When designing your dream kitchen, it’s important to balance timeless features with playful colors, patterns and textures that reflect your personality and design aesthetic. You may not want to remodel your kitchen each and every year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t creative ways to keep your space feeling fresh and modern. We spoke with interior designers and kitchen experts who shared their top kitchen trends for 2023, touching on everything from cabinet colors and kitchen lighting ideas to design styles they’re loving.
At this point, 2023 is just around the corner and these design experts are looking ahead at trends and styles that will define the new year. For kitchen countertops, they’re seeing both natural and expressive stones. For paint colors, the pros are loving dusty greens and blues, as well as soft hues like terracotta and natural browns. But, don’t worry: bold patterns are not out. As you scroll, you’ll notice a surge of gold hardware — but matte black and brass are sticking around as well.
Swap out your backsplash tile (dare we suggest something vibrant), add a fresh coat of paint to your kitchen island or layer in handmade artisan details — all of which can be completed in a few hours. As much as we love a hot trend, we’ll leave you with this message from interior designer Kate Lester: “Focus more on what the space needs and less on what is ‘trending.’ Doing what’s best for your space never goes out of style!”
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“The all-white kitchen may be out, but what about homeowners who want to update their existing space without a gut job? One of the best ways to inject color into the kitchen is to paint the island base. It instantly activates a sterile-looking space and doesn’t require construction.” — Mary Beth Christopher, MBC Interior Design
“We’re going to see a lot more blending of different finishes in the kitchen: Brass, bronze, stainless, nickel and more. By mixing finishes, you get a visually rich, incredibly inviting look.” —Tiffani Baumgart, interior designer
“For me, one of the keys to great design is when a client and a designer have the trust to take a risk together and choose a kitchen cabinet color or patterned tile that is bold and unexpected. I believe in 2023, we are going to see even more bold cabinet color choices, mixed with other interesting and unique finishes.” — Kirsten Blazek, A1000XBetter
“A butcher-block island is not only stylish, but incredibly functional and durable. We love using walnut as the primary material for a butcher-block island, as it really warms the space. For added functionality, use a butcher-block island that has a mini fridge for extra storage space and plenty of cabinets where you can keep larger appliances hidden.” — Alice Arterberry, Arterberry Cooke
“Kitchens with loads of lower drawers, instead of cabinets, are on the rise. Drawers glide out easily, and can store so much. Bending down, getting on your knees and holding a flashlight is no longer a necessity. Plus, extra large cabinet hardware is the icing on the cake in any kitchen — don’t skimp or skip on this must-have.” — Ruthie Staalsen, interior designer
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Brights Mixed With Woods
“There will be more unexpected hues for cabinetry. We have seen a lot of saturated, bright colors in 2022, and I believe we will still see color but lighter and chalkier shades and definitely mixed with woods.” — Caren Rideau, founder of The Kitchen Design Group
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Marble Slab Backsplashes
“Subway tile backsplashes are starting to look dated, and we are seeing a big shift toward marble slab backsplashes — which add drama and depth to the kitchen. Not only is it easier to clean than tile, a marble backsplash and countertop sets the tone for the entire space and makes a big statement.” — Danny Spears, Captex Construction
“Keep it current by mixing wood and painted cabinets, and embrace natural wood grain and tone rather than selecting glossy varnish and heavy stain. I love an island in wood with the perimeter cabinetry painted, or a wooden hutch-style upper cabinet that rests on the counters.” — Sarah Fischer, Sarah and Sons Interiors
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Blue and Green Kitchens
“Shades of blues with more green undertones are a refreshing change. It immediately creates a wow factor, adds interest and provides contrast. Deep hues always give a classic feel that never feels overly trendy.” — Kate Lester, interior designer
“A trend I love is concealing a butler’s pantry that is an entire room of its own. One hidden behind custom cabinetry with a surprise entrance is especially fun when you have a large family or host large gatherings — children as well as adults delight in its hidden treasures.” — Nikki Lugh, interior designer
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Wallpaper Backsplashes
“I love to add print and texture to a kitchen to bring a bit of interest and life into the space. Doing it with patterned wallpaper behind an open wall shelving like this is low-risk but high impact.” — Amy Leferink, principal designer at Interior Impressions
“While stone in kitchen spaces is a long-standing tradition, more and more kitchens are making a point of featuring natural stone as a central component of beauty. Dramatic stones used widely throughout the kitchen space and marble waterfall islands that highlight the beauty of the material are becoming increasingly popular design choices.” — Sarah Barnard, interior designer
“Painting the bar area in a bold color, like hunter green, is a great way to add a pop of color to a neutral kitchen and create a designated bar area in an open-concept space. We’re seeing a lot of earthy tones in the kitchen for 2023. Hunter green beautifully pairs with classic furnishings, natural accents and clean lines.” — Barrett Cooke, Arterberry Cooke
“We will see a movement toward more timeless, classic designs and honest, natural and durable materials like wood, stone and steel that can stand the test of time. The sourcing and recyclability of materials will also be taken into account to a greater extent.” — Jeppe Christensen, founder and CEO of Reform
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Furniture-Style Cabinets
“One very interesting trend going into 2023 is giving your kitchen cabinets a more furniture feel. This can be accomplished easily by adding actual furniture pieces, like using a farmhouse table or vintage desk as a fabulous center island. To continue that feeling in your cabinets, use furniture-style legs in the toe-kick areas.” —James Stanley, architectural designer
“People are getting really bold with their backsplashes. White kitchens are still trending, but a bolder backsplash is perfect to add that pop of pattern or color, creating a playfulness to your home.” — Ruthie Staalsen, interior designer
“In the past, people deferred more toward recessed lighting. Now, people are becoming more adventurous with their lighting choices and taking advantage of them as a statement design element in a room. — Kate Lester, interior designer
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Soft, Natural Materials
“I describe it as ‘California Modernism,’ using natural materials in warm neutral hues like light stained oak, honed limestone, painted steel and vegan leather. The concept of softness continues with the layering of unglazed terracotta vases and natural wood accessories.” — Sabra Ballon, founder of ballonStudio
“We expect to see a trend toward a more brave mix of different styles. We will see strong colors, expressive stones — such as calacatta viola marble — and untraditional combinations of different materials.” — Jeppe Christensen, founder and CEO of Reform
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Hidden Electrical Outlets
“Proper placement of electrical outlets in a kitchen is an important and often-overlooked trend. Installing power outlets under the cabinets, rather than in the backsplash, reduces cord clutter behind small appliances and gives it an unexpected clean look.” — Joe Borress, founder of Tri Star Electric & Automation
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Handmade Artisan Details
“Kitchen spaces are increasingly becoming a space to showcase artistry and handmade details. Handmade tiles, decorative handles and thoughtfully crafted pottery are all components likely to be highlighted in 2023. These details can add comfort and beauty to a space where many spend a great deal of time.” — SarahBarnard
“Industrial open-shelf bars implement this cool factor and breaks up all the wood surfaces in the space while giving you a chance to lighten up the cabinets and add another material and element. Why settle for a basic bar when you can make it unique and special?” — Amy Peltier, interior designer
Alyssa Gautieri Associate Lifestyle Editor Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design.
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