Kitchen and bathroom trends are constantly evolving to keep up with changing tastes, lifestyles, and technologies. As a designer, I’m always excited to see the latest innovations and style choices that become popular each year. After reviewing trend reports and forecasts, touring model homes, and speaking with clients, I’ve compiled my list of the top 10 kitchen and bathroom trends for 2023. Implementing some of these fresh designs can help update your home to feel more modern, functional, and uniquely yours.
Natural Materials are In
Sustainable design with natural materials is a major trend right now. Homeowners are moving away from mass-produced finishes and seeking authenticity with renewable, organic textures that bring nature indoors.
Wood Paneling and Beams
Wood paneling on walls or ceilings adds warmth and dimension to kitchens and bathrooms. Tongue and groove planks with visible knots and grains have a rustic charm. Barn wood with chipped paint and visible nails goes for a reclaimed vibe. Wood accent walls work with many styles from modern to traditional. Darker stains and grey washes keep the look current.
Stone and Tile
Stacked stone walls, marble countertops, and handmade ceramic tile backsplashes connect us to the earth. Texture and veining in natural materials add organic elegance. Porous surfaces like limestone can develop a patina over time for aged refinement. Mosaic sheets or geometric tiles also remain trendy.
Natural Fibers and Textiles
Baskets, jute rugs, cotton towels, and linens bring tactile coziness to kitchens and baths. Macrame plant hangers and woven shades contribute natural flair. Designers recommend neutral, layered rugs for high-traffic areas. Towels and shower curtains made from bamboo rayon blends are eco-friendly options.
Modern Farmhouse Style
Modern farmhouse blends contemporary and traditional for a casual, inviting look. Elements of shabby chic, industrial, and rustic design fuse together in this ever-popular style trend.
Black and White Color Scheme
A black and white palette keeps things crisp and classic. Checkerboard floors or butcher-block islands contrast well against bright white cabinetry and walls. Add pops of color with sky blue, cherry red, emerald, or sunny yellow in artwork, vases, or bar stools.
Rustic Wood Furnishings
Reclaimed wood dining tables, kitchen islands fitted with apron sinks, sleek floating shelves, and ladder-back bar stools add vintage spirit. Pastel painted accent chairs, distressed hutches, and farmer’s sinks provide character. Mix metal accents like galvanized pendants and wrought iron light fixtures for industrial edge.
Vintage Accessories
Display antique glass bottles, tin signs, and handwoven baskets for old-fashioned charm. Roll out a checkered cafe-style curtain or hang a chalkboard menu to enrich the farmhouse vibe. Accent with fresh florals and greenery in recycled containers.
Sophisticated Black Accents
Black finishes provide a dramatic, elegant touch in kitchens and bathrooms. Darker hues work in modern, traditional, or eclectic spaces for anytime sophistication.
Black Window Frames
Black window frames serve as striking focal points, especially combined with white walls and natural light. Choose wood frames for organic contrast or sleek metal frames for contemporary accent.
Matte Black Fixtures
Matte black faucets, shower systems, and lighting make stylish statements. Geometric pendants, sconces, or vanity lights pop against lighter walls. Matching black fixtures and hardware create an upscale, coordinated look.
Black Cabinets and Islands
Deep black stained or painted cabinets make kitchens feel rich and moody. Pair with light counters and backsplash for bold contrast. Use black on the island only to anchor lighter cabinets. Distressed, glazed finishes soften the look.
Brass and Gold Finishes
Warm metallics like brushed brass, polished chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, and champagne gold add luxury to kitchen and bath hardware. Gold finish faucets, sinks, mirrors, and lighting feel decadent and elegant.
Gold Geometric Patterns
Metallic geometric tiles in glossy gold, copper, or bronze create focal points on backsplashes, shower walls, and powder room floors. Triangle, herringbone, or starburst designs make posh statements. Pair with marble, wood, or neutral tiles.
Warm Metal Fixtures
Sculptural statement faucets in matte black, polished brass, or bronze make everyday tasks feel grand. Metallic finish shower systems, freestanding tubs, towel bars, and sconces amp up the glam factor. Mix metal colors and finishes for eclectic personality.
Champagne and Rose Gold Accessories
Upgrade with glitzy champagne and rose gold mirrors, tissue boxes, soap dispensers, trays, and decor. Match metals to faucets and lighting for elegance. Contrast against dark walls or wood cabinets for visual interest.
Maximalism is Back
Minimalism is out and maximalism is in. People are embracing bold colors, patterns, and decor. More is more when it comes to creative display and visual richness.
