ClosePhoto: Peter Valli; designed by Jeanne Chung.
We’re not ashamed to admit that we save, pin, and heart countless beautifully designed kitchens on our social media feeds. (We may not be in the middle of a renovation, but we can still dream, right?) So, we were excited when the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recently released its 2024 Kitchen Trends report. This report is a compilation of key insights from 630 industry professionals like designers, manufacturers, contractors, and architects.
Jeanne Chung, principal designer of Cozy·Stylish·Chic and NKBA member, emphasizes the importance of natural wood in kitchens for warmth. White oak and walnut are trending, while alder is gaining popularity due to its stainability, grain pattern, and versatility in modern and traditional settings. It offers a neutral tone without the heaviness of some other wood species.
NKBA reports that contemporary, modern, mid-century, and Scandinavian designs will be in demand for kitchen cabinets. These styles feature flat panel designs, hardware-free, and push-to-open technology. Optimized storage is a high-demand feature, with over 50% of NKBA respondents seeking walk-in, butler, and built-in pantries. Additionally, 37% of homeowners desire cabinets with customizable drawer dividers and partitions. There is a growing preference for floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, deep lower cabinets for maximum storage, and more drawers with built-in charging stations to enhance functionality. Beverage stations, such as coffee cabinets, smoothie centers, and wine bars, are a rising microtrend, with 60% of NKBA respondents planning to include them in their designs. These can range from simple alcoves to more complex setups with a mini fridge, sink, and other features. Quartz countertops are the top choice for 73% of respondents, followed by quartzite, granite, sintered stone, and marble. Quartz is praised for its easy maintenance, stain resistance, and heat tolerance. Traditional countertop edges will remain popular, but waterfall styles will also gain traction. countertop colors are expected to be lighter than cabinets and have a honed or matte finish. Layered lighting is becoming increasingly important in kitchen design. Designers are incorporating various layers, including ambient, decorative, and nighttime lighting. Julee Ireland, a designer and NKBA member, compares lighting to the jewelry of a home, highlighting the importance of creating layers from the ground up. She suggests using soft LED base lighting around the island, under-cabinet lighting, cove lighting, unique fixtures over the kitchen island, and wall sconces depending on the design.Technology is playing a huge role in lighting selections. Fixtures now need features like motion sensing, voice activation, and programmability to fit people’s lifestyles and schedules. When it comes to lighting looks, 54 percent of people are opting for gold, brass, or copper fixture colors. Black and silver are runners-up.
Quiet luxury has a new meaning in the kitchen. Designers are mindful of appliance noise levels and raucous design elements. For example, nearly 65 percent favor ultra-quiet dishwashers, and 41 percent ditch noisy trash compactors for standard pull-out receptacles. Soft push-to-open cabinet technology remains popular with almost 44 percent agreeing homeowners enjoy this clean approach to hardware. In not-so-surprising news, stainless steel is still dominating the kitchen. There was a slight uptick of other appliance finishes in recent years, but stainless steel is still the number one choice, followed by paneling to match cabinet faces. French door refrigerators will continue to be popular, and refrigerator drawers are becoming more mainstream. Gas ranges are on the decline, and invisible induction cooktops integrated into countertops are in demand. Statement range hoods are becoming a focal point in high-end kitchens. 67 percent of designers will choose to make it a focal point using wood, stainless steel, or a mix of materials or metals. 56 percent elected to make it a wood or painted wood, followed by stainless at 51 percent. Kitchen islands are getting bigger and better. Designers are incorporating more storage, electronic features, seating, meal prep space, and more. 56 percent of respondents plan to add a kitchen island or maximize the size of an existing one in future projects. Islands are becoming a design focal point with distinct color cabinetry and/or countertop.This design by Sandra Gjesdahl features large windows as part of biophilic design. People are desiring a stronger connection with nature, and large windows, glass doors, and window walls can bring the outdoors into the kitchen. 66 percent of survey takers will incorporate larger windows in projects. Sustainability is a crucial aspect in today’s design. It’s hard to write a trend story without mentioning it as many industry professionals make it a part of their mission statements. 51 percent of respondents consider product longevity when purchasing big-ticket items like appliances to aim for fewer replacements. Designers are reducing consumption through water-conserving and energy-efficient products. When renovating a kitchen, more homeowners are donating used products. 43.5 percent of survey respondents donated cabinetry and 37 percent donated appliances. On a micro level, designers are prioritizing storage for recycling (52.5 percent) and composting (23 percent) in kitchens. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit
