1. KITCHEN ISLANDS THAT LOOK LIKE TRADITIONAL TABLES
The year ahead is all about making the kitchen feel more homely and sociable. One way to do this is to create a kitchen island that has ample seating and feels like a traditional kitchen table. 'A kitchen island trend I see growing in 2024 is the dual-purpose kitchen island that feels like a cozy piece of furniture, but performs like a functional workhorse, hiding pull-outs for trash, an extra oven or microwave, a beverage fridge, drawers with ventilation for storing vegetables and more,' says Julia Chasman, of Julia Chasman Design.
2. INTEGRATED DETAILS FOR PRACTICAL USAGE
Modern-day living is all about multi-functional spaces, and the kitchen often serves as a space for more than just cooking and eating. As such, it's handy to think about the smaller details prior to any redesigns or renovations.
3. STATEMENT MARBLE
A marble kitchen is an enduring trend that's unlikely to ever go out of style. When it comes to a kitchen island trend, you can really make a statement with beautiful designs. 'The natural beauty of marble can serve as a focal point in a space without overwhelming the room' says David Hood, Director at Goddard Littlefair. 'When designing a kitchen with marble, it is essential to create a cohesive palette that combines the material with other elements. Introducing different tones and textures through wood, metal, and glass accents can contrast with the stone, adding depth and visual appeal.'
4. KITCHEN ISLAND STORAGE DEDICATED TO PERSONAL ITEMS
As our kitchens become more sociable, lived-in spaces, try to create an area for the belongings that are associated with leisure and bring us joy, such as books, whether that be recipe books or novels, and family games. Kitchen shelving makes sense for this, however, you can use a kitchen island to add some character to a kitchen.
5. MIXING MATERIALS
The kitchen is often one of the largest spaces in a home, so adding warmth and interest is a priority for many designers this year. The kitchen island is an ideal space for this as the eye is naturally drawn to it. Consider mixing different materials as a way to introduce warmer tones and a sense of depth to the room. 'The floorplan in this home is very open, so the kitchen is one of the first things you see. As a result, we infused functional elements with as much beauty as possible' explains Paloma Contreras, interior designer and founder at Paloma Contreras Design.