EMILY HENDERSON - 7 Kitchen Trends That Have Real Staying Power (Because They’re That Good)

As Em said in her design word prediction post yesterday, “trends” are coming and going faster than most of us can complete a mood board we’re happy with. So when it comes to kitchens, a room that is one of the hardest and most expensive to change, we have to be EXTRA careful not to hop on a trend unless it truly speaks to our design soul. That should always be the rule when we are designing but it’s easy to get excited by new ideas right?! Also painting a wall isn’t the same as changing out tile:) So knowing that we always try to sift through the trends to showcase the ones that are both undeniably “happening” AND have a long shelf life. This year we are of course still seeing beautifully saturated colorful kitchens with whimsical details carried over from 2023 but I found that a lot of the trends we’re seeing are evelated throwbacks. Wanna see??

MIDCENTURY MODERN BACKSPLASH TILES (RETRO IN THE BEST WAY)

I feel VERY strongly about the muted-toned midcentury modern backsplash tiles. Think texture, color variation from tile to tile, and primarily laid in a vertical orientation. Take this beautiful kitchen by Meet West Studio. Those linear greenish-brown tiles are the perfect contrast to those stunningly grained wood cabinets (something we’ll talk about later:)). And yet the tiles still have a handmade feel that brings in texture and movement. Plus brown continues to reign supreme in 2024.

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What a beautiful way to add some color to a kitchen! This midcentury blue/green color is neutral enough if you don’t want to go too bold but has the perfect amount of personality. What I love about this design in particular that Heidi Lachapelle Interiors created is that since the tile is in a nook it feels so intentional and you don’t miss it from the other walls in the space. I also want to say that I think this style of vertical MCM tile would look great in a new build and add a lot of soul which can be challenging. Just some food for thought:)

But of course, not all MCM tile needs to be long and vertical. Take this incredible kitchen by Shapeless Studio where they took a zellige style square tile in classic warm MCM brown tones. The depth and personality it adds to an otherwise clean, modern design is so awesome. I think this also works so beautifully because of the tiled shelves and the fact that the tiles are also contained inside each nook. It keeps your eye relaxed and honestly just looks sick.

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Is it a trend piece without a feature from a 1000 x better?? Nope! So while this brown tile has a little less texture with less color variation, the stacked horizontal orientation and chocolaty brown make it a perfect fit for this trend. As I said, brown isn’t going anywhere and this kitchen does feel like the love child of MCM and 2024. The tonal design is pretty sexy if you ask me.

LIGHT GREEN CABINETS (WE’RE TALKIN MINTS AND SAGES)

I don’t know about you but mint green and light sage cabinetry have been everywhere I look. Let us not forget this kitchen that I have not been able to get out of my head since I first saw it. Didn’t know I was such a secret mint fan?? Maybe you will be too…

I dare you to not smile when you look at this kitchen by Hive Home. Now mint can be a tricky color because it can easily go youthful or shabby chic (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But in this kitchen, the cabinets are simple yet have just the right amount of detail (hello, cutouts!), and not having any uppers above the sink wall really makes the room feel sophisticated and open. I also can’t not talk about the floors. My heart be still! I think the large-scale yet neutral pattern of the wood floors paired with the colorful cabinets is a perfect balance and doesn’t put too much visual focus on either element. SO pretty.

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left: design by barlow and barlow, photo by alicia waite | right: design by studio gemma, styled by montana valich, photo by jacqui turk

As shown above, it’s a wildly versatile color that can work in a bunch of different styles. I love the colorful pairing that Barlow and Barlow chose. It’s vibrant but not overwhelming and the stone beautifully picks up the greens and the pinks. Then the kitchen that Studio Gemma designed is far more on the soft, neutral side. See VERSATILE! I love how the concrete floors pick up on the light gray undertone of the green so beautifully. Then to add some depth she chose darker woods that are just perfect (and we’ll be talking about in a minute:)).

So while this beautiful kitchen by Heidi Caillier isn’t exactly “mint” and is more sage, I still consider it in the same family. My, it’s stunning. These lighter green cabinets are a welcomed alternative to white or cream as they still feel soft but not completely neutral. Oh, and they’re also a little reprieve from the heavier dark green that’s been on top for the last 5+ years.

SPECIAL ACCENT SHELVES (IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS)

Now, I’m not calling this trend “easy to do” but out of all of them today I do think it’s the most accessible if you aren’t looking to do a full kitchen remodel (but can incorporate if you are!). While last year we predicted A LOT of whimsy (and there sure was:)), this year I’m predicting more small special moments…like floating accent shelves (aka not cabinetry replacements, just a fun addition).

