Earth-Tone Countertops and Kitchen Backsplashes That Bring Your Home’s Centerpiece Into the Modern Era
Are kitchens for function, or for show?
Interior designers will tell you that the perfect kitchen is one that marries the two, creating a space that works optimally for your needs and looks great while doing it. Kitchens are an incredibly versatile area that can set the tone of the home, bring family together, serve as a hosting space, and even change how you feel about your house, so it’s no surprise that planning a kitchen remodel is a serious undertaking.
As a homeowner, a kitchen remodel will be one of the largest home projects ever taken on, so it’s important to find something that is both trendy and functional, with the ability to look great for the long haul. And for property investors, getting the kitchen right can make or break your resale or rental profits.
Whether you’re just gathering ideas for your project or actively planning your kitchen remodel, we’re here to fill you in on the latest happenings in the world of kitchen design. Here are the top trends for summer 2024 that are certain to bring style, function, and long-term wow-factor.
Goodbye, Plain White, Hello Textured Kitchen Cabinets
This year, there has been a shift away from white or monochrome designs, with a return to adding warmth and texture to kitchens. Many home design experts predict wood to be the second-most-popular texture and color, after green, for kitchens for the next three years – and with good reason.
Wood is a fabulously versatile material that can look either timeless or current, modern or traditional, depending on how it’s incorporated into the design and theme. Designers recommend adding wood or wood-look materials in cabinetry, flooring, and furniture to organically bring in texture and style into your design.
Oak, walnut, and alder cabinetry are all trending for 2024, due to their neutral tones that fit with most styles and colors. Choosing wood kitchen cabinets is a two-for-one in terms of bringing wood for warmth and natural, earthy tones that are dominating current kitchen design trends.
Choose Earthy Tones for Your Kitchen Countertops
Following the direction of home design, kitchen style for 2024 is heavily trending toward earthy colors. While white and creams can look clinical, to the other extreme, rich colors can be overwhelming and look out-of-date more quickly. A great option is choosing something in the middle, and for many homeowners, earthy tones fit beautifully between the two. Beiges, sage greens, browns, and taupes beautifully bring color into the kitchen and connect your home with nature.
Derived from either stone or manmade materials, kitchen countertops are the ideal way to incorporate these trend-forward hues while still contrasting with the wood grain of cabinets. Often serving as the main design element in a kitchen remodel, charcoal quartzite countertops or earthy granites are on the rise this season, especially when installed on large kitchen islands that contrast with the rest of the kitchen.
With the complex textures and winning durability of granite countertops and the easy maintenance of quartz, this versatile design element is hard to beat for the perfect combination of function and style.
Personalize Your Space With a Beverage Area
As a way to accommodate hosting, improve convenience in the kitchen, and optimize functional kitchen countertop space, many homeowners are opting for a designated “beverage area” in their kitchen remodels. A beverage area is a spot to store, display, or serve various drinks. The area may also include an espresso machine, ice maker, beverage refrigerator, or wine cooler.
Not only fun for the guests, a beverage area maximizes the functional use of your kitchen and must be incorporated into both your countertop and kitchen cabinet design. This exciting feature often only requires a small space. However, planning ahead with a collaborative and knowledgeable kitchen cabinet and countertop supplier ensures your layout will accommodate this special space.
Keep It Classic With European Style Influences
European influences are coming to kitchens near you in 2024. Compact designs, clean lines, and smooth cabinet finishes, improves function and looks tidy.
If you’re already working with a smaller space, channeling European style can help you balance the usefulness of your kitchen with desirable aesthetics. Even small kitchens can make a big impact with shaker doors and quartz countertops.
Turn Up the Tile for Your Kitchen Backsplash
Kitchen backsplash tiles are a perfect way to add a pop of color and style to your kitchen design. Ceramic or porcelain tile is easy to clean while doubling up as a glossy design feature that breaks up the levels of the kitchen.
This year’s kitchen design trends are seeing an evolution in the use of kitchen tiles, with designers applying matching tile to larger wall spaces and even the ceiling, creating a cohesive look that mirrors the backsplash. Or, if you’re going for a fresh and inviting look, delicately patterned tiles add a hint of texture, color, and character to a backsplash or wall without overpowering the area.
Although subway tiles are classic and never out of style, many homeowners are choosing more interesting shapes, colors, and textures for backsplashes to compliment cabinetry and counters. More elaborate tiles can still be elegant when carefully balanced with the right kitchen finishes.
A Kitchen Island Paradise
The reliable kitchen island is still a favorite for homeowners this year. Functional, beautiful, and optimal for maximizing work space, both small and large kitchen islands will always be a popular choice.
This year, designers are opting for kitchen layouts that allow for two islands, a two-tone color scheme with contrasting kitchen countertops, and highly stylized kitchen island cabinets to set them apart from the rest of the room.
Because an island lets you add customization to a kitchen, no two designs are likely to be similar – especially with the choices of cabinetry and countertops available locally.
Statement Lighting for Large and Small Kitchen Islands
Want to take your kitchen to the next level? Big statement, high-impact lighting is the kitchen lighting trend to look out for this year. Where colors of cabinets and kitchen countertops are trending toward themes of relaxed, casual chic, many homeowners and contractors are going all out with light fixtures that double up as showstopper pieces.
Statement island lighting is ideal for open concept kitchens as it brings the attention to the center of the room and looks good from every angle. As well as adding texture and sophistication to a kitchen, island lighting is also perfect for highlighting this important space. The lighting illuminates a high-traffic area, but has the added benefit of showcasing premium countertop materials such as granite, quartz, and quartzite with their stunning veining, patterns, and tones.
Look For Premium Materials, Excellent Service, and Trendy Kitchens Designed for You
Whether you’re exploring ideas for a potential project, planning a kitchen countertop replacement, or starting from scratch, working with a local countertop and cabinet supplier should be a non-negotiable.
Your local expert offers an extensive selection of stunning kitchen cabinets and natural and engineered stone kitchen countertops, with solutions for every taste and budget. You can also get a customized layout and measurements so you can be confident in ordering the exact cabinets and countertops you need for your project’s perfect fit.
