In the ever-evolving world of luxury kitchen design, the holy grail is to find the perfect balance of beauty and functionality and the sweet spot between convention and innovation.
Being privy to a broad range of Melbourne’s finest homes and most impressive kitchens, RT Edgar agents have their finger on the pulse of the upcoming trends by award-winning builders and designers. After all, when it comes to the family home, the kitchen will always be its heart, its hub, and of course, in terms of real estate, its most valuable space.
Our top Kitchen Style trends for 2024 are:
Curve Appeal
Sumptuously curved benchtops, islands and walls make the ultimate luxury kitchen design statement.
Case in point, this stunning Toorak home known as ‘The House of Curves’ by Trinity Architects, which was recently sold by RT Edgar features a state-of-the-art St Croix curved marble kitchen with soft-close cabinetry, Gaggenau appliances, and a Miele-equipped scullery.
Or take inspiration from this stunning Lauren Tarrant Design Selinus marble kitchen with a curved breakfast bar, seen in another recently sold Toorak property.
Return to Tradition
After a few years dominated by ultra-sleek contemporary kitchens where everything is hidden or integrated, there is a drift back to a more traditional ‘heart of the home’ kitchen space where it’s OK to show off your coffee machine, favourite gadgets, and have inviting seating around the island bench.
The New York loft-style kitchen of this Prahran home, built by premier builder Davies Henderson, designed by Pandolfini Architects with Sophie Davies Interiors, blends timeless style and tradition with contemporary brilliance.
French Provincial-themed cabinetry and Calacatta marble set a strong style benchmark in this Balwyn North kitchen.
Counter Culture
The looming ban on engineered stone means that we’ll see more marble, granite, concrete, timber and stainless-steel countertops, benchtops, and surfaces. Cool, classic marble has always been coveted for its distinctive and unique patterns and variety of colours, and this is the surface that reigns supreme in Melbourne’s most luxurious homes.
Cohesively harmonising islands, countertops, splashbacks, and range hood covers – so that it looks like a continuous piece, is very on-point, as illustrated by the lavish Cote D’Azur Italian marble kitchen in this Glen Iris property, by Penny Kinsella Architects and recently sold by RT Edgar.
Chill Zones
Let’s face it, kitchens are just as much about preparing drinks as food. High-tech fridges, freezers, wine fridges, icemakers and coffee machines are increasingly being integrated into luxury kitchen design. There is also a growing penchant for fancy taps that can dispense filtered drinking water, boiling water, and sparkling water all from the same spout.
This magnificent kitchen in a Toorak home designed by Sync Architecture and built by Concept Build, features a full complement of Gaggenau appliances including a coffee machine, Liebherr fridge, separate freezer, and wine fridge, plus a butler’s kitchen/second kitchen featuring more Gaggenau appliances, a Brema ice machine and Zip tap.
Call the Butler
Known as a butler’s kitchen or scullery, more homes now have a second kitchen, which frees up the primary kitchen space for family dining and entertaining. A step up from a ‘butler’s pantry’ which is a walk-in pantry with food preparation space and a sink or dishwasher, a butler’s kitchen or scullery will also have cooking appliances, and a second fridge/freezer.
The stunning primary kitchen in this South Yarra home by Workroom architects and Agushi builders is matched by an equally impressive marble and timber veneer butler’s kitchen, which is bathed in natural light thanks to a custom arched window with garden outlooks.
The marble kitchen in this state-of-the-art Malvern home by RK Developers has a generous concealed butler’s pantry with second dishwasher.
Lighten Up
Bespoke designer lighting can emphatically put the stamp of individuality on a luxury kitchen. There is a move towards more rounded shapes, unexpected fittings and shades, also softer lighting and even lamps on the benches. Also, consider natural light where possible. Many modern kitchens are windowless, centred in the middle of the home, so look for skylights or even a glass ceiling, such as the one that caps off the kitchen at 181 New Street,, Brighton, which is currently for sale through RT Edgar.
The light-filled kitchen in this recently listed Brighton home by Kavellaris Urban Design is absolutely on trend with a curved breakfast bar/diner complementing its island bench. Learn More
