If you’re a Bay Area homeowner and you’re thinking about updating your kitchen, it can be hard to choose a new look. Sure, you can always buy the best new appliances and storage solutions, but what about current kitchen styles? If you’re worried that the style you loved from last year is going to be considered a fad in just a year’s time, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recently came out with their report of kitchen trends for 2024. The report was created after gathering feedback from over 600 Kitchen industry professionals across North America. We’re here to give you the latest style news from these industry experts, including which kitchen styles are going to be big next year, and which are rapidly falling out of style. So, without any further ado, let’s dive into the 2024 style trends for your Bay Area kitchen!
1. Scandinavian Modernism
One of the bigger trends for 2024 will be Scandinavian-inspired kitchens. Image courtesy of UltraCraft
According to this year’s report, Scandinavian modernism is here to stay. While to the uninitiated this style may seem like a fad, Scandinavian modern kitchens have been around longer than you may think. In reality, Scandinavian modern kitchens in the US date back to the 1950’s.
The Scandinavian modern style is a favorite due to its combination of rustic chic and shabby chic elements, and its general affordability. If you want to recreate this Nordic look in your home in the Bay Area, focus on pale color palettes, light wood looks, and storage solutions that will keep your area clutter-free.
2. Midcentury Modernism
Mid-century modern kitchens like this one are here to stay in 2024. Image courtesy of Norelco
Next up in our lineup for 2024 is a classic: the midcentury modern kitchen. This style is all about light and earthy colors, sometimes with a pop of brighter color as an accent. Some popular places to incorporate a colorful accent include furniture, the kitchen backsplash, or even accent cabinets.
If you’d like to turn your kitchen into a mid-century modern haven, think about incorporating simple drawer pulls, slim barstools, and pale colored walls with white or light wood cabinets.
3. Minimalism and Maximalism
Maximalism is all about bold patterns, colors, and collections. Image courtesy of Lily Sawyer
While minimalism is still on trend for 2024, its eccentric cousin is also predicted to maintain its popularity next year. This is maximalism – a style defined by beloved collections on display, bright and sometimes clashing color schemes, and multiple prints and textures.
If you want to incorporate maximalism into your kitchen, you’ll want to focus on finding balance. Yes, maximalism incorporates a lot of visual contrast, but everything still fits well within the space. For example, in the kitchen pictured, the designer incorporated only two major patterns, seen in the triangle flooring and plant life wallpaper.
For those looking to declutter, minimalistic designs can be more pleasing to maintain. Image courtesy of Norelco.
On the other hand, if just looking at that previous kitchen feels tiring, minimalism may be more up your alley. The minimalist style is all about neutral color palettes, clutter-free spaces, and incorporating very limited points of color.
For a minimalist kitchen look, focus on clearing off your countertops and maximizing your storage in drawers and cabinets. Then, select just a few items to pull out onto your countertops for visual contrast. For example, putting out vases or plants will add a little color and interest for that sleek, less-is-more kitchen look.
What’s Behind the Times for 2024?
Rustic themes like farmhouse sinks are falling out of fashion for 2024. Image courtesy of Norelco
So, what styles are experts predicting to get left behind in 2023? Some kitchen trends slated to fall out of fashion next are the cottage core aesthetic, brutalism, and neoclassicism. Plus, rustic themes like the farmhouse aesthetic won’t be as popular next year either.
However, if you’ve been dreaming of a large farmhouse sink in your future, don’t despair. While farmhouse sinks emerging out of the cabinets (seen above) are falling out of fashion, you can still enjoy a large, new sink. For example, one popular option is to install a Whitehaven undermount sink into your kitchen. That way, you get additional dish space without dating your kitchen.
Other Trends To Note: Color, Lighting, and Islands
Blue remains a popular color for kitchens in 2024. Image courtesy of Ultracraft.
Other than general styles, there’s a few more design details you’ll want to be on the lookout for in 2024. Here are three major elements to keep an eye on.
Color for 2024
The NKBA predicts that next year, the most popular kitchen colors will be cobalt blue, sage green, dark brown or chocolate, and tones reminiscent of the 1970’s. If you’d like to incorporate color into your kitchen, one great method is to go for colorful cabinets like in the photo above!
Modern Lighting Trends
This featured kitchen also incorporates well-curated lighting in the back cabinets, which will be another continued trend for 2024. Lighting options aren’t just about task lighting anymore – the latest kitchen designs involve a mix of bright task lighting, decorative lighting, and mood lighting that allows you to have a different brightness and color temperature throughout the day.
Kitchen Island Paradise
Lastly, the NKBA predicts that islands will be the heart of the kitchen. Islands are going to continue to be a major place to eat, do food prep, and gather – even if you’re not having a dinner party.
Many Bay Area homes already have a kitchen island, but stylistically your island may feel a little behind the times. So how do you make an older kitchen island feel more modern?
Well, beyond just aesthetics, one of the latest kitchen island trends is to put outlets in your kitchen island! They’re equally as useful for electric appliances as giving your guests an easy place to charge their phone while they visit.
So, there you have it, those are all the top styles and design details predicted for 2024! We hope that your future kitchen remodel is beginning to take better shape in your imagination already. Have fun with your new remodel!
Ready to get going but not sure what to do next? Check out our 5-step guide on How to Approach a Home Renovation.