Colorful Appliances
White and stainless appliances are predictable. Now designers recommend bold color to energize your space. Bright red, cobalt, plum, mint, and sunflower yellow appliances make cheery statements. Colorful ranges and refrigerators showcase your personality.
Eclectic Design Style
Maximalism embraces messy elegance with layers of colors, patterns, textures, and cultural motifs. Display a vibrant mix of art, accessories, and furnishings. Combining mid-century, boho, traditional, and postmodern elements creates an eclectic mix.
Decorative Tiling
From Moroccan mosaics to ornate Spanish patterns, decorative tile backsplashes and powder room floors let you show off your style. Intricate designs and bursts of color enliven your space. Handpainted and crackled tiles add artistry.
Hidden Storage Solutions
With open floor plans dominating new construction, solutions for reducing visual clutter are essential. Concealing everyday mess maintains a calm, organized aesthetic.
Built-In Cabinets and Shelving
Recessed wall cabinets and shelving hide small appliances and kitchenwares. Built-in bathroom cabinets with frosted glass doors store towels and toiletries out of sight. Customize storage to maximize unused space.
Sliding Door Cabinets
Upper and base cabinets with stylish sliding doors keep necessities accessible but concealed. Track hardware allows doors to glide out of the way into the cabinet frame. Perfect for tight kitchens and baths.
Pull-Out Cabinet Organizers
Roll-out trays, spice racks, and tiered drawers keep interior cabinets neatly arranged yet out of view. Custom inserts allow you to organize cooking tools, cleaning supplies, and bath accessories.
Smart Home Technology
Integrating smart home technology into kitchen and bathroom design streamlines daily routines and adds modern convenience. Voice assistants, appliance controls, and high-tech fixtures make homes more functional.
Smart Lighting
Automated lighting systems allow you to control brightness, color temperature, and ambiance from smart devices or voice assistants. Preprogrammed settings suit different tasks and moods. Timers and motion sensors add convenience.
Voice-Activated Appliances
Wi-Fi enabled refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and more connect to smart home platforms for voice-activated control. You can preheat the oven, start the coffee maker, or add groceries to your shopping list hands-free.
High-Tech Showers and Faucets
Digital shower systems let you program and save personalized settings for time of day, lighting, temperature, and spray patterns. Touchscreen faucets and toilets allow control over temperature and flow with presets.
Mixed Metals
While matching metals still look smart, designers endorse combining metals and hardware finishes for personalized style. The mixed metals look works with modern, traditional, rustic, and eclectic spaces.
Mix Gold, Silver, and Bronze
Incorporate chrome, stainless steel, bronze, and brass accents throughout the kitchen and bathrooms. Varying metals provide depth and interest. Just be sure to repeat finishes in each space for cohesion.
Modern and Antique Finishes
Blend modern matte black or chrome fixtures with antique gold, brass, and nickel for an eclectic combo. The key is keeping bases the same material, like steel or iron. Vary sheens from polished to hammered.
Upgrade with Metallic Accents
Easy metallics to mix in include faucets, cabinet hardware, mirrors, pendant lights, bar stools, and drawer pulls. Repeat a non-matchy mix of metals in each space for personalized styling.
Curved Architecture
Sculptural curved forms lend beauty and modern flair to kitchen and bathroom cabinets, islands, architecture, and fixtures. Softening straight lines creates an organic, contemporary look.
Rounded Cabinets and Islands
Cylindrical cabinets, rounded countertop edges, and oval islands offset boxier components like appliances. Graceful curves inject modern flair. Pair with sleek hardware and lighting.
Arched Doorways and Windows
Arched door frames and rounded windowsnod to Art Deco style. Arched built-in shelving mimics the curves in dramatic focal points. Accentuate height and views.
Curved Faucets and Sinks
Swooping faucets, bowl sinks, and soaking tubs make fluid statements, often finished in matte black or nickel. Softer lines add balance to sterile bathrooms. Make sure curves relate to the space.
True Wood Veneers
Wood grain cabinetry warms up sleek designs with beautiful authenticity. Modern updates like mixed stains and unorthodox veneers keep the look fresh.
Modern Grains and Finishes
Contemporary wood stains in gray, white, black, and neutral driftwood update traditional grains. Mix colorful veneers like purpleheart and zebrawood or multi-toned finishes for interest.
Unconventional Veneers
Veneers that highlight natural imperfections, cracks, knots, and variations create organic texture. Try open-pore veneers in walnut, oak, or bamboo. Experiment with rotary cut options.
