2024 is a new year, and with the new year comes new kitchen design trends. In some aspects, we’re not seeing too much divergence from 2023, particularly when it comes to the farmhouse chic aesthetic that’s been all the rage in recent years. But in other ways, expect a more dramatic sea change in the new year, especially in regards to the uber-bold maximalist fads that rapidly took the home design world by storm.
So, what’s in and what’s out for kitchen design in 2024? Let’s dive in and see how you can ride the wave of kitchen trends without getting wiped out by fads that might already be falling out of favor.
Color Is Back! (Just Don’t Go Overboard.)
Early in the 2020s, the monochromatic look was the look for stylish kitchens. In particular, many designers and tastemakers went all in on all-white. Yet in 2023, we began to see some backlash to monochromatic kitchens, as trends like the heavy on hot pink Barbiecore suddenly captured the imagination of enterprising designers and ambitious homeowners eager to bring pops of color back into vogue.
Going into 2024, Barbiecore may be no more, but that does not mean you need to return to the all-white palette to stay in style. Expect bold colors to continue to make their way onto kitchen walls, but also expect more balanced palettes. Instead of designing monochromatic schemes in all-white or solely one other color for the sake of social media views, 2024 looks to be more about making a home’s kitchen into a warm and inviting space for you and your loved ones.
Get Grounded in Warm Colors and Natural Woods
Staying on the subject of color, the larger home design trend of paying homage to the natural environment—inside and out—is warming up the kitchen in 2024. In 2023, blue and green began to pick up steam as go-to colors to brighten up the kitchen space. In 2024, blue and green will probably continue to gain popularity, but consider branching out and spicing up the kitchen with warm and nature-inspired colors as well.
Now that people are shying away from “statement kitchens” primarily designed for internet clout, they’re turning more to colors inspired by nature and to colors that create a warm and comforting environment that draws everyone into the kitchen. In the new year, keep your eyes out for rich shades of brown, burgundy, berry red, and even floral purple.
2024 also appears to be the year of the natural wood comeback. For a while, trendy homeowners were ditching natural wood cabinets in favor of strong shades of black and white. But now, homeowners are again letting wood’s natural hues shine through in kitchen cabinetry.
White oak and walnut are becoming especially popular cabinet materials, but don’t be surprised if birch and alder gain momentum in the kitchen this year thanks to their sustainability and eye-catching grain pattern.
Mix It Up With Additional Materials
While natural wood is certainly an emerging kitchen design trend, designers and tastemakers aren’t limiting themselves to just wood. Layering and blending might be another kitchen design trend set to gain mainstream popularity in 2024. Metal accents can complete a polished look, and gold-colored hardware is a great way to add color to your kitchen while blending in with your overall aesthetic vision.
Beyond wood and metals, make room for more marble and stone in the kitchen. If you still want to add some elements of drama without going overboard with the wall paint(s), consider marble or stone countertops. Thanks to its remarkable veining, White marble is making its way into design-forward kitchens. But if you don’t want to take on too much risk of staining or chipping, quartzite is a similarly stunning stone option for snazzy countertops.
Also, remember that you don’t have to limit yourself to countertops to utilize marble and other natural stones. If you want to move beyond the typical tiles, you can also do marble or stone floors and backsplashes to help your kitchen stand out without making it feel out of place.
Pay Attention to Details
In 2024, the best kitchen for your home is the kitchen that truly takes care of all your needs. For less stress and more organization, don’t be afraid to optimize and customize your kitchen storage. If you like having smaller appliances like coffee machines, toaster ovens, and blenders within easy reach but don’t want to risk cluttering your counters, try an appliance garage to park your necessities while keeping up your kitchen’s aesthetics.
Or, if you’re a dedicated coffee aficionado who wants to bare it all (but do so tastefully), consider adding a coffee bar to have one dedicated area to all your coffee needs, or you can do a different beverage station if you prefer a similar arrangement for teas, smoothies, adult beverages, or whatever else that floats your boat.
For additional storage, you can go for a butler’s pantry or scullery to gain dedicated space for your silverware and china, plus you can use it as your own “staging area” for serving meals. Even if you don’t want to go too overboard with extra nooks and crannies, you can try adding additional drawers and inserts within your drawers to make it easier for you to organize your kitchen necessities.
Bring the Inside Out and Bring the Outside In
If you’ve spent a lot of time in California or the Desert Southwest, you’re probably familiar with the concept of indoor-outdoor living. But now that indoor-outdoor living is becoming a hot kitchen design trend nationwide, consider using your kitchen space(s) to reconnect with nature at home.
We’ve already discussed the value of choosing nature-inspired wall colors, such as oaky browns, berry reds, and leafy greens, to invigorate your kitchen inside your home. You can also add a large wood kitchen table for a vibrant, earthy touch that invites everyone to put down their internet-enabled devices and connect with each other. For an even stronger connection to the great outdoors, add a sliding door or French doors for natural light and the opportunity to let some fresh air in.
Meanwhile, if you have some outdoor space that you’d like to make into a special place that the whole family will enjoy, consider setting up your own outdoor kitchen area. In addition to the usual barbecue or pizza oven, you can start your own edible garden to grow your own herbs and leafy greens, and you can create an outdoor lounge with comfortable (and weather-resistant) seating to stage your own idyllic al fresco meals. With all of this said, be sure to keep those hot Texas summers in mind.
Ultimately, the Best Kitchen Design Trends Are the Ones That Make Your Kitchen Your Own
Whichever trends catch your eye, make sure you can live with them. While it’s great to maximize your kitchen’s aesthetics, don’t choose materials that easily stain or rust if that’s the kind of stuff that fuels your own kitchen nightmares. If you prefer a calming environment that’s not too distracting, try utilizing soothing earth tones over loud colors.
Since your kitchen is your cooking and dining space, you must put some time and thought into making it your own. And whenever you need help making that happen, we’re here to help.