The choices of colours, sizes, and configurations are some of the most important details to cover for a kitchen space, and they all must work together seamlessly and flow into other living spaces of the home. Clean and simple kitchens with an abundance of light are the most preferred kitchen design plans. Open main floor plans are preferred because the kitchen is often connected to a family room, dining room, or other entertainment area for gatherings, social comfort, and ease of sightlines for parents to keep an eye on small children.

When it comes to smart kitchens, there are numerous devices and sensors, smart gadgets, lighting controls, and more that are being integrated into cooking spaces. This technology offers an easy atmosphere, security, and comfort when you are away from home, using your smartphone or tablet. Reducing the water and energy use are how we can use technology to adapt to today’s sustainability needs in kitchen design.

Sustainable gardening and harvesting is a growing facet of the demands on today’s kitchen. Rather than packaging waste, homeowners are finding inventive ways to grow their own fruit and vegetables year round. Cultivating equipment can provide year-round, healthy lettuce and other greens while orienting the kitchen in the home within proximity to the garden has become an essential requirement.

Accessibility in today’s kitchen design is not limited to a disability and is important to consider others who use a wheelchair, walker, cane, or other mobility aid. Kitchen design details like lower counters, knee space under the counter, and raised electrical outlets are some accessible design details that can be added to a kitchen. Induction cooktop or range, wall ovens, drawer microwave or a dishdrawer dishwasher will increase the function and usability for users in a wheelchair.

Farmhouse and transitional paneled kitchen designs are still popular for several homeowners, though the current trend shows modern kitchens with clean lines. What makes modern farmhouse a great fit for Vancouver homeowners are new kitchen sink products that are more architecturally minded, streamlined, and fit into contemporary kitchens.

Wall cabinets (sometimes called “upper cabinet”) are currently trending down in homes where storage space is not an issue. This allows for wide, open sight lines and brighter kitchen spaces. On the other hand, open shelving is trending upward for kitchen spaces that require additional upper storage while still allowing for the design to be airy and bright. It’s a bit contradictory, but storage is going monolithic and vertical like European kitchens instead of expansive and wide instead of a typical North American kitchen. Also, open wall shelves looks beautiful with rough-cut wood to bring in natural elements or metal tubing to complement a more industrial design. 

The smallest details, ceiling treatments, and wood beams can embrace an open floor plan. They can even accentuate the smallest details in every kitchen design. A dropped ceiling design over the kitchen island can define even the largest kitchens by making the island the focal point of the space. 

Homeowners are often wanting connection from the kitchen to an outdoor space. Entry points such as glass doors easily allow the spaces to flow into one large space. While this isn’t always possible in condominiums, there are designed elements that can be added to create the same farm-to-table aesthetic, such as a under-counter cultivator where fresh lettuce is grown.