51 of the best kitchen design ideas for 2021 and beyond

Much like the avocado bathroom, the serving hatch peaked in the 1970s and then slowly dropped out of favour. For those that don’t fancy knocking a wall down, perhaps its comeback should come as no surprise – it’s a clever compromise in the great open-versus-broken-plan debate. Today’s take is wider, with clean lines and subtle framing. Bespoke wood kitchen, price on application, Todhunter Earle. ‘Beat Tall’ and ‘Beat Fat’ LED pendant lights in ‘Black’, £355 each, Tom Dixon

If the bones of your kitchen are still in business, look to the new wave of brands that offer custom fronts to fit standardised units. More of a makeover than handles or worktops, but far less involved than a full refit, it’s a shortcut with substance. Stained ‘White Bamboo’ doors, from £2,862 for a small kitchen, Custom Fronts

To treat tiles as purely practical is to miss out on the many ways they can make a space. From colour-blocked compositions to beautifully illustrative designs, try tiles for tiles’ sake – they might cover a column rather than a splashback, create a lively contrast between a wall and floor or draw the eye with a decorative panel. It’s all about application. ‘Crogiolo Rice Blu’ and ‘Crogiolo Rice Bianco Decoro Leaf’ ceramic tiles, price on application, both Marazzi

As a place to eat, work or rest, banquette seating speaks to the increased blurring of boundaries within our homes. And what a hard worker – the curve of its corner can soften a kitchen’s sharp lines, while a hollow hidden under the seat offers extra storage. Bespoke kitchen with Navurban fronts and Talostone Carrara marble worktop, price on application, The Stables. For similar cabinetry paint, try ‘Tranquil Dawn’, £36.78 for 2.5 litres, Dulux. Furniture maker Lozi can create a bespoke banquette, from £1,800

If you’ve got wall space going spare, it seems a shame to store your favourite ceramics behind closed doors. There are myriad options for open shelving – all without the bulkiness of high cabinets – but the material consideration is conformity versus contrast. Bespoke kitchen, price on application, Richards Stanisich. Pyrolave lava stone worktop in ‘Blanc Antique’, £2,560 per sq m, Pyrolave. For similar tiles, try ‘Bistrot DMRB 06 Mosaic Soft’, £284.70 per sq m, Domus. For similar bar stools, try ‘Bar Stool 64’ by Alvar Alto for Artek, £480 each, Utility Design

Why should the walls have all the fun? While flooring has to be hardwearing, it’s worth considering something a little unorthodox underfoot. For real freedom, try inlaid marble or encaustic tiles, as both lend themselves to bespoke configurations that can lead the eye in any way you like. Bespoke kitchen with brushed dark oak units finished in matt lacquer and Nero Marquinia marble worktop; bespoke flooring in Nero Marquinia and Bianco Venezia marble, price on application, all Anna & Fred

Rather than completely getting rid of your units, consider how a new countertop might bring them back to life. A sheet of high-shine brass or steel will elevate wood without the clinical feel of a commercial kitchen. ‘OEO’ kitchen in dark smoked oak with a brass worktop and raw steel bars, £9,193 per m, Garde Hvalsøe. For similar counter stools, try ‘3D’ bar stool with sledge base by Komplot Design for Gubi, £298 each, Chaplins

Who says you can’t do drama in the kitchen? Nothing creates impact like a bold shade, especially when it’s used everywhere, from floor to worktop. Pick one punchy tone or select several similar shades for a harmonious, multi-layered look. Kitchen units, lower wall and shelf painted in ‘Harley Green’; upper wall painted in ‘Tea with Florence’, both £48.50 for 2.5 litres, Little Greene. ‘PK1’ dining chairs by Poul Kjærholm for Carl Hansen & Søn, £465 each, The Conran Shop

There’s no such thing as too much storage space, especially in a multitasking area such as the kitchen. Going bespoke will make the most of every millimetre, plus it will give you the opportunity to make a statement in the process, be it through colour, materials or shape. In this London home, which was designed by MW Architects, two different shades of fronts and a mix of open and closed shelving by Uncommon Projects engage the eye and create interest. The double-height space has been cleverly utilised with fitted cabinetry in a sunny yellow shade to provide additional storage. Kitchen cabinetry, from around £16,000

