We are not ashamed to admit that we have a heart that saves and anchors Countless Beautifully designed kitchens are posted on social media feeds. (We may not be in the middle of a renovation, but we can still dream, right?) So, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recently compiled key insights into 2024 Kitchen Trends. We were excited when we published the report. Opinions from 630 industry experts including designers, manufacturers, contractors, and architects.
This report reveals projected trends in residential kitchen products, materials, and finishes for the next three years (yes, you read that right! Three years!). In general, warm neutrals, light woods, and earth tones are becoming more popular, while all-white kitchens, gray cabinets, off-the-range microwaves, and trash compactors are fading away. Read on to find out more about what's coming to newly designed kitchens in 2024.
gold finish
For a while, it seemed like black hardware would take the top spot in terms of finish color, but in the NKBA survey, gold is now number one for kitchen faucets, according to nearly 50 percent of respondents. , then stainless steel, then black. As for the actual finish, matte, brushed, or satin are preferred. Probably because it hides dirt and fingerprints better than a polished finish. On a related note, if you're into sink trends, the super cool workstation kitchen sinks (which usually come with a cutting board, strainer, and drying rack) have become very popular.
Solid surface as backsplash
CreativaStudio/Getty Images
It's very easy to see the appeal behind the Slavic trend. That means at least 61 percent of NKBA respondents recognize its appeal. “Yes, it looks incredibly luxurious, but there's also no grout lines to clean.” Easy maintenance with just a quick wipe. One of the most popular slab options is quartz. Other popular backsplash alternatives include patterned tiles (hexagons, chevrons, herringbone, etc.) and subway he designs. Generally, backsplash colors feature warm neutrals, earth tones, and muted tones.
green
Peter Valli; Designed by Jeanne Chung of Cozy·Stylish·Chic
Goodbye white kitchen! Well, in a way. All-white kitchens are here, along with wood tones and creamy whites. However, the actual popular color for 32% of respondents is greenPerhaps this is partly due to the rise of biophilic design, which seeks to integrate nature into decor. Vicki Cerany, co-founder of Southern Studio and NKBA member, said: We blended green cabinetry with natural wood and even creamy white. For a client who was a little wary of tackling green cabinets, we used a rich green backsplash and neutrally painted cabinets with beautiful results. ”
wood grain cabinet
The DIY trend of painting cabinets has now faded, and we're all jumping on the plain wood bandwagon. Jeanne Chung, lead designer for Cozy, Stylish, and Chic and NKBA member, agrees. “A warm natural wood is essential in the kitchen. White oak and walnut are at the top of the list of trending wood species, but with beautiful stains and beautiful grain patterns, they can be used in both modern and traditional settings. I've also started using alder because it's good for both…it has a neutral tone and doesn't feel heavy or aged like other woods.'' Cabinet-wise style, NKBA reports that contemporary, modern, mid-century, and Scandinavian designs will be popular. Consider a flat panel design with no hardware and push-to-open technology.
Optimized storage
Adam Kane Macchia photo. Designed by Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn and his AKBD
Music to our true, simple ears: well-crafted cabinets that prioritize organization are in high demand. According to the NKBA, over 50% of respondents are looking for walk-ins, butlers, and built-in pantries. Additionally, 37% of homeowners want cabinets with customizable drawer dividers or partitions. Customers also requested floor-to-ceiling cabinets, deep lower cabinets to maximize storage, and additional drawers and built-in charging stations to improve cabinet functionality.
beverage station
Dustin Peck photography; design by Vicky Serany of Southern Studio
Another micro-trend on the rise? Beverage stations such as coffee cabinets, smoothie centers, and wine bars. Her 60% of NKBA respondents expect this feature to be added to design layouts. The benefit of this trend is that it can be very simple, like just a small alcove for hydration, or you can add in a mini-fridge, sink, or other features.
quartz countertops
Peter Valli; Designed by Jeanne Chung of Cozy·Stylish·Chic
A whopping 73% of respondents voted for quartz as their countertop material. Runners-up include quartzite, granite, sintered stone, and marble. Quartz is a stain-resistant, heat-resistant, and easy-to-clean surface. Traditional countertop edges (such as bullnose, bevel, or square) will continue to prevail, but waterfall styles will also be popular. Generally, countertops are lighter in color than cabinets and can be honed or matte. According to the NKBA, both natural and artificial surfaces will be popular.
