E158 – Kitchen Trends and What Will Stick Around

Colour Trends in Kitchens

• Green kitchens are on the rise

  • Green has become the most requested coloured cabinetry option in recent years, particularly earthy greens like sage and olive.

  • More cabinetry ranges now include green as a standard finish, making it more accessible.

  • Frances shares why she would choose a green kitchen herself—because it’s a colour she’s always loved, not just because it’s on trend.

• Blues are gaining momentum

  • Soft blues, muted tones, and navy continue to be popular.

  • These tones offer a calming alternative to bold colour without being neutral.

• The shift away from grey

  • Grey has been a dominant neutral for many years, but it’s now firmly on the decline.

  • Warmer neutrals like beige, cream, and greige are replacing grey in both kitchens and broader interior palettes.

• Softer whites are preferred

  • Instead of clinical, cool whites, warmer off-whites are being used to create a softer, more inviting aesthetic.

Textures, Curves, and Cabinetry Profiles

• Fluted cabinetry

  • Vertical fluted profiles add texture and dimension to cabinetry and island benches.

  • While currently popular, Frances notes that this style may date more quickly than other options, so it should be used carefully.

• VJ (Vertical Joint) panelling

  • Still widely used and considered timeless, especially in coastal or casual homes.

  • Works well on island fronts or upper cabinetry and has a nostalgic charm that doesn’t feel out of place.

• Curves in kitchen design

  • Curves are appearing in island benches, walls, cabinetry profiles, and even doorways.

  • While curves are part of historical architectural design (like Victorian or neoclassical homes), they tend to come and go in modern interiors.

  • Frances believes they’re a beautiful way to soften a space and shouldn’t be feared—especially if you’ve always been drawn to them.

• Fluted glass

  • Increasingly used in overhead cabinetry to introduce texture without requiring perfectly styled interiors behind the glass.

  • Also becoming popular in bathrooms and showers.

  • Offers a more forgiving, decorative alternative to clear glass.

Tapware Finishes and Metal Trends

• Black tapware remains strong

  • Although once considered a fad, black tapware has proven its staying power and continues to be widely used.

• Other metal finishes gaining popularity

  • Gunmetal, bronze, champagne, and muted golds are emerging as subtle, sophisticated alternatives.

  • Living metals, which patina over time, are being embraced for their natural, evolving finish and their classic feel.

  • Shiny, brassy, and rose gold finishes that were popular a decade ago are no longer in favour.

• Coloured tapware as a bold statement

  • Retro-inspired enamel taps in bold colours like red, blue, and white are reappearing in more adventurous designs.

  • Frances notes that if you love colour, a tap is a great place to have a bit of fun.

Splashbacks and Benchtops

• Move away from glass splashbacks

  • Glass splashbacks, once considered modern, are now viewed as outdated and uninspiring.

  • Frances highlights their impracticality, particularly due to visible streaking and lack of visual interest.

• Tiles making a strong comeback

  • Tiles offer more opportunities to introduce personality through shape, texture, or colour.

  • With epoxy grout now widely available, concerns about staining and cleaning have largely been addressed.

  • This shift opens up the splashback as a key design feature in the kitchen.

• Benchtop splashback extensions

  • A popular alternative to tile or glass is running the benchtop material up the wall.

  • This creates a clean, minimalist look that ties the surfaces together beautifully.

Sustainability and Material Considerations

• Porcelain benchtops

  • Gaining popularity due to their durability, low maintenance, and environmental credentials.

  • Use less water in manufacturing than natural stone and offer a similar visual result.

• Recycled timbers

  • Used for island benchtops or shelving to add character and sustainability.

  • Frances notes they require more maintenance but are a beautiful, considered option for the right home.

• Client preferences are shifting

  • More homeowners are now asking about sustainability in their design choices—both from an environmental and long-term use perspective.

Integrated Furniture and Layout Features

• Cooks’ tables and stepped-down island benches

  • Becoming more common in both compact and large kitchens.

  • These sit lower than the main bench, making them suitable for casual dining or conversations.

  • A great option for accessibility, especially for children or people in wheelchairs.

  • Frances discusses how this layout invites connection and creates a more flexible kitchen space.

Appliance Trends and Integration

• Integrated appliances

  • Fridges, dishwashers, and even rangehoods are being concealed within cabinetry to maintain a seamless, clutter-free look.

  • Ideal for minimalist or contemporary homes.

• Oven technology

  • Steam ovens and combination ovens are being used more often.

  • Frances advises visiting showrooms to see the latest innovations, as appliance technology is changing rapidly.

• Coloured appliances

  • Retro-style appliances in bold colours (like those pioneered by Smeg) are trending again.

  • A fun way to personalise a kitchen if you’re confident in your style choices.

Making Style Choices That Last

• Be wary of trends unless they’ve always resonated with you

  • Frances encourages listeners to ask: “Have I always loved this?”

  • If the answer is no, it’s more likely that the feature will feel dated or tired in a few years.

• Design for how you live now

  • Don’t design for resale value—design for how you want to live in your home today and into the future.

• Frances’ own experience

  • Chose dark timber and Moroccan-style tiles in her home 11 years ago—elements she still loves today.

  • These decisions were based on what she’s always been drawn to, not what was on trend at the time.