The Top 10 Kitchen Trends That Will Dominate 2024

Bold design trends have defined the past year, from vibrant hues to Art Deco influences, Barbiecore-meets-home-decor experiments, a revival of furry floors, and a surge into new maximalism. As we enter 2024, the kitchen takes center stage with emerging trends such as fluted cabinets, precarious upholstered banquettes, beveled detailing, and statement stone backsplashes. This marks a departure from the ubiquitous white-on-white-on-beige aesthetic that dominated social media for years. Top trend predictors anticipate a shift towards extravagant kitchen designs, signaling that dining in will be as lavish as the occasional night out. Here are the top 10 kitchen trends for 2024. Bon appétit!

Color Will Dominate Our Domiciles

kitchen trends 2022

After an era dominated by subdued white-and-brass kitchen aesthetics, a vibrant resurgence of color is taking the design spotlight. Renowned designer Robert Couturier declares the end of the all-white kitchen era, making way for kitchens infused with lively, full-bodied hues and bold patterns. The once-popular Insta-famous white kitchens are giving way to exuberant designs featuring elements like yellow lacquered cabinets, flamboyant pendant lights, and geometric mosaics. While some, like designer Hilary Matt, suggest that white kitchens are evolving with colorful accents, others emphasize the rise of deep colors like greens and blues with metal finishes in stainless steel and brass. Nature-inspired designs are influencing the incorporation of green as a must-have color in kitchens, according to Lori Shapiro of Caesarstone. Additionally, the trend of matte black appliances is gaining momentum, providing a sultry contrast to vibrant pops of color.

Statement Stone Backsplashes Are the Slab of Choice

kitchen trends 2022

In the current design landscape, a notable trend is the move towards cohesive aesthetics in kitchens, departing from the traditional mix-and-match approach. A prominent example is the adoption of slab backsplashes that seamlessly match the countertop, creating a sleek and minimalistic appearance. This departure from traditional tiled backsplashes contributes to a more unified and contemporary look in kitchen spaces. Renowned designer and Queer Eye star Bobby Berk underscores the popularity of unique and unconventional colors, bold patterns, and distinctive veining in both countertops and backsplashes. The trend extends to materials like Calacatta Viola marble, known for its striking mauve and burgundy hues, which is currently experiencing a surge in popularity. Whether opting for the dramatic veining of Calacatta marble or the elegance of a “noir” stone slab (including quartz), the use of unbroken planes crafted from a single material is creating an ultra-luxurious aesthetic, elevating kitchens with a touch of opulence.

A Secondary Prep Kitchen Is on Everyone’s Wishlist

kitchen trends 2022

In the realm of modern homeownership, the epitome of luxury and practicality lies in the concept of a self-sufficient prep kitchen—an indulgence that often surpasses the allure of a meticulously renovated vintage car. This specialized space, known as an ancillary or prep kitchen, is conveniently located adjacent to the main kitchen and serves as an additional zone dedicated to food preparation. According to Jeff Sweet, the corporate manager of product marketing at Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, the surge in popularity of these alternative workspaces stems from their enhanced functionality, allowing individuals to perform distinct tasks seamlessly. These secondary prep kitchens offer versatility, with the option to be either transitional or enclosed behind doors, accommodating various appliances such as additional refrigeration units, warming drawers, built-in coffee systems, wine storage, and dishwashers.

The trend of expanding kitchen functionalities extends beyond the conventional boundaries of the kitchen space. Appliances traditionally associated with the kitchen, like Sub-Zero undercounter refrigerators, are finding their way into diverse areas of the home, including bedrooms, home offices, and bathrooms, contributing to added convenience. This shift in thinking reflects a broader reimagination of dining spaces, encompassing features like spacious secondary prep kitchens for accommodating guests, bespoke cocktail bars integrated into studies, outdoor kitchens, and even drawer fridges seamlessly integrated into primary suites. The evolving definition of dining spaces underscores a contemporary approach to how we conceptualize and utilize various areas within the home.

Fluted Islands Are Making Huge Waves

kitchen trends 2022

The current design landscape is captivated by the allure of fluted detailing, a trend that has manifested in various forms, from drawer-front motifs to wall paneling. Characterized by a repeated scallop-shaped ridge design reminiscent of early Egyptian aesthetics, this trend brings a touch of warmth and texture to spaces, offering a bold yet understated visual appeal with subtle Art Deco influences. Fluted detailing has gained notable popularity and made a significant impact, even making a splash at events like the Kips Bay Dallas showhouse.

Interior designer Kesha Franklin, while generally cautious about trends, expresses enthusiasm for the fluted kitchen cabinet trend. According to Franklin, the incorporation of curved edges elevates the design, making it a noteworthy and versatile choice. Fluted kitchen cabinets can seamlessly fit into modern homes with natural wood finishes or find a place in transitional spaces when painted. The design not only adds warmth, depth, and interest to the kitchen but also serves as a captivating focal point—a conversation piece at the heart of the home.

Double Islands Are the New Single Must-Have

kitchen trends 2022

A trend gaining attention in kitchen design involves the incorporation of not one but two islands, a bespoke fad that has sparked debates about its practicality and extravagance. The concept revolves around having one island dedicated to food preparation and the other serving as a communal space for guests to gather around. This trend particularly resonates with passionate cooks who perceive the act of cooking as a form of performance art and love to host gatherings. Beyond the aesthetics, the dual-island setup offers extensive storage options, creating a kitchen space that dwarfs traditional storage solutions.

