The kitchens of 2021 and beyond are a direct reflection of where we’re at, thanks to a global pandemic.

When you think about your life over the past year, a lot has changed. A lot. And that change has made a big impact on how we use our kitchens, the space we need, what we need the space to do, the tools to do the job, and so much more. The kitchens of 2021 and beyond are a direct reflection of where we&rsquo;re at, thanks to a global pandemic. It&rsquo;s the COVID-effect: kitchen edition.
So, let&rsquo;s look at what&rsquo;s cooking in the COVID-era kitchen.
<img alt="Smart appliances are the way of the future." src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_content_cases/shutterstock_1704797986.jpg" title="Shutterstock" />
<h2 class="BodyA">Kitchens Get Smart</h2>
We&rsquo;re seeing smart appliances more and more. We&rsquo;re baking, toasting, and steaming in microwaves and using air fryers, cooking sous vide, and appliances with touch screens for easy household communications are all making living, working, and creating dine-in experiences at home much easier.
We&rsquo;re seeing smart shopping. Lists are being made. Food waste is being reduced and budgets are being drawn up.
And we&rsquo;re seeing lots of smart storage. Thanks in part to Netflix binges of The Home Edit, we&rsquo;re all about colour-coded pantry storage. We&rsquo;re also seeing an increased need for more space, and more efficient space for storage. This includes adding in a second fridge or freezer, or both. As well as thinking about dry pantry storage and all the flour you need to keep up the bread making habit.
<img alt="Kitchens are going green - literally" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_content_cases/shutterstock_1216729477.jpg" title="Shutterstock" />
<h2 class="BodyA">Kitchens Go Green</h2>
Literally. The number one trend in kitchen colours is green. Looking to update your kitchen d&eacute;cor this year? Try painting the lower cabinets a deep dark delicious green.
We&rsquo;re also going green in our kitchens thinking more about sustainability, reducing our food waste, making our own dish soap, and looking for &lsquo;green appliances&rsquo; with Energy Star ratings and a focus on reducing energy consumption.
<img alt="What goes better with professional quality ranges than a big bold statement range hood?" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_content_cases/shutterstock_688475905.jpg" title="Shutterstock" />
<h2 class="BodyA">Kitchens Make BIG Statements</h2>
We&rsquo;re seeing statement art. A BIG trend we&rsquo;re seeing in kitchens moving forward is a BIG nod towards artworks. Where traditionally the kitchen wasn&rsquo;t a place for art, we&rsquo;re now seeing large statement art pieces hanging in breakfast nooks, and amidst the open shelving, and nestled amongst a cutting board vignette.
We&rsquo;re seeing statement range hoods. What goes better with professional quality ranges than a big bold statement range hood? Exquisitely tiled, or hand painted, or a bright copper finish, no matter the statement the range hood can take it.
We&rsquo;re seeing statement sized islands. A big island has been increasing in popularity as it solves many problems with one (large) solution. Need more storage for all those handy new small appliances? Larger island. Need more seating so kids can school or you can work from home? Larger island. Need to prep and cook while kids are doing homework? Larger island. It&rsquo;s a statement that&rsquo;s also a great solution.
We&rsquo;re seeing a big statement with restaurant quality appliances. We&rsquo;re cooking at home more than ever in recent history and we want it to be great. We&rsquo;re upgrading and taking the dine-in experience to a whole (home) new level!
Looking at all these trends and changes, there&rsquo;s no doubting the kitchen will continue to be a central spot in our homes for years to come.
What&rsquo;s cooking in your COVID-era kitchen? What new changes or updates do you dream of making in 2021 in your kitchen?

Kitchens for 2021 and Beyond: The COVID-Effect

As wine sales continue to surge, more and more people are asking if now is the right time to buy a wine cooler for their home.

