Interior designers share 6 kitchen trends that'll be huge this year, and 4 that will be out

Interior designer Michelle Harrison-McAllister told Insider that forest-green cabinets are already trending for 2021.

"This color is not only a neutral, but plays well with warm and light tones," Harrison-McAllister said. "People are moving away from 'safe' white or dark-wood cabinets."

Gold hardware or brass fixtures are a simple, yet luxe way to complement deep-green cabinetry.

Harrison-McAllister said more people are starting to dump their budgets into high-end appliances instead of opting for cheaper alternatives.

"With all the home cooking and baking people are now doing, many have realized that replacing their basic appliances with restaurant-style or high-end versions is a good investment," she said.

If you're looking to spend a bit more money on quality appliances, it may be best to upgrade frequently used kitchen items like stoves and refrigerators first.

Interior designer Francis Nicdao, design director at Pembroke and Ives, told Insider that natural quartzite may be a popular kitchen material in 2021.

Quartz countertops are usually made by combining loose material with resin and coloring, but quartzite is a natural stone.

"Quartzite is a more sophisticated alternative to quartz and offers more character, depth, and pattern," Nicdao said. "We also love this material because of its durability."

Specialized appliances like air fryers and juicers are trending, so people are opting to upgrade their kitchens with additional power sources.

"Kitchens these days seem to have a ton of appliances, so we're seeing people install extra outlets to accommodate them," Nicdao said.

Nicdao also mentioned that adding extra hidden storage for larger appliances has also been a priority for recent kitchen remodels.

Interior and kitchen designer Susan Serra told Insider that storing food outside of the regular pantry may be a growing fad throughout 2021.

"Due to the pandemic, people are stocking up on extra goods and foods," Serra said. "Second freezers, larger pantries, and using existing furniture in other rooms as kitchen storage are all trending."

Installing a chest freezer in the basement or garage and transforming closets into food pantries are ways to expand kitchen storage without remodeling.

Noted for their versatility, larger sinks are increasingly taking the place of traditionally sized ones.

"Unlike standard-size sinks, larger sinks allow you to more easily prepare fresh foods and can handle multiple functions at once," Serra said.

Along with boasting more space to wash pans and appliances, larger and deeper sinks make it easier to handwash fabrics and better contain splashing.

The kitchens of tomorrow may swap safe palettes of beige, white, and black for vibrant colors and patterns.

"We're moving away from monochrome countertops and backsplashes in favor of color," Harrison-McAllister said.

You can inject your kitchen with a burst of color by retiling your backsplash in a bold hue or adding a durable, low-pile rug.

Elaborate statement hardware has been a kitchen trend for several years, but the days of crystal knobs may be behind us.

"People seem to be seeking a more modern, streamlined look for their kitchens and are actually removing handles, knobs, and other hardware from cabinets," Harrison-McAllister said.

If forgoing cabinet hardware altogether doesn't work for you, consider using alternatives that blend in rather than stand out.

Open shelving allows you to easily show off your spice collection, but this storage style requires constant tidying and dusting.

"We're seeing a move away from open shelves and having everything exposed in the kitchen," Nicdao said.

Instead, kitchen designs are shifting toward hidden storage and maximizing space inside traditional cabinets.

In 2021, complex tiling and counters crammed with knickknacks may be replaced with clean lines and clear surfaces.

"We're ditching trends that result in visual clutter like subway tile with many grout lines, unconcealed small appliances, and detailed cabinet-door styles," Serra said.

Investing in or reorganizing storage spaces can make decluttering an easy fix.

• Read more:
• 7 interior-design trends that will start to disappear this year, and 8 you'll see everywhere
• Interior designers reveal the 11 things that will ruin the look of your kitchen
• Interior designers reveal 9 affordable tricks to make your home look more expensive
• Interior designers reveal 12 ways to make your home look better without buying anything