Forms of self-expression are always changing – fashion, music, interior design. Kitchen design trends have been growing and evolving over the last 30 years and while some trends stand the test of time and become staples in our kitchens for decades, other trends simply don’t last, and even make us cringe looking back! Here are our favorite kitchen design trends from the last three decades.
THE BEST 90s KITCHEN TRENDS
Interior design in the 1990s was all about making the home feel comfy, cozy, and livable. This was reflected in kitchen design with the rise of the country farmhouse aesthetic adorned with warm wood cabinets, hunter green walls, and floral fabrics!
/white-appliances-image-450w-253h.jpg "Photo courtesy of by Café Appliances")
WHITE KITCHEN APPLIANCES
Some 90s trends have already made a comeback, white appliances being one of them. Smooth matte textures, gold hardware and modern tech give traditional white appliances of the past a modern refresh.
Photo courtesy of by Café Appliances
/wicker-image-450w-253h.jpg "Photo courtesy of @in4mal via Canva")
WICKER AND RATTAN
Remember that cozy wicker chair you used to love at Grandma’s house? The organic, hand-crafted feel of wicker and rattan adds natural texture to modern minimalist interiors, and creates a relaxing, casual vibe.
Photo courtesy of @in4mal via Canva
/checkered-flooring-image-450w-253h.jpg "Photo courtesy of Peronda -Tile of Spain")
CHECKERED FLOORING
Black and white checkered flooring are classic and will never go out of style. Lots of modern variations are being used in kitchen design today, with the injection of color, or slight changes to the pattern - creating a modern black and white aesthetic.
Photo courtesy of Peronda - Tile of Spain
THE BEST 2000s KITCHEN TRENDS
The introduction of smartphones and social media ushered in massive change in the 2000s, along with some interesting shifts in home décor and design. Cherry wood cabinets, chocolate brown walls, shabby chic and tuscan style décor were taking over homes and kitchens across the country. Amongst some bad trends that didn’t last, this decade also brought some design breakthroughs, like dark granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and open floor plans. We can thank the 2000s for helping homeowners say goodbye to formal living rooms and welcoming open concept kitchens!
/kitchen-island-image-450w-253h.jpg "Photo courtesy of Poggenpohl, San Francisco")
KITCHEN ISLANDS
Islands are a mainstay of kitchen design as the kitchen has evolved into a multi-functional living space. Eating meals, doing homework, serving food, socializing…even working from home – kitchen islands serve a variety of purposes.
Photo courtesy of Poggenpohl, San Francisco
/stainless-steel-appliances-image-450w-253h.jpg "Photo courtesy of Miele")
STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES
Stainless steel appliances will always be a staple in modern kitchen design, but that wasn’t always the case! Industrial grade refrigerators, ovens and gas stovetops have been upgraded with modern features like anti-fingerprinting finishes, making them easier than ever for busy homeowners to clean and maintain.
Photo courtesy of Miele
/dark-granite-image-450w-253h.jpg "Dark-granite")
DARK GRANITE COUNTERTOPS
Laminate, wood and tile countertops dominated kitchens in the 90s, so when granite hit the market as a luxurious, natural stone countertop material in the 2000s, it was embraced by homeowners with open arms. Dark, dramatic, veiny granite added the luxe, elegant sophistication that was missing from kitchens in the 90s.
THE BEST 2010s KITCHEN TRENDS
Social media gave birth to influencers who could share their Instagram-worthy kitchens and interiors with a worldwide audience. Quartz countertops became more popular than granite and kitchens became increasingly contemporary, with white on white interiors flooding our feeds. Gold finishes, mid-century furniture and shades of grey opened the door for modern, industrial and concrete looks - making grey the neutral anchor of the decade.
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QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS
Engineered stone countertops brought even more design versatility with the introduction of terrazzo, concrete, and granite-like looks with smooth, matte finishes. The non-porous nature of quartz provides homeowners with an easy to clean, low maintenance countertop that doesn’t need to be sealed.
/mid-century-modern-image-450w-253h.jpg "Image courtesy of ©beatbed via Canva.com")
MID-CENTURY FURNITURE
Mid-century furniture and design made a huge comeback in the late 2010s and replicas of iconic designs began flooding the market. Rich woods, bold colors and textured fabrics create statement accent pieces that add life and character.
Image courtesy of ©beatbed via Canva.com
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REAL PLANTS
Instagram influencers with a green thumb helped us all want more “living décor” with gorgeous plants like ferns, monsteras, fig trees and succulents. Plants have now become somewhat of a collectible, making indoor gardening a rewarding and trendy hobby!
THE FUTURE OF DESIGN
We saw the emergence of real plants and smart technologies in the 2010s and we think these trends will continue gaining momentum throughout the 2020s. Indoor gardens, living kitchens, smarter kitchen tech and interactive cooking will be trendsetters over the next decade.
/future-of-kitchens-image-640w-360h.jpg "Future-of-Kitchens")
/black-is-the-new-neutral-3-image-450w-253h.jpg "Blanco America Kitchen Sinks and Faucets")
BLACK IS THE NEW NEUTRAL
The integration of black accents into our homes is an ongoing trend that we believe will continue to evolve in the 2020s. Black stainless steel, black windows frames, black cabinetry, black hardware and black lighting coordinate beautifully with many different décor styles and will continue to be a staple neutral in the 2020s.
/living-kitchens-image-450w-253h.jpg "Photo courtesy of Urban Cultivator")
LIVING KITCHENS
Herb gardens, microgreens and even growing small scale vegetables indoors is becoming easier with the help of indoor gardening appliances. Whether these appliances are added into an existing design, or integrated into a new renovation, we think that many homeowners will start to become small scale indoor growers!
Photo courtesy of Urban Cultivator
/induction-cooking-image-450w-253h.jpg "Photo courtesy Tile of Spain - Tau Ceramica")
SMART KITCHEN TECH
Smart kitchen technologies make everyday tasks seamless, effortless and safe. Advances in technology has created appliances that can be controlled anywhere with a smartphone. Interactive induction cooktops nestled inside kitchen island countertops not only provides an ultra-sleek aesthetic, but they also keep surfaces seamless for easy cleaning.
Photo courtesy Tile of Spain - Tau Ceramica
The future of kitchen design will be a continuous balancing act of organic elements with advanced technology that work together to improve our quality of life. Kitchens need to be designed to accommodate multiple generations, give us more time with family and close friends, improve our health and take better care of our planet.
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