Top 10 Kitchen Design Styles to Consider

It should be no surprise that kitchens are the most likely room to receive an upgrade or renovation. After all, kitchens are the most functional and used room in any home.

If you plan to renovate your kitchen this year, now is the perfect time to start looking for design inspiration. While contemporary or modern kitchens are the styles that most people tend to choose, there are various other kitchen design styles you can consider as well.

Today, we’ll take a look at the most popular design styles of kitchens, as revealed in the 2018 Houzz Kitchen Trends Survey. You can choose any of these styles to create the updated kitchen of your dreams.

1. Contemporary Kitchens

It should come as no surprise that contemporary kitchens are immensely popular in Australia. Houzz Australia reports that 29% of the survey participants who renovated their kitchens last year chose a contemporary kitchen.

Contemporary kitchens are always designed to offer high functionality. They offer a streamlined look, borrowing elements from both traditional and modern styles. The design philosophy behind creating a contemporary kitchen is to create a sleek and liveable feel.

To pull off a contemporary look, create a focal point in your kitchen with a splashback or a feature wall. Contrast or match your splashback tiles with a sleek benchtop. Stay away from black appliances and choose white or stainless-steel appliances instead.

When it comes to choosing colours for a contemporary kitchen, use 60% of a dominant colour, 30% of a secondary colour and 10% of an accent colour.

2. Modern Kitchens

Modern kitchens are almost as popular with Australian homeowners as contemporary kitchens. Houzz reports that 26% of the survey participants chose a modern kitchen design for their renovation.

A modern kitchen is defined by the use of trendy cabinets, the layout of the kitchen and the décor used. Modern kitchens are usually designed to offer a simple, no-fuss look with pared down lines. The key to creating a modern kitchen is to keep the space looking fresh and trendy.

If you’re considering upgrading to a modern kitchen, start with the layout. A modern kitchen should have an open and inclusive layout, possibly running directly into living areas. Make sure to stay away from elaborate schemes and choose trendy cabinets and décor.

For help planning your layout, refer to my earlier post, ‘What Is Your Kitchen Layout Preference?‘

Modern kitchens can be designed in a variety of colours and a range of finishes. Currently, high gloss finishes and a neutral colour scheme contrasted with accents are what’s trending, so stick to these.

3. Traditional Kitchens

Contrary to what most people think, traditional kitchens are not the same as old-world kitchens. Unlike old-world kitchens which are defined by the use of flashy colours, traditional kitchens make use of muted colours.

Traditional kitchens look distinct, and they often tie in with the overall look and style of a home. As such, only 7% of the survey participants chose traditional kitchen design for their renovated kitchen last year.

So, what defines a traditional kitchen?

It is its classic and warm style. Such kitchens encompass a range of styles without leaning towards anything particular. Traditional kitchens offer an eclectic mix of intricate designs and ornamentation set amidst a homely setting.

If you’d like to create a traditional look in your kitchen, add some period pieces to your space and limit your use of contemporary pieces. Patterned flooring and textured walls are a great way to add a traditional charm to your kitchen. You can complete the look by using muted colours such as creams, light greens, greys, and taupes.

4. Country Kitchens

Country kitchens are designed to offer a comfortable and cosy feel. They are more commonly found in cottages rather than modern homes and apartments. This is why not too many Australians opt for this style choice – just 5% of survey participants chose to go with a country kitchen last year.

The key elements of a country kitchen are a focus on fine craftsmanship and the use of natural materials. As such, country kitchens usually include intricately carved wooden elements, paired with white cabinets, stone bench tops and plenty of fabrics.

To achieve the look of a country kitchen, start by adding a stone or marble benchtop and use white cabinetry. Throw in wooden chairs and stick to stainless steel or white appliances. Use wood-look tiles on your floors to complete the look.

5. Scandinavian Kitchens

Scandinavian kitchens are highly refined kitchens which are designed with a Nordic flair. These kitchens are defined with a focus on functionality and the use of minimum colours. They offer an upscale and minimalistic look. And, according to Houzz, just 5% of the survey participants upgraded to a Scandinavian kitchen last year.

With Scandinavian kitchens, there is a heavy focus on functional design. They are usually designed with a clean and open layout and include functional worktops. These kitchens also include plenty of wooden elements.

