Advice & Tips For Designing The Perfect Kitchen In 2023.
This article will delve into kitchen design, ideas, and what kitchen trends to keep an eye on in 2023.
We thought there was no better person to speak to than Rhys Armstrong from Envision Kitchens in Berkeley Vale when it comes to talking about kitchens. Rhys and the Envision Kitchens team offer a full suite of joinery services, including; new kitchen installations, kitchen renovations, alfresco/outdoor kitchens, custom office desks and workstations, wardrobes, entertainment units and many other custom-built joinery pieces. So if anyone is going to be an expert in Kitchens and joinery design, it’s Rhys!
Rhys says high-touch rooms in your home, like the kitchen, bathroom, laundry or Wardrobe, need special design consideration. You must balance function, aesthetics and the available area to work with (particularly in small spaces like a Granny Flat). However.
The kitchen is considered the home’s central hub, but never has this been more relevant than in today’s post-covid world. There is a renewed focus on what we want from our homes and how they are designed to create a space that functions for the way we live. Homeowners now want a calm and relaxing space that is warm and welcoming, making them feel safe. However, the kitchen needs to be a multi-use space designed not just for cooking but for laughter, commiseration, zoom calls, team meetings, family meals, birthdays, tears, cups of coffee, meal prep, glasses of wine, entertaining, homework and everything in between.
It’s super important that you carefully consider your lifestyle. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all kitchen design. It all comes down to your personal preferences!
This leads us to the first Kitchen design trend!
1. MULTI-FACETED KITCHENS
Large kitchen island benches are the best place to start turning your kitchen into a multi-use space for the whole family. Islands are often big enough to fit most appliances with room for additional storage and create an open social space, big enough to dine around or set up the home office on.
Choosing what will go in your kitchen island depends on numerous factors, Rhys says these are a few things to consider:
If you add a cooktop to the island, this will let you cook and socialise at the same time.
If you add a kitchen island sink, remember that you will probably have dishes waiting to be washed or drained on the benchtop.
Hidden power points with USB ports for charging devices are also super popular.
Rhys’s Pro tip: Kitchen islands are a great way to introduce colour, texture, house your appliances, and provide additional seating. When choosing your stools check the dimensions and draw them into the kitchen design to ensure they fit perfectly with plenty of space to maneuver around. Make sure you get the size right and proportions correct and positioned to create an easy traffic flow and easy access to the most used drawers and appliances.
2. TWO-TONED KITCHEN CABINETRY
Two-tone kitchen cabinets are so hot right now. You can have a classic/contemporary look with your upper/head-high cupboards while adding bold lower floor-level cabinets. Another option is having your island bench cabinets contrast your main kitchen cabinets says Rhys.
3. ADDING A TOUCH OF VINTAGE
Mixing vintage pieces and reclaimed industrial furniture has been very popular this year, particularly in bathrooms. For example, many dressers and sideboards have been upcycled into bathroom vanities. This trend is now making its way into the kitchen, and wow, do they look good!
It’s the perfect way to add character to your project, combining natural colours and warm textures that create an inviting and cozy environment.
4. COLOR SCHEMES
2023 is all about muted colours like sage green, soft terracotta, and dusty hues. Muted colour schemes work very well with earthy and organic textures, which are very popular.
There is always a time and place for simple, clean whites. However, there’s been a step away from traditional white and a move towards earthy, sandy, desert colours.
On the other end of the spectrum, ocean blues are used to make a strong statement, along with dark green, earthy tones, and deeper neutrals such as mushroom shades. White/sandy Scandi-inspired designs will still be popular and accented with wooden elements such as dining tables or freestanding furniture.
5. WARM MARBLE
According to Leigh at Tile Warehouse in Newcastle, warm gold-veined calacatta marble tiles are being bought instead of the carrara/grey vein that has been popular for the last few years.
To give your new kitchen the wow factor, go for a whole warm marble slab for your splashback (backsplash). These cozier shades look fantastic, matched with wicker, rattan, copper, and wood finishes. We foresee whole slab splashbacks being very popular in 2023.
The Calacatta Oro’s exquisite and varied pattern mimics that of a natural stone. The organic pattern and natural colours ripple through the design creating a contemporary and sophisticated finish. Calcatta Oro comes in both a matt and polished finish. This can be found at Tile Warehouse.
6. CLEVER PANTRY STORAGE
For a good reason, pantries are high on everyone’s kitchen hit list and are an essential ingredient aspect of a well-designed kitchen. Surprisingly you don’t need a heap of space for storage. Pantry cupboards, hidden organisers and other clever pantry storage ideas like rotating corner baskets for your tricky-to-access corner cupboards or a lazy susan for your pots and pans or pantry items.
A walk-in butler’s pantry is a must if you have the luxury of space, as you can go to town organising all your pantry items and buy and store food in bulk (how good is Costco!). Butler’s Pantries are excellent at hiding all your everyday appliances like toasters, kettles, coffee machines, microwaves, Thermomixs, air fryers, Dyson stick vacs or robotic vacuums freeing up valuable bench space and hiding clutter. Win!
7. TECHNOLOGY
Rhys says in 2022, they saw a significant uptake in how technology has been integrated into the kitchen. Moving into 2023, this uptake of tech needs to be supported with charging stations (in drawer and built-in to the benchtop), device storage, and places for devices to sit while in use.
There is now a heap of kitchen appliances connected to the internet and utilise apps on your smartphone that can turn ovens on and off, control lighting, monitor cooking activity, create shopping lists, etc. We’re installing more smart mixer taps with integrated measuring cup functions, instant boiling or chilled water and soda water out of the tap!
8. OUTDOOR KITCHENS
Lastly, many Aussies are adding outdoor kitchens and alfresco dining/entertaining areas. Bespoke outdoor kitchens have been the biggest growing sector within Envision Kitchens business in 2022 and are likely to continue in 2023.
There you have it, the low down on designing a great, functional Kitchen from Central Coast’s top custom Kitchen Renovation team. Thanks Envision Kitchens!
If you’re thinking of building a Granny Flat, feel free to check out our Granny Flat designs or get in touch for advice on your project or to book a free site inspection and quote!
