Kitchen trends are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs and desires of homeowners. From new layouts and organizational solutions to the latest high-tech appliances, there are many exciting innovations happening in kitchen design. Here are 10 of the top kitchen trends to keep an eye on when planning your next remodel or new construction project.
Open Concept Kitchens
The open concept kitchen continues to be one of the most popular kitchen layout trends. By eliminating walls between the kitchen and other living areas, this design helps create a seamless flow and makes the space feel more open and airy. An open concept kitchen integrates the cooking area into the main living zone of the home.
Benefits of an open concept kitchen layout include:
- Creates a more social, interactive environment for cooking and entertaining. The cook can engage with guests in the dining and living areas.
- Makes the space feel larger and more unified aesthetically.
- Allows for easier multi-tasking between cooking tasks and other activities like watching kids or TV.
- Improves traffic flow and movement between rooms.
- Allows more natural light into the kitchen area.
When executing this design, pay attention to kitchen work triangle placement, adequate bar/island seating, and smart kitchen storage solutions to keep the space organized. An open concept kitchen should still feel like a fully-functional cooking space.
Blurring Work Zones
Another emerging kitchen layout trend is the blurring of work zones. The traditional kitchen work triangle focused on separating the sink, refrigerator, and range into distinct areas. Now, we are seeing more fluid placement of these key appliances and prep areas.
Reasons this non-traditional kitchen layout is gaining popularity:
- Allows for more customized placement based on how you cook and move in the kitchen. Not everyone uses the same work flow pattern.
- Provides flexibility if you remodel or expand later. You can more easily adjust appliance locations.
- Creates opportunities for multiple people to work simultaneously in the kitchen. Different family members can have their own prep zone.
- Makes better use of available space, especially in smaller kitchens. Work stations can overlay for a more efficient footprint.
When designing a kitchen with overlapped work zones, ensure appliances have adequate landing areas and the layout facilitates multiple cooks. Think through traffic patterns and allow enough room to open appliances and cabinets.
Extended Islands
Kitchen islands continue to grow in popularity, now expanding even further in length to create more functional prep space. Extended islands range from 5 feet long up to 12 feet or more.
Advantages of an extended kitchen island include:
- Increases counter space and number of bar seats. An extended island can accommodate 3-6 bar stools.
- Allows for installation of multiple sinks, dishwashers or cooking appliances like additional ovens.
- Provides space for food prep by multiple people at once. For example, one person slicing vegetables on one side and another forming dough on the other side.
- Opens up traffic flow around the perimeter. Great for open concept kitchens.
- Makes an ideal spot for casual dining in addition to prep work.
When planning for an extended island, make sure there is adequate clearance on all sides. At least 42-48 inches of circulation area around the island is recommended. Incorporate electrical outlets in the island to power appliances and charging stations.
Smart Kitchen Storage Solutions
No matter the size of your kitchen, strategic storage is essential to keeping it organized and clutter-free. The latest kitchen storage trends focus on smart, customized solutions to reduce mess and maximize every inch of space.
Storage innovations to consider include:
- Pull-out cabinets with slide-out shelves and drawers to access items in back. Useful for blind corner cabinet spaces.
- Tiered pull-out shelves that hold spices, oils and other cooking items. Keep most used items at front.
- Vertical drawer organizers for utensils, cutting boards, baking pans. Great space savers.
- Cabinet cookie/tray dividers allow stacking of odd sized items. Keep baking sheets neat and tidy.
- Mixing bowl cabinets with adjustable brackets to store bowls vertically. Get rid of that messy stack.
- Angled spice racks that pull down out of a cabinet or mount inside a door. Easy to see spices at a glance.
- Install hooks, rails, and racks on the inside of cabinet doors to hang often used tools. Takes advantage of this frequently wasted space.
Take time to think through your kitchen habits and organize accordingly. The right storage solutions can streamline meal prep and minimize clutter.
Two-Toned Kitchen Cabinets
Two-toned kitchen cabinets are increasingly found in kitchen designs of all styles from modern to traditional. Combining cabinets in two different colors, materials or finishes can add appealing visual contrast in the space.
Popular two-tone kitchen cabinet ideas:
- Contrast a light upper cabinet color with a darker lower cabinet tone. Provides a visually grounded look.
- Use neutral cabinet colors like white or gray for perimeter cabinets and a bold hue like navy blue for island cabinets. Allows for color without overpowering.
- Choose one finish for upper cabinets, like painted wood, and a different finish for lowers, like stained wood or matte lacquer. Offers textural interest.
- Select a neutral cabinet color for main kitchen zone and vivid tone like orange for accent cabinetry in a dining banquette area. Good way to incorporate color.
