How Do I... Work Kitchen Trends Into My Renovation?
Are you planning on updating your kitchen? Experts reveal how to ride the trends in practical ways
Kitchens are generally one of the most expensive parts of your home to update despite the fact that they’re often one of the smallest rooms. It’s a room with many elements – plumbing, tiling, electrical work, carpentry, hardware – which add up and on top of that, there are major and small appliances to purchase.
This is also why most of us don’t venture beyond the staple and safe white-and-pale-wood concept when it comes to our design schemes.
This is also why most of us don’t venture beyond the staple and safe white-and-pale-wood concept when it comes to our design schemes.
How to apply it:
You can either go whole hog and clad your cabinets in an acid bright glossy colour, or you can choose one or two areas to highlight with a pop of colour.
You can either go whole hog and clad your cabinets in an acid bright glossy colour, or you can choose one or two areas to highlight with a pop of colour.
Jean Leong, head of marketing at Goodrich Singapore, recommends the new vinyl laminates for their wide selection of colours and seamless finishing.
Trend: patterns
How to apply it:
Another way of adding colour to your kitchen is to choose a painted finish, or use a fabulous wallpaper to cover your cabinets.
Painted finishes can be quite complicated to do, and you need to ensure that you seal them well so that they don’t chip easily.
How to apply it:
Another way of adding colour to your kitchen is to choose a painted finish, or use a fabulous wallpaper to cover your cabinets.
Painted finishes can be quite complicated to do, and you need to ensure that you seal them well so that they don’t chip easily.
Wallpaper is a fun way to update your kitchen cabinets, particularly if you’re just doing a revamp and not a building an entirely new kitchen. Again, make sure you finish them properly with a waterproof varnish or use vinyl wallpapers or special water-resistant hard-wearing papers, even for your backsplash.
Tip: Price should not always be the only factor when choosing wallpaper say the team from StarWalls Singapore.
You also have to take into account the durability of the product over the years especially since there is constant exposure to water, food, steam and heat.
You also have to take into account the durability of the product over the years especially since there is constant exposure to water, food, steam and heat.
“To achieve a lasting beautiful look and to get the most out of the money spent, invest in a quality wallpaper,” suggests the team.
“Although wall coverings may look similar, there are differences. Workmanship is also an important component. Make sure you get experienced installers since wallpapering cabinets is not a typical job.
“The last thing you want is for someone to carelessly damage your beautiful wall coverings or use the wrong hanging method – most mistakes are irreversible.”
“Although wall coverings may look similar, there are differences. Workmanship is also an important component. Make sure you get experienced installers since wallpapering cabinets is not a typical job.
“The last thing you want is for someone to carelessly damage your beautiful wall coverings or use the wrong hanging method – most mistakes are irreversible.”
Trend: mixing textures
Another trend is to use different textured materials for the cabinets. You can stick with neutral tones for this trend, but do have a variety of textures to create interest.
Another trend is to use different textured materials for the cabinets. You can stick with neutral tones for this trend, but do have a variety of textures to create interest.
How to apply it:
According to Eleanor Lim of EDL Laminates, laminates come in textures like timber and stone which can be used on cabinet fronts as well as countertops and even backsplashes.
According to Eleanor Lim of EDL Laminates, laminates come in textures like timber and stone which can be used on cabinet fronts as well as countertops and even backsplashes.
“Laminates are broadly grouped under two categories: High Pressure Laminates (HPL) which are thin sheets typically within 1-millimetre thickness and Compact laminates,” explains Lim. “HPL are best for cabinets.”
Another great material to try on your cabinets is mirrored glass or perspex. The resulting reflective surface brings an illusion of space by bouncing light around the kitchen.
Trend: grey instead of white
Grey kitchen cabinets are a hot trend at the moment; they’re not as stark as white, and suit a range of styles, from minimalist to Shaker.
Grey kitchen cabinets are a hot trend at the moment; they’re not as stark as white, and suit a range of styles, from minimalist to Shaker.
How to apply it:
Darker grey, or blue grey coloured cabinets can be mixed with timber for a more Scandinavian feel.
Darker grey, or blue grey coloured cabinets can be mixed with timber for a more Scandinavian feel.
You could also update your existing white kitchen by replacing only the doors on the bottom cabinets…
… Or pair your grey cabinets with soft colours like duck egg blue, rose gold and sage green.
Pair grey cabinets with granite, marble or metallic tiles for a high-end luxury look.
Trend: elegant, dark jewel tones
Dark jewel tones like navy, emerald and plum are unexpected colours for a kitchen and bound to make a big impact.
Dark jewel tones like navy, emerald and plum are unexpected colours for a kitchen and bound to make a big impact.
Trend: open storage options
According to interior stylist Priscilla Tan of Styledbypt, replacing overhead cabinets with open shelving is a great way to modernise your kitchen.
According to interior stylist Priscilla Tan of Styledbypt, replacing overhead cabinets with open shelving is a great way to modernise your kitchen.
“I’m loving open shelving for #shelfie decor type kitchens,” says Tan. “I am such a fan of shelves as decoration as I find that they add so much character and charm. They do require more cleaning, but you get to fill them with gorgeous pieces.”
An open shelf with a few choice items also gives more depth and something interesting to look at compared to a closed, boxy cabinet.
An open shelf with a few choice items also gives more depth and something interesting to look at compared to a closed, boxy cabinet.
Tip: Here are Tan’s tips on how to get the perfect #shelfie layout:
“You will need 7 main objects, including faux or real plants, cups, teapots, picture frames, an odd shape vessel, clear drinking glasses and one small item you’ve had for years.
“Each object should be in similar or complementary colours and in various heights.
“Stick to groupings that include at least one of each type of thing - one plant, one glass, one cup for example; or two plants and one jug.
Image: Louis Porfirios for Styledbypt
“You will need 7 main objects, including faux or real plants, cups, teapots, picture frames, an odd shape vessel, clear drinking glasses and one small item you’ve had for years.
“Each object should be in similar or complementary colours and in various heights.
“Stick to groupings that include at least one of each type of thing - one plant, one glass, one cup for example; or two plants and one jug.
Image: Louis Porfirios for Styledbypt
Here are some of the latest kitchen cabinet trends and a few expert tips to help you take the leap into a brand new – non-white – kitchen world.