It’s always been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and the latest trend report from the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) confirmed this. In fact, it confirmed that our cook spaces are growing bigger and better than ever, playing an even larger role in our homes’ overall design plans. The report, which is based on a survey of over 600 industry professionals, including designers, contractors, and manufacturers, predicts which kitchen styles and features will be most popular over the next three years.
Many of the forecasts might feel a little familiar (admittedly, interior design doesn’t move as quickly as fashion), but there are certainly a few new surprising nuggets. And it’s interesting to see how design choices are shifting, albeit gradually! Here’s what design professionals anticipate will be hot in kitchens next year and beyond.
Transitional Design Still Reigns Over Kitchens
Tetiana Sokolova of Capture Studio; Design by William Adams
According to the report, transitional design—which is essentially just the blending of traditional and modern design aesthetics—will continue to reign as the most popular style in kitchens across the country. In the survey, 72% of respondents voted for it, with contemporary/modern minimalism coming in second at 60%. Interestingly, more easily identifiable or mainstream aesthetics, like farmhouse, cottage, and Mediterranean, were far lower on the list, indicating their fading popularity.
Neutrals and Earthy Hues Dominate, but Greens and Blues Are Gaining Steam
Nate Sheets Photography; Design by Laura McCroskey
Major publications love to shout that color is in (including us!), but the reality is that neutrals, like browns, grays, black, and white, still dominate kitchen palettes. According to the report, an overwhelming 96% of respondents predict these neutrals will be the top color choice. When asked about specific, non-neutral colors, industry pros expect green (86%) and blue (78%) to rank highest amongst homeowners who are redesigning their kitchens.
They also believe homeowners will choose to weave a statement color into their cook spaces in subtler ways, like through backsplashes, wallpaper, kitchen islands, and decorative accessories.
Sleek White Oak Cabinetry Is in Demand
Alise O’Brien Photography; Design by James E. Howard and Kelly Johnson
White oak has had a firm grip on kitchen design for the past few years, and it doesn’t look like that’s changing anytime soon, with half of the respondents predicting it will be the top cabinet material for the next three years. However, there’s already a subtle shift towards darker colors, as walnut ranked second on the list of popular wood types at 28%.
As for the style of cabinets, sleek, modern European doors (or flat panel slabs) are the prevailing choice, though classic Shaker is in second place. This, along with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and panel-ready appliances that match cabinet faces, indicates a move towards sleeker, more streamlined spaces.
Quartz and Quartzite Are Top Countertop Choices
Quartz is still the number one material choice for countertops, according to 78% of the respondents. (Its popularity makes sense, though! You get the look of natural stone with none of the maintenance.) Quartzite—aka the real stuff—is in second place. Granite continues to drop in ranking, with less than half of respondents (43%) claiming it’ll be a major material in kitchens. Despite its luxury reputation, marble is quite low on the list (26%), probably due to its delicate and high-maintenance nature.
As for the nitty-gritty design details, lighter color countertops (paired with darker cabinetry) in matte or honed finishes (versus polished) with traditional or waterfall edges will be in demand. However, homeowners are split over using different countertop colors for the main surface and the kitchen island—56% of respondents say they want them to be different, while 44% want them to match.
Matte finishes will also extend to sinks, faucets, and lighting fixtures. Shiny is out!
Tiles Remain Mainstream, but Solid Surface Backsplashes Are on the Rise
Nate Sheets Photography; Design by Laura McCroskey
The preference for low-maintenance, durable materials isn’t exclusive to countertops—homeowners want the same for backsplashes. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the dominant choice, with an overwhelming 70% of respondents voting them as the top backsplash material among homeowners. However, quartz and quartzite follow closely behind at 64% and 61%, respectively.
The report noted that seamless, solid surface stone backsplashes that are a continuation of the countertop (and, of course, in warm neutral hues) will become more mainstream, further popularizing the streamlined, clean aesthetic mentioned earlier.
Large-Format, Engineered Wood Flooring Will Continue to Trend
Delia Raresheid of Above & Beyond Photography Inc.; Design by Bianca Fathauer
Wood is the most popular choice for flooring, according to the report, though it will mirror backsplashes in kitchens over the next few years, as homeowners will choose large-format and plank style with minimal grout lines for easy maintenance. This is also reflected in flooring materials, as engineered wood will be a top selection—78% of survey respondents anticipate it will be trendy, compared to 59% for traditional hardwood, which requires a little more care. And warm neutral, lighter wood tones will be the predominant color preferences.
Beverage Bars and Pet Feeding Areas Are Now Popular Additions to Kitchens
Kitchens are growing to be even bigger hubs, with homeowners tacking on a bunch of activity-based zones to their renovations. The report considers these “lifestyle enhancements,” which they define as dedicated spaces tailored to specific functions. The most sought-after feature is a beverage area, like a coffee station—a whopping 85% of respondents anticipate this will be in kitchens across the country!
Other popular additions include attached mudrooms, pet feeding stations, eat-in kitchens, and home offices or study spaces, further reinforcing the belief that kitchens really are the heart of the home—and will continue to be.
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