layered lighting
We've talked about the importance of layered lighting before when it comes to other spaces in your home, and it's just as impactful in the kitchen. Designers are now incorporating more lighting layers into their plans, including ambient lighting, decorative lighting, and night lighting. Designer and NKBA member Julie Ireland says, “Lighting is the jewelery of a home, and building layers from the ground up is so important.'' I like using soft LED-based lighting, especially around islands; We use under-cabinet lighting, cove lighting, something unique and spectacular for the kitchen island, and some wall sconces depending on the design.'' Technology also plays a big role in the lighting choices people make. is playing. Lighting equipment needs to include features such as motion sensing, voice activation, and programmability to fit people's lifestyles and schedules. When it comes to lighting, Appearance However, 54% of people choose gold, brass, or copper for their fixtures. The runners-up are black and silver.
quiet home appliances
Quiet luxury takes on a whole new meaning in the kitchen. Designers are now paying close attention to the noise levels emitted by appliances, in addition to noisy design elements such as banging cabinet doors. For example, when looking for a new dishwasher, nearly 65% favor an ultra-quiet model, and 41% ditch the noisy trash compactor for a standard pull-out bin. Soft-push open cabinet technology remains popular, with around 44% agreeing that homeowners enjoy this clean approach to hardware.
stainless steel
Stacey Van Berkel photography; design by Vicky Serany of Southern Studio
Not surprisingly, stainless steel continues to dominate kitchens. In recent years, there has been a slight increase in other finishes on home appliances (such as glossy white and matte black), hinting at a possible change, but that was a mistake. Stainless steel remains the first choice, followed by panels to match the cabinet surface. If you're wondering what styles are trending, French door refrigerators are here to stay and refrigerator drawers are becoming more mainstream. Gas ranges are on the decline, and demand for invisible induction cooktops built into the cooking surface is increasing.
statement range hood
Adam Kane Macchia photo.Design by Sarah Robertson (AKBD)
What we've been seeing lately in high-end kitchens are luxurious hoods. This is a unique way to give your kitchen a truly custom feel. According to NKBA, 67 percent of designers choose to use wood, stainless steel, or a combination of those materials and metals to make it a focal point. 56% chose wood or painted wood, followed by stainless steel at 51%.
Eat-in kitchen with island
Rebecca McAlpin. Design by Lori Kurnitsky of NCIDQ, co-designers Olga Carlson and Michele Plachter
Kitchen islands aren't a new concept, but they're getting bigger and better as designers incorporate more storage, electronic features, seating, meal prep space, and more. Fifty-six percent of respondents have plans to add a kitchen island in a future project or maximize the size of their existing kitchen. In addition to functional needs, islands are becoming design focal points with uniquely colored cabinets and countertops. In this regard, Ireland says: “The island is the focal point and an opportunity to create a work of art using a unique stone, contrasting color, or material. Like fine furniture in the kitchen, use unique, textured cabinets to create a variety Sarah Robertson, Principal Designer at Studio Dearborn, added: “I’ve seen an interesting evolution in island design trending away from ‘in-a-row’ island seating towards ‘wraparound’ seating, which is my favorite layout.”
big window
Reed Rolls.Design by Sandra Jesdal
This goes back to the biophilic design I mentioned earlier. People want to connect more with nature, and large windows, glass doors, and window walls can help bring the outdoors into the kitchen. His 66% of survey respondents plan to work on projects in a larger window.
sustainability
With so many industry professionals now making sustainability part of their mission statements, it's difficult to write a trend story without mentioning it. In fact, 51% of respondents consider product longevity when purchasing big-ticket items such as home appliances, with the ultimate goal of reducing replacement costs. Meanwhile, designers aim to reduce consumption through water-saving and energy-efficient products. Additionally, more homeowners are donating used products when renovating their kitchens, with 43.5% of survey respondents reporting donating furniture and 37% reporting donating appliances. At a micro level, designers prioritize storage for recycling (52.5%) and composting (23%) in the kitchen.
