The latest kitchen makeover trends

Australians are still all about the neutrals when it comes to their kitchens, but they’re mixing it up with more eclectic finishes, matt doors, deeper benchtops and deorative murals.

In 2012, kitchen makeover specialists Granite Transformations completed more than 8,000 kitchens in greys, beiges and whites and in response to demand, they’ve released 5 new colours exclusive to the Australian market and in time for the warmer months ahead. Ikea, on the other hand, whose catalogue launch I attended last month, has introduced a red kitchen, especially with its Australian Asian customers in mind.

“We’re currently seeing a huge demand for colours in beige, greys and whites, which are great options as they allow you to design a kitchen that can easily transition from one season to the next,” says Granite Transformations’ resident trends expert Jessie Harvey. “Soft, neutral tones of beige, grey and white really complement the design and layout trends that have been popular in Europe recently. These trends include incorporating mixed finishes and decorative murals, which are a lot easier to achieve when you opt for neutral colours for your benchtops.”

She put together some popular design and layout trends for us:

Mixed Finishes – Mix cabinetry finishes with a combination of dark and lighter tones at different levels to give an eclectic look to the kitchen. With remodelling, you can use one door colour or woodgrain at eye level, then another on the base units. Or perhaps choose a different benchtop colour for an island bench, to contrast with main cabinets.

Cleaner Lines – Follow the continental fashion for cool, sleek lines, featuring flat slab doors with no handles or minimalist door and drawers. There’s also a greater interest in matt finishes as an alternative to high gloss doors. Deeper edge profiles on replacement benchtops give a solid contemporary look, without the extra weight of solid stone.

Island Units – If space allows, an island unit turns your layout into a designer kitchen, with bar stools for informal eating, drinking and conversation. Centre islands can feature fashionable waterfall ends, bringing benchtops almost to ground level. A built-in wine rack or storage baskets introduce a bohemian look.

Eco-Chic Materials – Current kitchen design trends reflect that the green movement is still gathering momentum, with eco-friendly materials gaining in popularity. Choose from recycled glass benchtops made from used beer, wine and mineral water bottles, or composite granite and quartz surfaces containing natural stone salvaged from quarrying sites.

Decorative Murals – Most kitchens have limited wall space, but it’s good to introduce a bold splash of colour with a decorative wall mural or feature panel. Authentic glass mosaic tiles mounted on a backing board introduce colour, texture and a tactile finish, while natural daylight and halogen spotlights contribute a sparkling, reflective dimension. You could even have a custom-made mosaic.