What’s hot in kitchen design? A shift away from impersonal, restaurant-grade functionality towards glamour, uniqueness and warmth has turned this room into a design tour de force. Homeowners want stylish kitchens that meld with the decor in the rest of their home. If you’re pondering a renovation or an upgrade, here are the 2020 kitchen trends bubbling to the surface.

1. Powdery Pastels

Navy blue has been the darling of trend colours for kitchen cabinets, but now we are seeing a softer, more powdery effect resulting in pastel blues, sage greens and soft mushroom greys.

2. Moveable Islands

Islands are handy as prep surfaces and extra seating. This slim, moveable island offers flexibility when entertaining, and has an airy base perfect for small spaces.

3. Upholstered Armchairs

It’s time to get comfortable! The beloved bar stool has been nudged out of the way for something more enveloping. Armchairs in luxe leather and nubbly upholstery are bringing an extra layer of of sophistication to breakfast nooks and islands. 

4. Linear Lights

Minimal lighting is a refreshing antidote to bulkier pendants and weighty oversized fixtures. This slim fixture injects glamour into a narrow kitchen.

5. Multi-Media Islands

Islands are being upgraded with dedicated dining space that’s set apart by contrasting counters in different heights and materials, and a table base.

6. Articulated Faucets

This industrial-style fixture has been popular for awhile, but we are seeing more glammed up versions in warm metals, or with mixed materials, such as this brushed metal one accented by a pretty faceted sink.

7. Upgraded Banquettes

Velvet has been making a steady march into every area of the home, so why stop at the kitchen? A gem of a peridot-tufted banquette makes a breakfast nook feel like dining in an exclusive booth at your favorite resto.

8. No Hardware

Touch-latch drawers and recessed pulls deliver a clean look that plays up the beauty of wood grain. The result is an uninterrupted expanse on drawer fronts and cabinet doors that hints at custom millwork.

9. Bleached Oak Flooring

Comfortable underfoot when cooking, wood flooring injects plenty of warmth into kitchens. Add newness with a raw, bleached-out finish for a mellow and Scandi-inspired effect.

Whether it’s a black, navy blue, charcoal grey or forest green kitchen, darker kitchen colours will help to create a sleek and stylish space that the whole family will love.

From flooring to kitchen larders and even cabinets, get some inspiration from these dark kitchen design ideas to inspire your decorating choices today. There is something here for everyone to fall in love with.

Wooden beams and the handmade rug make this countryside kitchen feel incredibly rustic. The dark pop of blue brings an added charm.

Why not match your cabinets to your kitchen island for some serious grown-up glamour? This dark sea-green kitchen unit with gold art-deco-style bar stools feels completely smart.

Here, the beautiful navy cabinets add a touch of much-needed character to this kitchen space. The large windows provide additional light, while the white walls brighten the room.

Floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide practical storage spaces, while extra shelving gives the option to display books, plants and ornaments. The lighter stone flooring helps to counteract the grey matte cabinets — and it’s seriously beautiful.

A symphony of greens creates a smart look here, while also adding warmth to a modern home. Insider tip: Match the wall colour to the cabinets for a winning combination you will love immediately.

All-over colour in the kitchen can often be a challenge, but this kitchen’s striking style proves just how it can be done. The traditional bricked wall has been coated in a dark green, with dining room table chairs and cabinets to wonderfully match.

This is the kind of kitchen where you could simply spend hours trialing new recipes. Awash in a delectable fern green, both the ceiling and walls help to create a space that feels incredibly grown-up. There’s nothing low-key to see here and that’s why we love it.

By using the same paint colour on the walls and ceiling, this kitchen feels theatrical yet sleek. Don’t be afraid to embrace the darkest of shades all around your kitchen — it’s a brilliant combination that will keep the guests coming back (the dog in the corner thinks so too).

A clever pull-out cabinet helps to create space to store cereals, cans, jars and packets of dry food. This is a smart way to make the most of kitchen cabinets, as well as helping to keep everything tucked away neat and tidy.

We love this navy blue free-standing kitchen larder unit that brings in a pop of colour. to a neutral space ‘The trend for dark colours in the kitchen reflects the need for a space in which to entertain friends and family. These darker colours tend to work well for those who enjoy hosting dinner parties or drinks gatherings and are looking for a more luxurious finish in their kitchen,’ explains Doug Haswell, furniture manager.

Here, a smart navy grey pull-out larder-style cabinet helps to provide extra storage space in a small kitchen. The shelves above are excellent for placing standout accessories, and the fridge next door means you’ve got everything you need in one practical place.

The inside storage of this pantry is incredibly functional for neatly storing produce and dry goods.

Dark high gloss flooring creates a remarkably grown-up feel. The large floor-to-ceiling windows assist with bringing in additional light, while the raised island provides a functional unit for everyone to enjoy.

We love this dark parquet wooden flooring paired with the rich greens of the panelled walls. It’s remarkably traditional, with an elegant feel that’s worth copying. Looking for kitchen inspiration? This is the first place to start.

Grey flooring in a kitchen can look incredibly sharp. If you’re brave enough, why not match the wall colour in the same shade and accessorise with pops of gold.

‘A dark grey will contrast with stainless steel or copper kitchen equipment and the finished look will be less stark than a white shade. The same dark greys also look great around a window frame, as it allows the eye to be drawn to the view beyond. If you make a bold choice, take time to choose the right shade and go with your heart,’ explains Nelly Hall, Brand Director.

This sleek flooring works wonderfully with the grey cabinets and open shelving units. Top tip: a white ceiling and additional lighting will help to make the space brighter and bigger.

Whether hidden or on display, ensure your kitchen cabinets merge style with practicality.

2. Sliding Doors

Are there items you use every day that’s beautiful enough to be on display? Wall cabinets are great for storing items but with a little creative consideration, they can become a feature in their own right. Invest in a wall cabinet with a sliding front – this offers the perfect balance of functionality and aesthetics and throws in just the right amount of flexibility.

3. Light Bulb Movement

Say goodbye to unattractive under cabinet lighting. LED lighting solutions are now an integral part of the kitchen cabinet – it creates a functional illumination that is aesthetically pleasing to look at.

4. Think Outside The Box

Start thinking ‘wall storage’ rather than ‘wall cabinets’. If you throw in a dash of colour with an open cabinet, designs then become functional statements.

5. Make A Feature Of It

Turn conventional kitchen design on its head by hanging base units on the wall and turning wall cabinets into an independent design feature. Coordinating the wall panels with door fronts and adding a contrasting colour to wall storage creates wow factor with instant magnitude.