<img alt="Wine coolers come in all shapes and sizes. Find the right one for you." height="466" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_content_cases/shutterstock_1337459540%20(e099f71d-90d5-431a-b79c-f960b71cf579).jpg" title="Shutterstock" width="700" />
It&rsquo;s been a year unlike any other, but it hasn&rsquo;t been all bad. We&rsquo;ve had time to reflect on what&rsquo;s most important, and sitting at home, enjoying the quiet moments with someone you care about has never felt more special. Home entertaining, stay-cations, and quiet-nights-in are all part of the new normal. And just in case you hadn&rsquo;t noticed, nothing goes better with good company, than good wine.
As wine sales continue to surge, more and more people are asking if now is the right time to buy a wine cooler for their home.
It is.
And here&rsquo;s why&hellip;
<h2 class="BodyA">YOU DESERVE THE BEST</h2>
Wine is best enjoyed at the perfect serving temperature, anywhere from 50 - 59 degrees Fahrenheit. And guess what? Your fridge is ten degrees cooler than that. I mean, that&rsquo;s fine. In the same way, a mediocre dinner, or a boring first date is fine. But if you&rsquo;re like me, and you prefer not to lean into disappointment, then you need to up your serving game. Wine coolers are perfectly calibrated to hit that temperature sweet spot and considering you have single, dual, and even triple zone options for reds, whites, and everything in between there&rsquo;s no excuse to serve up sub-par wine again.
Trust me, your tastebuds will thank you for it.
<h2 class="BodyA">SUPERIOR STORAGE</h2>
As more people stay at home, more people eat at home and that means there&rsquo;s more food in the fridge. Squeezed between produce, dairy, and leftovers there&rsquo;s not much space left for a nice bottle of wine. Sounds like another perfect job for your wine cooler.
As your wine collection grows, it&rsquo;s only natural to look at expanding your storage capacity. You&rsquo;ve pushed your fridge to the limit after all, and it&rsquo;s time to explore your options. Wine coolers are available in under-counter widths from 15 to 36 inches, and at full height in 18 - 36-inch columns. With <a href="/search/wine%20cooler">so many options in the market</a>, there&rsquo;s a perfectly sized wine storage solution for every kitchen.
<img alt="Wine coolers are ecologically friendly and a great investment." height="465" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_content_cases/shutterstock_697914979%20(1250b801-fc25-4384-b4e9-3c27d2c3c40b).jpg" title="Shutterstock" width="700" />
<h2>WHITE + RED = GREEN</h2>
Believe it or not, a wine cooler is the most ecologically friendly choice you can make in wine storage. Unlike traditional refrigerators, dedicated wine coolers don&rsquo;t use gases to regulate temperature so there&rsquo;s no risk of harmful, environmentally altering emissions. The best wine coolers use a thermoelectric cooling system to reduce vibration and operate silently, especially compared to the loud compressors of refrigerators.
The only other option out there is a dedicated wine cellar. Putting aside the large initial investment to build, a wine cellar designed to regulate temperature, vibration, and humidity at a comparable level to a wine cooler will cost thousands of dollars and consume many more kilowatts of power to operate, each and every year.
Bottle for bottle, dollar for dollar, a wine cooler is the better option for you and planet earth.
<h2 class="BodyA">AN INVESTMENT FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW</h2>
There&rsquo;s one last reason that you should buy a wine cooler today. And that&rsquo;s because you&rsquo;re going to need it tomorrow. The sun is breaking over the horizon, and when the time comes you&rsquo;re going to want to host the biggest party in the history of&hellip; well, ever maybe. With a house full of people you&rsquo;ll want ample supplies, and there&rsquo;s no better time than now to start planning the party of the century.
Equipped with UV-resistant glass, vibration-resistant tech, humidity control, and insulated compartments for perfect temperatures wine coolers can keep your wine impeccable for years to come. With a wine cooler, when normal comes again, you&rsquo;ll be ready.
So raise your glass and head on over to BrandSource to check out our helpful <a href="/buying-guides#appliances-guides">Buying Guides on wine coolers</a> and all of your appliance needs.

Why the Best Time to Buy a Wine Cooler is Right Now

With everyone ready to move forward, it’s the perfect time for your redesign.