Take these one above. They add such a nice, unexpected moment and makes this kitchen feel unique. Not only do they contrast the mint cabinetry but the rounded stacked look is simply cool. So if you are working with a designer that has access to a fabricator this could be something to consider if you like it! But if you don’t have easy access to a fabricator, then plenty of readymade options are purchasable online. Etsy is a great resource for custom-sized pieces.

This trend doesn’t have to be super modern. Take this design by one of my favorites Nina Farmer. The shelves are simple but are a bit more unique than your standard floating accent shelf. The sky is the limit when it comes to style, material, and even color options for this trend. If you love it, go for it and make it your own.

When I first saw this photo I fell deeeeeply in love with those tall inset display cabinets and immediately bookmarked it for my future home. What a beautiful way to show off your beautiful glassware that doesn’t take up too much real estate. It’s just so chic and for those of you doing gut renovations and have the space, I think it’s sooooo good.

But if you want to make your display cabinet a bit more functional, see what Erika from Peony + Honey DIY’d in her kitchen. She took her existing pantry and customized it into this beautiful seethrough pantry. Who doesn’t love a bifold door??

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Or you could add in an integrated display cabinet like this arched one in deVOL Kitchens showroom. It’s a way to add more storage for the pretty things you want to display without them taking up your main kitchen cabinet space. So again, if you have the space I think it’s a pretty good and beautiful idea. I’ll be very happy to see more of these special accents this year.

HIGH CONTRAST WOOD GRAIN CABINETS – THE MORE MOVEMENT THE BETTER

Are wood cabinets a new idea? Ha, no. However, I have been noticing more and more that not only is wood cabinetry maybe taking the spotlight from painted cabinets but it’s wood cabinetry that has a high contrast wood grain pattern. Now, I’m not talking about the old-school mountain homes or log cabin kitchens. Look at that incredible kitchen by Studio Day above. It’s warm, playful, sophisticated, and in a small way nostalgic. While the circle cutout detail in the upper cabinets is such a fresh, cool detail, the grain of the wood is almost giving “elevated honey oak of the 80s/90s”. I truly love it so so much. Also, notice the use of silver instead of gold in the hardware;)

This kitchen by Shapeless Studio is an perfect example of cabinetry that was panelled to enhance the grain variation.

Now using large wood panels with lots of visible grain feels very 2024. That means this large wall piece that Heather Cleveland Design had installed is stunning and very on trend…but also timeless. I think it’s also fair to say that darker woods are becoming more and more popular. I say this as someone who was obsessed with white oak for a long time and now can’t get enough of walnut. No one is safe from powerful trend tides:)

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Here is another example but in yet another style. House of Rolison really nailed the “refined reclaimed wood” look. There is so much movement in the grain that it nearly acts like an art piece!

design and photos by ajai guyot

This isn’t the first time I’ve called this trend. Back in 2022, I deemed that “metal kitchens” were on the rise. And while I wasn’t wrong (ha), it did take a bit more time to get into our homes. And in our homes it is! Take Ajai who coined her kitchen’s style as “Commercial Quaint”. She still wanted to keep to her soothing, cozy neutrals but instead of going for brass, she went silver, being inspired by commercial kitchens. So if you look at her beautiful kitchen (that she was able to remodel for UNDER $6,500!) her appliances, light and plumbing fixtures, and accessories are all silver. I think this trend will be one of the biggest this year.

Now, in Europe, this trend has been going on for a minute but as proven by Celia Solf’s effortlessly cool Italian kitchen that she designed with Very Simple Kitchen, it’s not slowing down. When mixed with wood and vintage accessories I really adore this style.

FLUSHMOUNT PARTY ( BUH BYE CANS)

I have a feeling this one is still percolating because the multi-flush mount look is coming to replace canned lighting. Did you see Orlando’s progress photo of his kitchen?? And this version above by Alexander &Co. is stunning! Regardless of flush mounts or cans, just make sure you have enough light in your kitchen. Excited to see where this one is headed.

HONORABLE MENTION – “CLUTTERED”/LIVED-IN KITCHENS

Ok, this one has been more of something I’m seeing on TikTok so no photos here but it’s no surprise that maximalism is headed into the kitchen. But it’s more about small decor and kitchen tools rather than color and pattern. I’d say it’s more haphazard which is honestly kinda fun! Interested to see if this will get some editorial attention or not:)

Well, there you have it! Another annual kitchen trend report is in the books. Any thoughts? Any additions you feel really strongly about?? But of course, these are just fun to talk about and get inspired by because if you love your kitchen then it’s perfect as is. Next week, Arlyn is going to be tackling bathroom trends so stay tuned!

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Studio Day | Photo by Taylor Hall O’Brien

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