Embracing the Future: 2024 Kitchen Trends
As we stride into 2024, the realm of kitchen design continues to evolve, offering a blend of functionality, innovation, and aesthetics. Keeping a finger on the pulse of emerging trends helps you infuse your kitchen with the latest in style and efficiency. Here's what's cooking in the world of kitchen design this year:
The battle for cleanliness and durability- island waterfalls and integrated sinks.
Clean lines, simple appliances.
Cleaner lines, using casework for range vents.
Less surface area, easier to clean- dial and touchless faucets.
Gold is welcome back... Hardware and fixtures data on 'gold'.
Cleaner lines still, panel ready appliances are timeless, not just a trend.
We look to NKBA to stay on top of the latest trends. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a leading non-profit trade association dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry. It serves as a valuable resource for professionals and enthusiasts alike, providing education, networking opportunities, certifications, and resources to elevate standards in design and construction. NKBA conducts surveys and gathers industry trends through various channels.
1. Waterfall Kitchen Islands: A centerpiece that's gaining prominence in modern kitchens is the waterfall island. These sleek, seamless countertops extend down the sides, creating a continuous flow that adds an elegant touch. The kitchen island is an area of high traffic. With experience and time you may see how this area experiences wear, tear, scratches and dents in ways that other areas don't. Hark, the waterfall solid surface side resists.
Interested in how these come together? Check out this great video:
Waterfall islands can be made such that the veins of the stone or solid surface you are using are mitered and flow from the top of your counter to the side. Thus giving us the feeling of a waterfall. The two pieces are epoxied together as well as glued to the wood frame.
Sinks are another candidate for integrated materials. Here we see the clean effect this has, where the marble veining appears to continue into the sink basin. The assembly has been further simplified by this move.
(Photograph courtesy of Scott & Scott Architects.) left
Additional areas to include solid surface will be the kick of the kitchen island. This can become an elegant solution to add a pop of color, especially when the seating area is visible from the dining and living room. The key to this trend is making your home look as good in the future as it does after install.
(Photo below courtesy of Corian) below
2. Induction Cooktops: Efficiency meets sophistication with induction cooktops. With their precise temperature control and rapid heating, these cooktops are a chef's delight. They're not only energy-efficient but also safer, as they heat only when in contact with compatible cookware. Some locations might even require the latest efficient electric cooking ranges by code to meet sustainability goals and enhance safety measures.
(Photo courtesy of Bosch)
3. Range Hood Designs: Should a range hood really be a design item in a kitchen? Designers are experimenting with various shapes, materials, and functionalities. From minimalist, integrated designs that blend seamlessly into cabinetry to integrating the motor with casework, coves and molding- integration is the trend. Less parts and pieces mean a cleaner look, no matter the style.
(Photo courtesy of Elica rangehoods - showing Onboard Motor)
Here we see a more contemporary and rustic approach. The range cove is another trending design style the calls upon a more tradition feel for open flame and hearth. The concealed fan motor is made part of the greater assembly of parts, creating uniformity. Common materials like wood make us feel like everything is replaceable. With long lead times, high costs, maintenance difficulty, and only a minor advantage to cleaning- we are seeing the era of the custom metal range hood fade in 2024.
4. Dial Faucets and Touchless Faucets: Innovative faucet designs are making waves in 2024. Dial faucets offer precise control over water flow and temperature with an intuitive dial mechanism, adding a touch of sophistication to the kitchen. On the other hand, touchless faucets, driven by sensor technology, provide a hygienic way to operate the tap, perfect for busy cooks who need to minimize cross-contamination while preparing meals. Below we see one of our favorites- gold plated tap w/ dial mixer by CEA.
If you like to clean every nook of your kitchen, you know gunk can build up around taps and mixers. The way the mixing dial can be removed and deep cleaned is just what we want when keeping our bar sink photo-ready at all times.
(Photo above Courtesy of Studio North Homes - Cea APP01 deck mounted dial mixer)
Another trend is the hands-free faucet technology. We will see more of this in 2024 as folks aim to touch less. Sterilization is in. Why touch a handle 20 times a day when your sink can register the wizardly flick of your hand?
5. Gold Kitchen Hardware: The NKBA found that matte black will take second place as homeowners go for gold in 2023-2024. Gold is regaining its position as a popular choice for kitchen hardware, bringing warmth and elegance. From cabinet handles to drawer pulls and even faucets, gold accents add a touch of luxury and sophistication to any kitchen. The versatility of gold allows it to complement various design styles, from modern to traditional, making it a versatile choice for kitchen embellishments. With the still ever present use of blue in kitchens and homes, gold becomes a wonderful complimentary accent color that is timeless.
(Photo coourtesy of Lindsay Salzar)
6. Integrated Refrigerators: What used to be a very custom request, the ability to panelize your own refrigerator is now an offering of main-stays in the industry at market level. Again, cooking is messy. Why design a space to look messier and littered with components that clutter the space? A panelized fridge will seamlessly add union to the casework perimeter of your kitchen space.
As we navigate the nuances of design, efficiency, and personal style, these trends reflect a collective aspiration for functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen spaces. Whether you opt for the timeless appeal of gold hardware or embrace the futuristic charm of induction cooktops, 2024 is all about blending innovation with individuality to create the heart of your home.
We look to NKBA to stay on top of the latest trends. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a leading non-profit trade association dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry. It serves as a valuable resource for professionals and enthusiasts alike, providing education, networking opportunities, certifications, and resources to elevate standards in design and construction.
NKBA conducts surveys and gathers industry trends through various channels.
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