2019's Must-Have Kitchen Trends

The New Year is here and the word is out: Cooking is in! 

As meal prepping and kits gain popularity, more and more Americans are rediscovering their love for cooking.  And what’s not to love? Cooking your own meals means you’re getting more of those healthy foods your body is craving.

2019 is the year of you and it’s time you take back your kitchen! Lucky for you, this year’s trends lean heavily on individuality, craftsmanship, and minimalism that make it easier to design your kitchen for the life you’re living today. 

Trending Kitchen Colors for 2019

Say goodbye to sterile white kitchens! Color is in!

2019’s “It” color is a rich and moody matte black with contrasting accent colors. We’re seeing black and dark green, black and bright blue and the ever-classic black and white taking center stage in new kitchens. 

And those colors aren’t just limited to walls and floors anymore. Colorful cabinets and appliances are now available in a rainbow of colors, making it possible for you to carry your color palette across the entire kitchen for a more streamlined look. Carry your personalized colors across shelving, cabinetry, the base of your center island, chairs and more. Look to your favorite china, accent rugs, or a souvenir from your travels to draw inspiration for your new kitchen colors.

Don’t be Afraid to Mix and Match

New kitchen designs are all about what works best for you, not just what is visually appealing. Homeowners are now choosing countertops, appliances and fixtures that suit their needs and that’s resulted in a beautiful, eclectic style.

Textures are Hot

From floor to ceiling, textured surfaces make for a functional and classy kitchen. The Terrazo pattern of the 60s has returned and is both a sustainable and affordable choice for concrete floors and countertops. We’ve also seen an exit of tired granite in exchange for the more popular and sustainable quartz countertops with timeless straight edges. Pair your textures with matte cabinets and finishes for a rich look.

Rustic wood is still trending, but with a textured twist. Unique patterns and grains show less wear over time and are an excellent second “color” for a 2-tone kitchen. Check out how homeowners are reviving plywood and cork as a new design trend >>

Mixed Metals

2019 has also brought a new freedom to appliance and fixture choices. Homeowners are opting to choose the specific refrigerators and sinks that fit their cooking style, which has lent to a new trend in mixing metals. We’re seeing stunning combinations of chrome, satin brass, pewter, copper and tin combined with wood and accent colors creating vibrant and personalized kitchens. Textures are popular here too with hammered metals and backsplashes serving as their own design element.

Craftsman Accents

In the same vein of individuality, craftsman touches are all the rage. Travelers are increasingly discovering one of a kind stone sinks, statement lighting and stand out décor to customize their home kitchen space. So next time you come across a unique piece, whether it’s on the streets of Morocco or found at a construction reuse store, don’t be afraid to pick it up.

Patterned floors and colored grout are another growing trend to further customize your kitchen if you choose popular solid matte cabinets and countertops. Even homeowners who aren’t ready for a whole-kitchen remodel can do a little light redecorating with new statement bar stools and pendant lighting to introduce texture and color to liven up the kitchen space.

Clutter-Free Minimalism

Minimalism has taken a turn towards functionality as more and more people are rediscovering the love of cooking. 

Cabinets and organization systems make it possible to limit countertop clutter and keep your kitchen clean and ready for your next meal, study group or when your friend stops by for a visit and cup of your famous home-brewed coffee. Deep, useable drawers and cabinets are gaining popularity quickly and have found their way into every useable space from your center island to unused wall space. Covered kitchen sinks are another popular addition to increase counterspace and keep your kitchen looking and smelling fresh.

Integrated minimalism has revived J-cut pulls on cabinets, drawers, and even appliances for a streamlined look unbroken by unsightly knobs and handles (check-out this home's integrated pulls). For a smooth look across the entire kitchen, homeowners are gravitating towards refrigerators, vents and ovens that blend effortlessly into millwork because face it, you’re not running a professional industrial kitchen and have no need for such oversized hoods of years past.

Floating shelves are a wonderful accent to a minimalist kitchen and can be used to display souvenirs from your travels, cute coffee mugs or your most-used tools like a cheese grater or cocktail shaker. Floating shelves are beautiful painted in your chosen accent color. If you decide to use 2019’s signature color, black, you might consider installing forged iron shelving for a stunning display of your dishware. 

Smart Home Tech Trends for the Kitchen

Smart technology will be a BIG trend in the kitchen this year. Smart home automation technology can be installed to monitor and manage your electricity, gas and water consumption throughout the house. Most can be reviewed from a central hub and from mobile devices, making it easier than ever to take control of your natural resource consumption. These systems are already helping homeowners become more aware of their usage and remotely power off energy vampires. 

Automation can be applied to your kitchen blinds and lighting to proactively prepare your kitchen for your return from work and even keep your home lit and active to deter potential intruders when you’re stuck at work or away on vacation. 

Among many other features, smart home systems can identify energy leaks and can even restock your refrigerator as your staples diminish.  Learn more about smart home technology >>

Farm to Table 

Supplement your trip to the farmer’s market with your own kitchen garden this year. Kitchen microgreen and herb gardens are an excellent way to cut down on plastics and eat healthier. Most herbs can be grown in traditional pots or any of the trending wall mounted or hanging plant designs quickly gaining popularity. Herbs are easy to grow and can be used to flavor your meals, make a healthy cup of tea and keep your kitchen smelling fresh. 

Kitchen composting is another growing trend for 2019. Cute countertop and pillar bins are available to either compost right in your kitchen or keep scraps contained until they’re deposited in an outdoor compost bin. The waste none, want none practice will help you become more aware of food waste, keep your trash can free of smelly food scraps and provide rich, black gold soil that can be added right back to your little kitchen garden. 

Many homeowners are also introducing a variety of houseplants to their kitchens as natural, sustainable décor. 

The News is In: Uniqueness is Trending

In previous years, kitchen trends have been uniform and boring, but 2019 promises to shake it up with a variety of options in texture, color and mix and match materials. Craftsman touches and unique accent pieces acquired on trips are all the rage, so get your passport out and start planning where you’ll travel to this year to begin designing your new kitchen and maybe even pick up a few truly one of a kind pieces.

Article by:

Laura Bourland

Laura grew up in the California suburbs, far removed from environmentalism, but nature always has a way. She uprooted her life in 2015, moving to the countryside of Washington to live a more sustainable and simple life on 12 acres. She and her fiancee are learning on the job as they attempt everything from gardening and natural pest control to eco-friendly building and home improvement.