Wood Accent Walls
Wood slatted accent walls add stylish vertical planes to kitchens. Different plank directions create modern appeal. Use wood strategically between solid cabinetry for warmth.
Sleek Black Stainless Steel
Black stainless steel appliances and fixtures provide an ultra-modern look. The darker hue makes stainless steel feel luxe and sophisticated instead of industrial.
Professional-Grade Ranges
Pro-styled ranges in black stainless suit modern kitchens. The color allows high-end features to take center stage. Matching ventilation hoods continue the sophisticated style.
Blackened Refrigerators
Blackened French door refrigerators look built-in for seamless uniformity. Hide away visual clutter while maintaining convenience. Coordinate cabinetry or opt for sleek contrast.
Matte Black Fixtures
Faucets, shower systems, towel bars, and lighting in darkened steel or nickel finishes add contemporary edge. The deeper hue prevents reflective glare on fixtures.
Wrapping Up Current Kitchen and Bathroom Trends
The top designers showcased a wide range of trending styles for today’s kitchens and bathrooms. Key themes included natural materials, modern farmhouse, maximalism, smart technology, and blackened stainless steel. Warm metals, mixed finishes, and curved architecture also made the list of popular trends for 2023.
As you remodel or build, focus on choosing the trends that work best for your lifestyle and reflect your personal tastes. With so many options to highlight your unique style, you can create a fashionable yet timeless kitchen or bathroom suited to you and your household. Consult designers to discover which on-trend products will function well and stay looking fresh over years of use.
The right mix of trendy yet classic elements will increase your home’s style, function, and value. But don’t stress over every fleeting trend. Stick to quality materials and your preferred aesthetics for a design you’ll enjoy now and that adapts well into the future. With good planning and creative touches, your updated kitchen or bath can be both trendy and timeless!
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen and Bathroom Design Trends
Kitchen and bathroom trends change regularly. Staying up-to-date on the latest popular styles and innovations can help you design an on-trend space. Here are answers to some common questions about implementing trendy kitchen and bathroom designs:
What are some of the biggest kitchen and bathroom trends right now?
Some major trends include black stainless steel appliances, brass finishes, smart home technology, curved architecture, natural materials like stone and wood, and eclectic maximalist decor. Black and white kitchens also remain popular for their classic, high-contrast style.
How often do kitchen and bathroom trends change?
Major style trends can change every few years, but some looks have staying power. For example, white kitchen cabinets have been popular for over a decade now. More minor trends in colors, materials, and technology shift seasonally.
Should I redesign my kitchen or bath every time trends change?
No, redesigning with every fad can date your space and waste money. Focus on quality classic materials and your own style preferences when remodeling. Add trendy accents in lighting, mirrors or art to update gradually over time.
What are some easy ways to make a kitchen or bathroom feel trendy?
Update dated spaces with new hardware, light fixtures, faucets, mirrors and art. Repaint cabinets or walls in trendy colors like deep green or navy blue. Add a statement backsplash tile or blackened stainless appliances. Built-in shelving and sliding storage make kitchens feel fresh.
How do I choose classic over trendy design elements?
Opt for high-quality materials like natural stone, tile, and wood that suit your taste. Choose versatile white, black, or neutral color schemes you enjoy. Invest in durable appliances and fixtures that function well over trendy gimmicks. Adaptable designs won’t date quickly.
Should I work with a designer for a trendy kitchen or bath?
Yes, designers are tapped into all the latest trends and can incorporate them seamlessly into spaces suited to you. They have product knowledge and ins with brands to source on-trend materials. Their expertise prevents trendy from feeling gimmicky.
How can I stay updated on new kitchen and bathroom trends?
Browse design magazines and websites annually. Follow brands and designers on social media. Tour model homes to see trends in action. Make notes of styles you love and talk to designers about integrating them into future remodels.
What are experts forecasting for upcoming kitchen and bathroom trends?
Sustainability is huge – expect more natural materials, energy-efficient appliances and low-water fixtures. Soft modern and minimalist styles are gaining popularity. Integrated technology and clean-lined transitional spaces will be big.
How much does a major kitchen or bathroom remodel to follow trends cost?
Costs vary widely based on size, materials, and customization. But expect to invest $20,000 to $30,000 for a major renovation. Work with an expert designer to update trends affordably. Focus on classic bones and easy upgrades.
Following interior design trends can help modernize your home and keep it looking fresh and stylish. But work in versatile, quality materials and focus on your own lifestyle needs when making design choices. Trends complement timeless practicality when incorporated by experienced kitchen and bath designers focused on your vision.
