Kitchen Trends 2022
Content Credit: This blog post compiles copy from an article by Kelsey Ogletree in Southern Living Magazine.
COVID has changed how we use our homes. For better or for worse, people are looking for ways to balance work and home life together in one cohesive home. Homeowners are increasingly looking for more personalized spaces that are more in tune with our new work-from-home life balance. Here are ten new trends in Kitchen design for 2022 from interior designers around the country.
1. What’s Old Is New Again
With widespread supply chain issues, long lead times, and increasing prices, many designers are looking towards antique and vintage pieces for use in a new kitchen design. They add an interesting story and personal touch to your space. Consider using an heirloom table in place of a kitchen island or antique lighting over a kitchen island to add drama.
2. Let’s Go Green
“People are itching to have a change of scenery within their personal spaces,” says Claire Zinnecker, an interior designer in Austin. “We are craving calm, and green brings just that. She predicts “the green renaissance” will be in full swing by 2022 in both paint and decor. Consider incorporating soft greens, like Farrow & Ball’s French Gray (despite the name, it reads green, says Zinnecker) or Sherwin-Williams’ Evergreen Fog, that keep your design neutral while introducing a subtle sense of nature into your home.
3. Multipurpose Kitchen
The kitchen is a natural gathering space, so we will continue to see this space morph into a multipurpose room. A wet bar might double as a homework space for kids. A kitchen island with seating, a long-standing staple in many homes still serves as a space for kids to hang out and do homework as a meal is prepped.
4. Play with Dark Tones
While bold colors in the heart of the home aren’t a new idea, the main difference for 2022 is that colors will continue to get warmer, pulling away from the cooler gray tones that are now fading out to a more adventurous use of unpredictable dark paint colors. Don’t be afraid to play with paint! Two to try: Mauve Desert or Tate Olive, both by Benjamin Moore.
5. Matching Cabinetry and Hardware: “2022 will be the year of tone-on-tone cabinetry and hardware pairings,” says Anastasia Casey, founder of IDCO Studio in Austin, Texas. Closed cabinetry is back in full force as well after years of stacked floating shelves being popular for kitchen renovations. Homeowners are looking for a sleeker, more refined look.
6. Emphasis on accent lighting
People are becoming even more tuned in to the difference lighting makes in a home. Look for smaller table lamps on countertops and warmer-colored LED lights making their way into the kitchen.
8. Mix Those Patterns
A white kitchen will always be classic, but homeowners are getting bolder with their kitchen style. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and vivid colors in your kitchen. Consider a colorful backsplash or a bright island cabinet to contrast with surrounding cabinets.
8. Porcelain countertops
Porcelain gets you the look of natural stone or marble, but without maintenance. It is stain-resistant, easy to clean, and comes in a plethora of different patterns and finishes. One thing to note - due to the thickness of porcelain, you’ll need to extend the edge slightly.
9. Smart Appliances: The want for smart appliances is not going away anytime soon. Manufacturers are enhancing appliances with AI technology, enabling them to better integrate with your smartphone or devices like Alexa. Would you like to be notified when your oven is done preheating? Consider the Samsung Family Hub which takes appliances way beyond basic functions, doing things like making your grocery list, mirroring shows from your TV, tracking food expiration dates, and more!
10. Less is more
In 2022, people want to keep things cozy in the home and simplifying down to what really matters. In your kitchen, edit down all the “stuff” that’s in plain sight on a daily basis (i.e., moving unused appliances and knife blocks off the countertops and into a cabinet) and add in items that are both useful and look good on the counter. Try decorative cutting boards that double as serving trays, a stack of pretty cookbooks you always reach for, or an attractive tray filled with frequently used ingredients like olive oil and your favorite spices.