Top 10 Kitchen Design Trends for 2022
Ok friends, we’ve scoured the web, reading dozens upon dozens of articles & reports, taking in what the experts & statistics have to say, and pulling out the common threads to bring you this article on the top kitchen design trends for 2022.
As we’re already a bit into the new year, there’s no time to waste; let’s get started!
1. Neutral Palettes With Pops of Color!
Overall, light and bright kitchens continue to dominate with neutral tones of white, gray, and beige being the most popular, according to a 2021 Houzz Report on US Kitchen Trends (the latest year available).
While we’re seeing neutral palettes overall, some homeowners are opting for splashes of color in the kitchen with some choosing blue walls (7%), gray flooring (14%), multicolored backsplashes (18%) and black appliances (10% choose black stainless and 6% choose another material in black).
This is consistent with what we’re seeing across the web! Other popular tones include shades of green and brown. You may find you also want to include accents of Pantone’s color of the year, very peri, within your kitchen!
2. Transitional Design
“Transitional design” is a term most often used by interior designers and refers to the meshing of modern and traditional elements, combining two styles into one space, resulting in a cohesive look & feel.
According to the report, transitional design remains the top choice for kitchen style, beating out modern, contemporary, farmhouse, and traditional for the 3rd year in a row. You can expect this trend to continue throughout 2022.
3. Vintage Finds
Along with transitional design & the meshing of modern and traditional elements, incorporating vintage pieces in the kitchen area will prove to be a very popular trend in 2022.
This is in part due to supply chains still being messed up as a result of the pandemic. Plus, it seems people are tired of “fast furniture” in general and wanting more unique items that speak to them personally.
A vintage table or another vintage item is the perfect way to add a bit of warmth, uniqueness, and style in an unexpected way. Additionally, a vintage table is a perfect & non-invasive way to add an island, or second island, to the kitchen.
4. Statement Islands
Speaking of kitchen islands, according to the Houzz Report, of those renovating their kitchens, more than half chose to upgrade their kitchen islands (55%). Overall, “nearly two-thirds of renovated kitchens feature an island (63%).”*
Contrasting Countertop Materials
Of those upgrading or adding a kitchen island, “One in 4 upgraded islands (24%) features a countertop material that contrasts the main countertop material, with butcher block or wood (41%) preferred over granite (16%). Engineered quartz is now in third place (15%), down from 28% the previous year, likely due to the higher costs resulting from increased tariffs.”*
Mismatched Cabinets & Cabinets with Color!
In addition to contrasting countertop materials, homeowners are also having fun with their cabinetry with 41% of renovators differentiating their island cabinet color from the colors in the rest of the kitchen. Blue and gray are the top choices for nearly half of homeowners with contrasting island cabinets (47%).
Added Storage to Islands
Furthermore, “nearly all homeowners who add or upgrade an island include at least some storage (98%).”*
5. Increased Demand for Storage Overall
Overall, there seems to be an increased demand for storage space with nearly all kitchen renovators performing some work on their cabinets (94%). Of those, many are opting to equip their cabinetry with built-in storage options such as cookie sheets, storage for spices, deep drawers, cutlery storage options, pull-out waste or recycling, and more.
Additionally, the number of renovators choosing to add or upgrade their pantry space is up, increasing from 43% to 46% in the past year alone; walk-in pantry upgrades are also on the rise with 13% of homeowners opting to upgrade (up from 10%).
6. Minimalism & The End of Open Shelving
While we’re seeing an increase in upgraded cabinetry and storage space overall, one thing we’re seeing a decline in is open shelving.
It seems we collectively tried this out over the past few years, but as we’re spending more time at home, as a result of the pandemic, overall, we’re looking for kitchens that don’t really feel like kitchens; and open shelving can leave the space (and us) feeling cluttered and overwhelmed. As a result, we’re going to be seeing a lot less of this in the coming years.
7. Kitchens That Open Up to the Outdoors
In line with kitchens that don’t really feel like kitchens, one in 5 homeowners are opting to open the kitchen up to an outdoor space. In this way, homeowners are able to better connect with nature while remaining in the safety of their own home.
“When opening to the outdoors, the most popular choice is via double doors or a row of doors (56%).”* Also increasingly popular – adding large windows to fill the space with every bit of natural lighting possible!
Bring the Outdoors in
Unable to swing for a major renovation? No worries! Many are choosing to bring the outdoors in, filling their spaces with plants galore!
Other ways to bring a more natural vibe to the kitchen include adding textured, earthy materials and round, organic shapes (wherever and however you can).
8. Backsplash Fun
One way to add texture & dimension to the space is through your backsplash. “Though white is still the top choice for backsplash color (37%), multicolored is the second choice (18%), showing that many want to make a statement with the backsplash.”*
Additionally, “homeowners who update their backsplash are going all-in, as an increasing number install the backsplash from the countertop all the way up to the upper cabinets or range hood (68%).”* In other words, get crazy with it!
9. Tile Retakes the Top Spot for Preferred Flooring Material
“After spiking last year, hardwood flooring has dropped six percentage points and returned to the No. 2 position (23%), after ceramic or porcelain tile (24%).”* This is likely in part due to increased lumber prices as supply chains still remain askew.
“Vinyl continues to grow in popularity as a flooring material, with 19% of kitchen renovators choosing vinyl or resilient flooring in 2021, up five points from the previous year; vinyl is now considerably more popular than engineered wood (14%).”*
10. High-Tech Appliances in Demand
High-tech appliances continue to increase year over year.
Features you’ll see in appliances include wireless controls (19%) and color touch-screen displays (13%). Additional high-tech upgrades include charging stations (41%) and home assistants 35%; home assistants are now more popular than wireless speakers (31%).
Upgraded Faucets
With nearly 4 out of 5 homeowners replacing or upgrading their faucets as part of a kitchen renovation (79%), we thought it was especially important to call out. High-tech faucet upgrades include water efficiency (26%), no-fingerprint coating (22%), and touch-only/touch-free activation (21%).
How Much Are Homeowners Spending on Kitchen Remodels & Upgrades?
Just so you know..
“The median spend on major kitchen remodels (in which all the cabinets and appliances are replaced) completed in mid-2020 remained stable at $35,000.
The median cost of a minor remodel to a large kitchen is almost two and a half times higher than the cost of a minor remodel to a small kitchen, at $12,000 for a large kitchen and $5,000 for a small one.”*
Looking for More?
While we compiled what we thought were the most important trends, there’s tons of fun stuff happening within kitchens this year! If you’re looking for a bit more inspo, reach out to us or check back for more blogs on kitchen and home design trends for 2022!
Happy renovating!
*taken from Houzz’s 2021 Report on Home Kitchen Trends