Streamlined, precise cabinetry is an ideal canvas for colour and, when used boldly, can transform your kitchen from run-of-the- mill to a statement, sculptural feature. The key is to pick a tight palette of two to three shades and fully commit to all-over application on every surface, from worktops to splashbacks. Bespoke kitchen by Russian design studio Supaform, from approx £4,700. For a similar table try the ‘Bookmatch’ table by Philippe Malouin for Hem, approx £2,016. The rug is ‘Rope Rug Large’ by Pauline Deltour for Hem, £876

Stripped back to the bones and without a trace of the usual kitchen clues of wall-mounted cupboards, shelves, tiles or splashbacks, this minimalist design proves that less can be more. Although seemingly simple, this space employs a few artful tricks to stop it feeling austere or empty; textured walls, a swathe of patinated brass over the island and statement, sculptural lighting to fill the void overhead.For kitchen units, try Fenix’s ‘NTM’ laminate fronts at Husk, which come in a spectrum of neutral shades, from £53 for a drawer front. Modum Worktops can make bespoke brass worktops, from approx £1,400. ‘VV Cinquanta’ suspension light by Vittoriano Viganò, £1,896, Astep

Eschew straight lines and right-angles in favour of curves and you’ll be rewarded with a softer, friendlier- feeling space that oozes bespoke allure. The island is prime territory for experimentation – round off edges for a more subtle look or go for maximum impact with full, sweeping curves. Belgian designer Dries Otten and Made
architects created this kitchen for a family in Antwerp. The playful pink and red colour palette of the cabinetry is mirrored in the rich ‘Lardo’ marble sourced from stone specialist Van Den Weghe. Bespoke kitchens by Dries Otten, from approx £18,831 driesotten.be; madearchitects.be; vandenweghe.be

It’s a testament to this wonder material that we’re still whittling wood in exciting new ways. This design's slim slatted fronts result in an orderly, yet tactile feel and works best when left to shine against a muted backdrop.‘Vertical’ stained ash cabinet fronts, plinths, sides and handles in ‘Umbar’ to fit Ikea ‘Metod’ units, £2,758, Superfront. Worktop and splashback by Herrljunga Terrazzo. ‘All Wood Stool’ by Karoline Fesser, £385, Hem. ‘Hanging Lamp No.2’ by Muller van Severen for Valerie Objects, £700, Viaduct

Once relegated to the splashback as the saviour of overzealous cooks, clever moulding techniques have transformed the tricks we can perform with tiles. Here, they curve to cover a worktop, wall and shelf, smoothing the transition between each surface with a clean uniformity. Simple gridded tiles in a single shade make a great foundation for avant-garde applications.Wall, worktop and shelf covered in ‘Transparenze’ gloss ceramic tiles in ‘DVT 26’, £53 per sq m; floor covered in ‘Interni’ satin ceramic tiles in ‘DVI 39’, £56 per sq m, both Domus

This contemporary kitchen proves that it’s possible to combine a cosy, cabin-like feel with the functional, clean-lined minimalism of a modern space. Sleek finishes and fine craftsmanship are the secret to success here, and prevent its oak-wrapped ceiling and walls straying into ski-chalet territory, while Arabescato and green marble and bronze-fronted cabinets add a luxe edge.Bespoke kitchen by Studio DLM Damien Langlois-Meurinne. For a similar kitchen, try Eggersmann Design, kitchens start from £40,000

We’ve steadily swapped the coolness of chrome fixtures for the warm lustre of brass and bronze, but perhaps fewer have cottoned on to their wider potential as the real stars of a space. Consider the gentle patina of aged metals versus a polished, high-shine look, or even the muted luxury of a brushed-matt finish. Bespoke brass kitchen island with concrete top, price on application, Studio Bright. ‘Dita’ bar stools, Grazia & Co. For similar, try ‘Sable’ bar stools, £1,918 each, Ochre

Playing with proportions can reap dramatic results, especially when applied to areas that usually come in standard dimensions, such as the depth of a worktop. Super-sized slabs of stone or marble are the obvious choice for ushering in a luxe feel – Roundhouse Design’s custom kitchen island is constructed from two chunky layers of honed ‘Calacatta Manhattan’ marble – but terrazzo or concrete would provide similar wow factor. Bespoke kitchens, from £30,000, Roundhouse Design. ‘CH20 Elbow Chairs’ by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn, from £755 each, The Conran Shop

