Kitchen Design Trends For 2023 10

Find inspiration in new kitchen styles, materials, colors and features expected to take off this year.

(Revised courtesy of Houzz)

They say change is the only constant in life. Lately that notion feels all too true. But in an ever-changing world, many people are seeking stability — and joy — right at home. And in turn, a lot of homeowners are emerging from the last couple of trying years with renewed vigor for creating lively homes full of color, pattern, texture and optimism. To capture some of that energy, we’ve gathered a few design and remodeling trends that homeowners and pros are excited about for the coming year. See if any inspire a change to your own kitchen.

Modern Rustic Style

A few themes weave throughout these 2023 design trends. Among them are the use of natural materials and a general feeling of warmth. You’ll find both in a modern rustic style we’re seeing show up in kitchens. Think natural wood cabinets and other wood details paired with natural stone countertops and backsplashes, with a few modern elements thrown in.

Elegant Farmhouse Style

Another style showing up in kitchens is a more elegant take on the modern-farmhouse style that’s been popular in recent years. You’ll find many of the same elements, such as Shaker-style cabinets, apron-front sinks and furniturestyle islands and cabinets. But you’ll also notice the use of dramatic cabinet colors, oversize range hoods and slab stone backsplashes.

This kitchen exemplifies the style with a jet-black island and upper cabinets (Midnight Black by Benjamin Moore), turned island legs, Shaker-style rift-sawn white oak cabinets and quartzite countertops and slab backsplash.

Modern Spanish Style

Meanwhile, an updated approach to Spanish style is also taking hold. This kitchen is a good example of what it’s about. Terra-cotta floor tile, an arched range hood with a handpainted terra cotta tile backsplash and a custom island with an end-grain walnut butcher block counter and spindle leg detail update old-world style with a contemporary twist.

Warm and So Palettes

While some homeowners are desiring more bold color in their kitchens, many are looking for warm and soft styles that elicit a restful, relaxing atmosphere. To do that, designers are embracing greige or off-white cabinets, light woods, subtle patterns and warm bronze and brass finishes.

Natural Materials

Natural materials are always in style, but lately they seem to have hit a high point in popularity. In particular, homeowners are installing quartzite and other natural stone countertops, as well as marble tile and wood cabinets and vanities, especially white oak. Some designers say the surge of interest in natural materials is a result of some homeowners rethinking man-made materials like engineered quartz that have dominated homes in recent years and instead gravitating to natural materials that add character and authenticity to a space. Designers used 6-by-6-inch tumbled travertine in silver to add a natural element to this kitchen.

Blue Features

White and gray are the most popular colors used in kitchens. But when homeowners stray from that palette, they often choose blue. In fact, when a homeowner chooses to go with an island color that contrasts with the surrounding cabinets, more than a quarter (26%) will select blue, according to Houzz research.

For this kitchen the homeowners looked to photos to inspire the white palette with blue, including blue bar. A marble blacksplash behind the stove ads texture.

Wood cabinets are trending along with the surge in natural materials. White oak seems to be dominating the choices, but walnut is also popular. Designers gave this kitchen quartersawn white oak lower cabinets and a range hood detail to warmly balance out the white and creamy tones.

Creative Island Seating

Casual seating is just one of many appeals of a kitchen island. While the traditional seating arrangement has typically been a row of stools on one side facing the cooking area, some homeowners are seeking alternative setups to accommodate a variety of needs, such as the ability to sit face to face with guests or sit at a standard dining table height. As a result, we’re seeing a lot of islands with creative seating arrangements, such as two-tiered designs with seating for 10 and dropped-down or raised-up areas for various needs.

Commercial-Style Faucets

Many home chefs are gravitating to commercialstyle kitchen features to better tackle cooking tasks. In response, many faucet brands have launched new commercial-style faucet lines that blend industrial and modern looks, such as Belfi eld by Moen.

Workstation Sinks

Workstation sinks are also part of the drift toward commercial-style features. These have been around for many years now, but manufacturers have caught up to the demand and now offer all kinds of sizes, styles and accessories for things like chopping, straining, drying and other functions.