5.4 hours – that’s the average amount of time Germans spend cooking every week. In order to make this time as pleasant as possible, the kitchen becomes not only a space for culinary experimentation, but also a playground for designers. The result: a succession of new styles and trends. From dark kitchen units and natural materials to smart assistants – we review the year’s biggest kitchen trends.
There’s no doubt that white kitchens are truly classic, timeless and, above all, versatile. White not only goes with every other colour, but also with a wide variety of interior design styles. Whether you prefer a contemporary designer kitchen, a farmhouse style or a minimalist, Scandinavian look: using different furniture and fittings, white kitchens can be endlessly reinvented. This year, however, black is the new white. Kitchen units in black, but also in anthracite and the so-called ‘dusty colours’, matte greys, browns or blues, are trendier than ever.
Choosing a dark kitchen may take some courage at first – but it’s worth it! In return, you gain a kitchen that’s anything but ordinary and also extremely adaptable.
With white kitchens, it can be a challenge to match the exact shade of wallpaper, but black always goes with everything. This is also true of the Avoury One: it’s not for nothing that our tea machine in ‘Pure Black’ is particularly sought-after. Be it for kitchen appliances, surfaces or as a wall colour – elegant and timeless black complements any kitchen style. Especially in minimalist kitchens, it emphasises the outlines and the subtle design language. The fear that black makes everything feel unwelcoming and cold is completely unfounded: instead, black creates a calm, intimate atmosphere, which is why hotel rooms, lounges and bars are often decorated in dark tones. Especially when combined with wood, it creates an impression of warmth and cosiness. Black generally goes well with almost all types of wood, but the colour contrast makes light-coloured wooden furniture and fittings in particular really shine.
However, anyone who still finds black too dark can also opt for individual dark touches – the whole kitchen doesn’t need to be black. Black shelves in a white kitchen or black kitchen units combined with subtle colours such as grey also create interesting contrasts. If you prefer something bolder, you can combine black kitchen units with warm but intense wall colours such as mustard yellow, terracotta or blush.
Be it for fittings, worktops, kitchen units or appliances – the age of high-gloss kitchens appears to be over. While glossy kitchen units are sometimes easier to clean, they also often look colder. In contrast, matte kitchen units create a warm, homely atmosphere and look sophisticated and modern at the same time. That’s why the matte look is the year’s top trend, especially for dark kitchens. In addition, matte units often come with an anti-fingerprint coating, which saves time on cleaning and gives you a high-quality, consistently flawless surface.
Whether for fittings, decorative elements or even complete kitchens – the metallic look is gaining in popularity. Gold-coloured sinks combined with a black kitchen, for example, create a sophisticated, vibrant look. However, the real standout this year is copper: on Pinterest alone, searches for copper kitchenware rose by 35 per cent. What’s behind the hype? Copper exudes a warm glow, is an excellent conductor of heat, robust, durable and looks great too – whether highly polished or with a patina.
Natural materials such as wood aren’t only a great choice when combined with the on-trend colour black – they’re durable, hard-wearing and add a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to minimalist kitchens. Strictly speaking, wood is no newcomer to the kitchen, but it has shed its rustic image and provides variety with lots of new, innovative touches. This year, for example, kitchens with visibly grained wooden units, where right away you can see the real quality of the material, are in vogue. But wood doesn’t just look good: it absorbs odours, helps improve indoor air quality, can reduce house dust and has an antibacterial effect – perfect for the kitchen, where freshness and hygiene are essential. In addition to wood, other materials with the wow factor include natural stones such as granite, slate and marble. Together, they are unbeatable: for example, marble in shades of white and beige or dramatic anthracite, combined with light wood and white walls, will bring a refreshing Nordic flair to your kitchen. Especially in minimalist kitchens, marble fits perfectly into the overall concept – both in the form of tiles and as a work surface. Did you know? In most cases, it’s not real marble but ceramic or quartzite that looks like marble. Real marble would simply be too sensitive for an environment where wine, oil or acids such as vinegar or lemon are used.
Not only the furnishings, but also the significance of the kitchen is changing. Scandinavian countries are the main trendsetters: there, the kitchen has long since ceased to be just a place where food is prepared and eaten. Instead, it’s a social hub or even the centre of the home. In Germany, too, kitchens are becoming increasingly homely and flexible: the trend is moving from the open-plan kitchen to the complete merging of the kitchen and dining or living areas.
If the kitchen and living room occupy the same space, shelves or other room dividers help break this up, if required, by visually separating the two areas and creating a sound barrier. If the kitchen and dining area are combined, table, seating or bar solutions make communication easier. The classic kitchen island is also still popular and complements the usual kitchen units on the wall with a sociable solution that also serves as a seating area, work surface and meeting point. For a balanced overall look, materials and styles from the kitchen should be continued in the dining and living area – or vice versa.
In the 21st century, a kitchen not only has to look beautiful, but it must also have smart equipment. No wonder intelligent kitchen assistants that function independently and make our everyday lives easier have been very popular this year. A great example of this is the Avoury One, which combines all three requirements for modern kitchen appliances: technology, convenience and, increasingly important, appearance. Technical innovations that are in no way inferior to first-class furniture design in terms of colour and design language make our homes both smarter and more elegant. A real win-win situation entirely in keeping with the spirit of minimalism, as kitchen appliances are no longer just ‘nice to have’ but offer added value as useful gadgets and decorative features.
No matter your favourite style or the trends you follow, one thing is always true: less is more. Whether it’s black and white contrasts, matte surfaces, unique real wood or copper kitchenware – carefully chosen elements will add the perfect finishing touch. Focus on a few high-impact pieces like an art print, a vase or the Avoury One. With its stylish appearance, the tea machine is a real eye-catcher and makes the perfect addition to any kitchen thanks to its minimalist design.