Mustering up the same moody appeal as charcoal or inky black, the muted shades of sage have a soothing tranquillity that renders them less severe than other dark hues. It’s versatile, too; as a mid-tone, it brings out the shine of brass and metallic accents, complements the grey-green swirls found in marble or stone and is a natural partner for wood of all types. In this kitchen designed by architects Thomas Geldof and Carmine Van Der Linden, ‘Alga Marina’ marble work surfaces pick out the tones of the kitchen’s splashback, shelving and panelled birch cabinets, which have been stained a deep green. thomasgeldof.be. For a similar wood stain, try ‘Sage Leaf’ Royal Interior wood finish, from £17.99 per litre, Protek protekwoodstain.co.uk

While the pink renaissance is well underway – see walls everywhere – it’s yet to truly conquer the kitchen. Soft putty tones include a dose of yellow pigment that lends extra warmth and earthiness, rendering them altogether more liveable than spring-fresh blush or sugary powder pink (as well as anything approaching Barbie). As is often the mantra, a matt finish will keep it all feeling modern, while chalky, limewash paints will add texture. ‘Basis’ kitchen with linoleum cabinet fronts in ‘Olive’, Fenix laminate worktops in ‘Beige Arizona’ and natural oak handles, from £83 for a front, Reform reformcph.com

A floor treatment that’s more commonly seen in exterior spaces, crazy paving is the latest eye-catching surface to be reclaimed by interior designers and architects, and not only for its practical, hard-wearing properties. In this project by Studio Esteta, irregularly shaped slabs of slate inject subtle texture and movement – the perfect foil to the smooth swathes of oak and polished blue-grey stone above it – and lead the eye from the monolithic island to the matching marble-wrapped nook on the rear wall. studioesteta.com.au

From metro-style to mosaics, tiles are an eternal favourite in the kitchen for obvious reasons. The most current shape and size for making a statement is the unassuming rectangle, but take heed of the all-important rule; for impact and loftier-looking ceilings, vertical orientation is a must. There’s no limit to the creativity that can be conjured from these brick-like blocks. Multidisciplinary studio H+O’s Mondrian-esque scheme applies them to walls, floor and built-in sideboard, creating a precise, graphic look. hpluso.design

Tasked with creating a kitchen in a space blessed with palatial proportions and an abundance of original features, London-based design outfit Sella Concept steered clear of trying to reproduce something of the period. Instead, they opted for a contrasting contemporary scheme that echoes the building’s arched windows; sweeping curves have been sliced from the custom-built celadon-green cabinetry, while the breakfast bar has been similarly rounded-off. Green marble and brass handles by Swarf hardware add a suitably luxe edge. sella-concept.com; swarfhardware.co.uk

When Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen – aka Dutch design duo Muller Van Severen – embarked on creating their family kitchen, the pair seized the chance to incorporate their signature bold shades and materials. The result is a melting pot of surfaces; sea green enamel cabinets, richly veined marble and a red and white checkerboard floor that recalls a 1950s diner, demonstrating that being brave with unusual combinations can pay dividends. Playfully pulled together by dining furniture and bright ceramics, this is an expressive space that tells its owners’ story. mullervanseveren.be

The 1970s have already influenced furniture, fabrics and lighting – now the era is making itself known in the realm of the kitchen. Dark timbers and veneers are key to the look. Design practice Marcante Testa’s galley kitchen nods to the period with wenge wood, green laminate cabinets and a ceiling adorned in Little Greene’s densely patterned ‘Fern’ wallpaper, all brought up to date with a marble floor and brass accents. marcante-testa.it

Overuse marble or stone in a kitchen and it could be in danger of feeling cold and austere. It’s clearly a material Paris-based architect Joseph Dirand has much experience with, as his masterful treatment of the stone in his Right Bank apartment shows. Carved from a hunk of breccia stazzema marble, the colossal island is softened with gentle fluting on the base while the top’s generous radius gives it a tactile quality. Rounded edges are repeated on the counter and shelves while the subtly grey washed walls enhance the space’s mellow feel. josephdirand.com

