I am shocked but always delighted when it’s time to write these trends posts each year. It’s always the same cycle for me. I think, is there anything actually new? How many new trends can there truly be for just one room year after year??? But then I take a second, look through everything I’ve saved, what’s been on the other design sites, what other designers are showing on their accounts, and BOOM, I see trends. Not to mention chatting with Em and the team about their thoughts. So despite what feels a bit like January 2021 deja vu, this new year is feeling hopeful (I say this with caution). And for some silly reason, new trends add to that feeling… at least for me. Like newness and creativity are still thriving. Honestly thank god. I know I need any kind of hope to sink in deep into my bones. So since kitchen renovations are also still very much thriving, let’s talk about all the trends we think are going to hit this year.
P.S. As always, these trend posts are not meant to make anyone feel like they need to redo anything in their homes. These are just ideas IF you are planning on renovating or wanted to change something up. Trends are only awesome if you genuinely love them (making them not actually a trend in the long run;))
Breaking The Triangle – Fridges Further Away And Hidden
Rules be damned! We have been seeing A LOT of designers designing their kitchens how it will work best for them and their families. And isn’t that how it always should be? If you don’t want your refrigerator near your range and sink then you don’t have to.

Look, I love rules. LOVE them. Ask anyone that knows me even a little. But even I know and can respect that (in terms of design), rules are really just the jumping off point. It’s not that I’m saying go crazy for the sake of going crazy with your layout. But if you are mindful about how you would like or want to move around your kitchen/have a specific aesthetic in mind – GO FOR IT.

Ok, I know this is Sarah Sherman Samuel’s kitchen from a couple of years ago. It’s still beautiful (duh) but since her new show house is still very much under construction, this photo will clearly do to make my point. Both in this kitchen and in the new one (which her and her husband haven’t decided if they are going to move into) the fridge is not in the main kitchen area. Talk about “screw the triangle!”. From what I got from the last tour she did about the new house on her stories was that the fridge, like I believe it is in the kitchen above, will be in the pantry. The only caveat with this trend is that you need enough space to have a large enough pantry… But I really am into this idea because it visually really lightens the overall look of a kitchen. I know this isn’t for everyone but something to think about.

Plus as someone who is constantly looking in the fridge because “maybe there’s a magical new snack I have yet to discover”, I like the outta sight, outta mind idea. I mean it could help, right?? Not the point but I’m looking at all the reasons why, K? So with everyone who’s renovating and creating their dream homes we predict that we are going to be a lot less of that big icebox. Could/would you??
Plum Kitchen Cabinetry
I wouldn’t say that purple is a color I gravitate towards really ever but my oh my am I into these rich plum-y cabinets. Bright, “classic purple” kitchens will always be a great fit for the right bold person who is color obsessed. But this deep rich version is not the like it’s more say, lavender colored friends. This purple’s got some sex appeal. This purple is very cool. Is this a new neutral??

I think the world fell over themselves when they saw Jane Hallworth’s work in Kirsten Dunsts’ new kitchen. It’s happy, moody, playful and full of an infinite amount of soul. But those plum cabinets really bring the space to life and help to not make it look too serious. It just feels classic.

Then we have the great Shavonda Gardner’s kitchen, where she also dove head first into happy, juicy, purple forward kitchen cabinetry. Shavonda’s home is filled with luxurious saturated tones, so this color simply makes sense in her home. See how bold yet natural it looks in the space?? I dare you to walk into that kitchen and be in a bad mood.

I was new to Studio Hus’ work until I spotted this kitchen in my research and wow do they create stunning spaces. This kitchen is no exception. What I love about this particular plum tone is that if you were to look super quick at this photo you might think that’s regular wood toned cabinetry. But with another look are completely drawn in by that dark, rich plum tone that is stunningly contrasted by the marble counters and backsplash. I could say a lot more about what I love in this kitchen (*cough the chandelier* *cough the chrome wrapped shelf*) but what I want you to take away from this space is that you can (and maybe should expand your mind about kitchen cabinet colors. You might just get something really special out of it.
Metal Kitchens
Whether it’s IKEA or custom, stainless kitchens can be pretty darn chic and practical. I know, I wasn’t totally on board at first either.

Historically, metal kitchens (especially silver ones) haven’t been my favorite. But they’ve been popping up more and more and I might be slightly changing my tune. What I really like about Justin Dipiero’s kitchen above is that he only used metal cabinetry on the lowers. It helps make the range and hood effortlessly blend in while not making the space feel visually cold.

This kitchen by Tamsin Johnson is all brushed stainless steel and honestly pretty awesome (and easy to clean??) It’s a modern design lover’s dream. I do think that incorporating other natural materials like marble and wood (as they did) is a great way to still have that super modern look but making it feel a little warmer.

I think it’s fair to say that metal kitchens or metal accented kitchens have been more popular abroad. That really just means it’s only a matter of time for it it hit on the American design scene. Even I can wholeheartedly get behind that incredible 1970s kitchen island above. It also looks like brushed metal which might be the key to really pulling off this look if you are interested. Feels more organic and less…surgical? Can anyone vouch for stainless steel cabinetry? Pros? Cons?
Apron Front Sinks
This one comes straight from the brain of Julie Rose, the kitchen queen herself. This women is constantly studying new kitchen ideas for her clients so when she sent this over asking if I needed any trend ideas I jumped. Let’s get into these sinks…

It’s funny because before Julie sent me Kate’s new sink my first instinct was to drool over that marble. Kate if you have any extra I will gladly take it off of your hands. But when Julie pointed out the apron front style, I thought, “how did you miss that?” I love how it gives you the farmhouse sink look but it’s sleeker, more modern, and you can play with fun materials instead of it just being the color of the sink.
Even Chris Loves Julia and EHD fav designer, Heidi Caillier are on the trend. I know I normally only show “done” photos but I think that fact that these designers are in implementing them as we speak only drives this trend home.

