Kitchen design ideas: top 2021 trends

Last Updated on 29. November 2025 by Noremax

The pandemic times had its ups and downs, but the bright side to it all is the spare time we could spend in our homes. Not only was this a good opportunity to thoroughly cleanse all the rooms but also to re-examine their decor. Even more than before our house became a place where we spend most of our time and that inspired us all to make some practical changes.

If you still hadn’t done anything particular towards these changes, don’t worry! We have prepared a list of the most relevant and inspiring trends you can try in your home. Many of them can be adapted to a wide range of interior styles and remain highly universal.

Carved in stone

The texture designed to look like marble stone is probably one of the most popular recent kitchen design ideas. Finally, it’s making a big step in the world of home design and we can’t wait to try it out in different combinations!

Marble stone and its imitations look great when applied to furniture pieces such as kitchen islands and cabinets. And don’t worry, you don’t always need to purchase an actual marble stone! There are many overlays available at the market that help you achieve this effect.

Our personal favourite choice is to put the marble texture on the wall that corresponds well with dark kitchen furniture.

Below you can see our take on this hot trend. Black Nordic cabinets create a wonderful contrast with light marble walls. You too can achieve such an effect with our bespoke IKEA kitchen doors and fronts in Nordic style.

Colourful kitchen design ideas for the win!

Kitchen is a room where we all spend a lot of time during the day. So, make it fun! There’s no need to spend a lot of money to experiment with our favourite colours. Sometimes all it takes is to paint the walls to a different shade or change the kitchen handles and knobs in our cabinets.

The bolder you are, the better. There is nothing more exciting in home decor than to make an interesting contrast in your calm interior. For example, if your kitchen is designed with light colours and minimalist textures, the bright yellow kitchen island might be all it takes to make this project memorable!

There are several ways to experiment with vivid contrasting colours and there is no one good method to do it right. All of the kitchen design ideas can be mastered in practice!

Here we present our idea of an interesting kitchen space where the contrast plays a big role. The white walls help to create an organized and minimalist space which is then twisted up with Nordic+ Circle fronts created in vivid turquoise. Quite refreshing!

Pale-coloured wood is back in the kitchen

All good kitchen design ideas use the wood as a powerful way to warm up any interior. Oak and walnut have been trending for quite some time in various rustic projects. Now the time has come to favour the lighter shades of wood. The market is overflown with wonderful bamboo and ash wooden designs.

We absolutely adore this style as it brings a warm touch to our kitchens and makes them even more inviting. The pale wood has also w wonderful impact of lightening up our spaces, making the best of natural sunlight during the day.

We hold this trend close to our heart as we created several designs in our Bamboo+ collection. Below you can see our take on IKEA kitchen designed with our Noremax bespoke Bamboo Instyle for kitchen cabinet doors and fronts. Check out how wonderfully light and calm the created space is!

All in black

Until now black has been considered as an additional colour to the other lighter shades in most kitchen design ideas. Even the boldest projects used black for only a few pieces of furniture or decoration accents. There was also a myth of black being the colour that “makes space look smaller”.

But now the black colour is being reinvented and the effects are astounding! The room made with dark shades is not only warm and inviting but can also seem more spacious when designed with proper techniques.

The all-in-black design can be adapted for the rooms of all functionality. As the kitchen is usually a focal point of any house, applying dark colours to it can create a sense of a loving, rustic space where everyone can feel at ease.

We absolutely adore the warm intimacy created by this dark style. Here you can see our idea of creating a kitchen with black and brown shades, designed with our bespoke Classic style made to be replaceable with IKEA Metod doors and fronts.

Made with gold

The golden accents have made a huge impact on the home design in the last century to eventually fade away. At some point, they even were considered “cheesy” as most of the appliances and decorations were actually only resembling gold and therefore presented low quality.

But here we are, as recent trends have completely changed the way we perceive this unique style. The golden accents are a wonderful way to twist up any interior that is designed with light and pale colours. It gives a special touch to any kitchen personalised with good and original taste. The important rule here is not to experiment with too much gold, as it may look overwhelming and even… cheap.

One of the most interesting kitchen design ideas is to marry the gold and marble stone together. Those trends are meant for each other because when combined they create a wonderful space of both luxury and minimalism.

Below you can see our take on black cabinets designed with marble countertop. This wouldn’t be whole without the golden sink which is the focal point of this wonderful design. Besides, the golden handles add up to the clean and extravagant look of this project. Note: the cabinets were designed with Elegance which is a collection created to replace IKEA Metod fronts and doors.

Double kitchen island

Who said that the installation of kitchen islands should be boring? The home decor industry is reliving a huge come back to the very basics as we all take part in redesigning some of the conventional furniture and appliances. There is no need to stick to the traditional and classic solutions anymore! Especially when functionality is our priority.

The double kitchen island is a fairly recent trend that is most common in both modern and rustic home design styles. The idea is as simple as it sounds: two kitchen islands are connected, usually with a wooden countertop, which creates an almost architectural shape.

