Photo: Stock.Xchng

The look of the kitchen for 2010 is vintage utility. It’s the absolute reverse of whet we wanted our kitchens to look like in the 80s and 90s. Gone are the monstrous high gloss matching appliances. Today’s kitchens should shout creativity, rather than wealth – think home-made drawers, and worktops that warp with age. So don’t break the bank when you’re thinking of remodelling your kitchen. Think DIY. Here’s a guide to the 21^st century kitchen.

Tiles

Vintage utility, when it comes to tiles, means that basic is in. White metro tiles, which aren’t pricey at all, are the way to go. And use them liberally. If you can, and you’re feeling that way inclined, tile all the way to the ceiling. Just be sure to use white grout, not grey.

Colour

The extreme version of the vintage utility kitchen doesn’t have much of a colour palette to speak of. Everything, and I mean everything, is white. This could be kind of hard to live with though – where would you put your mismatched kettle? What interior designers are advising, for a more practical approach to the 21^st century kitchen, is starting with a snowy Scandinavian palette and adding hints of grey. Grey, in varying shades, can be used on just about any surface, and the rougher the paint job, the better. Add a super bright touch here and there to make the look a little more relaxed.

Painted floorboards

Sticking with the Scandinavian look, painted floorboards are stylish. They’re also easy to match with other parts of the home, even if the kitchen stays grey and white. Also, it just takes an extra coat to renew them. Pale grey is very good for the vintage utility look, and it’s a great shade for kids and pets – it won’t show the dirt.

Finish off the look with some vintage furniture. And remember, you don’t want everything to match, which should make your shopping a little easier.

Tags: kitchen