Kitchen Trends in 2021
Hot Kitchen Trends to Watch in 2021
Wondering what kitchen trends are hottest in 2021? Trends have changed, but some have remained strong. This year’s kitchen trends will give you so many ideas about what you can do during your kitchen remodel.
Open Concept Kitchen Trend Heads Outside
The trend toward the open kitchen concept was a radical departure from the 1950s kitchen. Instead of having families separated by big walls, the 21st century family is knocking them down, adjoining their kitchens with their living rooms to create a large, welcoming space for entertaining.
Lately the open concept kitchen has seen a decline. In the past three years open concept kitchen remodels dove from 53% to 43% in 2021. In its place, a new kitchen trend is taking shape: how to open your kitchen to outdoor space. Perhaps this is partly motivated by the pandemic, which encouraged outdoor dining for safety. Today, over 20% of homeowners opted to have their kitchens open into outdoor space in 2021.
Kitchen Remodel Costs Stay the Same
Even when homeowners scale back their remodels, they wind up spending the same amount.
While the median spend on a kitchen remodel is between $35,000 - $45,000, homeowners are now hyper focused on specific kitchen features versus the entire kitchen layout.
Homeowners have found that if they keep their existing appliances and light fixtures, it frees their budget for other enhancements like a new sink or eye-catching, elegant backsplash.
Less Money Spent on Kitchen Flooring
Hardwood floors have dominated kitchen remodels for many years. The hardwood floor trend has begun to change. While hardwood floors are still the popular choice, more affordable options like vinyl and tile are gaining momentum. These cheaper textiles achieve a refreshed look without breaking the bank.
Spending less money on floors allows homeowners to invest more in kitchen appliances, lighting and cabinets. Today’s more affordable options have come a long way in terms of appearance and homeowners have begun to favor vinyl and tile patterns with an encaustic look.
Storage is All The Rage
Storage was a major focus for homeowners that remodeled their kitchens in 2020. During the pandemic, people began stocking up on more food and supplies than usual. How did homeowners store all the extras? By enhancing their cabinets and pantries!
In 2021, we saw the resurgence of kitchen cupboards. They’re a great alternative for kitchens tight on space. Cupboards keep food off of counters and open shelves. Other homeowners have built custom pantries or simply added more cabinets to kitchen walls.
Neutral Kitchen Color Palettes Reign
In 2021, homeowners proved to be on opposite sides of the color spectrum. While some opt for the simplicity of black, dramatic kitchens, the most popular kitchen colors were neutral tones in grey and white this year.
Another emerging trend is to see bold color contrasts combined in one kitchen. We caution the DIY kitchen renovators from attempting such vibrant contrast - it requires a professional's touch to pull it off. Alas, if you insist on doing it yourself, stick with neutral colors. It’s a timeless classic.
Behold the…Sink Skirt?
The sink skirt was introduced long ago as a sneaky way to hide the ugly components below a sink.
Photo Credit https://brookegiannetti.typepad.com/velvet_and_linen/2012/02/fabric-in-the-kitchen.html
Believe it or not, this vintage style is coming back. Homeowners are playing with sink skirts as a way to add a little panache to their kitchen. Colored patterns serve to break up cabinetry and be changed often or seasonally.
Further supporting the trend, sink skirts are a cheap alternative to another row of cabinets. They’re fun and add texture with patterns and pleats.
Quartz Alternatives for Kitchen Counters
Countertops have had a wild ride in recent years. Engineered quartz is the number one material used for remodeling kitchen countertops today. That said, the USA receives most of the quartz material from China. Tariffs on imports have made it more expensive and harder to get.
Instead, homeowners have discovered many alternatives to using quartz including buying kitchen appliances and materials second hand, or using butcher blocks and wood slabs. In 2021, the most popular alternative to quartz is marble on account of its affordability.
The Power of a Pendant Light
Lighting is extremely important in a kitchen. You need to see what you’re cooking, chopping or preparing! However, if homeowners are going for a full kitchen remodel that changes the layout of the kitchen, you’ll need to move the lights in accordance with the spaces you use the most.
For this purpose, pendant lights are a sizzling kitchen trend. They add a dramatic effect when clustered. They’re fantastic over sinks and counters. Just one pendant light can make an extraordinary statement in your kitchen.
Smart Technology - Touchless Appeal
Touchless software technology saw a huge boost in 2020. Expect to see more “smart” appliances with this feature. Appliances can now be controlled by voice or from your smartphone! Faucets come with sensors so you can immediately wash your hands after cutting raw meat without touching a sink lever.
Self-cleaning features are also on the rise. Copper and brass are antimicrobial materials so they are excellent for kitchens. Expect to see more touchless appliances or robot vacuums with built-in mops that can be fully integrated with your smart devices for voice control.
Kitchen Trends 2021
Keep an eye on these trends over the next year as you plan your kitchen remodel. The one takeaway that we discovered while performing research for this article was that while kitchen trends come and go, they have real staying power. They shift gradually over time. So even if you think the appliance or countertop you picked was “so last season”, it will probably remain stylish, functional and relevant for the next five years.
Still unsure how you want to remodel your kitchen? Get help finding the best 2021 kitchen trends that fit you best with Little Green Kitchens.