Design experts tell us the kitchen trends they’re looking forward to more of in 2024 – all to make your cooking spaces feel more special
These kitchen trends in 2024 are going to help you stay ahead of the curve, especially if you’re planning a remodel or are building your home from scratch. From new colors, finishes, shapes to textures and materials, experts reveal all that will be popular next year.
‘Kitchens will feel like another extension of the home; like a room, an additional living space within the house rather than a utilitarian place to prepare food in,’ says interior designer Joy Moyler. ‘This will see more refined materials, art, and antiques, move into the space as it becomes less focused on pure function.’
If you want to give a more on-trend direction to your modern kitchen design, then these 29 points are important to take note of.
1. TEXTURED TILES
Glossy or matt, ridged or embossed, kitchen tiles will be doing a lot of heavy lifting in 2024, bringing texture to a room that always benefits from a point of contrast. It’s a trend you can buy into even if you’re averse to color. In fact, we’d say that it’s crucial to make neutral spaces feel far more interesting with texture. Look closely in the image above, and you’ll notice the glossy textured tiles, created using an old-fashioned press, after a double dose of detail.
‘Creating that ‘wow’ factor in a kitchen is all about the materials you use and the finishes you choose to use those materials in,’ says Katie Paulsen, interior designer at Maestri Studio. ‘Are you utilizing honed or polished textures with your countertops and tiles? All these add layering to the space.’
2. PARED-BACK HARDWARE
Last year kitchens featured gold islands, but 2024 is going to be all about a slightly more pared-back approach to kitchen metallics (except for the stainless steel kitchens!). Metallics will glint at us from the recessed handles of drawers and outline the edges of cabinetry. Contrasted with blackened oak cupboard fronts, and sleek concrete-style kitchen countertops, these additions will add an elevated look to the space.
‘A unique mix of materials and textures for kitchen cabinet knobs are having their moment,’ says Nadia Watts, founder of Nadia Watts Interior Design. ‘Integrated pulls are sleek and functional and handleless cabinets are all the rage. Sleek, clean lines still rule with knobs and handles going incognito allowing simplicity to shine and the cabinetry to take center stage. On the flip side of the modern streamlined approach, vintage and antique styles are in, with distressed finishes and unique one-of-a-kind vintage inspired designs.’
‘I think we are seeing a huge appreciation for hardware at the moment,’ says Samantha Struck, founder of StruckSured Interiors. ‘I think with the market shifts and people being a bit more budget conscious, we are seeing people save on the cabinets themselves but splurging on the hardware to elevate the result. As a rule of thumb, if you have to choose where to spend versus save, put the money into the items you physically touch and interact with (in this case, the hardware over the cabinets).’
3. SCULPTURAL STONE ISLANDS
Dramatically dark and veined stones continue to be a popular look for kitchens, but you can take it one step further by carving unique kitchen islands out of blocks of stone. The latest stone islands feature ribbed or fluted detailing and can lift a large apartment kitchen and fill it with personality.
When it comes to the choice of stone, kitchen design trends these days are favoring a mix of classic and contemporary styles. ‘In terms of marble colors, the most popular choices are timeless white and light-colored marbles,’ says Aparna Kaushik, founder & architect at Aparna Kaushik Design Group. ‘ White marble, such as Carrara or Calacatta, remains a top choice due to its elegant and clean appearance, which complements various kitchen designs. Light-colored marbles with subtle veining are also trending, as they add a touch of sophistication while maintaining a sense of simplicity. These marble colors create a bright and open feel in the kitchen, making them particularly popular for smaller spaces or those seeking a modern and fresh aesthetic.’
4. ‘BUTTER YELLOW’ KITCHENS
A few years ago, the fashion world was dressing like a ‘stick of butter’ in shades of soft yellow and cream. Now it looks like the dairy-inspired phenomenon is heading our way – and actually, we’re pretty into it. A light buttery yellow kitchen is an ideal choice for the more contemporary-minded; particularly the kitchen, where it has just enough glow to stand out in a nice, sunny way.
‘I think 2024 will be a mix of soft neutrals and rich earth colors,’ says Shelagh Conway, principal and founder of Triple Heart Design. ‘Think of the morning light at sunrise. Nature will continue to play a large role in home design from sustainability to creating the zen that can be achieved in the outdoors. Nature has a powerful rhythm!’
