14 Design Ideas From the Most Popular Kitchen Photos of 2016
We take a look at our favourite ideas from 2016's most-saved kitchen photos
What a year it’s been for kitchens. We’ve seen some beautiful trends come through, from wood and white combos and double-material benchtops, to textured and 3D tiles and kitchen-living rooms. And who told us about them? You did! Australian Houzzers voted with their clicks by saving the following kitchen photos to the most Ideabooks in 2016. You’re a discerning lot and your favourites really say something about popular trends in design and interiors. Take a look at our favourite ideas to come out of the top 30 most saved kitchen photos on Houzz Australia, and you might even consider one or two for your 2017 kitchen update.
This kitchen gets more island legroom with a smart wooden table that contrasts with the island’s Calacatta marble. Note also the sociable seating setup allowing people to face each other and chat.
More benchtop combos
More benchtop combos
2. Sociable kitchen islands
Speaking of sociable kitchen setups, eat-in kitchens and island breakfast bars have been a big theme of 2016. According to last year’s Houzz & Home survey, 39 per cent of Houzzers planned to integrate an island into their kitchen layout.
Can’t decide on a style? Consider vertical panelling as a timeless addition that will highlight the kitchen island, and suits both modern and country schemes as these contrasting photos show.
Speaking of sociable kitchen setups, eat-in kitchens and island breakfast bars have been a big theme of 2016. According to last year’s Houzz & Home survey, 39 per cent of Houzzers planned to integrate an island into their kitchen layout.
Can’t decide on a style? Consider vertical panelling as a timeless addition that will highlight the kitchen island, and suits both modern and country schemes as these contrasting photos show.
Consider an L-shaped kitchen island as an alternative. All-in-a-line stools can be configured in a sociable setting by placing them on each side.
More sociable kitchen islands
More sociable kitchen islands
3. Gloss surfaces
Lustrous, high-shine finishes are practical, look good and can infuse your kitchen with a luxe, glam air. In this contemporary kitchen, wall-to-wall white gloss cabinetry – which could look sterile – is anchored by a grey splashback and island front.
Lustrous, high-shine finishes are practical, look good and can infuse your kitchen with a luxe, glam air. In this contemporary kitchen, wall-to-wall white gloss cabinetry – which could look sterile – is anchored by a grey splashback and island front.
4. Zoning with pendants
As kitchen layouts become more open, spatial identifiers used to define key zones in the room serve practical as well as aesthetic functions. Enter the trusty pendant light that draws attention to key features, such as your island or dining banquette, while providing much-needed task lighting.
Style tip: Choose shades in matching or complementary shades to the rest of your kitchen colour scheme for a soothing, cohesive look, or go for oversized pendants, bold colours or contrasting materials (maybe even at the same time!) for a statement look.
As kitchen layouts become more open, spatial identifiers used to define key zones in the room serve practical as well as aesthetic functions. Enter the trusty pendant light that draws attention to key features, such as your island or dining banquette, while providing much-needed task lighting.
Style tip: Choose shades in matching or complementary shades to the rest of your kitchen colour scheme for a soothing, cohesive look, or go for oversized pendants, bold colours or contrasting materials (maybe even at the same time!) for a statement look.
5. White and wood
We love an all-white kitchen scheme in Australia, but to keep the all-white look from becoming too cold, designers and homeowners are introducing wood accents to help break up the look visually and provide much-needed warmth. Consider adding wood to features such as your benchtops, island front, flooring or feature cabinets.
We love an all-white kitchen scheme in Australia, but to keep the all-white look from becoming too cold, designers and homeowners are introducing wood accents to help break up the look visually and provide much-needed warmth. Consider adding wood to features such as your benchtops, island front, flooring or feature cabinets.
In this London kitchen a more subtle contrast between white and wood is provided by brushed oak flooring with a metallic element to the finish, which bounces light around from the striking cathedral windows.
Plan a white kitchen that’s not boring
Plan a white kitchen that’s not boring
6. No upper cabinets
Losing the upper cabinets is a great solution for two types of kitchen owner – those with limited space and those who look for a decorated ‘living’ space in their kitchen, not just a practical ‘cooking’ space. Here, open shelving provides essential storage but allows the light, bright wall tiles to stay in the spotlight.