I mean how pretty is that?? Jean Stoffer is another wildly talented designer that knows kitchen design. So if the other’s didn’t convince you, this likely will.

What I also think is cool about this trend is that you have a style options. Both Kate and Julia went more modern with the counter lip and front piece looking like they are seamlessly connected. Then Heidi went for a more traditional and detailed look with having the counter beveled all the way across and the front piece just sitting flat under it. And lastly, the final two are somewhere in between where there is less detail in the counter edge but the front piece still sits under. I wouldn’t assume that last look is probably the most cost effective but maybe not! Just talk to your fabricator to see what the best option is for your design and budget.
The Return Of The Tile After Years Of Only Slab
Large stone slabs have been king for a hot minute (aka years). And while no one is saying goodbye to a stunning marble slab, tile is really picking up some steam.

You might have guessed that slabs can be expensive. And it’s not just the slab you need to think about. The fabrication is what really can get you. So tile is really coming in strong. I mean look at that Zellige tiled counter to ceiling backsplash and hood??? Heart, be still. Sheer quantity can be a huge showstopper. Don’t forget that.

I mean this isn’t beautiful or anything. Emily has been talking about this kind of tiling for most of last year (here specifically). All of these tiles individually are fairly simple. You’ve got some green squares and white rectangles and squares in varying sizes. But when mixed together in an unexpected way it freaking sings the most beautiful song. A slab would have been pretty but not nearly as special and unique as this.

Here we are again with marble countertops and a VERY special tiled wall. Look at all of those tiles orientations! The vertical line along the counter and the brick offset on that one wall and stacked on the other wall. So good. Oh and see the one column of vertical tiles on the what’s probably the load-bearing wall? Too cool and way more affordable than slabs.

But going with tile doesn’t mean you can’t go modern. Above Exhibit A. Notice though that everything is stacked and vertical. That’s an easy way for tile to look modern.

Exhibit B. Tile on the island that gives lots of movement and texture when the rest of the cabinetry is very smooth and ultra modern.

And here we have the amazing Ginny Macdonald with the in-between. Not modern, not traditional. Just fresh, colorful, and in a classic pattern. Has movement like a slab but way more cost effective. Plus it’s just pretty!
Large Scale Marble Veining On Countertops
Ok I know we just talked about tile potentially replacing slabs but large scale, high contrast veining on marble is finally not just for “AD” homes. The high end trend is coming into our real homes.

Maybe this first photo isn’t the best example of a “normal home”. BUT it doesn’t look like a real person lives there and that’s the kind of marble I’m talking about. High contrast, big veins.

I know I already used this photo when talking about apron sinks but remember when I said the marble was the first thing that grabbed my attention? How could it not?? But what also struck me was that while Kate is a design influencer, that kinda bold marble isn’t what you see outside of a crazy rich celebrity home. I thought it’s here! For all of us! We are taking more risks and I love it!

This is another great example of using a very bold veined marble but in a way that feels approachable. I really love the dark walnut, contrast marble mix. Isn’t it beautiful but not super overwhelming?

Aimee Song also went for the bold marble and dark cabinets. With the marble super thick and also being the backsplash, it makes a much bigger statement. I think it’s so stunning and when you have a marble like this, your kitchen doesn’t need a whole lot else.

Bold marble proves to look incredible with colorful cabinets, dark cabinets and light cabinets. Hence why this trend is going to stay strong in 2022.
Double Islands…
Em asked if we thought this was a trend. I immediately wanted to say, “NO, two islands?? I refuse to say that’s a thing”. I mean unless you have a very large family or live in a multigenerational home, why would anyone need TWO islands?! To say I thought (and kinda think) it’s wild is an understatement. Can you tell? But trends aren’t here for me to say if they exist or not. They just exist (some last longer than others). Also maybe I should take a chill pill and recognize that there could be a ton of totally valid reasons for needing more than one island.

Now, this one from the upcoming season of Fixer Upper feels less “we need two islands” and more “let’s split up what would have been a veeeery long island into two parts”. This I can wrap my brain around. Have any of you done this look?

But then when Em sent me this kitchen, while extremely beautiful, the two islands are just… a lot. Maybe this is a big party house? Maybe as I said before this house is FULL of kids? Or it’s filled with parents, kids, grandparents, cousins, etc.?

There is a part of me that hopes this stays niche and only happens on an absolute need basis. But also if my whole philosophy is design the home you want to live in and one that works best for you then who am I to judge, right?? I’m sure for some double Islands are a live saver.
Frosted Cabinet Doors
Afraid of see-through cabinets but love the airy look? This could be the middle ground you were looking for…

This is another one that feels very European but is creepin’ its way over to the states and I’m personally into it. I love that you can have the look and feeling of your cabinets being light and open but not needing to have the contents of your cabinets perfect organized. I also feel that especially with the texture of the panels that they wouldn’t look dirty easily. Another win!

