‘Old’ Kitchen Trends that are Back in Style

Kitchen design styles from a bygone era are returning as people look to incorporate simple comforts from the past into their homes. Here are four ‘old’ trends that are new again but with a contemporary twist.

Curved Corners
The kitchen’s classic hard surfaces are taking a softer, curvier turn. Rounded cabinet ends and islands that were a mainstay in the 1950s are back but this time with added sophistication, often featuring a textural front like ribbed or reeded wood that’s either painted or left in its natural state.

Cool Mint
Green in its many guises is among the most popular kitchen colours this year. While there is a shade to suit every style, mid-greens like olive and those with minty tones provide a fresh update on the avocado used in the ‘70s. The earthy hue is also employed more sparingly, either on the kitchen island for a pop of colour in an otherwise neutral space or on lower cabinetry only. When paired with white or cream on the ‘uppers,’ this creates a two-toned effect.

Natural Wood
While subtle-grained ash and pale oak shelving and cabinetry are still in demand, mid-tone and even dark walnut is increasingly prized for its ability to impart instant luxury and offer a fresh take on ‘50s (and ‘60s) design. Oak, which was the cabinet material of choice from the ‘70s to the ‘90s until it was ‘benched,’ is also starting to edge its way into the kitchen again sans the honey spice stain. In particular, oak is being used most often to achieve a Scandinavian-style kitchen regaled for its sleek, simple lines and muted colour scheme.

Ribbed Design
Long been used in every other room of the home to create dimension and visual interest, texture is now creeping back into the kitchen and in a much more pronounced way. As well as frame-fronted cabinets defined by a rim of slim, raised edging that was all the rage decades ago, sleek vertical panelling on cabinetry, drawer fronts, islands and walls is on the rise. This custom ‘fluting’ detailing moves away from the monotony of an entirely flush and flat expanse of cabinetry, adding geometric relief and a bit of an unexpected 3-D effect.

This article was originally published on WoodIndustry.ca.