When selecting two colors or finishes, stick with a 60/40 ratio. Use the bolder tone as the accent. Consistent finishes, hardware and countertops help unite the look.
Shaker Style Cabinets
Clean, simple Shaker style cabinets remain a sought-after cabinet door style in kitchen design. The flat recessed center panel and squared off edges give them a versatile, timeless look suited to both classic and contemporary kitchens.
Here are some details on the enduring popularity of Shaker cabinets:
- Works with any decor style from farmhouse to modern. Simple design provides flexibility.
- Wide range of finish options from painted to stained to raw wood. Easily customized.
- Flat recessed panel doesn’t compete with ornate backsplashes or hardware. Provides a neutral backdrop.
- Classic look with contemporary features like soft-close hinges and slides. Combines form and function.
- Drawer fronts and integrated handles maintain clean aesthetic. No visible hardware needed.
- Subtle beveling or inset doors add interest while retaining simplicity. Small details keep the look fresh.
For a budget-friendly but stylish kitchen, white Shaker cabinets are hard to beat. Their clean-lined look can be dressed up with modern hardware, accent colors or lighting.
Matte Black Hardware & Fixtures
Brushed brass and nickel have been go-to choices for kitchen hardware and fixtures, but matte black finishes are gaining ground and introduce a bold, modern look. From faucets and handles to drawer pulls and lights, matte black makes a dramatic style statement.
Reasons for the rising popularity of matte black kitchen accents:
- Sleek, monochromatic look provides a cohesive aesthetic throughout the kitchen. Visually pleasing when all pieces coordinate.
- Matte black plays well with many color schemes from bright white to bold hues. It has a neutralizing effect.
- Small touches of matte black provide contrast without overwhelming. A little goes a long way.
- Looks elevated and ultramodern. Brings a high-end, cutting edge vibe to the space.
- Downplayed shine creates a muted, softened look compared to shiny chrome or stainless steel.
When incorporating matte black accents, use sparingly against lighter cabinets and countertops. Mix with other finishes like brass for a blended aesthetic. Consider appliances like range hoods or refrigerators in coordinating black stainless.
Multitasking Appliance Suites
With limited space in many kitchens, appliance manufacturers are creating suites of smaller cooking appliances designed to work together efficiently. These streamlined appliance suites allow you to perform multiple cooking functions along a single countertop run.
Some examples of multitasking appliance suites:
- Range, wall oven and microwave combination provides all standard cooking functions in a condensed footprint.
- Integrated refrigerator columns flanking a range or cooktop offer refrigeration without extensive width.
- Range with integrated refrigerator drawer eliminates appliance gaps.
- Stacked washer and dryer sets give laundry capabilities in compact kitchens.
- Built-in coffee systems, beverage centers and wine coolers add luxury convenience.
When planning your kitchen, look for appliance combinations that save space while still delivering the essentials of cooking, cleaning and food storage. Carefully measure available openings to ensure components fit. Pay attention to required counter, cabinet or ventilation clearances.
Engineered Quartz Countertops
Engineered quartz counters remain a hot trend due to their stylish good looks, durability and low maintenance qualities. Quartz counters are made from crushed quartz blended with polymer resins and pigments. The result is a strong, non-porous work surface resistant to stains, scratches and heat.
Benefits that make quartz a smart kitchen countertop choice:
- Highly durable and stain proof. Stands up to heavy daily use. Easy to keep clean.
- Wide range of colors and patterns like faux marble and concrete. Mimics looks of natural stone.
- Non-porous so liquids don’t penetrate. Doesn’t require sealing.
- Resists heat better than granite. Can withstand hot pans.
- Doesn’t need polishing to retain shine. Low maintenance.
- Seamless custom fabrication and installation. long expanses possible without seams.
- Neutral tones like white and gray quartz suit any design style. Works in modern and traditional kitchens.
While a pricier option than materials like laminate, quartz counters add beauty, luxury and convenience. Proper care will ensure decades of lasting use.
Induction Cooktops & Ranges
Induction cooking relies on magnetic technology to heat pans and pots almost instantly while keeping surrounding surfaces cool to the touch. Induction ranges and built-in cooktops are exploding in popularity due to their speed, safety and efficiency.
Here are some standout benefits of induction cooking:
- Exceptionally quick boil times. Water boils in under 2 minutes. Saves time prepping meals.
- Energy efficient. Only heats the pan itself so less wasted heat.
- Cooler cooking area. Safer with less risks of burns. Pans don’t conduct heat to the surface.
- Easy to clean. Spills wipe up quickly from the glass surface before burning on.
- More accurate temperature control. Precisely adjust heat immediately.
