remain a popular choice, while earthy ochres and terracotta tones are on the up, especially with cobalt blue accents, such as coloured tile grout.
8. Get with the grain
Wood is riding high, whether slatted, fluted or finished with a matte varnish to celebrate the unique grain within the timber.
9. Rock on
Terrazzo looks set to become even more popular, as it’s great for pulling together the colours in a room.
Check out sustainable versions including Foresso, Smile Plastics, Rubblazzo, Resilica and Altrock.
10. Get low (carbon)
Celebrate the inherent beauty in low-carbon finishes — from clay plaster to bamboo, exposed hempcrete and wood fibre insulation — and tap into an earthy, textural aesthetic.
