Modern Australian
The Times

Hot Trends in Kitchen Design in 2018

  • Written by Diana Smith

One of the places that most people feel quite excited about when it comes to renovation is definitely the kitchen. With so many pics posted online of different designs, almost every one of us has at some point started imagining our own dream kitchen.

However, dreams are often quite different from reality. You may fall in love with an image of a modern kitchen with an island big enough to serve as a dining table, but if your kitchen is so small that it can barely hold the most basic elements, there’s little point in pursuing your dream.

Still, that doesn’t mean we should not try to have a functional and modern kitchen. On the contrary, such investment is known to pay off quite well, either by improving the quality of your life or allowing you to get more money for the house should you decide to sell it. In order to be able to enjoy these benefits, you need to know what current trends in kitchen design are and choose the most suitable one. Here are just some most important things you should take into consideration.

Joinery

Timber is back in fashion and it is not only used on the external cupboards, but also on the inside of the cupboards. For example, natural oak timber is one of the most sought-after materials, which allows you to hand-paint your kitchen elements and customise them any way you like.

Tapware and joinery hardware

Many people underestimate the effect that tapware and joinery hardware have on the overall appearance of the kitchen. When it comes to modern trends, there haven’t been many changes recently, as brass is still a popular choice, though many are turning back to classic polished chrome finish. So, if you need a cheap, but effective way of improving the look and feel of your kitchen, consider chrome, matte black or brass knobs and pulls.

Colours

Believe it or not, blue and all its shades are still extremely popular and so are moss green and neutral colours. While you may wish to stick to white cupboards, having the island benches or under bench cupboards in one of the trendy colours will definitely improve the look of your kitchen. That way, the colour you’ve chosen won’t be too dominant, but will give you the right effect. On the other hand, white and neutral tones are also going strong, so you may wish to opt for them.

Lights

In terms of lighting, pendant lights are the thing to go for, since they provide warmth and focus to kitchens and you can actually find quite modern solutions in every price range. What you need to be careful about, though, is that your lights match your hardware. Other fashionable features are wall sconces above open shelves, since they give a magnificent ambient effect.

Shelves

Open shelves may be more difficult to maintain, since they require more frequent dusting and cleaning, but they most certainly provide more charm. If you use glass jars, potted herbs and add some cookbooks, your shelves will actually become aesthetically very pleasing and give the kitchen a homely feel.

Appliances

No kitchen is complete without appliances. In terms of their quality, you should probably go for renowned models, such as famous Electrolux washers, but make sure that the appliances are also Energy-star certified, i.e. that they use as little energy as possible. When it comes to design, both classic and modern pastel colours.

Things to avoid

The fact that details are very important in kitchen design doesn’t mean you need to put every single utensil and appliance on display. Instead, choose only the necessary things and hide the rest. Finally, organise your condiments and daily utensils in a way that is logical and easily accessible.

Needless to say, your budget and the size of your kitchen are two most limiting factors in the process of creating a dream kitchen, but even some smaller and subtle changes can go a long way. If your kitchen is trendy and it makes you feel good, you can be sure you’ve achieved your goal.




g

Road Signs: Understanding Their Role in Clear and Effective Signage

Effective signage and display hardware can help businesses communicate information, promote products and organise customer or visitor movement. Road...

Bottle Label Printing: Key Factors to Consider Before Your Next Packaging Run

Effective packaging begins with understanding the product, bottle material, artwork and production requirements when planning bottle label printing. H...

Planning a Long-Distance Move With Interstate Movers Melbourne

Moving between states involves more planning than a typical local relocation. Along with packing and transporting household belongings, you need to...

Understanding the Role of an I/O Controller in Industrial Automation

Modern industrial systems depend on accurate communication between sensors, machines and control systems. An I/O controller can help manage this commu...

How the Right Mining Hose Supports Demanding Operations

Mining environments place considerable demands on equipment used for material transfer, water management and processing. Hoses operating in these co...