Like with most kitchen design ideas, here you should also take some precautionary steps. One of the most important issue here is not to build a furniture piece that is too big. Two large islands connected can make your kitchen more crowdy if you’re not extra careful with your project. A good idea might be to connect average-sized peninsulas with a wooden “bridge” that can serve as a wonderful dining table.

We love solutions that are both aesthetically pleasing AND functional. So here we are, presenting one of our favourite’s projects: double kitchen island designed with Metod Linoleum Basic style. It gives a polished and clean look to the cabinets, which is especially helpful in the kitchens that lack some space.

More kitchen design ideas

There are of course much more styles that are trending right now, but most of them have been for the last few seasons. We gathered a lot of ideas and tricks for a modern kitchen and all of them are compatible with our Noremax bespoke IKEA fronts. We are proud to say, that our products have been already appreciated by our customers, with helping them to create a space that is not only personalised to their taste but also purpose-oriented. And all of that can be done without disposing of the old IKEA furniture or spending a lot of money!

Sounds interesting? Check out our Metod and Faktum collections designed especially for kitchen IKEA furniture and start renovating now!

Layered lighting for a more functional and atmospheric kitchen

One of the most sophisticated kitchen design ideas gaining traction in modern interiors is the strategic use of layered lighting. While decorative fixtures often attract the most attention, the true value of lighting lies in its ability to shape the atmosphere, enhance functionality and subtly highlight the materials used throughout the space. Proper lighting transforms every kitchen — from compact layouts to spacious open-plan designs — into a room that feels balanced, intentional and inviting.

A well-designed lighting plan typically consists of three layers: ambient, task and accent lighting. Ambient lighting provides general illumination, ensuring the kitchen feels bright and comfortable throughout the day. Recessed LED lights or minimalist ceiling fixtures work particularly well in contemporary homes, offering even coverage without distracting from the aesthetics of the cabinetry. When combined with reflective surfaces, such as satin-lacquered fronts or stone countertops, ambient lighting can make the entire kitchen appear more spacious.

Task lighting, on the other hand, is essential for food preparation and cooking. Under-cabinet LED strips, pendant lamps above the island and directional spotlights ensure that every work surface is properly illuminated. These solutions play a crucial role in safety and comfort, especially in kitchens where the island doubles as a workspace, dining zone or social area. Integrated lighting inside drawers or open shelving, a trend increasingly embraced in Scandinavian design, enhances visibility while giving the furniture a refined luxury feel.

Accent lighting adds drama and depth. Subtle LED profiles placed along the toekick of the island or behind decorative panels make the cabinetry appear as if it is floating. Warm, indirect light is especially effective in minimalist interiors, where clean lines and calm textures create visual harmony. With Noremax’s wide range of bespoke fronts and panel systems, incorporating lighting becomes a seamless part of the overall design concept.

By combining all three layers, your kitchen becomes more adaptable: bright for cooking, relaxing for social evenings and atmospheric for weekend mornings. Layered lighting is not simply a stylistic choice — it is a functional upgrade that complements every aesthetic and enhances even the simplest kitchen design ideas.

Sustainable kitchen design: eco-friendly choices with long-term value

Sustainability has become one of the defining forces in modern interior design, and kitchens are no exception. More homeowners are looking for kitchen design ideas that not only look beautiful but also minimise waste, reduce environmental impact and remain durable for years to come. The shift toward eco-conscious choices is not about following trends — it is about investing in long-term value, thoughtful material selection and responsible renovation practices.

One of the most effective sustainable approaches is to upgrade existing furniture instead of replacing it entirely. Many kitchen cabinets have solid internal structures and can serve for decades. By replacing only the fronts, doors and panels, homeowners significantly reduce renovation waste while achieving a complete aesthetic transformation. This is where Noremax solutions shine: bespoke IKEA-compatible fronts offer a contemporary look without the need to dispose of perfectly functional cabinetry.

Material choice also plays a crucial role. Natural wood veneers, linoleum-based finishes, bamboo collections and low-VOC lacquers are increasingly popular in eco-aware kitchens. These materials not only bring warmth and tactility but also age gracefully, making them a long-term investment. Matte finishes offer excellent scratch resistance and visually reduce fingerprints, while lacquered surfaces add brightness without the high environmental cost associated with some synthetic materials.

Energy efficiency is another aspect of sustainable kitchen design. Integrating LED lighting, choosing energy-efficient appliances and maximising natural daylight all contribute to lowering the home’s long-term energy consumption. Even small changes — such as designing the island or countertops to reflect light more effectively — can improve overall performance and comfort.

A sustainable kitchen is also one built around functionality. Well-organised drawers, modular storage and durable surfaces reduce clutter and extend the life of the space. By opting for flexible, adaptable solutions — such as Noremax’s replaceable fronts — homeowners can update their décor as their taste evolves, without replacing the entire kitchen.

Eco-friendly kitchen design ideas prove that sustainability and style can go hand in hand. With intentional choices and high-quality materials, the kitchen becomes not only a beautiful part of the home but also a responsible one — built thoughtfully, designed to last and aligned with the values of modern living.