According to a 2022 study by Houzz, kitchen remodel and renovation spending has skyrocketed since 2018. Their research indicates that 55% of homeowners embarked on a bathroom or kitchen makeover in 2021.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering the growth in “trendy kitchens” being seen on social media feeds and online articles, since the beginning of the pandemic. One trend we’ve seen emerge over the past few years, which is showing no signs of slowing down, is the use of light and airy kitchen designs.
Let there be light—and air, too!
Ready to let the light and air in? Here are some tips and tricks you can use to create a light and airy kitchen your whole family will love:
- Turn your kitchen into a coastal escape
Coastal living remains a distant dream for many. If you haven’t gotten around to turning this dream into a reality, why not create a kitchen that resembles the coastal tranquility you wish to experience? A Hamptons style kitchen design is the perfect way to add an extra layer of warmth, coziness, and elegance by throwing in the ideal balance of modern and traditional features.
Inspired by New York’s Hamptons coastal region in the 19th century, this kitchen design is typically white and bright to highlight a stunning point of contrast. Engineered stone or marble can be an excellent choice for a kitchen island, while the sink can feature a butler-style design to achieve a more quintessential Hamptons ambiance.
Neutral colors are often a charming accent when considering a coastal kitchen design. However, you can also deviate from this trend and go for a brighter palette—think green, yellow, and blue. You can only imagine what a burst of vibrance in your kitchen will look like!
- Take your cabinetry game up a notch with open shelving
Your kitchen has to look open and bright to create an airy vibe, and what better way to make that happen than ditching traditional cabinetry? Open shelving is a trend going nowhere, and for a good reason. It’s functional, stylish, easier to maintain, and is an excellent finishing touch to satisfy the minimalist in you.
To create open shelves that steal the show, opt for luxurious and high-quality wood materials that can give your kitchen an industrial yet modern feel. Walnut, oak, cherry, pine, birch, and maple are some of the best wood types you can consider for your doorless shelving project.
Keep the color palette sleek and simple for a lighter and airier ambiance. Make the room look wider and more spacious by creating a variety of heights on your shelves. Don’t be limited by specific size or width—you’re free to mix and match wood sizes, colors, and materials to achieve the look you’re aiming for.
- Cue in light-reflecting finishes
Adding reflectivity to your kitchen can make the room look light and airy in a brilliant way. How do you achieve this? The trick is to introduce surfaces and finishes with light-reflecting effects. You can use bespoke yet durable materials for different kitchen areas, including the countertop, backsplash, walls, flooring, and even your appliances.
For example, a mirrored backsplash can do wonders in reflecting the natural light from the windows. To have the same effect on your work surfaces, use polished quartz or bright white marble shiny enough to bounce light. The same concept applies to your kitchen floor. If white tiling is too much, you can always opt for a neutral-toned wood veneer or glossy cream stone for a similar reflective effect.
- You can never have too much lighting
Lighting is crucial in any household transformation, and your kitchen is no exception. You need to remember that the lighting design should set the scene for cooking and preparing meals, eating with family, and entertaining guests. After all, the kitchen is considered the heart of every home, and you’ll likely spend most of your time there when having guests over.
Lighting can make the space look and feel bigger with the right tricks. You can also use it to highlight specific areas in your kitchen—be it your ultra-modern appliances, an impressive wine bar, or your elegant collection of Chinaware.
Your stunning and glossy surfaces won’t go unnoticed if you choose feature lighting with low glare fittings. Lighting also has its own way of emphasizing the height of any room, and you can make this happen by installing wall uplights and LED strips angled at 45 degrees within the cabinetry or shelves.
The bottom line
With the kitchen serving as the focal point of your home, it only makes sense to invest in a design that can give you nothing but pure bliss and satisfaction. If you’re looking for ideas, try creating a light and airy concept for your cooking space. The style is sleek, inviting, and trendy enough to take your breath away.
References:
“9 Ways to Make Your Kitchen Look and Feel Bigger”, Source: https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/9-ways-to-make-your-kitchen-look-and-feel-bigger-51328
“51 Small Kitchen Design Ideas That Make the Most of a Tiny Space”, Source: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/small-kitchen-design-ideas
“How to increase natural light in your kitchen, by a kitchen designer”, Source: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/interiors/a38592875/increase-natural-light-kitchen/
“How to create a Hamptons-style kitchen”, Source: https://www.bhg.com.au/hamptons-style-kitchen
“Kitchen lighting ideas – 50 ways to set the scene for cooking, eating and entertaining”, Source: https://www.homesandgardens.com/spaces/decorating/kitchen-lighting-ideas-203134
