Trends in contemporary kitchen design are ever-changing, so when it comes to your new custom home’s kitchen, the possibilities are endless! Trends at the moment encompass everything from the modern farmhouse to the sleek black space with bold accents. Below, we’ve outlined our favorite new interior design ideas for custom kitchens.

Open Shelving
Many designers are opting for open shelving in place of kitchen shelving, as this gives homeowners a chance to highlight their favorite accent pieces. This is coming in favor of minimalism that was popular in the past decade. Open shelving is integrated into the wall itself and allows the homeowner to deliberately highlight some of their favorite pieces.

Use of Wood
Wood is a great way to warm up the kitchen and create a welcoming and calming environment. The material is especially popular for homeowners who opt for a light airy feel to their homes. Wood paneling, a kitchen island, or even flooring helps create the perfect “modern farmhouse” feel to the space.

Colored Accents and Cabinets
All-white kitchens may be a design preference of the past! Colored cabinets are an outlet for many owners to express creativity and change the mood of the space. Even dark cabinets that many used to regard as detrimental to the space are coming back, as the perfect shade will bring a luxurious feel to the space.

Colored upholstery will also be making a statement this year, whether it’s through island accents or colored counter stool upholstery serving as a complement to white kitchen countertops.

Mesh of Traditional and Modern Design Elements
Traditional designs will be incorporated into even the most modern of spaces this year. These designs will likely include natural stone, rattan furniture, and vintage fixtures. We’re expected to see the mixing of finishes and texture that will redefine the way we understand a “modern” space.

Add a Custom Kitchen Island
There are a host of benefits to adding a custom kitchen island. In addition to making the space more conducive to socializing while a family member is cooking, this is a great place to make the island an accent through a pop of color or introduction of a new material. This is also the spot to creatively integrate home handrails and rounded edges as well to make them more conducive to both aging in place and having young children in the home.

Smart Kitchens
Technology can play an increasingly important role in the home, and that’s not going to stop in the kitchen! Smart kitchens are constantly evolving and can be integrated into nearly everything in a kitchen space, including the lighting, the fridge, appliances, and even the faucets. Many homeowners will also integrate speakers and the ability to play with the lighting in order to create the perfect ambiance for entertaining in the space.

The possibilities of kitchen design are truly endless as more and more homeowners are taking risks and mixing traditional and modern elements. Rules are meant to be broken, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing with custom home kitchen design.

Jordan Swift is a contributor to the Innovative Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Jordan is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.