2013 kitchen design trends

Every designer knows that kitchens and bathrooms are the biggest renovation investment you can make for your home, so why not make 2013 the year you tackle a makeover? “The great thing about kitchen design right now is that anything goes,” says Meredith Heron, principal designer of Meredith Heron Design. That means that regardless of your preference of traditional over modern, or your love of marble over granite, there’s something on trend to fit into every budget and suit almost any homeowner’s tastes.

And although the industrial design and French farmhouse look that we’ve seen in previous years are still popular here in Canada, Meredith offers up some additional styles that will be making headway in 2013.

Feminine Glam
The key to achieving this look – which is not what one always expects when designing a kitchen – is a mix of textures, finishes and vintage pieces juxtaposed against a modern framework. “The space we designed for Christine Dovey had a palette of pink and gold, which is quite unique for a kitchen,” Meredith admits. “An antique mirror added an unexpected glamour and the open style shelves allowed for beautiful collections to be showcased, making the kitchen an extension of the style of the rest of Christine’s stunning and beautifully curated home.”

Modern Traditional
If you’re looking for a kitchen with a timeless look but don’t want it to appear too traditional, place the focus on contrast and juxtaposition. “Contrasting colours, unusual lighting, decorative finishes and a mix of hardware are great ways to take a classic look and give it a modern edge,” says Meredith. Try different hued doors on the upper and lower cabinets or a super sleek kitchen with an oversized stunning chandelier over the dinner table.

Scandinavian Simplicity
The Scandinavian style is one we’ve seen in the past, and it’s back again in 2013, particularly popular in kitchens. “Slab cabinet doors in a matte paint finish or a natural wood are still incredibly popular,” says Meredith. “The trend now, however, is to mix in a little femininity through brass hardware or fun fabrics, making the space seem less austere and more welcoming.”

Keep reading for more of Meredith’s kitchen trend predictions, from colourful cabinets to statement lighting to brass faucets.