Kitchens are a favorite of ours to design. There are countless ways to implement different materials, colors and make it uniquely yours. The heart of the home deserves a personality that makes it a place you love to spend your time. Homeowners are well aware that the kitchen is the best place to get a good return on their investment, but which investments are the most desirable? Read on… We’ve rounded up 18 of the top trends for 2022 and our thoughts on them.
1. investing more in to countertops, appliances and backsplash tile
Whether people are staying in their current homes or moving into a home to remodel or a new build, the trend leans towards people focusing their attention on counters, appliances and backsplash. Appliances are getting much more sophisticated – we’ve seen a rising trend in steam ovens, induction cooktops, and SmartHome technology features. Most people are choosing to upgrade to quartz countertops over granite or marble, due to the maintenance-free qualities and the lighter and less busy patterns that are available. Tile backsplashes are also a great way to add personality and to elevate the design of a kitchen. We are seeing homeowners splurge a little on making their backsplash extra special with beautiful tile, or by running their countertop material up the splash as well.
2. More focus on concealing common use items within cabinetry off of counters
Clutter-free is the goal. Everything from coffee makers inside of cabinets, to spice drawers, to blenders, to storage food canisters, the trend is finding storage solutions to make your counters free of almost everything. No one wants to see the toaster sitting out on the counter anymore!
3. Farmhouse-style kitchens are on the way out
Photo credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Galvanized metal, cross-back chairs and subway tile is seeing a bit of a decline this year, down 10% in popularity compared to 2021. For the right home, it’s still a timeless look and we don’t see it going fully to the wayside anytime soon. Instead of going all-out farmhouse, consider going with a classic or modern style with minimal touches of farmhouse. It will be less “theme-y” and will have better longevity.
4. Transitional style is largely popular, blending traditional and modern elements
A blend of the old and the new, it’s the perfect and timeless look for your kitchen. Often times these kitchens have a mix of materials and metals which allows them to hold character yet still have modern touches and clean lines. Transitional design will forever be a vibe.
5. Large islands where people can gather
An obvious choice, especially for those who love to host or have a big family. You can never go wrong with more counter space and a large, central area for everyone to gather. Go BIG or Go home!
7. Open floor plans are still largely popular
Another popular choice for those who love to be with the crowd while also whipping up a meal. Some may think open floor plans are on the wayside, but in our opinion they are here to stay.
8. White is still the #1 kitchen cabinet color
Not surprising by any means. White is classic, clean and goes with everything. We’ve seen more of our clients start to venture into other colors, but white still reigns in the cabinet color selections.
9. Browns, taupes, greens and blues are trending too
Photo credits: Studio McGee & Kelsey Leigh Design Co.
More and more requests for other neutral and earthy tones are coming into play for kitchen cabinet colors. What we love about these trending colors is that they are still wholesome and clean feeling, making them easy to coordinate with other kitchen elements.
10. Pantry/secondary kitchens are growing in popularity
Not just a closet with shelving, but functional pantries with lots of storage are the it thing. We are seeing more of these pantries have additional sinks and appliances, too. Making it into a “2nd kitchen” provides both beauty and function.
11. Integrated lighting (i.e. under cabinet lighting)
Having an assortment of lighting options gives a kitchen a whole new vibe. We are seeing a combination of recessed lighting for overall balanced illumination, paired with pendant lighting over the island, and under-cabinet lighting for more task oriented lighting. We love how undermount lighting options also add an ambiance to the kitchen and show off beautiful countertops and backsplashes.
12. Rift sawn white oak is still largely popular
Don’t panic! This is not the 1980’s honey oak! The “new” oak is warm, inviting, and homey. It doesn’t have the gold tones or the old style and it is less grainy due to the rift cut. It is also finished with more of a matte finish, which feels softer and more natural. We love rift sawn wood and apparently so do a lot of other people! If you’re looking for something that’s neutral but not white, rift sawn white oak is a wonderful option.
13. Mixed metals & STATEMENT HARDWARE
Most popular metal finishes for plumbing, cabinet hardware and light fixtures are matte black and brushed gold and we are typically mixing them rather than just doing one metal finish everywhere. Another way to implement this is by adding beautiful cabinet hardware. Think of statement hardware as jewelry for the kitchen.
15. countertop material for the backsplash vs. tile
We ADORE having the countertop extend into the backsplash and actually have a couple upcoming project reveals where we utilized this trend. If you’re already replacing your countertops, we’d highly recommend considering redoing your backsplash as well to achieve this clean and classy look!
16. paneled refrigerators and dishwashers
We love this trend. Having the panels allows the appliances to blend in to the cabinetry, making for a seamless look. Drawer microwaves are also becoming more and more popular!
18. one or two larger light fixtures over the center island
In interior design, typically we like to group items in odd numbers, but when it comes to over-island pendants we are loving the one or two pendant trend. It still feels balanced, and makes the space seem less busy.
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