Framed by original wood panelling, pale timber cabinets and sleek brass details, the stretch of concrete in this understated space feels refined rather than rough-hewn – a testament to the metamorphosis of a material in a different context. London architecture firm McLaren.Excell has eschewed the industrial palette usually paired with concrete for an effect that’s subtler, softer and supremely liveable. Take note of the seamless transition from butler sink to splashback, which tempers any industrial edge. mclarenexcell.com

Considering its versatility, affordability and tensile strength, plywood’s status as a solely functional material seemed somewhat unjust. It’s since been reincarnated as an architect favourite, driven by a renewed interest in humble, untreated materials and smart housing solutions like prefabricated homes. Proponents of ply are now shifting attention onto coloured stains: in this ply-clad kitchen by Feina Studio, visible grain tinted in a forest green hue creates a visual connect between a stretch of low cabinets and a distinctive exposed ceiling. feinastudio.com

Belgium-based interior designer Lionel Jadot took inspiration from the art deco era for this unique kitchen. The marble surfaces and gold walls are handsome in their own right, but it’s the extra details, such as the detailed chequerboard trim on the splashback, that really evoke the glamour of the 1920s. For a similar
colour, try ‘Antique Gold Effect’, from £7 for 125ml, Craig & Rose. For similar tiles, try ‘Victorian Black/White Chequer’, £72.22 per square metre, Topps Tiles

TM Italia’s Casa Flora project, created in collaboration with architect Matteo Ghidoni, is part kitchen, part sculpture. Playing with scale and colour, it’s a design with a difference – its worktop, made of green Guatemalan marble, sits above two strikingly mismatched turquoise legs. ‘T45’ kitchen by TM Italia, from £40,000, Hub Kitchens

Large-format tiles are making waves in the world of kitchen design. Compared to the busier look of smaller styles, super-sized pieces create a clean, calm aesthetic. Here, an ethereal glaze adds to the serene feel, as does the pale natural timber cabinetry with pared-back brass detailing. ‘Ossido/24’ bespoke pale blue hand-painted lavastone tiles, £800 per square metre, Made a Mano The cabinets are a bespoke design by JLK Design Studio. Pluck kitchens can create similar units with integrated handles, from £12,000

Created by Belgian studio Atelier Dialect for a client who’d fallen for the pink resin floor of a fashion store they had designed, this modern kitchen gives the powdery palette some edge, with an angular worktop made of terracotta granito. For a similar worktop, try ‘TE047’ terrazzo, from £960 per square metre, Diespeker
‘KV1’ tap by Vola, £825, Panik. ‘PV175CB’ hob in white, £849, Smeg

Architecture firms CaSA and Margherita Serboli Arquitectura joined forces to create this bespoke kitchen. Rather than squaring off the Portobello marble worktop and splashback, they chose rounded corners that give the space a gentler look. The curves continue with the small porthole window and circular extractor hood. For a similar tap, try ‘Tinkisso’, £90, Dowsing & Reynolds. ‘Corinthia Isola’ cooker hood in ‘White Matt/Tibetan Silver’ by Faber, £1,299 Angel Appliances

Scandinavian meets Japanese design in this minimal Oslo apartment by architect Johan Tran. Its sliding room dividers echo the paper screens used in houses in Japan, while beech veneer cabinets nod to traditional Scandi craftsmanship. Drawer fronts are grooved to mirror the herringbone floor. Wilder can create a similar kitchen, from £6,000. For similar handles, try ‘Holy Wafer’, £13 each, Superfront. ‘Linus-S’ in ‘Anthracite’ tap by Blanco, £555, Trading Depot. For a similar cooker hood, try the ‘KS110BLE Symphony’ by Smeg, £589, John Lewis & Partners

Give kitchen workspaces an identity of their own by lining them – splashback, sides, underside and all – with a shock of contrasting material. This kitchen by Belgian design firm La Fabrika Studio teams baby blue MDF units with a workstation wrapped in terrazzo. ‘Grigio Venato’ terrazzo, from £52.32 per square metre, Bomarbre For similar cabinets, try Finch London, which can create bespoke kitchens in any colour, from £35,000. For similar utensil holders, try the ‘Hexagon Vase’ by Trine Andersen for Ferm Living, from £32, Made In Design