Style tip: If you’re looking for a break from the rectangular subway tiles or small square mosaics that seem to show up in almost every kitchen, then it’s time to think geometrical. These honeycomb tiles have a subtle quality to them that add timeless interest.
Losing the upper cabinets is a great solution for two types of kitchen owner – those with limited space and those who look for a decorated ‘living’ space in their kitchen, not just a practical ‘cooking’ space. Here, open shelving provides essential storage but allows the light, bright wall tiles to stay in the spotlight.
Style tip: If you’re looking for a break from the rectangular subway tiles or small square mosaics that seem to show up in almost every kitchen, then it’s time to think geometrical. These honeycomb tiles have a subtle quality to them that add timeless interest.
7. Textured tiles
With many homeowners eschewing the typical above-the-bench, below-the-cabinets splashback format in favour of full floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall tile coverage, it’s time for tiles in all shapes, sizes and colours to take to the stage. These 3D grey stone tiles provide a look-at-me standout feature amid a cool, calm and collected white scheme.
With many homeowners eschewing the typical above-the-bench, below-the-cabinets splashback format in favour of full floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall tile coverage, it’s time for tiles in all shapes, sizes and colours to take to the stage. These 3D grey stone tiles provide a look-at-me standout feature amid a cool, calm and collected white scheme.
If you don’t want to commit to rough and ready tile textures, choose tiles with mottled colouring to provide visual interest, such as these blue/green subway tiles. Tile all the way to the ceiling to give this classic tile a fresh and more modern look.
8. Antique brushed metals
Brass finishes have been making a comeback in recent years, celebrated for their ability to provide shimmer, shine, and often a glamorous ‘aged’ quality to kitchens, without a sledgehammer (or a bank loan) in sight. Consider these warm finishes for your tapware, drawer pulls and even kitchenware on show.
Brass finishes have been making a comeback in recent years, celebrated for their ability to provide shimmer, shine, and often a glamorous ‘aged’ quality to kitchens, without a sledgehammer (or a bank loan) in sight. Consider these warm finishes for your tapware, drawer pulls and even kitchenware on show.
Alternatively, polished steel has an aged, glamorous feel, seen here complementing the grey veins of the opulent marble benchtops.
Weave metallics into your kitchen
Weave metallics into your kitchen
9. Storage in every corner
A space where it is easy to store and find things was the most important consideration to 73 per cent of Australian homeowners in Houzz’s 2015 kitchen survey. It’s no surprise then that this kitchen with – get ready for it – floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, under-bench cupboards, open shelving and an island with closed and open storage, came in at number two on the most-saved kitchens for 2016 list.
A space where it is easy to store and find things was the most important consideration to 73 per cent of Australian homeowners in Houzz’s 2015 kitchen survey. It’s no surprise then that this kitchen with – get ready for it – floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, under-bench cupboards, open shelving and an island with closed and open storage, came in at number two on the most-saved kitchens for 2016 list.
These kitchen schemes have oodles of storage space tucked into every nook and cranny, and yet continue to feel spacious. Want to know the secret? It’s all in the measurements. For example, leave a healthy amount of floorspace between your benchtops (a minimum of 1000 millimetres of floorspace between your two benchtops is recommended), allowing you room to open your drawers and cupboards and move around with ease.
According to our kitchen survey, homeowners are choosing custom storage solutions to suit their needs, including pull-out shelves and specialty drawers to maximise use of under-sink and corner spaces. If you’re in a storage bind, consider adding corner storage units like this to your wish list for 2017.
10. Action-packed pantries
Clever pantries are consistently popular on Houzz, but here are your favourites for 2016 – from walk-in options to concealed and/or freestanding. With storage a top priority in Aussie kitchens, it’s fitting that 63 per cent of homeowners working on a kitchen project are incorporating a pantry cupboard. Did these three take your fancy this year?
