The kitchen is closed and it's getting dark.
There are several reasons why a beautifully designed kitchen is essential. First, it's the space where you spend the most time: with your family, cooking, eating, working, etc. It's also important to remember that the right kitchen can increase the resale value of your home.
While all-white and farmhouse-style kitchens have remained popular for years now (blame the pandemic and supply chains), homeowners, designers, and developers are finally starting to notice that kitchen styles are evolving. Elements that were once “must-haves” are now “no-nos.” Here are 12 kitchen design trends that will fade in 2023, according to experts and interior designers.
Pure white kitchen
Gone are the days of white kitchens
“The days of all-white are coming to an end,” says Lori Levin Harris of Brock & Lori, a real estate broker in Los Angeles. “For the last decade, it was all white walls, white tile and Carrara marble. People are getting tired of those bland palettes, and designers are bringing in color. We're loving it.”
And most designers agree that all-white kitchens will look outdated by 2023. So what will be the new white? There's no single answer. Alice Arterberry and Barrett Cooke of Arterberry Cooke believe that modern kitchens will feature two or three contrasting, complementary shades. “Monochrome kitchens lack depth and visual interest. Incorporating complementary hues into your kitchen can elevate the space while still maintaining timelessness.”
Kirsten Blazek, interior designer at a1000xBetter He sees dark wood cabinets making a comeback. “White oak cabinets have dominated kitchen design for years, but I think that era is coming to an end and we'll start to see a more saturated palette in kitchen design. The right dark brown cabinets are timeless and can be paired with so many other great finishes.”
Open Kitchen
The open kitchen is closed
Open floor plans, and open kitchens in particular, are a hot topic of discussion in design circles right now. While a practical choice for some, many homeowners are growing tired of this design choice in a post-pandemic world. Harris' clients are asking for walls to be closed off in their kitchens. “Especially if you have a family, you don't want to see dirty dishes or cereal boxes when you're eating dinner or entertaining guests. Some of our open floor plan clients are building walls to separate the kitchen from the dining room. We're seeing a resurgence in the more traditional style, where the kitchen, dining room, and living room are all separated. It can create a unique space.”
Matte Black Hardware
Matte black hardware is likely for 2022
While matte black hardware was ubiquitous in 2022, expect to see less of it in 2023. “This is down to resellers. Matte black hardware has never really appealed to me, but I can understand why some people prefer the minimalist nature and darker tones of matte black when opting for a more handsome look,” says interior designer Sarah Weichel of Swike.
So what's a good alternative? Weikel recommends considering oil-rubbed bronze for a more modern look, and predicts we'll see more polished nickel and chrome in the coming year.
Upper Cabinet
Upper cabinet completed
The days of standard closed top cabinets are coming to an end, to be replaced by open shelving. Sapna Aggarwal of Bungalowe says, “Top cabinets are disappearing. Beautifully designed open shelves are here to stay. Going without top cabinets is a great way to save money and creates an opportunity to show off your personality by creating a beautifully designed den.”
But doing it right also means staying organized. “Our clients are very keen to hide everything from crockery to appliances. Gone are the days of displaying china and cookbooks; a minimalist, clean look is in. Keep cookbooks in the pantry and hide appliances in cabinets for a zen, uncluttered look,” says Harris.
Faux Finish
Artificial marble to be phased out in 2023
According to Lauren Cherkus, president and chief sales officer of Artistic Tile, the key to 2023 is to keep things authentic in your kitchen. [such as quartz that looks like marble] “Natural stone will definitely be on the rise as a kitchen trend for luxury consumers in 2023. For discerning customers, using natural stone for floors, countertops and backsplashes is the only option. It's a classic look for kitchens that transcends trends.”
Cherkas believes these finishes will be better for homeowners in the long run: “They're also a sustainable choice because they're durable. With minimal maintenance, they'll outlast many of the other elements of your kitchen.”
Herringbone Backsplash
My kitchen won't look like this next year.
Herringbone backsplashes made a comeback in popularity a few years ago when herringbone flooring regained popularity, but Christopher Peacock, founder and CEO of Christopher Peacock, says the style's days are numbered: “While herringbone patterns are great for floors, they're not great for backsplashes because they can get too cluttered, and you need a large area to fully enjoy them.”
Carrera Marble
Carrera marble is too much
This is another hot topic because while Carrera marble is beautiful and loved by almost everyone, it has also become so ubiquitous that it's almost annoying. So in 2023, we may see a lot less of it. Peacock thinks homeowners can do better. “I think Carrera is worn out, and it's hard to find good slabs because classic Carrera has changed so much now. It's not for me unless I find a nice piece with a lot of white in it. There's a lot of white marble out there, but it's very expensive, so Carrera may be budget-friendly, but it's not considered as beautiful as other white marbles.”
Appliances above the range
Run the microwave
While placing a microwave above the range has been the standard for many years, that standard is now changing. “Don't put appliances above your range. The design benefits of the space above your range far outweigh the utilitarian trend of using that space for appliances. Some might say it's a waste not to use this upper cabinet area for storage and appliances,” says Tamara Younis of Union of the Art Interiors.
Contemporary aesthetics
Modern kitchens will be in decline by 2023
HGTV star and interior designer Francesca Grace of Francesca Grace Homes says the organic kitchen aesthetic is becoming outdated: “I'm a maximalist, so I tend to steer clear of neutral tones, and I think we'll be seeing a lot more color in kitchens in 2023. Think lots of rich hues, like dark greens, blacks, blues and even merlot cabinets, and more characterful tones, like beautiful veined marble for countertops.”
Farmhouse Kitchen
Farmhouse kitchens are finally going away
Laugh and enjoy the fact that farmhouse-style kitchens won't be trendy in 2023. “We've all seen it so many times, it's time to refresh this style, and it's easy to do. It's a trend that's starting to become basic. We want to see more personality and character in kitchens, and I think we'll be seeing a lot of that in the future,” Grace says.
tile backsplash
Say goodbye to tiles
According to Arterberry and Cook, patterned tile backsplashes are falling out of favor. “Patterned or mosaic wall tiles can look cluttered and dysfunctional. Opt for solid slab stone that matches your countertops for a calm, simple look. You can also have fun with the paint color of your cabinets.” [instead].”
Cool and ultra-modern design
The cold kitchen is starting to warm up
IG Workshop co-founders Renata Bascones and Samantha Gallacher predict that cold modern elements like shiny finishes and sharp edges will be replaced by a warmer, more inviting style. “Kitchens are now more inviting and warm, with designers eschewing shiny finishes and sharp edges. We're seeing more curved islands, wood grains and interesting use of texture. Polished leather-clad stone is replacing glossy stone slabs, and bolder colors are being incorporated into designs.”
