We explore five kitchen trends for this year that are certain to breathe new life into the heart of your home. Find out why we love them and tips on getting the look right in your space
They say that the kitchen is the heart of a home. It’s the place we share many of our most memorable family moments – particularly over festive periods and special occasions.
While there are some timeless ways you can renovate, each year brings new trends. Here’s our round-up of the best for kitchen trends for 2020:
Kitchen trends for 2020
Farmhouse chic
About the look
Think exposed brick, reclaimed wood, ceiling beams and earthy tones. The popularity of modern farmhouse style kitchens is on the rise in the UAE, especially with the growing number of modern builds springing up in the cities that are delivering more open-plan, light filled spaces to the market.
If you’re a fan of Fixer Upper duo Chip and Joanna Gaines, you’ll be well versed in this design style. Cosy and warm, the look is perfect for those who like to feel grounded, with its rustic style appealing to country bumpkins at heart.
Why we rate it
The fundamentals of this look – beautiful, raw materials – will never go out of style. Plus, you can add as many modern touches as you like to create that a glossy farmhouse chic look.
How to make it happen
Nail the look with matte finished wooden cabinets, open shelving and a large island with natural wood edge bar stools.
For the flooring, choose engineered wood that shows the natural grain and opt for wide planks. Choose cool tones, such as washed oak for the best effect. Floorworld has a beautiful white oak, wide plank, engineered wood flooring (Dhs136/sqm), but if you’re on a budget you could opt for the Gerbur vinyl click in washed oak (Dhs85/sqm) for a similar look.
IKEA’s farmhouse style Havsen white ceramic two-bowl sink, Dhs870, is a steal. To recreate an exposed brick wall, Diyar Home has a great selection of clay bricks to choose from, including whitewash/cement cladding for a distressed look.
Contemporary concrete
About the look
Contemporary with a practical edge, you can make a big impact in the kitchen using concrete (or concrete effect materials). And while it has an industrial vibe, this practical material has some serious style clout, too.
Why we rate it
The great thing about concrete is that it is extremely hardwearing so is a great option for everyone from design savvy execs to young families. Plus, you can style it in various ways to make it sleek and modern, or distinctly rough around the edges.
You can use it everywhere – from floors to worktops, fixtures and fittings to achieve a minimalist look and feel. It’s generally not as pricey as some other high-end materials but if you use enough of it, don’t be surprised if your quote racks up.
How to make it happen
The locally based Concrete Design ME creates beautiful bespoke furniture and décor, including countertops and islands, in a variety of shades. RAK Ceramics offers concrete style Maximus Mega Slabs that can be used on walls, floors, countertops and more.
Alternatively, you can use the Lava Concrete ceramic tile, which comes in a range of shades and sizes, from white to dark grey. Team it with black or very dark grey hardware – we like the Grohe Atrio kitchen faucet line in brushed hard graphite.
You can pick up matte black cabinet handles at IKEA. If you don’t want to go wall to wall concrete, break it up with a splash of white, cream or beige. Lastly, when choosing a contractor, it’s wise to check they have prior experience of working with concrete in the kitchen.
Open shelving
About the look
Open shelving in the kitchen is a huge style hit, but it takes an organised soul to do away with kitchen cabinets completely. You can choose the best material to suit your style – we love the rustic glam combination of the walnut shelves and marble countertop – but the options are practically endless.
Why we rate it
It’s a really flexible feature and it’s a great way to make compact kitchens appear larger. You can ease yourself in gently by simply removing your upper cabinet doors, or opt for a combination of closed cabinets and open shelves so you have the best of both worlds. It’s also a great solution for awkward spaces, when bespoke cabinetry is not an option budget wise. And of course, if you pride yourself on your beautiful crockery collection, it is the perfect showcase for it all.
How to make it happen
If you like the raw wood look, The Driftwood Factory is your go-to for beautifully crafted, bespoke shelves. You can pick up floating shelves on the high-street – JYSK does a mean Abild floating shelf made from MDF in a variety of finishes. Be sure to select a bracket style that blends well with your theme.
Trailblazing tiles
About the look
Move over white subway tiles. We’re all about designs that catch the eye. Selecting a tile design that pops is a sure-fire way to add some character to your kitchen – it can even spark an entire theme. So if beautiful tiles are your passion, we recommend you invest time in finding ones you love, and design the rest of your kitchen from there.
Why we rate it
While bold tiles can seem trend-led, we argue that any great design will stand the test of time by packing your kitchen with plenty of personality that makes the space your own. Plus, focusing on the tile gives a clear direction for the rest of the kitchen by keeping the worktops and cabinets pared down so the overall look doesn’t become overbearing.
How to make it happen
You’ll be in your element at Sanipex Gallery. We adore its porcelain Technicolour tiles, which are super skinny and available in a range of vibrant colours that you can mix and match. Alternatively, Mosaico cement tiles, which are handcrafted in the UAE, are worth saving up for.
Like the trend? See how tiles can transform your bathroom, too.
Two toned cabinets
About the look
An easy way to add character to your kitchen – generally, you’d choose a darker colour for the lower cabinets and a lighter shade for those on top.
Why we rate it
You can be playful with your colour combination, from classic navy blue and white to complementary pastels that pop. Just make sure there is a common element, such as brass handles, to tie it all together.
How to make it happen
If your existing kitchen is in good shape, you could simply paint the cabinets. Or, pick and choose from one of the many fantastic kitchen suppliers on the doorstep.
If you want to save on hours when it comes to installing backsplash, look for panels that offer the tiled look in larger pieces.
Got more renovations on your mind? Discover more outdoor, kitchen, bathroom and home interior inspiration here.