In this very beautiful kitchen, the doors look less textured but instead slightly tinted giving you a similar sense of privacy. What is also great is that it’s almost like a built-in organizing alert. It’s concealed enough so it doesn’t have to be perfect but you can also easily tell when it’s gone too far.
All in all, I think these types of cabinet doors really help to open up a kitchen and am happy to see this trend go the distance.
Another way that these frosted panels are being used is a as a hood cover over the stove. It seems like an interesting choice given that they likely get dirty quick being over the range but maybe I’m wrong. Any insight? Regardless the look great and make the ceilings feel taller.
The HOT Return Of The Pot Rack
Hear me out on this one. I know that pot racks aren’t new…like at all. BUT I feel like they are dominating my feed. I can’t go 5 minutes without seeing a great pot rack in a kitchen shot. But also they are really being thoughtfully (and sometimes boldly) incorporated into kitchen designs. Let me show you.

Take this, almost too beautiful, kitchen and see how that pot rack was very thoughtfully placed in front of the window. It’s so stunning but also not that hard to incorporate into your own kitchen (and window). Honorable mention to that floating shelf. You’re perfect.

Here’s another “statement pot rack”. What I love about this one is that it feels like an effortless way to make a dramatic statement without screaming, “look how dramatic I am!”

This one is another “all the way across the range wall” but more understated which I also love. Like you wouldn’t even know it was there unless there were pots hanging. So chic!
Shavonda is here is show off that copper pot collection and were are here for it! Plus she shows us that you don’t need a massive window like in the first photo to have that window-pot rack moment.
But also know that you can mix things up and put those pots over your island. Sure that’s probably a custom island, but for those who love to DIY this could be a super cool (and practical) project to tackle.
A rack can have a personality of its own. This “S” bar is everything to me. I love it so much and the first time I saw it in Troye Sivan’s home my heart jumped out of my chest.

However, small and simple is just as effective. I also think that pot or utensil racks help to give a little more dimension and bring your eye up. Basically they’re pretty, helpful, and can be put in nearly every kitchen. Happy they are very much back for 2022.

