Ventilation and hygiene? Check. Fancy appliances? Check. Stylish cutlery? Check. Passion for cooking? Check. Amidst all these ingredients that go into creating the perfect place to cook and eat, the décor of the kitchen is perhaps one of the most important. Functional yet stylish, kitchen interiors are getting snazzier, bolder, innovative and interesting. This year saw some fun and classic styles seeping in. Here are a few we loved which will transform your kitchen into a visual delight.

Island hopping

Single, L-shaped and U-shaped platforms are passé. For those who have the convenience of space, it's the addition of the island counter in the middle of the kitchen that is popular. The island can either be a platform to gather and eat, a workspace with sink, dishwasher and preparation space or a combination of both. Hacker has interesting two-tier islands that are a classic way to separate the work and dining spaces. Since the island is the visual focal point of the kitchen, brands stylise it with two different countertops to demarcate the space, or even better, accommodate two islands. The island usually blends in with the rest of the kitchen décor, but this season is all about adding that surprise element. A pop of colour, a striking countertop or exquisite carvings, the island is a visual highlight.

To top it off

With the range of countertop material available today, those who love to experiment are steering clear of granite or laminate options. The countertop can be made the cynosure by choosing something as exotic as fossil stone, glass or semi-precious stones. The Green River Stone Company has innovative countertops where the slabs contain fossils of fish sourced directly from nature. You can also go for a glass countertop from ThinkGlass or CBD Glass Studios. When lit from below, these glass countertops can soften or brighten the ambience of your kitchen. Countertops made from semi-precious stones like amethyst and tiger-eye are a sure-fire way to add oomph to your kitchen. The Concetto series by Caesarstone carries a number of exotic countertop slabs like blue agate, apple jasper and petrified wood. Metals are in too, with sheets of copper, zinc and stainless steel being popular picks.

Art thou inspired?

Art movements have been the inspiration for home décor for a very long time now. Now, the artistic touches flow from the living room to the kitchen, with recent styles being Art Deco and Pop Art. A welcome change from the much-used and most popular minimalist style is the Art Deco style kitchen which uses details purely for art's sake. You can add some Deco to your kitchen décor by introducing the sunburst pattern to your cabinets. You can also add a rounded finish to your countertop while using geometric-patterned tiles for the backsplash to create contrast. Veneta Cucine's Tulipano Calice kitchen has softly moulded cabinets below with sharp-edged cabinets above making for interesting contrast in lines. Their Oyster series plays with the colour blue and incorporates interesting textures in the backsplash and cabinets. If colours are the focus of your kitchen, take a bite out of the Pop Art pie and paint your cabinet bright yellow, orange or neon red. You can even add an Andy Warhol print or two to emphasise the style. Tangent's Florida Family style kitchen has bright red cabinets alternating with dark toned ones, along with quirky etching on the backsplash. Veneta Cucine's Atlantica kitchen plays up the summery feel with a bright yellow breakfast nook and blue walls. The Pop Art style kitchen is like having a unique style statement.

Let there be light

Who thought that exquisite chandeliers and unique lighting fixtures would find space in the kitchen! Brightening up contemporary kitchens today are well-planned lighting styles that highlight different portions of the kitchens and add to the drama. Even if your kitchen is small, the right lighting can add life to it. Popular trends this year include one prominent fixture in the centre of the kitchen, pendant lighting above island counters and inbuilt-lighting through onyx or glass countertops. Chandeliers this season are mostly in sync with the kitchen décor, though some designers do add in a quirky element.

Apart from the above four fashionable options, this year also saw a lot of classic all-white décor, stainless steel and aluminium highlights, smart storage solutions and a slice of nature adorning the kitchen.

Guests coming in for dinner? Well, who's complaining!

anushya@thehindu.co.in

archana.a@thehindu.co.in

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