5. COLOR BLOCKING
When it comes to kitchen color schemes, the latest trend is to go bold and experiment with color block. If your kitchen is part of an open plan space or is visually connected to the dining room or living room, consider a color block to give not only this space but even the rest of the home a big boost in personality.
‘The inspiration for the color scheme came from the unique backsplash tile,’ says Michael Wyrock, principal designer, Nistenhaus. ‘This home is charming already with its architectural character, and the clients have a more playful design style, so it made sense to infuse the kitchen with color and pattern for a unique look.’
6. WOOD FLOORING
When it comes to kitchen floors, interior designers are finding more and more that their clients want wood, where these spaces have been traditionally tiled for practical reasons.
‘When we are working to resolve a problem for a brownstone interior design project or a minimalist loft, we also like making sure that our work will stand the test of time,’ says Jarret Yoshida, a New York Brownstone interior designer. ‘So for flooring, we always suggest natural oak wood kitchen flooring as being our overall winner for flexibility and style resilience. Timeless and light, a great oak floor makes a room feel open and airy. In particular, it doesn’t have the reddish tones that cherry or mahogany do which can be a real challenge to complement when it comes to paint color or upholstery choices.’
7. COLOR IN PANTRIES
When it comes to kitchen pantry color ideas, there is a shift towards using darker tones, to fill this space with personality, while also cleverly hiding any stains or dents. The pantry is a generally hardworking space that witnesses a lot of use and abuse. Large boxes, heavy bags and more can cause this space to look a little dishevelled. But darker paint tones can hide these issues easily while giving the room a fresh look, always.
‘Granite Peak‘ and ‘Merlot‘ by Sherwin-Williams continue from the kitchen into this whimsical pantry,’ says Benjamin Johnston, founder of Benjamin Johnston Design. ‘An eye-catching and unexpected library ladder ties the color palette together seamlessly.’
8. ROUNDED ISLANDS
Tangram kitchen collection by Cesar
Why does a big or small kitchen island have to have a sharp corner? Answer: of course it doesn’t. And designers are realising that actually rounded edges are more convivial, and conducive to friends and family sitting around their kitchen together. Plus, it creates extra circulation area in the room.
‘Curves are so much more inviting than hard edges,’ says the interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan. ‘They soften a space.’
9. “BACK KITCHENS”
The back kitchen trend or a scullery has been gaining popularity, especially since celebrities world over have embraced this concept too – most recently seen in Kris Jenner’ home. This highly essential space hides all the clutter of the main kitchen. Think: dishes, linens, dry goods, appliances, groceries, hardware and more. In fact, for busy families, this space is used as part pantry, part prep kitchen and part storage space.
As the kitchen is becoming more and more a room to host parties and for friends to gather around, the need for this space has increased. ‘People prefer not to have dirty dishes and mess on display while entertaining,’ says Kashi Shikunova, director of interior design practise Yam Studios. ‘It’s essential to ensure that the scullery offers plenty of storage and workspace.’ This space houses cleaning facilities such as a spacious sink and possibly a dishwasher, along with cooking equipment and a fridge, making it the perfect functional space.
10. COLORFUL TAPS
If you’re wondering how to choose a kitchen faucet, it’s time to go bold. It’s natural to turn to muted color palettes, but that wouldn’t be a Livingetc-approved trend without a little twist. It’s the pop of a jewel-bright tone or a bright color on the faucet that gives a little jolt of energy a room like this really needs.
‘Clients request a lot of brass and graphite/pewter faucets in their kitchens,’ says Samantha. ‘I don’t think these colors will ever go out of style so definitely a safe choice in the long run. ‘
11. AGED BRASS
When it comes to kitchen faucets trends, brass remains to be popular, but we’re seeing unlacquered styles, allowed to naturally patina, come to the forefront.
‘We still do a lot of aged brass in our projects,’ says Samantha. ‘From a lifecycle standpoint, I think people are still very interested in timelessness and want selections they know will last beyond one trend cycle.’
‘Many designers suggest a living unlacquered brass finish,’ says