I just thought this photo was super pretty:) Ok, we are done with the racks.
So what do you think? Did any of these spark your reno imagination? Let’s talk trends. O and we are doing a first time ever kitchen appliance trend post. We have LOTS of thoughts so get ready:)
Love you, mean it.
Opening Image Credits: Design by Home Studios | Photo by Brian Ferry | via Yellowtrace
I don’t want to see pot cracks in front of the window. Really good point to touch it.
Loved this post! These images are just a feast for my eyes and I find myself picking out little details like that green sconce, the brass detail on the brushed steel extraction hood, the adjustable pendant over the dining table…gorgeous! I quite like the idea, or modified idea (no to pot racks in front of windows but yes to pot racks) of all of these trends, with the exception of double islands. It’s just not something I relate to and seems excessive. And y’know I think if you built your kitchen so big that it needs a double island to make sense of the space, then you probably just built your kitchen too big. But my perspective on that point is coloured by my family history…my great-grandfather lived in a two-roomed house, with nine siblings, his parents and a nephew!
That was my thought too – if you have the space for a double island/need a double island to fill the space, your kitchen is too big. I guess it could maybe work if the second island is used in place of an eat in kitchen table? I know a lot of single islands already do that, but I never really liked that (I don’t want people hanging out using my prep space as their table for drinks and snacks or whatever when I’m trying to cook). So I guess a double island would keep those zones separate?
Double islands have been very popular for a couple years here? We looked at new construction homes for a bit and they all had double islands. This is exactly the reasoning they used; people/kids can still be “with you” but not in your prep space. I didn’t get it as the breakfast nook/table was also right next to the kitchen in these models. There was the option to “delete” the second island and get that money back, but then there was this awkward space that we weren’t sure what we would do with. Ultimately we didn’t buy new construction.
I remember babysitting in high school for a family with a massive kitchen. First reaction: can’t wait to have a house like this someday!
But then I cleaned up after their four toddlers (triplets plus one) and had to sweep that massive crumb filled floor and gained a new appreciation for the compact, but easy to clean kitchen I grew up with.
So agree – my focus these days is on maintainability – easy to heat / cool, easy to clean, will last a long time.
I think two islands make sense if the farther island is a replacement for a wall – i.e. it’s really just a pony wall that doesn’t attach to anything and allows you to have an extra row of cabinets. But otherwise I think the only reason to need that second one is bc you do coporate-level entertaining or have a HUGE family. Either replace it with a table, or else I think the space is just too much and not very cozy.
I know I am obsolete, but I do not really like islands. I much prefer a solid table with solid chairs. I prefer to have the meal (almost) ready when guests arrive. I am out of fashion now, and I can recall my kids happily drawing and playing at the kitchen table with normal chairs, less dangerous than high chairs.
This was fun, thanks Jess! The “fridge elsewhere” layout looks pretty but l like to have everything within arm’s reach in my kitchen.
I will be very interested if any EHD readers have this setup and can speak to the functionality. YHL did this in their beach house and liked it but their pantry was only a couple steps from the main zone. In a bigger kitchen I imagine getting very frustrated!
In my kitchen I have the chefs-kiss perfect cooking corner – sink, stove, cutting board, trash, knife drawer, outlets….everything is right there. However, due to the windows and doorways in our space, the fridge landed a bit further down the wall, think the length of like six 30″ kitchen cabinet sections. Doesn’t sound like much (and it’s not, really), but when it’s time to cook and I need my ingredients out of the fridge – five types of veggies, a block of tofu, soy sauce, hot sauce, etc., – my arms are loaded up and guaranteed I’m over-extending myself all in an effort not to make two trips, lol. And if I do have to make two trips, I’m known to leave the fridge door hanging open, even though I nag my kids about *not* leaving said fridge door open……..
Karen, I think we are very similar in this way! I had a similar setup in my previous home and it drove me crazy and I did the same thing, leaving it open!
Love this post! I have my fridge in a little pantry hallway off my kitchen and I love it!!! When I cook I just grab what I need out of the fridge and have it at hand. With the fridge out of the main kitchen area I don’t have kids and husband getting in my way to stare into the fridge for food while I’m busy making them food-ha! It’s really perfect and I got used to taking the few extra steps to the fridge really quickly.
Shelly this is so interesting, thanks for the perspective! My kids are younger so we aren’t at that stage yet. It’s true that it would annoy me if they were doing that in the cooking zone!
My sister and BIL just bought a 5 acre property in the country and tge househas a big kitchen with a huge pantry! She’s itchin’ to get the fridge out of ghe kitchen and into thd pantry. Having helped cook there at Christmas, I get it. They’re xashed up, so they’ll probably do ut, byt it’s an expensive move to remove cupboards from the pantry to fit the fridge in there, and fit custom cupboards where the fridge currently is. If it was my house, I think I’d leave it where it is coz people can get stuff without going into the workhorse, busy pantry.
Thanks Rusty! So is the pantry the prime work zone? If so then I’d want the fridge there too. And then the kitchen is more of a social zone? I want to be a fly on the wall to observe how this all gets used!
Yes, everyone’s around the kitchen island and the cooking happens there, etc. The coffee making, dishes, and grotty stuff happens in the big pantry room.
I feel like this would work great if you had ALL your food in one spot? Fridge in pantry, and all food in pantry, you could have a little wheel-y cart to load up all the ingredients you need, and then just wheel it to your prep area! It would be like a cooking show!
We are starting a house addition, and will be moving the kitchen. When our architect first suggested the fridge in the pantry I was like hard no, but after more research and talking to people we are going to do it. I think it works best if you approach cooking in the mise-en-place style, where you get all of your ingredients out at one and aren’t constantly going back and forth during your meal preparation. Our architect is a mom and super pragmatic, and has the same set-up in her home, so we are going to go with it! It also lets us do other fun stuff in the kitchen!
Thanks Vera! And I totally get that. It would be harder in a bigger kitchen.
