Renovating your kitchen is a balancing act between form and function, aesthetics and practicality. Creating the kitchen of your dreams begins with your vision. With cutting-edge developments in technology, sustainable thinking and product advancements, it’s possible to deliver a state-of-the-art kitchen that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.
Gather inspiration and ideas about kitchen benchtop materials, cupboards and handles, tapware, tiles or splashback materials, appliances and flooring. Think about how you’d like the space to look. When you have an idea, get a kitchen designer on board to refine your plans. They’ll assess your lifestyle, budget, tastes and how you plan to use the space. They’ll show you ways to save money so you’ll get the most bang for your buck. They can also suggest ideas and concepts you might not have thought of.
John Hall from Nobby Kitchens says a designer will have up-to-date product knowledge and be across new innovations in storage solutions. They’ll help to troubleshoot any problems and suggest alternatives.
In her role as a designer, Susan Wasley from The Kitchen Designer is often called in to design a new kitchen although at first glance, there seems nothing wrong with the old one. As Susan points out, the kitchen must be practical as it is a workspace. “It might look fabulous, but it might not be functional or easy to work in,” she says encouraging connection to living spaces, but it’s essential to integrate enough bench space and cleverly concealed storage,” he says. “Thoughtful additions such as walk-in pantries, integrated appliances and multi-functional island benches can greatly improve efficiency without sacrificing style.”
There are plenty of striking new concepts in kitchen materials that are gaining traction, as well as beloved looks set to endure. John says white kitchens are still in demand, coupled with brushed-metal tapware. “Running second at the moment are shades of green and darker blues,” he says. “Lighter oaks, and now darker walnut, is starting to emerge with other colours such as green.”
How kitchens have evolved
The modern kitchen has undergone many incarnations over time. Post-war 1950s kitchens were elegant yet vibrant. You might find patterned lino flooring and red cabinetry. In the 1970s, bold wallpapers found their way into kitchens along with avocado green benchtops. In the 1990s, floors were tiled and timber cabinetry reigned supreme. A decade later, drawers began replacing cupboards, new appliances heralded an age of innovation, and kitchens began to feature in open-plan designs as an extension of living spaces.
Nicholas Cioffi, market development specialist from UNOX Australia, says the past decade has been a gamechanger. “Significant evolutions in the modern domestic kitchen over the past 10 years have been driven by technology and AI advancements, coupled with environmental sustainability,” he says. “We have also seen exceptional aesthetic and functional design of the kitchen space. All three aspects combine to deliver superior cooking results, workflow efficiency and lower energy consumption.”
An effortless kitchen
Kitchen layout is a critical component of functionality. Whether you’re feeding kids breakfast on the go, hosting a foodie event for 20 buddies or dishing up an intimate dinner for two, the kitchen
needs to deliver on design.
Alex Garnish, senior designer at Complete Kitchens, says when designing a custom-made kitchen, she tailors the space to suit the brief of the individual clients and the space. “Obviously, you want to maximise storage, functionality, ergonomics and the working flow of the kitchen, and you need to consider how it’s going to flow when multiple people are in the space if it’s a family zone,” she says.
For a kitchen to work well, good design is essential. Visakh Vignesh from Kitchen Connection (KWB Group) says maximising flow and storage, while ensuring the classic kitchen work triangle (sink, stove, fridge) is seamless, is the key. “Open-plan designs are still favoured, encouraging connection to living spaces, but it’s essential to integrate enough bench space and cleverly concealed storage,” he says. “Thoughtful additions such as walk-in pantries, integrated appliances and multi-functional island benches can greatly improve efficiency without sacrificing style.”
There are plenty of striking new concepts in kitchen materials that are gaining traction, as well as beloved looks set to endure. John says white kitchens are still in demand, coupled with brushed-metal tapware. “Running second at the moment are shades of green and darker blues,” he says. “Lighter oaks, and now darker walnut, is starting to emerge with other colours such as green.”
Designing a small kitchen
With more people opting for apartment-style living, small kitchens also need to be aptly designed for functionality and good looks. Alex says a smaller space can be an opportunity to discover some big ideas. “I find smaller kitchens a fun challenge to design, but be realistic about what will work and keep your appliances smaller,” she advises. “This includes the sink, keeping the cooktop to 60cm, using an under-bench oven, and smaller bins under the sink.”
Some kitchens are so tucked away you don’t even know they are there! John says they’re seeing more concealed kitchens. “Some people want a butler’s kitchen that is concealed, with the front kitchen tidy.
The workspace is out the back,” he says. This conceals clutter and mess. However, taking it one step further, you can have a kitchen that is completely hidden when you want it to be. John says this is especially handy for apartment-style living. “You can have built-in appliances and flush cabinetry. Blum Revego pocket doors work very well,” he suggests.