What better way to put the past year behind us, than with a brand-new kitchen designed for life in 2021? More people are eating in, eating healthier, and making the most of their indoor space. And this year&rsquo;s hottest trends in appliances reflect our new normal.
With everyone ready to move forward, 2021 is the perfect time for your redesign.
<h2 class="BodyA">1. STEAM COOKING FOR HEALTHY LIVING</h2>
 got a big boost over the last year. With an increased focus on health and nutrition, steam cooking offers the healthiest, most nutritious way to prepare food without sacrificing taste. The perfect complement to any integrated kitchen, steam ovens are available in both plumbed and tanked options making them installation-friendly in any home.
<img alt="Wide shot of renovated kitchen with modern wooden cabinetry" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_content_cases/MULTI-shutterstock_179869784.jpg" title="Shutterstock Credit: on_demand_photo_uk" />;
<h2 class="BodyA">2. HANDLESS DESIGN IS CLEAN AND SIMPLE</h2>
One of this year&rsquo;s hottest design trends is handle-less kitchens. No knobs, no bars, nothing to take away from a completely integrated aesthetic. Manufacturers like <a href="https://www.grandappliance.com/catalog/special/brandsource_point_of_sale_marketing/shop%20thermador"_blank">Thermador</a> offer a variety of appliances from refrigeration, to warming drawers, wine coolers, and dishwashers that feature a push-to-open design. In either unbroken stainless steel or custom panels, these appliances can be seamlessly integrated into any cabinetry.
Continuing the handle-less trend, Quad Door Refrigeration has taken 2021 by storm as a number of manufacturers such as Whirlpool, Caf&eacute;, Samsung among others have fully embraced the handless design that <a href="/catalog/french-door-refrigerators?number_of_doors=4">four door-French door refrigeration</a> provides. As an added bonus, handle-less appliances are easier to mix and match across brands, so you&rsquo;ll have more versatility in your kitchen design as well.&nbsp;
<h2 class="BodyA">3. MORE CONNECTED THAN EVER BEFORE</h2>
2020 showed us all what a truly interconnected world could look like. Wireless remote connections allowed us to safely continue with our day-to-day lives in the midst of so much uncertainty. Moving forward in 2021, Smart appliances will continue to bring greater home integration, more convenience, and better diagnostic tools. Also look out for improved integration with home hubs, expanded voice activation, and more remote features across all brands.
<img alt="Woman using a tablet to control smart kitchen appliances" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_content_cases/MULTI-shutterstock_1704797986.jpg" title="Shutterstock Credit: RossHelen" />
<h2 class="BodyA">4. A LITTLE COLOUR FOR A LOT OF HAPPY</h2>
Move over stainless steel, there&rsquo;s a new finish in town. Making that a rainbow of new finishes. Adding a pop of stand-out colour to your kitchen is one of the hottest trends of 2021, and KitchenAid delivers with its new lineup of coloured professional ranges. From traditional stainless steel to classic white and black, to cool pastels and warmer tones there&rsquo;s choice enough for any taste. And a cheerful pop of colour is just the thing to personalize your space and lift the mood in any room.
<h2 class="BodyA">5. ICE, ICE BABY</h2>
High end entertaining is coming home in 2021 with LG&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.lg.com/us/discover/instaview-door-in-door/craft-ice" target="_blank">Craft Ice</a> innovation. Offering the slowest melting, coolest looking ice on the market LG has brought round ice into the kitchen to complement your upscale craft beverages. Offering the ability to create 3 - 6 balls a day, LG has paired the Craft Ice system with a traditional cube/crushed ice maker to cover all of your home entertainment needs.
2021 is all about making your home more enjoyable, more livable, and more you. These are just some of the hottest appliance trends so far, and for more information about kitchen appliances head on over to BrandSource and check out our helpful <a href="/buying-guides#appliances-guides">Buying Guides</a> and shop for all your appliance needs.

This Year’s Hottest Trends in Appliances

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Kitchens for 2021 and Beyond: The COVID-Effect

Why the Best Time to Buy a Wine Cooler is Right Now

This Year’s Hottest Trends in Appliances

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