My fridge is close by, I have four teenagers and it’s a pain when everyone is grabbing drinks…so with bigger kids I’d push out of the way a bit.
I grew up with our refrigerator in our mudroom off the kitchen because a modern-sized fridge didn’t fit in our vintage kitchen. It wasn’t a big deal, and we just got used to it.
This is how my house is set up! My husband and I jumped on our 1920s bungalow and I’m not even sure when it sunk in our fridge was in another room. It just is what it is and we’re used to it! As potential sellers, happy to see we can spin it as “on trend” 😉
For many years, I had a house where the fridge (and a full-size freezer) were in the pantry which was adjacent to the kitchen. In this case, it was perfect for how I cooked. It was also nice that my always-starving children and their equally starving friends could get into the fridge without massing in the middle of the kitchen! If planning a new kitchen, this would be the plan.
The sconces in the last photo are very special
Love this post! I think I pinned like 20 kitchens, ha!
That makes me so happy! Searching for all the photos is my favorite part so pumped that you also love them. xx
What an incredible round up of dream-worthy kitchens! Bravo!
Thank you!
I absolutely hate the 2 islands thing…they all look like demo kitchens to me. Like the kind you go to at a cooking school. Whatever floats your boat I guess. Not for me though.
I did a sort of unique pot rack when I redid my kitchen. I have a tiny kitchen so when I got new cabs we put cork on the side of the fridge cabinet and then cheap hook hardware. I hang all my pots from that. The cork keeps the pots and pans from banging and scratching up the wood. Here’s a pic: https://flic.kr/p/2hdrBdc
That’s a beautiful green color you chose for your cabinets!
Thanks! It’s rock garden by Sherwin Williams.
Oh wowowowww, okay, A+ for: the green, the skylight, the pot rack with cast irons, the rug, the thonet chairs. Just tens across the board!
Looks great!!
I really hate the look of refrigerators so in my next kitchen mine will be in the pantry. I love a clean lined kitchen with appliances hidden out of the way. I don’t want overhead cupboards for the same reason. I will have a hidden drink frigde in the island but that’s it. If I didn’t have room for a pantry to hide a fridge then I would hide it in plain sight behind a wall if possible.
I love reading trend posts! Thanks for pulling this together.
The loud/busy pattern in marble trend makes me stressed just looking at it. It will visually compete with anything on it and also adds to the visual “noise”. Kitchens are already busy and noisy so anything adding to that is a no for me. So is the trend of hanging things in front of a window or putting a shelf in a window. What I DO enjoy is the idea of cabinets being a fun or unexpected color. Don’t know how they made plum a neutral but it works!
The trend is just visual pot racks! I just loved that shelf too:)
Oh, thank you, Susan! I hate the visual busyness of the bold marble as well, and I feel it is destined to become a fleeting, wasteful trend. Much like the speckled granite of 25 years ago has gone out of style, this bold marble will end up in the trash or hopefully the Habitat for Humanity store!
My in-laws had their big main fridge tucked away, but they had an under the counter fridge next to the stove/sink. It typically held the milk and butter, etc., the things you may reach for frequently.
O that’s interesting!
I like the tile backsplash thing, but I’m one of those cooks where things splash out of my super heated pans (mainly oil), I forgot to clean immediately after cooking (I’m busy eating ok?) and I don’t want to clean stuff out of grout lines, so I’m a single slab backsplash behind the range person.
Two islands – I suppose if you have the space, live your two-island dream. I’ll stick to one thank you.
Big contrasting veined marble is amaze balls, but when I saw how much a slab of Calacatta Vagli cost 😬, I’ll have to save for another decade or so to get there. Put the fridge where you want it, if I could hide mine in the pantry, I’d do it. The look is cleaner and it would make putting groceries away so much easier.
And no pot racks for me ever!
“I’m busy eating ok?” lol me too
This was a fun post – thanks for compiling it. But definitely a no for me for most of the list. A lot of them work only if you have lots of money. A refrigerator-less kitchen is simply a no-no for those who cook regularly – may work for those who have a second “real” kitchen where the actual cooking happens. Plum-colored kitchens are only for those who can afford to redo their cabinetry once they get sick of it or when it’s time to sell their house. Tile backsplashes never really went away for most people. Love the apron-front sink but I think it really only works if you have a beautiful stone (expensive) and also expert fabricators (expensive again).
Double islands are a big no (just get a kitchen table). To me, pot racks only look pretty in the right setting (meaning if you have an experienced designer coordinating everything). Otherwise, it will look just like clutter.
Fabulous job, Jess! A really great round up. 🥰 I’ve recently, finally, got my fridge back into the kitchen after years of being forced by my ex, to have it in another room, next to the kitchen. I hated it. I don’t have a pantry room though, (my pantry is a cupboard recessed into thewall and built 100 yearsaho!🤣) that makes more sense. It was so inconvenient for me, I used to take a basket to the fridge to carry my veggies back to the kitchen. I love so many of the little, personal details in many of those kitchens…the bits n bobs that provide the personality – generally the quirky details sre the ones that make me stop and go ooooh! That heavily veined marble and stone is hell no! from me. It reminds me of the late 80s and early 90s “trend.” It’s visually way too busy and heavy for my eyeballs. Then I wonder what happened to it after the trend reversed to clean visuals??? #All.that.waste.and.environmental.damage. Nope!!!🌏 For me, that makes it a bad ‘trend’. I found myself surprised that I was enamoured by the plum kitchens. I’m more of a neutral or green-blue kitchen person. Things… Read more »
So happy you liked it! And I am with you on the plumb kitchens!
Fun post. I cook too much to get behind a hidden refrigerator. Had to laugh and reminisce when reading about the metal cabinets. First of all, I like the idea as the surfaces easy to clean and quite durable. I know because I grew up in a home with 1950s steel kitchen cabinets. When my mother-of-many-kids was unhappy with us (or Dad) she wouldn’t yell. Mom would go cook and slam those cabinet doors and drawers! Let me tell you… metal cabinets can get noisy!
o good point!
Just a note on two islands. If you are a Jewish family keeping kosher, two islands may be necessary AND beautiful.
That is totally true!
Say what? I’m Orthodox Jewish and I have lived in homes with kosher kitchens my whole life, nobody needs two islands to keep kosher. You can have a dairy counter and a meat counter, they really don’t need to be islands
