Over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have seen a major impact on our day-to-day lives. All areas of life have been impacted—school, work, socializing, and leisure. And believe it or not, trends in kitchen design are no exception. Yes—kitchen trends for 2021 aren’t just shaped by changing color or design trends, but by major global events as well.
As far back as spring 2020, design experts were predicting how the pandemic would shape kitchen trends, suggesting that touchless features and open floor plans would rule style in the coming year. As months have followed, designers have kept following how the current global situation is impacting kitchen styles, and predicting what will be on-trend in the months to come.
Here, we’ll break down how styles have been impacted by events of the past year—and what the newest kitchen trends are for 2021. Whether you’re looking for full kitchen remodel ideas or ways to quickly update your space, these in-style ideas can be something to keep in mind.
Opt For Bold Colors and Patterns
At the outset of 2020, bold pops of color were just starting to come into style—something that’s massively taken off during 2021. Design experts suggest that after the stress and isolation of the past year, people are feeling more optimistic, which is reflected in choices of bold tile patterns and bright paint and appliance shades, like orange or blue—or even dark black or gray kitchens.
These shifts in design after a major event are to be expected—after World War II, design underwent big changes, emphasizing new colors, new styles, and a new outlook on the world. So those muted minimalist kitchens might be on their way out.
No More Open Floor Plans
Even at the beginning of 2020, open floor plans remained popular—with many kids learning from home, wide open spaces allowed easy sightlines for parents working from home to keep an eye on them. But after spending a year with the limited privacy that open floor plans provide, separate rooms are making a comeback.
In 2020, more than half of homeowners who renovated their kitchens removed walls to open up the layout. But now? That number has dropped to 43%, with renovators preferring to open those spaces up to outdoor areas, like decks or patios, rather than to the rest of the house.
Those outdoor spaces have been important during the past year—and the trend could also be a reaction to the explosion of cottagecore style. With a focus on nostalgia, soft colors, and natural elements, this cozy style lends itself to individual rooms, rather than a large open floor plan.
Added Storage Space
In 2020, getting rid of upper cabinets was a major trend, aimed at lightening the kitchen and making it feel more like the rest of the house. Many opted instead for deep lower cabinets that left room for storage. In 2021, many people are adding cabinets instead. While some are still removing those upper cabinets and expanding pantries or below-counter storage instead, others are opting for a uniform look, adding wall-to-wall cabinets with minimal hardware.
The reason? With all the extra time at home—and extra groceries people have been keeping on hand—many people have found the flaws in their storage capacities. Others have had time to buy new appliances (like special coffee makers to replicate a morning latte) and now need somewhere to store them.
Safety and Smart Homes
Many smart appliances are gaining popularity, too. With fridges that have screens to help you keep track of what you have or to make video-chat cooking easier, and ovens that offer guidance in preparing favorite dishes, technology can make cooking easier—something that has been helpful during the pandemic.
But even with all of these new appliances, some are opting to disguise these features, and make them blend into the look of the kitchen. Some appliances have covers that can make them look like wooden cabinets, which can contribute to a feeling of a cozy home—even with the latest technology as part of it.
Countertops and Sinks
Quartz and marble countertops have ruled in design recently—with visually interesting veins and patterns, these stones fit well with a variety of styles. With multi-level islands gaining popularity, it’s important to pick a stone that’s easy to care for—and quartz is quickly becoming a frontrunner.
But with ease of maintenance a major factor, solid surface countertops are also becoming popular. For those who already have this type of countertop, reglazing or refinishing is a quick way to bring even a dated or damaged surface back to life—and into the modern era.
And for those with farmhouse sinks, these large features remain in style—joining sinks with areas for prep or cutting boards that make cooking at home easier. And if a porcelain or Corian sink is looking worse for the wear? Reglazing can help it last for years to come!
Where can I find counter and sink reglazing near me?
At The Tub Pros, we proudly serve the Greater Memphis area of the Mid-South. Our factory-certified professionals have the skills, tools, and experience to resurface or reglaze your countertop, sink, tile, or tub—while keeping your other surfaces and family safe with our ventilation system. We’re here to help you update your space and get it looking and feeling great again—whether you’re looking to update an outdated color or add faux granite countertops to add a modern touch.
And over the course of the past year, we’ve kept up with the times, too, adjusting our business practices to optimize the delivery of our services. We’ve worked to streamline our customer service—such as the inclusion of our color chart online, which can help to simplify the choices you make when updating a kitchen or bathroom space. Ready to get started? Give us a call at 901-871-8827 or use our online form to start working on your project today.