The kitchen is almost certainly where the majority of our time, energy and money goes when it comes to designing a home.

As the central hub, there’s a lot hanging on the success of a kitchen. It not only has to function seamlessly for busy meal service but it also needs to be a decorative triumph – and as design boundaries continue to be pushed, 2020 will indicate bolder choices than ever for the average Aussie kitchen.

Here are my top five designs trends for the year to come.

1. Coloured cabinetry

You don’t need to look far to notice that the all-white kitchen look is fading.

Now is the time to go wild with colour in the kitchen. Picture: Getty

In 2019 we saw seen colour utilised with far greater confidence than in years past, and in 2020 we’re going to see statement colours in joinery that you’d never have previously entertained.

Nothing is off-limits from slate green, pastel pink, spearmint and inky blues, colour is making a comeback and I, for one, can’t wait.

2. Statement stone benches

White marble and marble-look composite stone is moving over to make way for an edgier, more dramatic look in stone benches – whether it be in the natural form or the engineered variety.

This Prahran kitchen has a statement benchtop as its centrepiece. Picture: realestate.com.au

Expect to see darker, grey-based marbles as well as granite with strong patterns in the vein, which have previously taken a backseat to the Calacatta and Carrara varieties.

3. Decorative handles

Handles are essentially kitchen jewellery. A very simple kitchen can be elevated significantly with the use of eye-catching handles for cabinetry.

Handles are “kitchen jewellery”, accessorising a simple space. Picture: Getty

We’re spoilt for choice with options and 2020 will bring even greater variety. Expect to see home renovators mixing and matching within their space, with a combination of pulls and knobs of complementing styles.

Brass, leather and even rattan will continue to be popular handle choices but don’t be surprised to see powder-coated handles in bespoke colours by the most confident home designers.

4. Detailed island benches

The standard island waterfall bench reigned supreme for many years but the island bench, which is nearly always the centrepiece of the home, is getting some extra attention.

A good island bench anchors the kitchen space, like in this Brisbane apartment. Picture: realestate.com.au

From decorative panelling to turned timber legs and curved stone edges, interesting angles and features are coming – and they’re more of a work of art than a simple prep station.

5. Lavish appliances

In past years, we’ve spent a lot of energy on trying to conceal and streamline our appliances so that as to not give them any limelight. In 2020 you’ll start to notice a shift towards chunkier statement appliances, like large freestanding ovens and butler’s sinks in both classic and contemporary versions.

Larger decorative range hoods will begin to feature more in homes, borrowed from classic American-style interiors, which is emerging as an influence in Aussie homes across the board.

Originally published as 5 kitchen design trends to look for in 2020 by Carlene Duffy.