What’s Hot for Renovations and New Builds
By Andrea Mars, Kitchen Designer, Dillman & Upton, a MANS Family Company
If you’re planning to renovate your kitchen or building a new home in 2024, you’ll want to be in the know about the latest kitchen design trends. Kitchens are the heart of the home, and with shifting homeowner needs and evolving style preferences, the designs we’re seeing today are both functional and beautiful.
What may have been en vogue just a few years ago may now be considered out of style by today’s standards. Homeowners looking to bring a modern look and feel to the centerpiece of the home have a lot of options and points of inspiration.
Here’s a breakdown of ten of the hottest trends we’re seeing in kitchen design for 2024.
1. Range Hoods as a Design Focal Point
Range hoods are moving beyond their traditional functional role of merely venting cooking fumes. In 2024, these kitchen staples are becoming central design pieces. We’re seeing range hoods made from stone, quartz, plaster, and even metals like copper. These materials add texture and personality, transforming the range hood from a utilitarian tool into a true statement piece.
2. Clean Lines and Contemporary Style
Younger homeowners are leaning toward clean, minimalist designs with a more contemporary flair. The preference is for sleeker lines and simpler aesthetics. As such, flat-front cabinets and fewer ornamentations are increasingly popular. This reflects a broader trend of moving away from highly traditional kitchens toward modern, streamlined spaces.
3. Drawers Over Cabinets
Functionality is key, and in recent years, many homeowners are replacing lower cabinets with banks of deep drawers. This shift is driven by the ease of access and organization drawers provide. No more bending down to rummage through low shelves! Additionally, drawers often offer better storage solutions, especially in keeping kitchen essentials like pots, pans, and utensils organized.
4. Natural Tones and Warm Woods
While stark white and cool grays dominated kitchens in the past decade, modern kitchen design is embracing warmer and more natural tones. Lighter greens, soft creams, gold accents and richly grained woods are making a comeback. Homeowners are opting for beachy or earthy woods, giving their kitchen spaces a more natural, cozy, and inviting feel.
5. The Return of Sculleries and Adjacent Spaces
The concept of the “scullery” is being revived in new builds. Once considered old-fashioned, sculleries—prep kitchens or large pantries—are being reimagined as spaces where the mess of cooking and prepping is kept out of sight. This allows the main kitchen to remain pristine, especially in homes designed for entertaining. Additionally, adjacent spaces like homework nooks are becoming a popular addition, integrating function with the central family area.
6. Brushed Brass and Gold Finishes
Metal finishes are evolving. Brushed nickel and stainless steel are being swapped out for warmer tones like brushed brass and gold. These finishes are seen in faucets, cabinet handles, and light fixtures, giving kitchens a more luxurious and classic touch. They pair beautifully with the natural wood tones and lighter colors dominating kitchen design these days.
7. Workstation Sinks: Function Meets Innovation
Sinks are no longer just sinks—they’re becoming multifunctional workstations. The workstation sink is one of the hottest kitchen innovations of the modern era. These much larger sinks often feature integrated accessories like cutting boards, drying racks and colanders, allowing for seamless food prep and cleanup. The accessories rest on ledges within the sink, making them easy to use, accessible, and ideal for those who want to maximize space and efficiency in their kitchens.
8. Quartz Countertops & Full Quartz Backsplashes
Quartz remains the most popular countertop material, thanks to its durability and versatility. Natural-looking quartz is particularly sought after for its clean aesthetic. Another trend that continues to evolve is extending the quartz countertop up the wall as a full-height backsplash. This creates a sleek, continuous look and offers a practical solution. Full quartz backsplashes are much easier to clean than traditional tile backsplashes, especially when dealing with stains like sauces or grease and trying to remove them from the tile grout.
9. Integrated Appliance Drawers
Microwave drawers, refrigerator drawers, and dishwasher drawers are becoming common features in modern kitchens. Often paneled to match the surrounding cabinetry, these appliances blend seamlessly into the kitchen design. The sleek, minimalist look is appealing, while also providing functional benefits—like easy access to appliances that are obscured from everyday sight to avoid sacrificing style in the overall aesthetic of the kitchen design.
10. Wide Plank Floors & Lighter Woods
When it comes to flooring, wood remains a classic choice. The trend today leans toward lighter woods and wider planks, which give the kitchen a more expansive and open feel. Homeowners are moving away from dark, narrow floorboards and embracing light oak or ash woods that add to the natural warmth of the kitchen’s overall look and feel. Open-concept spaces often feature the same flooring throughout the home, creating a unified, continuous look that extends into and out of the kitchen area.
Still Looking for Inspiration?
Whether you’re remodeling your current space or designing a new home , these latest kitchen trends prioritize both style and functionality. From statement range hoods to integrated appliance drawers and workstation sinks, kitchens are becoming more user-friendly while offering chic, modern aesthetics. With a focus on natural tones, warm woods, and multifunctional spaces, the kitchens in the modern home are designed to meet the needs of today’s homeowners while offering timeless appeal.
Whether you’re renovating your existing kitchen or designing your dream home and dream kitchen, our designers and materials experts have exactly what you need to make your dreams become a reality today—all in one place!
Andrea Mars serves as Designer with Dillman & Upton, a MANS Family Company. To get started on your next dream kitchen project, contact her at andrea@dillmanupton.com or by phone at 248-470-5522.
