Kitchens remain one of the most popular home renovations. For good reason. A simple update will give you more than 90% return on investment.
Because it’s the heart of the modern home, the kitchen is highly susceptible to design trends. That can be good, like the bright colors and curved lines of the 1950s. Or it can go the direction of the 70s with an explosion of muddy brown veneer.
This year’s kitchens are no less on trend than the kitchens of the past. Here are some of the best kitchen trends for 2019.
Upper cabinets continue to get slashed. For now, kitchen design featuring open shelving is here to stay.
Heavy cabinetry is replaced by racks of styled shelves. A collection of mini succulents in mercury glass planters offsets the thoughtful stack of white, hand-thrown bowls. A terracotta pitcher provides an earthy touch.
Rustic wood has been the standard material choice for open shelves, but glass and metal are a fresh, more ethereal solution. Brass piping with glass shelves adds a hint of glamour. A black metal frame is more industrial than farmhouse.
Some designers are eliminating upper storage altogether in favor of one minimalist shelf spanning an entire wall. Like an art ledge, it’s the perfect place to display specific, curated pieces.
Brass in its many forms was reinvigorated last year. Unlacquered finishes updated the shiny favorite of the 80s. This year gunmetal and pewter get a turn.
These grays provide depth to your kitchen faucets with their inky, mottled appearance and just a hint of sheen. Bridge faucets take the trend to its ultimate capacity, combining old and new with finesse.
Pewter is also a new alternative to stainless steel. Matte pewter appliances are crisp and chic. The same goes for light fixtures with the updated finish.
High gloss and molded plastics still have a place, just not the kitchen. Natural materials are in. They connect us to the natural world and bring warmth into a notoriously cold space.
Rattan stools stand in triplicate at a breakfast counter. Cane bottom chairs surround a chunky, wooden dining table. Weathered, oiled cutting boards stand out against bright marble or quartz counters.
Wood is also going au natural. Satin, whitewashed floors and beamed or paneled ceilings replace dark, shiny, ultramodern applications of wood.
Cottage kitchens will always be a kitchen design idea darling because of the fuzzy feelings they evoke. Beadboard is this year’s cottage kitchen star.
Authentic beadboard walls spill over onto cabinets. Flat door and drawer fronts are a modern take on the Scandi staple.
There’s nothing more opulent than an uncut slab of high-end marble. And now the slab is climbing the walls. Stone slab backsplashes make an unforgettable impact.
Veiny marble, quartz, or soapstone have pride of place above the range. Without grout lines to diminish the effect, the true natural beauty of stone stands out.
Hardware takes a back seat to the hero elements of this year’s best kitchen designs. Knobs and handles do a vanishing act.
Drawer fronts with incorporated routed or notched pulls are subtle and intuitive. Edge pulls sit on top of drawers and are a modern alternative to cup and bin pulls.
White kitchens have long been the best kitchen renovation choice. They’re bright and timeless and have staying power. But…Color is in.
Even a jolt of bold color will keep you on trend. An electric blue mixer comes alive on the counter. Neon padded barstools are unexpected and fun.
Color keeps a sophisticated kitchen from being too serious.
Dark, moody hues call back to the smoking rooms of yesteryear, in a really good way. Hunter green and muted sapphire give weight to lower cabinets and ground an otherwise airy space.
Neutral colors give your eye a place to rest. They’re an essential element of good design. But everything doesn’t have to be all white and beige.
In an abundance of natural light, black retreats. It’s a great foil to gold hardware and light countertops.
Dusky blue and minty green are vintage cabinet colors. They’re calming and pair well with natural wood tones for an updated primitive style kitchen.
Pale pink is another new old neutral. Swaths of pink paint on the walls give off a rosy glow. Charcoals and blacks keep it from veering too sweet.
Statement lighting goes beyond chandeliers. Pretty pendants shine in the kitchen, literally.
Simple globes with frosted or clear glass have been a design goto since the 19th century. Every couple years they get a fashion makeover.
Oblong pendants made of smoked glass are a cool update. Nautical-inspired globes with brushed brass lids are standard Mid-century style. Caged globes with Edison bulbs bring in a little steampunk.
Or you can add a feminine touch with a trio of frilly pendant shades. Molded glass made to look like crepe paper flowers works to soften hard surfaces.
The kitchen has always been a hotbed of technological innovation. The 1950s promised a futuristic workhorse of a kitchen, and they weren’t far off.
Nearly every gadget has received the wi-fi treatment. Brew your coffee without getting out of bed. Preheat your convection oven on the way home from work.
Refrigerators can take stock of expiration dates and suggest recipes. Their smarts and convenience make them the digital hub of the home.
Fridge tech also extends to food preservation. Dynamic temperature controls prevent freezer burn and extend the life of your fruits and vegetables.
As we drift more and more toward the future, the kitchen trends for 2019 bring us back to the past.
Traditional elements get a modern facelift. Period-appropriate colors have a resurgence. And visual heaviness continues to melt away.
Will you be renovating your kitchen this year? Consider our decades-old team to get the job done. Schedule a free consultation today.
Find more ideas in our kitchen gallery.
