Here's what The Block judge Darren Palmer has to say about how to incorporate trends into your kitchen design and which appliances you should consider to ensure your kitchen is up to date.

There was a time when white kitchens were ubiquitous, then a trend in kitchens followed for anything but white. Well, the pendulum has swung back in the direction of white kitchens, albeit this time with the addition of statement handles that act like jewellery to elevate the appeal of this otherwise simple palette.

Just as handles add appeal, so too do coloured natural stone benchtops, either as bench and splashbacks, or as full island benches. Colour names vary from importer to importer but think dark plums with white veins, mixed and varied versions of pinks or creams. Greens, golds and even blues mixed with greys also create a sharp visual appeal. If you’re thinking on-trend stone think anything but white and grey.

Coloured panels also have a place in current and on-trend kitchens. Deep greens are always a crowd pleaser though it’s wise to choose a colour that works across your home and with a view to longevity of appeal.

Profile doors have a place, as to do flat panels. There’s no right or wrong here though we have seen many types and styles of profile doors so there is a trend tending towards the simpler flat panels, though these are often coloured, timber, or timber-look laminate. When it comes to timber, oak is a perennial option though there’s also space for chocolate and walnut tones. Greyed timber also have a place though red timbers haven’t quite come back around yet.

Function - Considering How Your Space Is Used

Aside from colours and materials there has definitely been a trend toward butler’s pantries over the past decade though this is likely to be turning tail in favour of larger island benches and fully functional, stand alone kitchens. Butler’s pantries are a luxury inclusion to be sure, but they’re also a space taker and one to keep for large footprints in large houses.

The 5-Zone Approach

For the longest time the working triangle was the guide for best kitchen design practice, however, that has been superseded by the 5-zone kitchen. The reasons for this are plentiful but overarchingly, it's due to the way our kitchens are used and what is included within them has changed since the working triangle was the preferred plan of the populous. If you’re not aware of the 5 zones they are:

Zone 1: Cooking

This includes appliances such as oven, microwaves, steam ovens, and cooktops. Warming drawers and secondary appliances can be included within the cooking zone’s vicinity.

Smeg Dolce Stil Novo Pyro Steam Oven

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Smeg Dolce Stil Novo Warming Drawer

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BORA X Pure Induction Cooktop

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Smeg Dolce Stil Novo Omnichef Combi-Microwave Oven

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Zone 2: Cleaning

The ideal layout is having the bin next to sink or next to dishwasher. But a bin within one step away is an acceptable compromise. Also, a cleaning zone needs to be within one to two steps of a non-consumables zone.

The Galley Ideal Work & Wash Station

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The Galley The Ideal Worksation

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The Galley Ideal Eco Flow Mixer Tap

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V-ZUG AdoraDish V6000 Fully Integrated Dishwasher

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Zone 3: Non-Consumables

Plates, glasses, cups, cutlery, plasticware and cookware all fall within the non-consumables zone. These are things you use in your kitchen on an everyday basis so they should be easy to access and easy to load from the dishwasher or sink.

Serax Surface tableware collection by Sergio Herman

Serax Surface Large Bowl - Indi Grey

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Serax Surface Large Deep Plate

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Serax Surface Cappuccino Cup & Saucer

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Serax Surface Tapas Plate

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Zone 4: Consumables

Consumables are what you eat. Your fridge is a consumables zone and needs a bench nearby to load your grocery from and into the refrigerator. Your pantry is another consumables zone and equally needs to be near a benchtop. Ideally both cold and non-refrigerated food can be loaded from the same adjacent benchtop.

Fhiaba Classic 427L Fridge with Trimode

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Liebherr 665L Pigeon Pair Fridge

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Fhiaba 494L Integrated Fridge

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Fhiaba 478L Integrated Freezer

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Zone 5: Preparation Space

Just another term for bench space. Useful for preparing food but also for spreading out on either side of a cooktop, as well as loading groceries, space where kids can do their homework, dining, or as additional work-from-home space.

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