- Sleek, modern look. Streamlined design and digital controls. No open flames or coils.
Induction ranges do require use of ferromagnetic cookware like cast iron or stainless steel. Ensure you have proper pans before making the switch. While pricier than gas or electric, induction offers a faster, safer, cleaner cooking experience.
Smart Kitchen Technology
Home automation and smart technology continue impacting the kitchen. From voice assistants to WiFi enabled appliances, digital integration allows greater convenience and control of kitchen tasks.
Examples of helpful smart kitchen tech:
- Voice control assistants like Alexa, Google Home and Siri allow hands-free activation of kitchen appliances, lookups, music and more through voice commands.
- Smart refrigerators have built-in touchscreens with apps and internal cameras so you can peek inside remotely. Some even automatically read barcodes of new items added.
- WiFi enabled ovens can be remotely started, adjusted and monitored through your smart phone. Receive alerts if you forget to turn off the oven.
- Smart lighting lets you control color, dimness and ambiance from an app. Create cooking scenes or automate based on times of day.
- Smart scales interact with apps to calculate exact measurements, nutrition info and even weight of ingredients.
- Water filtration systems may monitor usage and automatically re-order replacement filters when needed.
Integrating smart technology can maximize efficiency in the busy kitchen. But take care not overwhelm the space with too many high-tech gadgets. Focus on appliances and features that will get used regularly.
Final Thoughts
The heart of the home continues evolving in exciting ways. Whether your taste runs more modern or traditional, new layouts, finishes, appliances and organizational solutions can enhance convenience, style and functionality. By thoughtfully incorporating some of these top kitchen trends, you can create an inspiring space for prepping meals, entertaining and connecting with family.
The kitchen trends highlighted here offer fresh ways to optimize your time cooking, streamline storage and introduce luxury conveniences. As you plan your next kitchen project, consider how updating key elements like the cabinetry, countertops, storage solutions or appliances can make this important room more beautiful, efficient and uniquely suited to how your household lives. With the right design choices, your kitchen can continue nurturing connections and inspiring culinary creativity for years to come.
FAQs About Kitchen Trends
What are some of the most popular kitchen layout trends right now?
Some increasingly popular kitchen layout trends include open concept kitchens that connect with living areas, extended islands that accommodate more seating and prep space, and blurred work zones with flexible appliance placement.
How can I add more storage to my kitchen?
Smart storage solutions like pull-out cabinets, vertical utensil drawers, mixing bowl racks, spice pull downs, and hooks on the insides of cabinet doors can effectively maximize unused kitchen space.
What are two-tone kitchen cabinets?
Two-tone kitchen cabinets involve combining cabinets finished in two different colors, materials or tones to add appealing visual contrast. Examples include different uppers and lower cabinets, perimeter and island colors, or varied finishes like painted wood uppers with stained wood lowers.
Why are Shaker style cabinets so popular?
The simple, clean-lined look of Shaker cabinets pairs well with any kitchen style from country farmhouse to slick modern. Versatile finishes, integrated handles and subtle detailing give them a timeless appeal.
How can matte black accents change up my kitchen’s look?
Matte black hardware and fixtures provide an ultramodern, sophisticated look. Matching pieces like faucets, drawer pulls and pendant lights makes a sleek style statement. Matte black works nicely against lighter cabinet and surface colors.
What are some space-saving kitchen appliance options?
Multitasking appliance suites like integrated refrigerator columns, stacked washer/dryers, and consolidated range/wall oven combinations allow multiple cooking functions in compact kitchens.
What are the benefits of engineered quartz countertops?
Quartz counters resist stains, scratches, heat damage and don’t need regular sealing like natural stone. They offer the look of materials like marble without the maintenance. Durable, stylish and low care.
How does induction cooking work?
Induction cooking uses magnetic technology to instantly heat the pans, not the cooktop surface itself. This allows faster heating, cooler surfaces, and more energy efficiency. Induction ranges require use of ferromagnetic cookware.
What smart home technology is popular for kitchens?
Smart kitchen tech includes WiFi enabled appliances that can be controlled and monitored remotely, voice assistants like Alexa to activate appliances by voice commands, and smart lighting scenarios for different cooking tasks.
Conclusion
Kitchen design continues to evolve in ways that blend form and function for more beautiful, personalized, and efficient spaces. Whether your project involves a full remodel or targeted updates, integrating some of these top trends can help create a kitchen that truly fits your lifestyle and design vision. From an extended island for additional prep space, to a built-in coffee station for your morning routine, to voice-controlled lighting for that perfect dinner party ambiance, there are more options than ever. Thoughtfully plan your layout, storage, appliances, surfaces and styling details to craft a modern kitchen tailored to you.
