A beautifully designed kitchen is essential for several reasons. Primarily, it is the space where we spend the most amount of time with family, cooking, eating, or even working. It’s also important to keep in mind that the right kitchen can add to the resale value of a home.
While all-white and farmhouse-style kitchens have been popular for almost too many years now (blame the pandemic or supply chains for this one), homeowners, designers, and developers are finally starting to see kitchen styles evolve. Elements that were once “must haves” have become “no mores.” Here are twelve kitchen design trends going away in 2023, according to experts and interior designers.
All-White Kitchens
Los Angles real estate broker Lori Levine Harris of Brock and Lori tells me, “All white everything is on its way out. For the past decade, we’ve been seeing white walls, white tile, and Carrera marble. People are tired of these muted palettes, and designers are bringing in color— which we love.”
Most designers also agree that white-on-white kitchens will look dated in 2023. So what color will be the new white? There isn’t just one answer here. Alice Arterberry and Barrett Cooke of Arterberry Cooke believe the newest kitchens will have two or three contrasting, complementary shades. “Monochromatic kitchens lack depth and visual interest. Complementary hues in a kitchen can elevate the area while still being timeless.”
Interior designer Kirsten Blazek of a1000xBetter sees dark wood cabinetry making a comeback. “For many years now white oak cabinets were dominating kitchen design but I think that era is ending and we are going to start seeing more saturated palettes in kitchen design. The correct darker brown cabinet is timeless and can be mixed with so many other fantastic finishes.”
Open Kitchens
Open floor plans and particularly open kitchens are controversial topics in the design world right now. While it’s a practical choice for some, many homeowners have grown tired of this design choice in a post-pandemic world. Harris’ clients have been asking to close up their kitchen walls. “Especially for families, people no longer want to see dirty dishes and boxes of cereal while they eat dinner or entertain. We have clients with open floor plans who are building walls to separate their kitchens from their dining rooms. This more traditional style is coming back with the kitchen, dining room, and sitting room all compartmentalized. It allows you to curate a unique space.”
Matte Black Hardware
While matte black hardware was everywhere in 2022, expect to see less of it in 2023. “We have the flippers to thank for this one. Matte black hardware never really appealed to me but I do understand that for some they appreciate matte black’s minimalist nature and darker tones when opting for a more handsome look,” says interior designer Sara Weichel of Swike.
So what’s a good alternative? Weichel recommends considering oil-rubbed bronze for a more updated look. She also predicts we will see more polished nickel and chrome in the coming year.
Upper Cabinetry
The days of standard closed upper cabinets are starting to dwindle and will be replaced by open shelving. Sapna Aggarwal of Bungalowe tells me, “Upper cabinets are going away. Beautifully styled open shelving is here to stay. Doing away with upper cabinets is a great way to save money and create an opportunity to show off your personality by creating beautifully styled vignettes.”
But doing this right also means keeping it edited and uncluttered. “Our clients are very into hiding everything from dishes to appliances. Gone are the days of ceramics and cookbooks on display —the minimal, uncluttered look is in. Cookbooks belong in the pantry and appliances are hidden by cabinetry to obtain a zen, uncluttered look,” says Harris.
Faux Finishes
2023 is all about keeping it real in the kitchen, according to Lauren Cherkas, President and Chief Sales Officer of Artistic Tile. “Faux anything [such as quartz that looks like marble] is definitely a kitchen trend going away for the luxury consumer in 2023. For the discerning client, natural stone for floors, countertops, and backsplash is the only way to go. It is a classic look for the kitchen that transcends trends.”
Cherkas also believes these finishes will serve homeowners better in the long run. “With its longevity, it is also a sustainable choice. With minimal maintenance, it can outlast much of the other elements in a kitchen.”
Herringbone Backsplashes
Herringbone backsplashes fell back into favor around the time herringbone flooring did a few years ago, but according to Christopher Peacock, founder and CEO of Christopher Peacock, this style’s days are numbered. “Herringbone patterns are good for a floor, but not so much for a backsplash as it can get too busy, and you need a large area to appreciate it fully.”
Carrera Marble
This is another hot topic because Carrera marble, while beautiful and beloved by almost everybody, has become almost annoyingly omnipresent. So, in 2023, we’re likely to see a lot less of it. Peacock thinks homeowners can do better. “I believe Carrera is overused and classic Carrera has changed so much now it’s hard to find a good slab. It’s not for me, unless I can find a nice piece that has a lot of white in it. There are so many white marbles, but they are super expensive, so Carrera can be good for a budget, but it’s not considered as beautiful as other white marbles out there.”
Appliances Over The Range
Installing a microwave over the range has been the standard for years, but now that standard is changing. “Just say no to putting appliances over the range. Making a fabulous design feature out of the space above your range far outweighs the utilitarian trend of using that area to house an appliance. Some people might say it’s a shame not to claim this upper cabinet section for added storage or for an appliance,” says Tamarra Younis of Union Of The Art Interiors.
Contemporary Aesthetics
HGTV star and interior designer Francesca Grace of Francesca Grace Home shares organic kitchen aesthetics are beginning to look dated. “As a maximalist, I tend to stay away from neutral palettes and I think we’re going to be seeing a lot more color in the kitchen in 2023. Think lots of rich colored hues, like dark greens, blacks, and blues, even merlot colored cabinets, with countertops with more character, like beautifully veined marble.”
Farmhouse-Style Kitchens
Live, laugh, and love that farmhouse-style kitchens will no longer be on-trend in 2023 “We’ve all seen them over and over again and it’s time this style gets a revamp, which can be easily done. This is a trend that has started to become basic. We want to see more character and personality in a kitchen and I think we’ll be seeing a lot of that in the future,” says Grace.
Tile Backsplashes
Arterberry and Cooke tell me that patterned tile backsplashes are beginning to become less preferable. “Patterned or mosaic wall tile can create a busy aesthetic and look dysfunctional. Opt for a solid slab stone to match the countertops for a calm, simple look. You can also have fun with cabinetry paint colors [instead].”
Cold, Ultra Modern Designs
Renata Vasconez and Samantha Gallacher, co-founders IG Workshop predict cold modern elements such as glossy finishes and sharp edges will be replaced by warmer, cozier styles. “Kitchens are now cozier and warmer, designers are staying away from glossy finishes and sharp edges. We are looking at curved islands, wood tones, and interesting use of textures. Honed and leathered stones are replacing the glossy slabs, and more daring colors have been incorporated in the designs.”