Planning a kitchen remodel in 2022? The last thing anyone wants is a design that starts to feel dated in a few years. Most kitchen renovations should last ten years or more. That’s why a look at kitchen design trends for 2022 should be where you begin your remodeling plans. Keeping ahead of 2022’s kitchen trends will ensure your kitchen design has a whole lifespan ahead of it.
We’ve scoured past trends, talked to experts, and even peeked into the future to discover what looks are going last through the next decade.
Here are eight kitchen design trends you can count on to keep your kitchen fresh:
1. Minimalism
Minimalism design is similar to a modern look and operates on the idea “less is more.” Minimalist design always includes clean lines, but watch for incorporating even more lines in the kitchen in the form of fine-grained woods, geometric patterns, and angular design on faucets and appliances.
Minimalism in the kitchen focuses on function and simplicity. You’ll see other trends below that allow for minimalist options, including cabinet hardware, color choices, and materials you use.
My Tip – Since the shaker door style is still one of the most requested I’ll continue to work with that. For personal renovations a flat (or slab) door style may be an option. However, since its very specific to the house and the taste of the homeowner it’s not the best choice for a flip.
2. Bold Color
The bold color trend has been around for years, mainly as an accent color (while playing it safe to appeal to all buyers). Strong color is a risk in kitchen design because you can’t know how long a particular color will avoid looking dated.
The last several years, we’ve seen bold color make its way back into the kitchen in particular– And not just as an accent color. We’ve seen bold, brighter colors on everything from cabinets to the kitchen sink.
There’s no hard or fast rule about which colors to choose. Blues and greens are already well established in the kitchen design. Select colors that can double as neutrals like deep plums, navy blues, gray-greens, and earth tones when in doubt.
My Tip – Love it for islands and will continue to use into 2022.
3. Mixing
Plan to include custom details that bring meaning to your design; think: Collectibles arranged in a vignette, patterns from a favorite foreign country, or a handcrafted element.
Mixing will also feature in 2022 in the design basics of your kitchen. Mix cool and warm tones in metallics, woods, and paint. Bring sharp angles and organic curves together in the shapes in your kitchen. Blur the line between the kitchen and living room by adding a comfy chair to the corner of the otherwise hard-surfaced space.
Another way to mix is combining our aforementioned minimalist design with other design styles, for example, minimalist style with pops of dynamic elements.
My Tip – Using different style elements together creates interest. For example a white shaker cabinet with a vertical shiplap has a different feel than using a board and batten or waterfall quartz option.
4. Layered Elements
Layering in home design is just as it sounds: Layering different patterns, textures, colors, and shapes to add depth and create contrast.
You can bring in various layered items for your kitchen design to create a unique look: cabinets, patterns, lighting, and more. You’re creating an entirely new space and a new look specific to the kitchen you’re working on.
My Tip – This is a design suggestion I look to incorporate always. If not in the specific design choices then always with the styling and accessories.
5. Statement Island
Up and coming in kitchen design trends for 2022 is the statement island. Kitchen islands are a huge bonus for buyers, so investing in this trend is likely to get them excited.
There are many ways for an island to make a statement. It can have different color cabinets from the perimeter of the room. It can have a bold countertop color. It can feature some distinct statement pendant lights.
An up-and-coming island trend is to have a double island. Instead of one long island, consider breaking them into two smaller islands. Include a bar-style island at an outside edge of the kitchen and a task-oriented island in the middle of the kitchen. Stack the islands two deep with a walkway between them to increase the workspace.
My Tip – I’m a fan.
6. No cabinet hardware
Along the lines of the minimalist trend, you may also find fewer cabinet knobs and pulls in 2022 and beyond. The goal here is to create a sleeker, more straightforward design. Instead of this hardware, touch to open cabinets, recessed grooves, or cutouts.
This is not a trend that I plan to adopt for several reasons. Cabinet knobs are a detail that is a design element and protects the cabinets and allows for more accessibility.
My Tip – I’ll be skipping this one. I prefer to use pulls to keep cabinet finishes from wearing prematurely.
7. Dark Oak & Walnut
Oak and walnut have a linear grain, so it’s hardly surprising that they have become the favorites for 2022 kitchen trends.
Walnut has a naturally deep color that lends well to neutral yet distinctive color palettes. Oak already had its heyday in the kitchen, but this is a different look from the oak in the 90s. Oak is also a practical choice, as it’s very durable and provides beautiful texture.
My Tip – These materials have a longer lead time and may require a custom cabinet maker. If you choose to incorporate these make sure to account for longer timelines and higher cost.
8. Natural Materials
Finally, the trend of natural materials in your kitchen renovation. Natural materials like stone, cement, and wood are making a showing in neutral colors. They direct attention to other elements of the design and keep things on the minimal side with a grounded feeling.
Consider cement countertops or quiet stone countertops with little grain or veining. Go with woods in medium browns with a linear grain if your budget allows.
My Tip – One of my favorite ways to incorporate natural materials is through leathered granite counter tops, tile that appears handmade and wood shelving. For accessories, baskets and boards work too.
Extend Your Kitchen’s Design Lifespan
Looking for and implementing kitchen design trends of 2022 will help you achieve a kitchen remodel that will stay relevant into the next decade at least!
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