October 25, 2022

Kitchen 2.0

Design trends that will dominate the future of kitchen design

The kitchen has always been an integral part of our homes and it has long been the hub where we gather to create meals and memories with friends and family. In recent years, the world has changed, and design has adapted.  Kitchen design has done some soul-searching as kitchen activities  evolve from a cooking and eating to entertaining, doing homework, and working.  

In this month’s blog, Tridel’s Principal Interior Designer, Stella Salvador, highlights some design trends that will dominate the future of kitchen design.   

The Functional Kitchen.  

Traditionally kitchens were designed using the concept of a “work triangle,” based around three main areas: the sink (to clean and prep), the refrigerator (for storage), and the stove (for cooking). According to this concept, the three main areas should be laid out to form a triangle to maximize convenience and efficiency. Each side of the triangle should measure no less than four feet and no more than nine feet -in other words, not too small and not too large. 

The Open Concept Kitchen Expands. 

Since the introduction of open-concept floorplans, the kitchen has shifted from its traditional design into a more efficient and productive design. Modern kitchen design extends beyond the work triangle and uses ‘zones’ to group consumables, non-consumables, preparation, cooking, and cleaning functions and appliances.   

Modern zones can also include stations where all functional necessities are in one area. For example, a breakfast, wine or coffee station where items such as cups, spoons, coffee machine, refrigerator for milk or cream, are grouped together and easily accessible. These extended zones can be situated outside the kitchen work area and closer to the dining room, allowing more than one person in the space.

With kitchens extending into other areas of the house, boundaries may begin to blur as we add storage where it makes sense and to better suit our lifestyle. For example, refrigeration could become useful in the ensuite bathroom or bedroom to store medication, makeup or skincare and drinks. 

Wellness Appliances. 

As wellness becomes a dominant theme in design, lifestyle appliances such as ovens with airfryer, steam and speed ovens; energy-saving induction cooktops; smart appliances along with smart pots and pans; as well as grow rooms or appliances where herbs and microgreens can be grown indoors, are being utilized more and more. 

Appliances like the Urban Cultivator allow you to grow healthy and organic herbs, and vegetables from the comfort of your home. 

More than a place to cook. 

In many homes, the kitchen has evolved from a place dedicated to cook and eat in, to a flexible place to entertain, hangout, do homework, or take Zoom calls.   

The layout of the kitchen has been an integral part of open concept suite design for a long time. In the last two years and with multiple occupants now working or studying from home, it’s been realized that the kitchen can also be a source of heat and noise. If your work-from-home space is in the kitchen, then you may find that clean lines and the removal of clutter will aid with focus during the workday.  

If the layout allows, sliding doors, partitions or dividers are design element options that can be used to partially enclose or section off the kitchen to fit your needs. Additionally, where space allows, parts of the kitchen such as pantry storage can be concealed and used to tuck away small appliances as well. 

Timeless Materials. 

Trends in materials selected for the kitchen are following easy-to-live-with earthy tones. Colours such as sage green, muted blue, or matte black are keeping colour cool. Natural materials give their own honest colour, pattern, and texture. Mixing both gives a customized feel to your kitchen.  Additionally, glass with a ribbed application gives dimension without adding another colour, and it allows obscured privacy while letting light come through. 

Some designs are timeless, and organization never goes out of style. Having a space and place for everything keeps the kitchen tidy and uncluttered. Often the most unique storage solutions come from found spaces, if you can get creative. Even the narrowest of spaces can house spices, trays, or other small items, and a counter with extra depth can give you a ledge or shallow niche space.    

Hygienic Materials. 

In the theme of wellness, finishes such as nonporous quartz or porcelain countertops or bronze door hardware that is easy to clean and/or antibacterial combine functionality, beauty, and peace of mind. Tech-forward, hands-free options for the kitchen such as voice-activated or gesture kitchen faucets allow for less touch points to keep your space clean and more accessibility.  

How can this wellness and lifestyle focused design not be part of the future? 

Trends are in response to lifestyle changes. The key trends are moving kitchen design to the next level with sustainable finishes that are also easy to clean and maintain, unique appliances and their placement in and around the kitchen zones all in an evolution to kitchen design. 

The ideal kitchen is one that allows you to cook and serve your food easily while entertaining and enjoying the company of your guests. New trends in kitchen design are focused on making this a reality by creating open spaces and zones, using new materials and adopting innovative technologies that fit your lifestyle. 

Connect with us on social 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. 

As always, we love to see how you’ve made your Tridel home, your own. Tag us @tridel on social, or @tridelcommunities on Instagram, and use #TridelDesign in your posts.