I did an apron front sink with a stainless insert for my 2019 kitchen reno and LOVE it. Aside from the beautiful stone front look, it’s crazy practical to still have a stainless sink. Previously I had a farmhouse sink, and the porcelain was way more finnicky than stainless, as it aged water pooled in it, etc. Stainless is harder wearing, but you still get the appearance of a stone front. Recommend this trend to anyone!
O this is great info. Thank you!
Can you please shed more light on how you did this? I’m intrigued as I am currently undergoing a reno. Thanks
What a great post! Exactly what I needed at the moment. Yay to putting the fridge in the utility room! Fridges are either big and practical but ugly, or they’re cute and retro but pricey and not very practical. I am probably going to have an undercounter fridge in my new kitchen and a big tall one in the utility room, because the positions of windows and doors means there’s nowhere to put a tall fridge without blocking one or the other, and as soon as I’d figured out that I didn’t need a tall fridge it made designing the kitchen actually possible. I have been living with this set-up already but had always assumed if we redid the kitchen I would have a big fridge in it, and it’s fine – you keep the milk/breakfast things/snacks in the kitchen fridge and things like meat and vegetables for dinners and booze in the big fridge along with the extra cartons of milk for later in the week (this also stops teenagers opening every carton of milk in the fridge instead of using up one!). I cook by fetching all my ingredients out first anyway, so I never do any running… Read more »
I love that you are designing your house for you! That’s really the only way to do it unless you know you want to sell it fast and need it to appeal to the masses. Sounds awesome!
Speaking of bold pot racks, check out the one in the fixer-upper home I purchased this past year.
Note: it is also a light fixture.
Yes, please laugh with me at this.
lol how multifunctional!
I actually think your “fixer-upper” kitchen would look right at home in some edgy European interiors magazine. I kind of love it.
i agree, that kitchen is a vibe!
Seriously – the 1980s beige with brown outline cabinets are literally in one of the 2022 photos above!
I saw that and couldn’t believe the cabinets weren’t from the 1980s! 😂
I LOVE, love, love trend posts! It’s always so interesting to take the pulse and see how much things are changing or staying the same. Some of these are for me ( yes to neatly tucked away fridges, pretty tilework and frosted cabinets), and some of it is not (no to too-busy marble and pot racks cluttering my lines of sight), but it is all SO fun to look at, and make me see my own space through a new lens!
Thank you!!
With the ongoing trend of removing the wall between kitchen and living spaces, you get a lot of kitchens that are spread out in a long line against the back wall and then have a very long island between the kitchen wall and the living space. It is an absolute nightmare to have to constantly walk all the way down to the end of the island to get around it. In those long, skinny kitchens having a break in the middle of the island is a must. It can also be necessary in a Kosher kitchen. In any other configuration I would rather have a dining area instead of a second island.
And this may not be a popular opinion but DEAR GOD NO NO NO to pot racks and open shelving. It doesn’t matter how great your stove hood is, everything will get covered in a fine, sticky mist of grease. Anyone who has ever wiped down their kitchen cabinets knows those doors are there for a reason!! I love the look of open shelves but they really are totally impractical and kitchens should look beautiful but MUST be practical too.
I was waiting for someone to say this about aerosolized oils.
All those pretty pots lined up behind and above the stove are going to be a sticky mess; that stuff is murder to clean off and good luck scrubbing it off painted cabinets or display shelves around the range.
The pot rack behind/over the range is similar to a shelf of oils in pretty bottles above it: tell me you don’t cook without telling me you don’t cook.
That, or it tells me you cook competently & CONSTANTLY! There is no middle ground!
I insisted on open shelving around our stove because the kitchen felt awful and claustrophobic with uppers in that are due to the layout. My husband was really opposed due to the issue you raised. I’m very happy to report that, even though we cook frequently and intensively, my shelves/dishware are not at all dirty. We have a very high quality hood and our daily dishes are on the shelves, so they’re washed almost daily. Zero issues, and SO functional.
Getting ready to embark on my first kitchen renovation, sometime this year. So I love looking at all of the kitchen eye candy posts for inspiration. But I have to admit, If something is deemed a “trend”, it makes me want to run in the other direction. I can’t be the only person, who wants nothing to do with being trendy? I want classy, and functional, as the first wants on my list. I’m spending 1/4, to 1/3 of my budget, moving my furnace, and water heater, to gain more square footage. I wouldn’t trade spending this money, for something trendy only for 10 minutes. Please tell me I’m not the only one. Please! Anyone!
The trends for home are always rooted in lifestyle shifts and functionality decisions. True trendy things like, cylindrical cooking hoods or brass cabinets are for what I would consider show homes or high design low livability spaces. These “trends” are just updates to traditional ideas, i doubt an apron front sink will look dated in 10 years. Same with pot racks or burgundy kitchens.
“works for the way we live” is more important than anything. Choices like color or cabinet hardware are changeable. And if YOU love it, who cares if it’s a trend?
Lots of really beautiful kitchens here, and lots of inspiration! Thanks! You’ve got me daydreaming about my kitchen, again.
yay!
Interesting post. We have a measuring spoon set hanging as decoration and our two everyday cast iron pots hanging by the stove. Our light is too precious for anything to block it. Maybe it’s just me- I’ve been noticing a salvaged eclectic trend in kitchens. Parts of the kitchen are new and parts are repurposed furniture and shelving. Like the repurposed island Emily was looking into. I’m mainly looking at smaller kitchens that could inform our kitchen planning not huge kitchens. I really liked the last image!
I agree Lisa! I love the look of an old cupboard or hutch incorporated into a more modern kitchen. Very European/Devol/Plain English kitchen-is!
I love looking at trend posts, but then I find myself being annoyed that they are all so expensive and often impractical – more for celebrities and very wealthy people who entertain a lot and have a full time housekeeper!
