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There’s no bigger tip-off that a home hasn’t been remodeled in the last decade (or two) than a dated kitchen. Are you stuck with the gleaming oak and brass cabinets of the 90s? Or the country-inspired wallpaper of the 80s? Or maybe your kitchen is still sporting the avocado-and-orange relics of the 70s. Regardless, it’s time for a change. Here are 5 modern kitchen design trends that’ll give your space the makeover it deserves.
No one likes fussy, cluttered kitchen spaces these days. A clean, modern kitchen provides a stress-free prep space for creative cooking. And a few well-chosen accents can keep your kitchen from looking too industrial. We’ve seen a trend toward removing upper cabinets (which are often poorly used storage anyway) in favor of more open wall space and brighter lighting.
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, natural wood is out. Clean white cabinets are a perennial favorite, but if you’re hungry for something more modern, how about grey? From dark and stormy to pearly pale, grey is a versatile neutral that’s still clean and crisp without being quite as sterile as white. The truly bold might go all the way over to the dark side with black, navy, or aubergine. Take a risk! Even if you end up not liking the color palette, it’s relatively simple to repaint later.
We live in a digital world. Smart kitchen technology is still evolving, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that the future means whole-house connectivity. A coffee maker you can program with your phone is an entertaining novelty. But a fridge with a built-in digital message board and the ability to tell you when you’re running low on milk? That’s pretty amazing.
Granite countertops are so over. For a while, everyone had to have dark, glossy granite in their kitchens. But these days, quartz is much more popular. It’s less of a hassle to maintain and is pretty much indestructible. Quartz comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, though a simple, light finish will complement a modern kitchen better than something overly elaborate. If stone isn’t your thing, look into butcher block for a warmer (if more challenging to maintain) countertop or concrete for something truly avant garde.
Vinyl or Formica flooring is a sign of a kitchen in need of a reboot. Hardwood floors have been popular for about a decade, often with the same style flowing from the rest of the house straight into the kitchen. If you want something a little more durable, you can also find ceramic tiles that look like wood. Ceramics are having a comeback, and with so many options to choose from, it’d be hard not to find tile that catches your eye.