Heather Weisz from HW Interiors sees the double islands as a win-win solution. Aesthetically, they often create a visual pathway to a significant focal point in the kitchen, such as an exquisite range or hood wall. From a functional perspective, the setup allows family and friends to stay close, engage in conversation, share laughter, and feel connected while respecting the chef’s designated prep space. For those with ample unused kitchen space (around 145 square feet) and a penchant for entertaining, the double island trend presents an exciting and potentially transformative kitchen remodeling project.

Tailor-Made Storage Is the Hottest Organization Obsession

kitchen trends 2022

In the realm of kitchen design, customization has emerged as the epitome of luxury, with tailored features elevating functionality and aesthetics. The trend is exemplified by the meticulous attention to detail seen in Becky Hillyard’s 328-square-foot kitchen, designed in collaboration with Laura McCroskey of McCroskey Interiors. Hillyard chose white oak built-ins and sliding panels, precisely crafted to accommodate spice jars and cooking essentials with a level of precision that would satisfy even the most detail-oriented Home Edit enthusiasts.

The built-in spice rack, concealed behind sliding panels, epitomizes the marriage of a seamless, clean aesthetic with highly functional storage. Hillyard expresses her satisfaction, noting that everything needed for cooking is neatly organized behind these panels, offering both efficiency and visual appeal. According to Stacy McCarthy, Middleby Designer Services Manager, this luxury storage trend is making significant waves in the design landscape. Exterior cabinetry with specific purposes, such as hand spice drawers, oil drawers, and technical cabinets, has become immensely popular. These features can be seamlessly integrated with kitchen ranges, creating all-in-one luxury islands reminiscent of high-end restaurant setups.

Tile Is Having Its Renaissance Moment

kitchen trends 2022

In the evolving landscape of kitchen design, tiles are experiencing a captivating revival, challenging any preconceived notions about the aesthetic allure of these seemingly mundane elements. Renowned designer Jonathan Adler emphatically declares that the dominant kitchen trends for 2024 can be succinctly summarized in three words: tile, tile, and tile. Adler, fueled by his enthusiasm for tiles, even launched his own collection in collaboration with Lunada Bay Tile this year.

Adler’s counsel for those intrigued by the potential of tiles is to unleash their creative spirit and explore organic and craft-inspired options. He encourages the embrace of unique textures and patterns, envisioning a harmonious pairing of rich wood cabinets in materials like teak or walnut with a textured tile backsplash. The result, he assures, will be a kitchen transformation so compelling that there’s no turning back.

The Statement Appliance Is Back with Flair

kitchen trends 2022

As we step into 2024, the realm of kitchen appliances is witnessing a distinct divergence in preferences among consumers regarding how these essential functional elements should integrate into their living spaces. According to Jeff Sweet, Corporate Manager of Product Marketing at Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, consumers are increasingly inclined toward either seamlessly integrating appliances into the kitchen design, creating a sleek and modern ambiance with concealed devices, or opting for a more traditional approach where appliances take center stage as statement pieces.

This duality is evident in the contrasting aesthetics of kitchen refrigerators. On one end of the spectrum, there’s a growing trend towards inconspicuous refrigerators cleverly concealed behind cabinet panels, presenting a minimalist and unobtrusive look. On the other end, there’s a bold and expressive movement featuring statement refrigerators that unabashedly capture attention. These standout fridges have become the focal point of kitchens, garnering as much notice as a freshly prepared beef Wellington.

Interestingly, the rise of refrigerator art is indicative of a broader trend. Pinterest searches for “refrigerator art” surged by 90 percent in the past year, reflecting a growing willingness among people to challenge norms and express themselves boldly in their living spaces. Jeremy Jankowski, Pinterest’s Home and Design Creator Management Lead, suggests that this trend is likely to persist, emphasizing that individuals are increasingly unafraid to take risks and showcase maximalist self-expression, particularly in the home space where the boundaries between work and leisure have blurred. This movement towards soulful spaces marked by free self-expression echoes the spirit of the ’70s but emerges as a distinct and contemporary movement. All in favor of vibrant Barbie-pink food vessels, rejoice!

Vintage Is the New New

kitchen trends 2022

In the evolving landscape of kitchen design, the environmentally conscious individuals of the upcoming generation are aligning their decorating choices with their sustainability values, as noted by Jeremy Jankowski. He observes a shift in trends where people are exploring innovative ways to cherish and repurpose existing items in their homes. Contrary to previous practices that leaned towards extensive remodeling, stripping spaces down to the baseboards, contemporary preferences on Pinterest indicate a rejection of mass-produced aesthetics. Instead, there’s a growing inclination to preserve and celebrate pre-owned spaces that come with an authentic and meaningful narrative. The era of ambitious cabinet overhauls is making way for resourceful cabinet refacing, often drawing inspiration from treasures found in Grandpa’s storage shed.

Designers Have a Soft Spot for the Built-In Banquette

kitchen trends 2022

Embracing an era of comfort and relaxation, the trend of seamlessly integrating kitchens with living and dining spaces takes center stage, according to insights from designer Robert Couturier. A shift towards coziness is observed, marked by the prevalence of banquettes, bookcases, and inviting atmospheres. In a recent project by designer Augusta Hoffman, located in an Upper East Side apartment, the appeal of a snug banquette adorned in Schumacher Rocky performance velvet exemplifies the charm of a comfortable kitchen corner. Hoffman emphasizes the choice between a practical kitchen with stain-resistant seating and stainless steel accents or the alternative path, which involves layering with warm tones, molding, and fabric elements—a route that irresistibly invites a sense of warmth and sophistication. So, feel free to invest in a good textile cleaner and create a welcoming nook in your culinary haven.