I think putting the fridge over to one side with the tall pantry, creating one tall wall in the kitchen, is very practical. But putting the fridge into the pantry or far from prep surfaces/sink is a really good way to have people leave that stuff out on the counter instead of putting it away, at least in my house. Stainless – not unless it comes with a housekeeper to wipe it down constantly. Double islands make sense for extra large kitchens and professional chefs. If your house/family/entertaining are large enough, why not?
I love the look of pot racks and had a pegboard on a narrow wall in my former house to hang the pots. I would, however, never put a rack in front of a window with a beautiful view. I’m also only 5′ tall so those pots and pans would block the view for me. Love the plum cabinets, fuchsia stove and many other trends shown. It is really nice to see some personality back in the kitchen!
I love these posts! Similar to Emily’s broader trends piece, I see a lot of unique touches in these kitchens. I love when vintage items and unique pieces are layered over a kitchen, where the bulk of the room is very permanent and expensive to change. As far as the two islands trend goes, I think that’s part of the larger kitchen trend I’ve seen towards BIG. Huge islands like Emily’s and the Chris Loves Julia one, huge sinks, huge ranges, huge everything. Emily did that whole post about looking for larger induction ranges, when I have never in my life had anything wider than 30 inches. Huge pantries leads into the fridge question. As I live with a small, slightly awkward kitchen in a very old house, I actually could see how a fridge in the pantry would make sense. I’m going to the pantry to get ingredients, too, not just the fridge. It’s not how my kitchen works, but I’ve seen it in other old houses out of necessity, and I see a lot of logic in keeping all the food together. It would definitely make putting groceries away easy. I don’t live in a space where there… Read more »
NO to metal kitchens! Terrible! Kirsten Dunst kitchen is so dreamy! When i received my AD w/ that on the cover, i showed my husband and he was like “in your dreams’. but then I compared to my recent kitchen remodel and had so many of the same things (Waterworks tile, Waterworks faucets, black countertops, similar cubby open shelf, apron sink, fancy stove), so made me happy even w/o her budget, can still have dreamy kitchen.
Placing the refrigerator in a contiguous pantry and large veining are the only two trends I would consider incorporating in my own home. The double island makes sense in a large multigenerational home or one for entertainers. Interesting read. Thanks!
What a funny moment when you realize there’s a photo of your kitchen on EH blog as you catch up on your daily read 😛 There was a mention of cost of a farmhouse sink with just the slab front – it’s definitely cheaper than having a sink entirely made of stone but since we had a light color slab for the counters we never really considered a whole sink made out it. We also needed something more durable than a porcelain sink. We splurged by having a cast iron sink with the quartzite front, but a stainless or composite undermount sink would prob give the same look for a lot less. We thought the slab front for the sink was the best of both worlds for us because you get the practical seamless countertop with the visual detail in front.
Amanda….been waiting on a reveal or update on your kitchen for forever…..
Jess!!! SUCH a great a post! So many new-to-me designers & photographers plus some of my all-time favorites with soooooooo much LOVELY & inspiring eye candy! Thank you!
PS. Especially appreciate all the beauty on this day in particular…
I installed my quartz apron front with my copper sink recently and I just love it! I saw it done by Jenny Komenda last year and had to have it. Funny enough, it was the first apron front our counter installers had ever done! They thought I was nuts, but thought it was very cool as well. Love that you featured it here!! And all the photos on this post are stunning!! what incredible inspo! Thank you for sharing!
Loved this post! We are in the final months of our new home build, which has been a 3 year process, and it is so fun to see what comes and goes even over that short period. We are doing our best to choose things we love (and will continue to love for many years to come!) rather than pay too much attention to what is trending, and yet I’m seeing some of our choices here. We happened in to two islands when I added a walkway through the peninsula – had never heard of or seen a kitchen with two islands before, but it worked perfectly with our open floor plan space, and now I’m seeing them all over the place. We often have our whole family cooking together so I cannot wait to be in our new spacious kitchen! And I don’t like how the long line of counter stools prevents group conversation, so the second island is a breakfast table of sorts with 6 stools in a U configuration. We are putting our freezer in the pantry while keeping our fridge in the kitchen to maintain a work triangle. We’ve got square tile going in for the… Read more »
Its not a pot rack if it doesn’t have pots on it 😂
Also, I’ve been in Shavonda’s kitchen and it is simply perfection. The colors IRL are a magical mood. Speaking of trends: I’m surprised you didn’t call out the kitchen table instead of island. It’s definitely one I’m seeing a Lot. Xx
Thinking further: one might want to combine all these into one overall category: fridge not in main kitchen, multiple islands, kitchen tables instead of islands ->> Non typical kitchen rooms? Flexible floor plans? Idk but it feels like there’s more freedom and flexibility to do what your space dictates
Love the post! Plum is not a neutral and doesn’t look like a neutral – why would you call it one? The color plum looks beautiful on those cabinets, no need to redefine what words mean. Hate the big veins look – only one out of ten looks good instead of too busy – reminds me of all that granite everywhere that got ripped out despite how practical and forever it could have been – always makes me sad. Two islands is no crazier than a range over 30” but both are a little crazy :).
My pots need elbow room or they get angry.
I’ll take the plum cabinets, please. And a big no to metal kitchens. Reminds me of volunteering in the church cafeteria.
Jess! Another impeccable, meticulously researched, and, yet, entertaining post! Bravo! But, I understand your goal is simply to be the “trend messenger” (as in, “Don’t shoot the”…) So, in that spirit, I’m so into commenting on this post! First, it was fun to see the difference between Sarah Sherman Samuel’s “old” (hah!) kitchen, and the newer stuff. Her kitchen is very 2017 to me–clean, serene, rhythmic juxtaposition of the clean angles of the cabinets with the natural round shapes of the knobs, vases, chairs, lights, etc. It is very uniform, and almost hypnotizing…then, transition to the current, much more imperfect, bigger bolder, wilder pictures that you highlighted. Wow, what a difference! Trendwise, I really am into combining the (in my opinion) sage advice from the Macro trends post earlier in the week with your current awesome Kitchen Trend 2022 post. With that in mind, I think we need to ask: Is The Trend practical? Useful?Does it show the skill of the maker and will last for years? Is it sustainable/cool vintage? Does it get weird? vs. Can you live with it day after day, meal after meal? In that spirit, here we go: 1) Fridge in pantry: hard no, unless… Read more »
