A new year brings a fresh start, and your home is no exception. If you are looking to update key spaces in your home this year, it helps to look at the latest trends to get inspired. This year sees kitchen and bathroom design pair functionality and style with beautiful materials, updated colour schemes, ultra-custom storage, accessibility, and more. Here are a few of the key trends to watch in 2024 for kitchen and bathroom design.

A RETURN TO WOOD TONES…AND A CHANGE TO BOLD COLOURS
White kitchen design and painted neutrals for bathroom design are still a very popular choice, but this year will also see a return of natural wood tones for cabinetry. We have seen this trend developing in 2023 and expect the request for natural wood cabinets to gain momentum in 2024. It’s easy to see why when you experience the natural beauty of wood cabinetry in the wide array of wood species and tones available.

wood kitchen cabinets
Light wood is becoming even more popular and fits perfectly with a contemporary or Scandinavian style kitchen or bathroom design. Light wood also evokes the cool relaxation of a spa style bathroom remodel. Go for the best quality you can afford and allow the natural beauty of the wood to shine through. Cabinetry with small detailing is increasing in popularity, but also slab doors are a top choice and work perfectly with quality wood where the surface takes centre stage.

Wood brings warmth to any room in your home, and kitchen and bathroom design is no exception. Warm wood tones are a timeless classic and can be added not just in cabinetry but also in floating shelves, countertops, flooring, and accessories. Textures play an important role in kitchen design and bathroom styles, and wood is an ideal way to add layered textures to your space. Give your room a rustic vibe by including reclaimed barn wood in the form of shelves or a barn door.

rustic wood floating shelves
The counterpart to these natural wood tones is the rising trend in bold colour choices for kitchen and bathroom design. Some homeowners are opting to make a daring choice and completely change up their cabinetry for the latest colour trends like blues, reds, and greens. If you love a particular colour and can commit to it, then go for it! If you are unsure but would like to inject some colour into your home, consider sticking to one element like your island cabinetry or a beverage bar. Or go neutral for cabinets but bring in an accent colour through accessories, barstools, and wall accents like a recessed tiled niche.

GREATER FOCUS ON THE KITCHEN ISLAND
Open plan, multi-functional kitchen design has become the norm in many homes. To keep this style from becoming disorganised and chaotic, an open plan kitchen relies on work zones, creating distinct space for everything from cooking to entertaining, dining, and office work.

The kitchen island plays a key role in creating this highly efficient kitchen layout, while also serving as a design focal point for a kitchen and creating extra storage and workspace. Even if your existing kitchen layout does not work with an island, a kitchen remodel can be the perfect opportunity to change up your layout, knock down a wall, or even move a wall to accommodate the island you always wanted.

large island with seating
What’s not to love about a gorgeous, functional kitchen island? Here are some of our favourite island ideas for 2024 kitchen design:

Utilise your island cabinetry to add a pop of colour to your room with a contrasting cabinet shade in one of this year’s popular bold colours.

Let your island shine with gorgeous statement lighting, like 2023’s on trend lantern style lights or the ever-popular bold pendants.

Bring a dash of luxury to your kitchen design with a high-end countertop for your island. Even if an expensive countertop for your entire kitchen does not fit within your budget, you could go for a luxury countertop choice for your island and balance it with a functional, but lower priced countertop for your kitchen perimeter. Or consider installing a section of more expensive countertop at one end of your island to create a wood tabletop or a piece of marble for a baking station.

Some homeowners are opting to install two kitchen islands, or a multi-level island in a T- or L-shape. If you can make space in your kitchen remodel, extending your island space allows you to create customized spaces for food prep, dining, and more.

Appliances are finding their way into kitchen islands too, which really transforms the island into an efficient work zone and frees up space in the kitchen perimeter for storage. You could opt to move your cooking to the island with a range, built-in microwave, and food prep area. Or include a multi-functional Galley Workstation for the ultimate kitchen tool that takes you from food prep to serving to clean up in one location.


ULTRA-CUSTOM STORAGE
Kitchens

Today’s kitchen and bath designs must be ready for anything. Kitchen designs have become the hub of busy home life, with cooking, dining, and entertaining taking place in the same room. The kitchen must therefore be able to shift from food prep to serving with ease and allow you to easily find and store everything you need including food supplies, cooking tools, and dishes. In between meals, kitchens are often used as a space to hang out, study or work in, or host a coffee morning.