Stylish tapware
Kitchen tapware should have an elegant finish, be hardwearing and easy to use. Beautiful tapware can serve to define the aesthetic within a space, adding another layer of style. Pull-out taps are functional and make clean-up easier.
Tapware in matt black, brushed metals such as solid brass or stainless steel, brushed nickel and gold add elegance and style to your kitchen. New innovations such as automatic hands-free taps that turn off and on with motion sensors and infrared proximity make meal preparation easier.
Seeing the light
Lighting is an important part of modern kitchen design. Todd Miller from Alti Lighting says the right lighting enhances the aesthetic and improves functionality. “The kitchen is where a lot of tasks, from cooking to entertaining, take place,” he says. “Proper lighting ensures these tasks can be carried out safely and efficiently.”
Modern lighting can elevate your kitchen. Todd says sculptural or artistic pendant lights provide functional lighting over islands or dining areas but also make a statement. “Think of chandeliers with geometric patterns or organic, flowing designs made from materials such as brass, matt black, or even glass with intricate designs,” he enthuses.
“Under-cabinet lighting is a subtle but transformative addition to any kitchen,” adds Todd. “Newer LED strip lights now come with customisable options, including colour temperature changes and dimming capabilities.” Recessed or integrated lighting in cabinetry is also popular. “Incorporating lighting directly into cabinetry or shelving is another trendy way to make the kitchen feel modern and luxurious,” he says.
Beautiful benchtops
There’s plenty of new innovation and style in kitchen benchtops. Visakh says natural textures and earthy tones are trending, with a strong focus on sustainability. “Engineered stone remains a favourite for its durability and sleek look, while porcelain slabs are gaining popularity for their versatility and heat resistance,” he explains. “Standouts right now include Dekton surfaces, loved for their low maintenance and resilience, and recycled timber benchtops, which add warmth and character while appealing to eco-conscious renovators.”
It’s not just material choices that are evolving in kitchen benchtops, but shapes, too. Susan says straight lines are morphing into curved forms. “There are also more rounded and curved shapes to kitchen benches which are especially easy to achieve with solid surface,” she advises.
What’s underfoot
Kitchen flooring needs to be robust, able to withstand not only heavy floor traffic, but liquid spills, hot and cold elements, and hard materials such as crockery being dropped on it. From hardwood to vinyl, laminate, porcelain, tiles and more, there’s a host of viable options. Do your research. It’s also important not to skimp on cost as the floor needs to go the distance. With open-plan living, the flooring material you choose will ideally need to be used in dining and living room spaces to provide continuity.
Splashbacks with style
Create a focal point that is beautiful and unique with your kitchen splashback. Visakh says customers are leaning towards bold statement splashbacks. “Porcelain and glass are standout materials,” he notes. Metals, large-format tiles, kit kat mosaics and tiles with unique texture and patterns are also creating a stylish focal point.
Visakh adds many splashback colours are veering to neutral tones. “Think sage greens and soft terracottas — these are highly sought after, bringing a natural, contemporary edge to modern kitchens,” he says.
For something wonderfully unique, extend the benchtop material up the wall to create a seamless integration of benchtop and splashback.
State-of-the-art appliances
There are some groundbreaking new innovations in kitchens that are delighting industry professionals and consumers alike. And for good reason. Nicholas Cioffi says the Unox Casa SuperOven range features AI-powered cooking technology, intuitive controls and seamless functionality, making it effortless for anyone to master. “Other innovative appliances that pair well with the Unox Casa SuperOven are vac drawers and blast chillers,” he adds.
At Winnings there are many new innovations that are coming up trumps. The Fisher & Paykel 35 Bottle Dual Zone wine cabinet is designed for the discerning wine lover, seamlessly blending into any space. The under-counter cabinet features two independent temperature zones and four specialised wine modes.
The Celsius Plus All-In-One Pull-Out is the world’s first all- in-one with the convenience of five water types, and a unique integrated hose system. Liebherr’s IRBPH5170 Peak BioFresh refrigerator is heralding a food preservation revolution, with BioFresh technology extending consumable freshness with scientific intricacies.
Kitchen furniture
The modern kitchen boasts ample seating for friends and family. Most have an island bar to accommodate storage and seating. “Everybody wants an island bar,” says John. “Friends, family and the kids can be on the other side of the workspace while the host prepares food.” Of course, not every kitchen has the space. “This is where you can get an expert in to say, ok, we can knock down that wall so you can have that,” he points out.
Beautiful bar stools can reflect cool minimalism, retro chic, a modern edgy vibe or vintage charm. Stools offer a relaxed seating option to complement your kitchen.
If your island bench has a standard table attached to it for seating, opt for chairs the same style as your bar stools. Kitchen seating should ideally be comfortable, easy to clean and durable.
Modern dining tables are spaces to relax and chat, somewhere to share a meal or even use as a workspace. Opt for a round table to encourage conversation, or mix and match furniture with a bench seat and dining table.