If you want your kitchen in good shape before hosting dinners or baking cookies this holiday season, now is the time to start planning.
After all, although timelines vary by city and project, kitchen renovations can take around four to eight weeks.
Business Insider spoke with interior designers to get their takes on the latest trends. Here’s what they said is popular right now and what they’d avoid.
Warm and earthy tones are in.
Bree Steele, an interior designer and trade accounts manager at RJ Living, said hues like terracotta, deep brown, and forest green are rising in popularity in kitchen design.
“We are seeing a shift toward people wanting more natural and organic feeling spaces,” she told BI. “After the pandemic, people have felt more connected to their homes, and as a result, we are seeing a growing want for kitchens that feel grounded and connected to nature.”
Although this isn’t a surprising mix of shades for autumn, Steele said she thinks the cozy tones will trend into 2025 as people continue to prioritize making their homes warm and welcoming.
Integrated appliances are soaring in popularity.
Steele told BI that integrated appliances, like refrigerators and dishwashers that blend into the surrounding cabinetry, are in — especially if you’re a fan of the trending minimalist aesthetic.
“Integrated appliances create a modern and aesthetically cohesive feeling in the kitchen, giving it a more streamlined and polished look,” she said.
The designer also told BI that hiding away bulky appliances can really upgrade the look and function of smaller kitchens.
Statement lighting in kitchens is trending.
Ginger Curtis, the founder and CEO of Urbanology Designs, told BI that statement lighting is a great way to brighten a room while adding some personality.
“As kitchens increasingly serve as entertaining spaces, statement lighting will remain a key feature, evolving into even bolder and more artistic forms,” she said.
Although kitchens are traditionally pretty functional rooms, there are still ways to add flair to the space. For example, large pendant lights or chandeliers can highlight a kitchen island and make it the focal point of the room.
Dark-wood cabinetry is becoming highly sought after.
Curtis expects an increase in requests for custom cabinetry crafted from high-quality, dark wood.
“Dark-wood cabinetry is making a strong comeback, offering a rich, moody contrast to the light, neutral tones that have dominated kitchens,” she said. “It adds warmth and a sense of timeless sophistication to the space.”
Darker shades also do a nice job of balancing traditional and modern aesthetics.
Fluted surfacing is on the rise.
Claudia Afshar, an interior designer and the founder of Claudia Afshar Design, told BI that fluting is everyone’s new favorite way to add texture and dimension to their kitchens.
The architectural practice is largely defined by consistent grooves, usually in long, straight lines. Although it’s classically used on things like Greek columns, it can also make for a fun backsplash or wall accent.
Afshar expects to see the texture-driven trend everywhere — from larger cabinet applications to more subtle dishware.
Mixing materials brings more depth to kitchen spaces.
Courtney Cole, an interior designer at TileCloud, told BI that mixing materials is a great way to add texture to kitchens. This can include everything from wood and metal to stone and granite.
The designer said the style is a great way to “break away from uniformity and bring a more eclectic, personalized look to the space.”
She expects smaller, specialty brands to thrive as more people opt for kitchen accents in fun materials. But she also predicts that more budget-friendly brands like Ikea and Article will continue embracing the trend in the coming months.
On the other hand, open shelving is well and truly out.
Although open shelving was once popular in kitchens, Cole told BI that it’s continuing to lose steam in favor of more visually appealing options.
She said open shelving looks especially cluttered in smaller kitchens, which more people may be working with as “the cost of living rises and downsizing becomes the norm.”
Instead, homeowners are leaning toward hidden storage options that can make a room more functional and minimalistic.
Industrial-style kitchens aren’t all the rage anymore.
Steele told BI that the industrial-style kitchen — characterized by raw and urban aesthetics with untreated materials — is on its way out.
“The industrial kitchen can feel too cold and impersonal for homeowners today looking for more soft and natural finishes,” she said.
Instead, the designer said, many are moving toward a more rustic look that uses similar soft metals, like brass or copper, mixed with earthy, tactile elements like stone.
All-white kitchens aren’t as hot as they once were, either.
Steele told BI that the all-white aesthetic used to be popular with anyone seeking “a clean and modern look.” But these kitchens are starting to feel outdated.
“People want their homes to feel like a reflection of themselves, and white kitchens can feel sterile and like they lack personality,” she said.
Although trends are still pointing toward minimalism, the designer said the look can still be achieved with brighter, bolder colors.
The post 6 kitchen trends interior designers are excited about right now, and 3 that are out appeared first on Business Insider.