See more cleverly designed kitchen pantries
Clever pantries are consistently popular on Houzz, but here are your favourites for 2016 – from walk-in options to concealed and/or freestanding. With storage a top priority in Aussie kitchens, it’s fitting that 63 per cent of homeowners working on a kitchen project are incorporating a pantry cupboard. Did these three take your fancy this year?
See more cleverly designed kitchen pantries
11. Concealed kitchens
If you’re looking for more open space in the kitchen, you may wish to consider doing away with expanses of upper cabinets and pushing all that storage onto a single hardworking wall, that can then be tucked away behind doors or kept open. Use this wall to stash the appliances or to double up as a pantry. A one-stop hub such as this frees up the rest of the space to create a breezy look.
If you’re looking for more open space in the kitchen, you may wish to consider doing away with expanses of upper cabinets and pushing all that storage onto a single hardworking wall, that can then be tucked away behind doors or kept open. Use this wall to stash the appliances or to double up as a pantry. A one-stop hub such as this frees up the rest of the space to create a breezy look.
12. Efficient hideaway hubs
A super-efficient tech hub in the kitchen not only frees up bench space, it allows you the flexibility to tuck away those unsightly appliances or keep them on show when you need them. Try slide-up doors to conceal tea and coffee station niches …
A super-efficient tech hub in the kitchen not only frees up bench space, it allows you the flexibility to tuck away those unsightly appliances or keep them on show when you need them. Try slide-up doors to conceal tea and coffee station niches …
… Or pull-out drawers for your appliances.
And if you have limited space for your laundry supplies, here’s your answer.
13. Organisation stations
Speaking of efficiency, consider a kitchen organisation station to keep the family in check. In the 10th most-saved kitchen photo of 2016, the highlight is the bonus end cabinet that incorporates clever space for keys, a pegboard and a notice board for family organising and to-do lists, as well as stowaway slats for magazines and cookbooks.
Speaking of efficiency, consider a kitchen organisation station to keep the family in check. In the 10th most-saved kitchen photo of 2016, the highlight is the bonus end cabinet that incorporates clever space for keys, a pegboard and a notice board for family organising and to-do lists, as well as stowaway slats for magazines and cookbooks.
14. Open-plan
We’ve heard a lot about the open-plan trend this year – is it over or is it here to stay? Or is ‘broken plan‘ a better approach? Your clicks are showing us that Houzzers are still finding inspiration from open-plan kitchen schemes, a style that has dominated our top 30 most saved kitchen photos for 2016.
Plus, according to last year’s Houzz & Home survey, 46 per cent of homeowners were opting for an open-plan layout. Homeowners are continuing to blur the lines between cooking and eating, between eating and entertaining, and now even between cooking, eating, entertaining and relaxing on the couch! If you’re considering going open-plan with your next reno, find inspiration from this kitchen, complete with cathedral ceilings and sumptuous oak flooring.
TELL US
What was your favourite kitchen photo of last year and has it inspired a kitchen update? Let us know in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more about kitchen design
We’ve heard a lot about the open-plan trend this year – is it over or is it here to stay? Or is ‘broken plan‘ a better approach? Your clicks are showing us that Houzzers are still finding inspiration from open-plan kitchen schemes, a style that has dominated our top 30 most saved kitchen photos for 2016.
Plus, according to last year’s Houzz & Home survey, 46 per cent of homeowners were opting for an open-plan layout. Homeowners are continuing to blur the lines between cooking and eating, between eating and entertaining, and now even between cooking, eating, entertaining and relaxing on the couch! If you’re considering going open-plan with your next reno, find inspiration from this kitchen, complete with cathedral ceilings and sumptuous oak flooring.
TELL US
What was your favourite kitchen photo of last year and has it inspired a kitchen update? Let us know in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more about kitchen design
Sometimes one benchtop material just isn’t enough, and following the trend in mismatched kitchen cupboard doors came contrasting benchtop materials. In this kitchen – the most popular kitchen for Australian Houzzers in 2016 – a solid American oak timber cantilevered breakfast bench contrasts perfectly with a durable, water-resistant stone benchtop to create a super-hardworking island designed for cooking and entertaining.