Get a head start on your reno plans with predictions from the pros.
By LUCIA TONELLINOV 22, 2019
The new year is best celebrated with a refresh of all parts of life. And what better place to begin than in our most personal spaces, like—let’s say—our homes? While following trends may feel like fleeting pursuit, when it comes to kitchen design they often outlast their time in the spotlight. From millwork to backsplashes, color palettes and design styles, we asked top designers to weigh in on what trends will be most popular on the home front next year.
Read on for the designer-approved kitchen trends for 2020.
NAVY MILLWORK Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriot
“We love a classic white kitchen, but lately we've seen requests for navy millwork, like what we did in the Goop offices in NY. It blends beautifully with marble and brass.” — Ariel Okin of Ariel Okin Interiors
SLAB BACKSPLASH Laurey Glenn Photography
“A slab backsplash is so clean, yet adds the right amount of drama to a kitchen.” —
Bailey Austin of Bailey Austin Design
COLORFUL KITCHEN TILE Manolo Langis Photography
“A backsplash is the best place to add a pop of color into a kitchen design without having to do a full kitchen renovation. While white kitchens will always be in style, people seem to be taking more risks with color and design these days.” — Christine Markatos Lowe of Christine Markatos Design
DOUBLE ISLANDS
“Expanding a kitchen’s function and maintaining traffic flow, double islands in the kitchen are an integral feature. It’s a convenient way to divide the area between meal preparation and serving or gathering. With the addition of dual sinks, cleaning up is a breeze!” — Courtney Hill Fertitta of Courtney Hill Interiors
STEEL HOODS True O’Neill
“We think steel hoods are the new trend of 2020. We are noticing a surge in custom kitchen hoods that steer away from the boring stainless steel or basic painted wood. We have been implementing steel and plasterwork into our designs more and more and we are loving how these are becoming a focal point and conversation piece for our kitchens.” — Janice Barta of Barta Interiors
UPDATED CLASSIC STYLE
“Updated classic design for kitchens, amping up the glamour factor without making you feel oddly out of place having coffee in a bathrobe.” — Jeffry Weisman of Fisher Weisman
UNEXPECTED COLOR POPS
“Using color in unexpected places like appliances and hoods. If you love color, it’s a fun way to incorporate it and make a regular appliance feel special and custom.” — Julie Massucco Kleiner and Melissa Warner Rothblum of Massucco Warner
GRAVITY DEFYING ISLANDS
“Many of our clients who are looking to maximize the sense of clean, open space within apartment kitchens have been drawn to gravity defying islands. With these unique islands, the functional elements of the kitchen recede to reveal more space and become an extension of the architecture itself. They can also have a chameleon effect, bridging the gap between classic, pre-war architecture and more contemporary feeling spaces.” - Karen Williams of St. Charles New York
WARM FINISHES
“There’s a time and a place for a grey and white kitchen, but warm finishes are on the rise. When done well, old-school wood cabinetry can be modern and fresh. I love pairing it with a soft natural countertop, like a honed quartzite, and tumbled stone floors.” — Marie Flanigan of Marie Flanigan Interiors
OPEN SHELVING FOR DECOR
“There has been a long running trend of open shelving for dinner and glassware. Now, I like seeing kitchen shelving that holds antique cookware, gilded vintage glasses, and copper pots baring their patina. Blending Old World with modern appliances is so warm and inviting.” — Laura Umansky of Laura U Interior Design
SLEEK CABINETRY
“I’m seeing less and less crown molding used on the tops of the upper cabinets. Clients are opting for a cleaner look that isn’t too decorative up at the top. It also can help with giving more storage space to cabinetry because then you don’t have to worry about giving an interior shelf to the molding.” — Linda Hayslett of LH. Designs
DARK COUNTERTOPS
“With natural materials and earth tones taking over, kitchens are following suit. Countertops are going dark, with natural woods like walnut coming out as big winners.” — Marika Meyer of Meyer Interiors
MATCHING COUNTERTOP AND BACKSPLASH Christian Torres
“Extending the countertop material up the backsplash allows you to streamline the number materials in a kitchen creating a clean and contemporary look. It also creates a beautiful backsplash for shelves filled with dinnerware and accessories.” — Tina Rich of Tina Rich Design