Kitchen Design Trends in 2023 (Home Design Trends Part 1)

Mitchell Parker rounded up a list of design trends. Here are the first 12 of 35 where we take a look at kitchen trends. Look for bathroom trends in part 2.

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 35 home design and remodeling trends that homeowners and pros are excited about for the coming year. See if any inspire a change to your own home. And from now on, maybe we can put a positive spin on change and just call it progress.

1. 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.

2. 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 furniture-style islands and cabinets. But you’ll also notice the use of dramatic cabinet colors, oversize range hoods and slab stone backsplashes.

3. Modern Spanish Style

Meanwhile, an updated approach to Spanish style is also taking hold.  Terra-cotta floor tile, an arched range hood with a hand-painted 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.

4. Warm and Soft 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.

5. 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.

6. Blue Features

White and gray are by far 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.

7. Green Cabinets

In addition to blue, green is quickly gaining favor in kitchens, especially for cabinets. Both light and dark greens work well with wood details and brass finishes, creating a warm, rich look.

8. Wood Cabinets

Wood cabinets are trending along with the surge in natural materials. White oak seems to be dominating the choices, but walnut is also popular.

9. 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.

10. Commercial-Style Faucets

Many home chefs are gravitating to commercial-style 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.

11. 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.

12. Induction Cooktops

It seems these days everyone knows someone who’s jumped on the induction cooktop bandwagon. For the uninitiated, this method uses electricity to heat pots and pans directly through magnetic induction. These cooktops work with many types of pots and pans — such as stainless steel, cast iron and porcelain enamel on metal — but they don’t work on all, so you might have to replace some of your cookware. If a magnet sticks firmly on the bottom of a pot or pan, the piece will work with induction.

7 Ways to Make Your Living Room Sociable

Jo Simmons shares 7 tips to make your living room more sociable.

Living rooms can sometimes be overlooked now that so much of our at-home socializing takes place around a table in an open-plan kitchen space, but nothing beats being able to sit comfortably with friends and family, to talk, enjoy a drink or watch a movie.

Comfort is key to creating a relaxed, sociable living space, so concentrate on getting the style and position of the seating right, then build up from there, adding fun touches, handy side tables and just the right lighting.

1. Provide Different Types of Seating

 

If sociable means entertaining friends and family of all ages, work in more than one seating type. While squishy sofas may suit those who want to kick off their shoes and snuggle down, older visitors may prefer the support of an upright chair. Children may prefer floor cushions or stools.

2. Light a Fire

 

Humans have gathered around fires for millennia, to eat, talk, warm up and feel safe. Lighting one in your living room produces the same sense of sociability and comfort.

3. Face Each Other

Sofas that face each other, rather than a TV, promote conversation. Make sure they’re positioned close enough together that you and your guest aren’t shouting at each other across the divide.

Just because you’re squeezing in two sofas doesn’t mean you need to scrimp on size either. In this room, Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors positioned two sizable couches opposite each other, then replaced an ottoman with a glass coffee table to make the rest of the space feel lighter.

4. Provide Several Surfaces

Tables on which you can pop a mug, glass or bowl of snacks are essential to a sociable living space.

5. Consider a Corner Sofa

Nothing says sociable like a corner couch. This flexible, space-efficient form of seating works particularly well for big families with modest living rooms. It provides a large expanse of comfy seating, which encourages teens to lounge and toddlers to get cozy.

To make this type of seating even more functional, consider a coffee table that can doubles as a footstool. The extra surface will provide even more opportunities for everyone to stretch out.

6. Get the Lighting Right

A sociable living room needs lighting that creates a warm atmosphere, but without being too dim. You want to be able to see your guests, after all. Weave in a flexible mix of lamps and ceiling lights to create a soft, layered look.

7. Install Sliding Doors

In this home, Nick Taylor of IMBY3 Architecture & Design designed sliding barn doors between the kitchen and living space. When closed, the living room feels cozy and intimate. …

 

Where Our Designers Would Spend and Save On A Kitchen

Your kitchen is one of the most used spaces in your home. From three meals a day, to holiday baking, and all year entertaining you’re sure to use this space pretty often. 

That’s why we put together a list of places where it’s recommended to spend or save to make your kitchen remodel as cost effective and useful as possible. 

Spend: Appliances

In one of the most used rooms in your house, your kitchen appliances are sure to be some of the most used things in that room. Having good quality appliances that will look beautiful and last long enough that you won’t just spend all of the money you saved in repairs. 

Energy efficient appliances can also help you save on your energy bill, saving you more money in the long term. 

There are also some other considerations when choosing appliances. For example, if your home has an open floor plan a loud dishwasher could really put a damper on your TV time, family time, and even when you’re entertaining. 

Buying a cheap fridge could be loud enough to notice it, and cost more in repairs over time than what you spent to buy it.

One splurge that has been a rising star is an instant hot water dispenser. This energy efficient luxury comes with a safety handle to prevent burns while making cooking, cleaning, and tea making a whole lot easier.

Save: Reclaiming and Recycling

A top tip to save some money is by finding places where you could use reclaimed or recycled materials in your kitchen. One example is using reclaimed countertops. One family used old school lab tables made from iroko wood, an African hard wood, that they livened up to create beautiful wooden countertops. Paired with stone or quartz counters if needed these could be a great addition to your kitchen, not to mention a conversation piece. 

You could also save by buying stone remnants. These are pieces of stone usually left over from larger jobs that are a great way to save on having a gorgeous stone island, or bar top. 

Preowned cabinets are another way to save and often they need just a little TLC to be brought back to life. On the flip side of this if your cabinets, countertops, and appliances are still in good condition you could be the person providing some of these money saving recycled materials while adding a little more to your own renovation budget.

Spend: Durable Materials

Going for reclaimed items just isn’t some homeowners style. And that’s perfectly fine! Whether going new or used finding materials that are durable and easy to maintain is worth the extra cost that may come up front. 

Using things like stone remnants for smaller projects, or hard wood can really make a difference when it comes to the life and longevity of the materials you are investing in. 

When it comes to kitchen cabinets, going for solid wood is without a doubt a worthwhile investment. These will stand the test of time, won’t begin to look out of date, and won’t need to be replaced in just a few years. A good quality solid wood kitchen can last over thirty years, even through the trend and color changes we’ve been seeing so often. 

Save: Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is essential to being able to achieve some of the “spends” you may want to include in your kitchen renovation. Things like getting all of your new appliances at one time (including in your utility room) can save of delivery charges. 

You can also opt for wider cabinets which, while being more efficient are also cheaper by the linear foot. 

This also comes down to measurements and purchasing to ensure you’re not buying more than you need.

A knowledgeable designer will help guide you through choices like these to suit what you are looking to accomplish. They know the right questions to ask and how to properly measure for things like cabinets, counter tops, flooring, and appliances.

Spend: Good Design

Remodeling your kitchen is a huge deal, and can be intimidating to start. It’s always a good idea to consult with a designer, even to get some help with planning. And taking the stress off of your shoulders is exactly what design-build firms like Satin Touch, Inc. are for.