January 7th, 2021

Top 29 Kitchen Design Trends for 2021

At the beginning of the year, 2020 was predicted to be “the year of the living kitchen.”

Back in January, we had no way of knowing what was to come and just how accurate that prediction was.

Stay-at-home-orders, business shut-downs, school closings and a desire to stay as safe as possible have made our homes into offices, gyms, classrooms and restaurants.

Kitchens have always been a place where families gather, but 2020 saw a resurgence in the kitchen as the heart of the home. More than just a place to eat, the kitchen has also become a place to do schoolwork, set up an office, video chat with friends and family, discuss the day (as if you don’t already know what everyone in the house did all day) and wind down.

With the COVID-19 pandemic touching nearly every part of our lives, it’s more important than ever to make home feel like a safe, functional and beautiful haven.

So, no matter what 2021 brings, it’s safe to say that creating a kitchen that is beautiful and welcoming will go a long way towards bringing the family together and making staying at home more comfortable and enjoyable.

Kitchen Design Trends for 2021

When you’re ready to design your kitchen, these top 29 kitchen design trends will give you all the inspiration you need.

1. Mix and Match

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Mixing and matching finishes and textures creates a space where there is a lot to look at. It’s the perfect kitchen design trend for a room that serves many purposes.

2. Bring in as Much Light as Possible

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We don’t know what 2021 will bring, so creating a space that brings the outside in is the perfect way to bask in natural light, even if you’re stuck indoors.

3. Pop of Color and Patterns

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Range hoods can be a design statement rather than just a function of the stove. Adding a bold pattern in a smaller area creates interest in the design.

4. Gun Metal Finish

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Choosing a faucet in a striking finish, such as this Sutton Collection faucet in gunmetal, allows it to stand out as a design feature rather than simply a functional element.

5. Amazing Light Fixtures

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Setting your kitchen up to stun can be as simple as choosing a unique light fixture that wows.

6. Bright Colors Paired With Natural Textures

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Contrast natural wood grain and beautiful marble elements with a burst of color. Pairing bright colors with natural textures adds excitement to a design without being overwhelming.

7. Coordinated Floor and Countertop

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Coordinating the countertops with the flooring is a beautiful way to create a cohesive design that will help you flow right into 2021.

8. Built-In Appliances

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Built-in appliances are a modern twist on an older kitchen design trend. Incorporating appliances directly into the design allows for a more cohesive feel and better flow to the kitchen.

9. Dramatic Appliances

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Stainless steel appliances look beautiful, but they can’t keep up with the drama that this black oven brings to the kitchen.

10. Open Shelving

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Open shelving allows you to showcase and easily grab high use items. Plus, the minimal vibe is perfect for the 2021 kitchen.

11. Designate Different Areas With Flooring

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In open concept designs, it can be difficult to tell where one area ends and another begins, but not with this creative kitchen design trend. What better way to define separate spaces in an open design than by designating different areas with the flooring?

12. Dualistic Design

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This design is almost reflected back upon itself with everything in pairs. Two contemporary barstools, two geodesic light fixtures and two stunning faucets bring new meaning to the phrase “it takes two.”

13. A New Take on Two-Tone Cabinetry

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We generally think of wood or white for cabinets, but why stop there? Choosing a custom cabinet color adds drama to the space. You can even get creative by integrating two or more colors on the cabinets.

14. White on White on White

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-c8nAuFC2s/

White cabinets, a white island and white patterned wallpaper makes this bright space the perfect place to ring in 2021!

15. Farmhouse Feature Sink

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KMskADXna/

2021 bids farewell to the stainless steel sink set discreetly into the countertop and welcomes standout sinks that are a focal point all on their own. To keep the focus on the sink, a Paris Collection faucet in natural polished brass is the perfect choice for a faucet.

16. Natural Wood Textures

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Natural wood brings a peaceful element of nature into the kitchen. And after 2020, we could all use a little more peace.

17. Hidden Appliances

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With so much more time being spent in the home, specifically in the kitchen, it’s no surprise that minimalism has seen a rise in popularity in 2020. Keeping small appliances off of the counter and hidden in cabinets helps to create a more minimal and pleasing space perfect for 2021.

18. High-Tech Gadgets

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From tablets integrated into refrigerator doors to smart coffeemakers, ovens and meat thermometers, high tech gadgets and appliances will be a top kitchen design trend that will “make cooking touch-screen simple” in 2021.

19. High Levels of Convenience

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7_J4vGH5RW/

More meals prepared at home means you’ll want things to be as convenient as possible. Enter pot fillers! This Loft 2.0 Collection pot filler in gunmetal is sure to delight every home cook.

20. Home Bar

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Hesitation to go to public bars and restaurants means the opportunity to customize your very own “at home” bar.

21. Smart Faucets

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Dual TOD Collection faucets are paired with a SmartStation sink to create an easily accessible and flexible space that is a stroke of genius.

22. The Island Table

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Because 2020 saw a rise in how many people are staying home each day, it’s important to create more flexibility as we move into 2021. Designing a kitchen island that can also be used for dining, remote learning, projects and more is essential to enhancing the form and function of the kitchen.

23. A Small Home Statement

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In smaller homes where space is at a premium, people are paring down their kitchens to just the essentials. A small sink and stovetop settled into a fun statement countertop can make a small 2021 kitchen the perfect space.

24. Industrial Fixtures

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByF4v3-ld-3/

One of the kitchen design trends that’s here to stay is the incorporation of industrial fixtures into nearly any design aesthetic. A gunmetal Elan Vital Collection faucet is the epitome of industrial chic.

25. High Contrast

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The kitchen design trend of choosing high contrast colors makes for an incredibly dynamic space. Black, white and red make this kitchen pop.

26. Stripped Down Lighting Fixtures

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Stripped down and unassuming kitchen lighting is a kitchen design trend that allows other elements to take center stage. (But don’t worry, the fixtures will still end up claiming their share of the spotlight.)

27. Little Homey Details

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No matter what kitchen design trends you choose to incorporate into your space, personalizing the design with little homey touches will pull the entire look together. A plant here, a framed picture there and you’ve got the perfect setting for family dinners.

28. Brass Accents

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Brass picks up natural hues and helps to create a cohesive design. Paired with rich wood elements and white walls and counters, a brass faucet and pendants add just the right amount of shine.

29. Brass Finishes and Hardware

https://www.instagram.com/p/Brs9fCcjGmh/

Brass is making a comeback as a 2021 kitchen design trend. Choosing an unlacquered brass Blue Collection faucet that matches the brass hardware adds a bright touch to an already stunning design.

Design Your Perfect 2021 Kitchen

2021 represents a fresh start — and what better way to gear up for a new year than incorporating exciting kitchen design trends into your home. When you’re ready, Watermark Designs can help you decide on the best faucets to incorporate into your space.