dig these up?
Otherwise, the pot racks are really cool if your pots are beautiful and you polish them, but the meet the “practical” test, as then you have way more room in your drawers.
Love the Bib sinks! And so practical! Who doesn’t get paint chipping on the cabinet under the sink! Great solution
Two islands, neutral. Would prefer one island and a table with some soul, as per the other comments.
Again, great post!
I would really like to see the return of the forever kitchen. I think the lifespan of kitchens is becoming shorter and shorter as we get more manipulated into believing we need to keep up with trends. Even if some components are recycled so much more goes to waste. We’re does it all end.
love all of these. and i love love love that wit and delight kitchen so much. obsessed.
also, i love that dark countertops are back in style all over. and that wood cabinets, even dark ones are in again.
This was so fun! Just want to point out that tile may not actually be less expensive than a marble slab. I’m remodeling my kitchen as we speak and the quote for tiling one wall to the ceiling and a chimney was 10K! (I’m sure those big beautifully veined backsplashes are also a pretty penny!)
Instead, I’m opting for the very low key (and low budget) shiny-paint behind the range look that I’ve been seeing from some British kitchen manufacturers (with a 4″ marble backsplash). Shockingly, the very low backsplash only worked out to a couple hundred dollars since I’d be using the rest of the same slab for counter tops.
Was literally just giving my bestie advice on what to do with the cabinet above her refrigerator nook that happens to be off the kitchen. They need a new fridge and the cabinet prevents the height they want. She doesn’t love the location of it but the kitchen is so small, it’s like a 1-2 butt kitchen as grandma calls it. They’re prepping the house to sell so I’m going to help her with that. And this article pops up, and the first thing is about the fridge, perfect timing! I’m dying LOL!
OMG I just realized we have the perfect layout to do a hallway fridge when we do tackle the kitchen remodel and it will increase cabinet and counter space by at least 25%! Thanks Jess!!
I remodeled my kitchen two years ago. I moved the fridge to an area that used to be a breakfast nook, added pantry cabinets and gained 36 inches of counter space! No regrets! We can easily have two people cooking now, so worth the extra 8 steps every time I go to the fridge.
A trend not specifically listed here but that is still going strong and that I want to incorporate: zellige tile backsplash. I want it!!
I love this post! Very thorough and thought provoking. Trends or not, there are some excellent ideas gathered here. And some very charming kitchens. Thank you!
I’m mid-renovation and still need to select everything (except the cabinets) for the kitchen, so I appreciate this timely post. These gorgeous photos have me thinking I’ll go for bold and dramatic veining in the countertops, as everything else will be kept fairly simple.
YES to fridge in pantry! Everyone who is saying that the fridge will be too far away from your workstation in there – is it not annoying to have your pantry so far away that putting the fridge there would be awful? I guess I would prefer the pantry be reasonably close too! It actually makes a lot of sense to me for all your food, drinks, etc. to be in the same place. Unloading groceries sounds easier that way too! We’ve been working on plans to build a house in the next year, and one thing I had been struggling with was placement of the fridge and the pantry door, since there are really only two spots in the kitchen where a tall thing can fit with the windows, range hood, etc. to consider, and putting the fridge in one of the spots (where the pantry can’t go, because that’s the front wall of the house) would have meant sort of closing off the kitchen from the living room because the fridge would have been on the end of the cabinets that run towards the living room (hard to explain!). So putting the fridge on the other end, where… Read more »
We remodeled our kitchen in 2013 and at the time I almost put in fridge drawers in our kitchen and then a separate standard fridge in our pantry. But the cost was intense so we just did the one fridge in the kitchen. It’s fine. I wish we hadn’t done a French door model since it’s in a corner against a glass door cupboard. The door bangs into the glass. I also have one of the European reeded glass hoods. It was supposed to be installed with hinges so it would be easy to clean. Alas that didn’t happen. Does it get gross? Yes. Do I regret it? No. It allows light to reach the stove top, and I don’t mind cleaning it every few months. But then again I also have open teak shelves. And yes I used to be a professional cook. Every kitchen needs a deep clean every once in awhile. For me the kitchen needs to be easily useable. It need to work like a pro kitchen. But it also needs to be a place that doesn’t ruin your mood every time you have to make a midweek meal for you family. As for double islands,… Read more »
A friend just renovated a 4k sq’ apartment in NYC (yes, i said 4k sq’ in NYC!) and put in double islands in his kitchen (kitchen/open plan to the dining room). When I first looked at the architect’s plans I said, “Whaaaat? TWO islands?!”, and thought it was just a tad over the top. There was no good response to my quention, I’m telling you. Thinking about it now, his dining room is at the far end of the islands, and maybe he and the architect were thinking to keep the sloppy mess of cooking as far away from the dining room area as possible? That’s all I’ve got for that. All I can think of is, “oh boy, more for the helpers to clean after the cooking chaos.” Haven’t seen it in person yet because, covid, but will let you all know how that works out.
Loved all the eye candy and pinned a LOT of it! Thanks
GREAT DESIGN, post ,looks amazing,
These fresh kitchen design ideas for countertops, cabinetry, … You can also think about bringing in handmade tiles in materials
Loved these beautiful kitchens but I have concerns with a couple of the trends.
Double islands: I’d rather see a kitchen table. This is more comfortable for older adults and for younger children. A table can still act as prep space (and may be a better height for kneading dough or for young helpers). If you have a nice table near the center of action, it will truly make your kitchen the heart of the home.
Refrigerators in a different room: There seems to be a trend forming that moves the working parts of the kitchen into the pantry. I’ve also seen some kitchens with an additional sink in the pantry for dirty dishes. I saw one floor plan that had both a scullery and a pantry. To me this is an indication that our floorplans have become too open. A functional, working kitchen can look out of place with the more formal rooms of our homes.
When you have to hide the function of a room — is your floorplan really working?