Curious what the 2020 kitchen trends will be? Us too. We have more kitchen remodeling projects than any other type of project out there, so we like to do our research and be savvy with the upcoming trends.
As we look back at our kitchen remodeling projects from over the years we notice a few trends. These trends make it easier for us to understand how kitchen design evolves from year to year. Two years ago, in 2018, all of our kitchens were dark and warm. Cabinets were dark browns, while countertops were neutral colors and natural materials (like stone). In 2019, Pinterest showed us a contrast to this with bright, white, fresh looking kitchens. As a result, that’s what we saw installed with each 2019 kitchen remodeling project.
So what will the kitchen trends be this year, in 2020? We have a few guesses, but we wanted to do some research to see what others in the industry were thinking. It boils down to the following: stone (type and how it is used), cabinets (colors), the introduction of an unexpected color pop, the quantity of kitchen islands, the revival of the mud room, and a shift in overall layout notions. Based on what we uncovered, we think these will be the kitchen trends of 2020.
STONE
Show Me the Veins
Many of the countertops we installed in 2019 had very subtle or no veining. Countertops were very clean, monotone, and subtle. Last year was full of Carrara, or at least its look-alike, yet more affordable counterpart, pental quartz in ‘misterio.’ According to Homes & Gardens and House Beautiful, expect to see the predominately white stone with subtle grey marbling swapped for its more veiny sibling, Calacatta. If not using Calacatta, expect to see more strongly veined marble in 2020. We can agree on the matter, as the kitchens we’ve installed so far this year have definitely had more veining than last year.
Slab Backsplash
While dialing up the veining of your slab countertops, consider simplifying your backsplash. This trend simply takes the slab used as your countertop and uses it as a backsplash as well. This look started to gain popularity towards the end of 2019, so there is no surprise that it would continue to be popular through 2020. Moreover, this made Elle Decor‘s list for 2020 trends. We have seen this idea executed a few different ways. One, is using it as a trim piece. The other, is using it to fill the entire wall space from lower cabinets to uppers.
CABINETS
Let Me See Your Dark Side
Multiple sources deemed dark colored cabinets the trend to watch for in 2020 kitchens. Elle Decor named navy millwork as the most stylish color for cabinets. This doesn’t surprise us, being that Blue is the Pantone color of the year.
On the other hand, Homes & Gardens calls for adding dark drama to your kitchen by using black. They take it a step further to say this could be the wall color, cabinets or work surfaces. We concur with these design notions as well. With 2019 filling us up with so much white and bright, we definitely expect things to take a dark turn in 2020.
Ash is Back
This idea goes in the opposite direction of dark drama. We see this trend as an evolution of the bright, stark, white kitchen. It improves upon what doesn’t work in an all white kitchen – all white surfaces are impossible to keep clean in such a heavily used space. As a result, it takes what people loved about it – the brightness and simplicity – and introduces more warmth. Homes & Gardens says to expect to see the resurrection of warm, paler woods used for cabinets, such as a subtle grained ash. Elle Decor notes something similar. They indicate the rise in warm finishes, such as light wood, soft, neutral countertops and tumbled stone floors. We aren’t surprised to see this making everyone’s list, as this was making a rise on Pinterest towards the end of 2019 as well.
COLOR POP
Unexpected Color Pops + Pairings
If there is one trend to watch for, it is this one. Each source we read declared this as a trend to watch for in 2020 kitchens. Elle Decor and Homes & Gardens says to look for unexpected color pops and unexpected pairings of color. House Beautiful says to expect to see pops of color, particularly in sunny hues and aqua accents. Inspired by mid-century design, these color pops can be found in tile or as a cabinet color. Kitchen tile is one area of the kitchen where it is easy to add a pop of color. Bright colors and bold moves are on everyone’s list for this year.
KITCHEN ISLAND
Double islands and dual sinks made both lists for Homes & Gardens and Elle Decor. While we may see the appeal to these, we don’t necessarily agree with this. A double island only works with a kitchen that has space for it. Many kitchens do not. Our perspective is that if space allows, just install a larger island. Check out this project for an example of an extra-large island that makes a big impact. Two kitchen islands just seem excessive and unnecessary. We think this fad that will come and go quickly.
REVIVAL OF THE MUD ROOM
Having a mud room is proving to be something of a status symbol these days. In an effort to achieve a clean, organized space in the kitchen and living areas, the mud room is gaining popularity. It allows for storage of everyday items that clutter up the home. It also can be home to pet feeding areas, or the “dog cantina” as House Beautiful has named it.
DESIGN + LAYOUT
Design
There are a number of design styles that will live on in 2020 kitchens. We saw them rise in 2019 and they aren’t going anywhere. If you haven’t already, say hello to the curated kitchen, the neo-traditional kitchen, and the all-natural kitchen.
The curated kitchen is one where time is spent contemplating every object on display, just as you would in your main living areas. This means putting beautiful everyday objects artfully on display, or showcasing artwork. We’ve seen the art work hung on the wall, or set on the counter to lean against the wall. Homes & Gardens believes this will live on through 2020, and so do we.
Neo-traditionalism is not the newest trend on this list, but it continues to wage on. House Beautiful doesn’t think its going anywhere just yet and either do we. This style takes old elements and pairs them with contemporary ones. For example, traditional cabinets and vintage light fixtures can be paired with contemporary elements like clean slab counters and backsplash.
The “all natural” kitchen is one we touched on earlier with ash cabinets. While the other styles have been around longer, this one is building some momentum. This made it on several lists for a trend this year. The all natural kitchen includes warm finishes all around – light woods, soft, neutral countertops and tumbled stone floors. Don’t forget the abundance of natural light!
Layout
An “open floor plan” is on every remodeler’s list, for now. According to a few online articles, trends will have us moving away from this ever popular concept. Homes & Gardens calls it broken-plan living. It means using objects such as screens, furniture or house plants to create zones of space within the open floor plan. This appears to be an evolution of the open floor plan, taking what wasn’t working and improving upon it. House Beautiful went as far to say that standalone kitchens will rise again. They believe that the kitchen will be its own room again.