Simple Ideas for Making Social Gatherings More Memorable

We have all been to those parties where everyone just stands around the kitchen island, staring at their phones, waiting for someone else to make a mo...

Outdoor Wall Lights: Improving Exterior Lighting Around Your Home

Lighting can influence how a room looks, feels and functions, so the right fitting should be selected according to both appearance and practical req...

Commercial Office Cleaning: Combining Routine Office Cleaning With Melbourne Service

Keeping a workplace clean requires a service that can accommodate everyday tasks as well as the particular needs of the business. Professional comme...

Caravan Sales in Queensland: How to Find the Right Caravan for Sale QLD

Caravan ownership is about more than having somewhere to sleep while travelling. For many Queenslanders, it is one of the best ways to explore regio...

What Sir Walter Buffalo Turf Actually Costs in 2026 (And Why Quotes Vary So Much)

Two quotes landed on a Hills District homeowner's kitchen table last spring for the exact same 80-square-metre backyard. One said $12 a metre. The o...

Nearly 1,300 NSW Hospital Beds Are Occupied By People Who Are Ready To Go Home

1,276 people in NSW hospitals have been medically cleared for discharge but remain in hospital because they're still waiting for NDIS or aged care sup...

National Survey Launched to Measure Operational Impacts of Federal NDIS Policy Reforms

The effects of recent NDIS reforms are beginning to move beyond policy papers and into day to day service delivery. A new national survey is asking ...

Beyond the Nappy Cake: Baby Shower Gifts That Get Used

What new Australian parents unwrap, keep, and quietly thank you for months later. Six weeks after my daughter was born, I did an audit of the baby sh...

Parent-Advocates Are Reshaping Frontline Disability Service Delivery

Parents have always been part of the disability sector. They advocate, coordinate services, challenge decisions and often become the person holding ev...

Vista Cruises Enters "Two-Flagship Era" as Vista Aurora Completes Inaugural Voyage

Vista Aurora Sets Sail along the Yangtze. (Photo courtesy of the company)YICHANG, China — August 5, 2026 — Vista Aurora, a high-end interprovinc...

A Digital Preparation Checklist For International Medical Conferences

An international medical conference compresses many responsibilities into a few days. A delegate may need to present research, move between venues, ...

The Growing Popularity of Lab Grown Diamonds in Sydney and Hong Kong

The diamond industry has changed significantly in recent years as more buyers seek ethical, affordable, and sustainable alternatives to mined diamon...

Modern AI SEO Agency vs Traditional SEO: What’s the Difference

Search engine optimisation has changed dramatically over the past few years. Search engines have become smarter, user behaviour has evolved, and bus...

LIFE STYLE

Outdoor Wall Lights: Improving Exterior Lighting Around Your Home

Lighting can influence how a room looks, feels and functions, so the right fitting should be selected according to both appearance and practical requirements. Outdoor wall lights can be considered...

Celebration of Life vs Traditional Funeral: What's the Difference?

When saying goodbye to someone you love, there is no single way to honour their life. Every family has different traditions, beliefs, and preferences, which is why funeral services today...

Creating a Backyard That Feels Comfortable All Year Round

A great backyard doesn’t need to be huge, expensive or perfectly styled. Most of the time, the spaces people actually use are the ones that feel easy to live in...

How Homeowners Can Make Smarter Energy Decisions Before Upgrading

Energy upgrades used to feel like something you only looked into after a power bill gave you a nasty surprise. These days, though, more homeowners are thinking ahead. They’re asking...

Organisational Experts Share Their Tips for Achieving a Clutter-Free Kitchen

They say the kitchen is the heart of a house which means a clutter-free kitchen not only makes your home in general look nicer, it also makes cooking and cleaning...

Solar Panel Maintenance Tips for Melbourne Homes

Three years in and the panels are still on the roof. The inverter is still blinking. The electricity bills are still lower than they used to be, roughly. Most Melbourne...