Creating a Scandinavian kitchen is simpler than you think. Just stick to a modern or contemporary style with an open layout while making use of minimal colours. Pay attention to functionality and throw in some wooden elements to create focal points amidst the minimalism.

6. Industrial Kitchens

Industrial kitchens may be very popular in commercial workplaces, but only 5% of Houzz’s survey participants, who renovated their kitchen in the last 12 months, chose this style. These kitchens are defined by the use of unfinished elements and a focus on raw beauty with lots of textures.

Industrial kitchens make heavy use of metallic textures and the use of a dark colour palette. Wooden surfaces also find a place in industrial kitchens. There is also an increased emphasis on functionality, although the raw look of the space often overshadows this.

To create an industrial kitchen, go with tiled brickwork or concrete walls and use metallic finishes as much as you can. Pair white cabinets with wooden elements and make efficient use of space. Also, throw in a mix of lighting to add some warmth to space.

7. Beach Style Kitchens

You may think that beach style kitchens would be very popular in Australia, however, according to Houzz’s report, just 4% of survey participants chose beach style kitchens in 2017.

There are certain key components required to design a beach style kitchen. These include the use of marine or coastal colours, the use of beach wall tiles, colourful kitchen appliances, wooden elements and a focus on crisp whites.

If you live by the beach and you’d like to create a beach style kitchen, start by selecting wall tiles in coastal colours. Pair them with white kitchen cabinets and wood look tiles on your floors. If you don’t find kitchen appliances in coastal colours, stick to white or stainless steel instead of black.

8. Transitional Kitchens

Transitional kitchens are those who present a blend of modern and traditional kitchens, with subtle touches of creativity. These kitchens are usually designed to create a flexible living area rather than a simple kitchen. Houzz reports that only 3% of survey participants upgraded their kitchens this past year to a transitional kitchen.

It can be difficult to define the look and feel of a transitional kitchen. However, designers agree that such kitchens break away from traditional rules, while still retaining key elements. While there is a focus on intricate design, there is also an emphasis on cleanness and practicality.

If you’d like to go with a transitional kitchen, then you should stick to using blacks, whites, and neutral shades and pair them with wooden elements. Use laminate countertops and mix your cabinetry and furniture to create an eclectic look. Add décor from different eras and go with a large stainless-steel sink.

9. Minimalistic Kitchen Design

Minimalistic kitchen design has really taken off over the last couple of years to become the most popular design style, and not only for kitchens but entire homes.

Minimalistic kitchen design is achieved by having a predominantly white palette with as few as possible design elements, to create an open, clutter-free space.

Minimalistic kitchen design is also often infused with Scandinavian and monochromatic design styles.

Simplicity is the key to pulling off this kitchen design style, and our gloss white kitchen cabinets are the ideal choice to achieve this look.

10. Eclectic Kitchen Design

Eclectic kitchen design may be new to you, but really it’s been around forever. Essentially, it is a blend of multiple patterns, textures and styles to create a kitchen design that is entirely unique to your own personality and tastes; meaning, there are no rules to follow. If you like it, do it!

However, you do have to be mindful in your design choices and be sure not to overdo it.

Conclusion:

If you are renovating your kitchen in 2019, you should choose to go with a popular kitchen style for design inspiration. According to Houzz’s 2018 Kitchen Trends Survey, the top kitchen styles in Australia this year are contemporary kitchens (29%), modern kitchens (26%), traditional kitchens (7%), country kitchens (5%), Scandinavian kitchens (5%), industrial kitchens (5%), beach style kitchens (4%) and transitional kitchens (3%).

And, for all needs and products for kitchens in Perth, look no further than us at Ross’s Discount Home Centre. Regardless of which kitchen style you choose to go with, you’ll find everything you need under a single roof at our store.

We pride ourselves on offering the best quality products at the most affordable prices. You can rest assured that we produce the best value kitchens in Perth. By choosing us, you can have your dream kitchen complete for as little as $8,000! With us around, you needn’t look for kitchen products and accessories anywhere else in Perth.

No matter which kitchen style you choose for your new kitchen, you’ll be sure to find everything you need right here at Ross’s Discount Home Centre. From kitchen cabinets to benchtops, kitchen sinks and tapware to appliances, floor tiles, wall tiles and kitchen accessories, we offer it all!