This flamboyant space is the work of interior designer Patricia Bustos. Her magpie eye has borrowed hallmarks from the art deco era (the mosaic tiled floor), mid-century style (brass accents and pastel shades) and the theatre (red fringing). No surface has been left unadorned – even the ceiling is dressed to impress in two shades of green. Proof that sometimes, more is more. Vintage ‘Ginko’ lamps by Carlo Giorgi – try 1stDibs. For similar flooring, try mosaic tiles, £7.74 per sheet, Binibi

For a masterclass in the art of mixing materials, look no further than this kitchen by Melbourne-based interior designer Fiona Lynch. It marries white stone with black joinery (left) and blackbutt timber (on the island), crowning it all with a stretch of polished brass. For similar cabinets, try mirrored brass doors with a birch ply core, from £214, Metal Sheets

Concrete kitchens make a big impact, but can appear imposing and cold. In this design by Spanish architecture studio Mar Plus Ask, the cast-on-site island is warmed by bespoke copper lighting and plywood cabinets. Haus Concrete Surfaces can create a similar island design. Concrete worktops, from £468 per metre. For similar bespoke plywood cabinetry, try Plykea. ‘KV8’ tap by Arne Jacobsen for Vola, £931, Panik

Architect Danielle Siggerud celebrates the beauty of raw finishes and materials in this kitchen, artfully combining exposed brickwork, concrete and a handsome slab of calacatta viola marble. The extra-thick worktop makes a focal point of the island and showcases the stone. For a similar worktop, try ‘Calacatta Viola Polished Marble Slab’, from £522 per square metre, Mandarin Stone. ‘TR Bulb’ suspension light by Tim Rundle, £680 and ‘Afteroom’ bar stools, from £230 each, both Menu

Belgian interior architect Arjaan De Feyter created this striking kitchen using Travertino Rosso, supplied by natural stone company Van Den Weghe. ‘I had a sample of this red stone for almost 15 years, but I had to find the right project and people for it – people with a strong personality who would dare to be different,’ he says. Travertino Rosso, from £39,343 per square metre, Van Den Weghe. ‘KV3’ tap in natural brass by Arne Jacobsen for Vola, £1,033, Panik

Bring a subtle rosy glow into your kitchen with putty and clay tones. Choose brick-like tiles with a tumbled finish for texture and add terracotta, plywood and copper accents to complete the look. ‘Rosa Perlino’ tumbled marble tiles, £93.87 per square metre, Mandarin Stone. For similar cabinets, try oiled birch plywood doors, from £1,000 for a small kitchen, Custom Fronts. For a similar tap, try ‘Harbour Clarity’ in brushed copper, £135, Tap Warehouse. ‘Geometric Terracotta’ pendant light, £65, Nick Fraser

The humble ceramic tile is versatile, durable and makes an impact, so what better material to use for a hardworking kitchen island? In this project by Australian architecture and interior design studio Robson Rak, jade metro-style tiles have been used to creative effect. ‘Victoria’ tiles in green, £128 per square metre, De Fazio Tiles & Stone. ‘Parachute’ pendant lights by Nathan Yong, £365 (left); £288 (right), Ligne Roset. For similar stools, try ‘Imo’ stools, from £395 each, Pinch

Achieve a completely coherent look in your kitchen by using the same material for your splashback, floor and worktop. Norwegian brand Lundhs’ bespoke tile service allows customers to order tiles and countertops in the same stone. Worried about everything becoming too matchy-matchy? Break up the look with light and dark woods. ‘Lundhs Blue’ worktop in a silk finish, from £680 per square metre and ‘Lundhs Blue’ hexagonal design on splashback and floor, from £200 per square metre, all Lundhs

Transform cupboards quickly and economically with a lick of paint in a bold hue. Australian design firm SJB has used this kitchen’s full-height cabinetry as a canvas for an invigorating green – for even more impact and extra durability, go for a gloss finish. For a similar colour, try ‘Resplendent Emerald’ by Valspar, available in gloss and matt finishes from £15 per litre, B&Q . ‘Pescara Semi-Pro XL’ tap, £468, Franke