Kitchen Design Guide For 2023
Whether you’re building a new kitchen this year or renovating your space to create the perfect kitchen for your family, this guide is for you!
The best kitchens incorporate a mix of current trends and timeless design principles, resulting in a space that will continue to look and function as if it were brand new several years down the track.
As industry experts, we’ve compiled your ultimate kitchen design guide for this year. Covering pillar elements like trends, functionality, style and open-plan living, we’ll arm you with the knowledge you need to plan your project with confidence.
How to incorporate trends into your new kitchen
One of the most common questions homeowners ask is how much, if at all, they should reference trending design styles or elements in their upcoming projects.
While magazines and social media can be great sources of inspiration, we recommend striking a balance between referencing and replicating the styles that appeal to you.
Grounding the look and feel of your kitchen in trends that have stood the test of time means you can then customise statement elements to create the style you’re going for.
Using natural materials for your cabinetry or benchtops is one of our most reliable design recommendations. Timbers and stones feature across multiple design styles, so they’re versatile in application, wear well over time, and can carry both bold and minimal colour palettes.
Read our full guide to timeless kitchen design trends here.
How to create a practical space
Every kitchen design guide should touch on function design, and this one is no exception.
Avoid the common trap of prioritising form over function by ticking off some crucial additions to your kitchen.
Our must-haves include:
- Ample storage – place cupboards and drawers adjacent to the main cooking and preparation areas, and consider which storage solution would work best for different-sized cookware and crockery
- Various light sources – consider how much natural light your space receives throughout the day, its proximity to entertaining or recreational spaces in the home, and how light can create warmth and convenience in your kitchen
- Considered layout – one of the most tried and tested principles of kitchen design is the ‘golden triangle,’ where the fridge, stove and sink sit at three points of an imaginary triangle within your kitchen
Read more in our 5 Things to Consider When Designing a Practical Kitchen blog.
How to centre your design around a hero element
While minimalist kitchens have proven popular in recent years, in 2023 we are seeing a small yet definitive embrace of the character created through the concept of a design ‘hero.’
Rather than opting for a design style to inform your entire space, a design hero lets one statement element shine while keeping the rest of the kitchen clean and minimal.
This could be a statement splashback (think a herringbone tile), an island with coloured cabinetry or a beautiful appliance such as a freestanding oven.
Learn how to incorporate your own hero feature in our kitchen design guide blog here.
For more inspiration about making a design statement in your kitchen, download our exclusive ebook, which explores the essential principles of design, layout and storage.
How to blend your kitchen with surrounding areas
Considering your kitchen’s design is one thing, but it’s also important to think about how your new space will flow into the surrounding rooms of your home too.
A great way to blur the lines between kitchen, living and dining is to incorporate a breakfast bar into your design.
As a satellite seating area, this concept ticks a few key boxes:
- Creates additional seating for your family or when entertaining
- Facilitates the kitchen as the heart of the home by allowing multiple people to be in the space at once
- Creates an informal dining area, simplifying meal serving and cleanup
- Functions as a study nook or satellite workspace, perfect for multitasking or for families with school-aged children
Read our kitchen design guide on How to Work a Breakfast Bar into Your Kitchen Design.
Other ways you can achieve a cohesive home include incorporating custom joinery into the surrounding rooms of your home, using similar materials across your bathroom and laundry, and opting for an open-plan layout.
Our friendly and experienced team can help you to achieve a kitchen that will stand the test of time. Book a consultation now or visit us at a showroom location in Sydney or the Central Coast.
