When it comes to what is truly the heart of the home, you hear a few different opinions depending on who you ask. Maybe for some people, the living room is the heart of their home — where you can gather around with the family and spend time together. For others, it could be a deck or patio that is perfect for enjoying the relaxing weather on a nice summer evening.
However, there is definitely an argument to be made that the kitchen is the true heart of the home. It’s where healthy meals are created that you then spend time eating together around the dining room table as a family. With the right layout, it’s where you can entertain guests, share a drink, and catch up on what’s happened since you last saw them. It’s also an area of the home that can be perfectly designed to fit your needs and lifestyle.
It’s fair to say that the kitchen is an integral part of any home. And as such, it’s important to make sure that it looks good and functions as well as it should.
So, to ensure that your kitchen continues to be the heart of your home — or if you’re in the process of designing a new kitchen — here are some of the top kitchen trends to look for in 2022 that will inspire your new kitchen details!
Table of Contents
Minimalist and Modern-Inspired Colors
Minimalistic, modern design has taken over homes across the world and this does not exclude the U.S.! While minimalism still has a way to go to become a mainstay in the average American kitchen design, it is probably safe to say it has become a accepted style in our home design.
That being said, all 2022 kitchen trends will need to share the spotlight with minimalism. So, what exactly defines a minimalist, modern kitchen?
Here are some key details to help you master minimalist with your new kitchen design:
- Neutral, organic, and natural colors and materials
- Simple layout that allows for movement and space throughout
- Lack of ornaments
- Industrial elements
- Simple hardware
Modern kitchen design is all about creating a space that allows you to breathe, cook, and socialize without feeling cramped.
Clean, Functional Features
In-line with the modern, minimalist design we’ll see more of in the coming years, clean, durable and functional features will also be prevalent. Particularly when it comes to kitchen cabinets.
In 2022, cabinets will be placed more towards the forefront of the kitchen’s overall design. Traditional cabinetry is filled with harmful chemicals that may be dangerous or unhealthy to breathe in for the inhabitants of the home.
Today, there are modern kitchen cabinet brands that prioritize creating a healthy home with naturally sourced materials and “clean” ingredients that keep families safe.
For example, here at Puustelli, our kitchen cabinets not only feature the modern Scandinavian design that is growing in popularity here in the States, but they are also free of particle board, laminates, and MDF.
Our philosophy here at Puustelli is that your kitchen should not only look clean but the materials that makeup it should also be clean — cleanly sourced, cleanly made, and clean in design.
To see some examples of our cabinets in action and how they can help transform your kitchen into the space you’ve always wanted, check out our gallery!
And, to get in touch with us, send us a message here or give us a call at 612-405-2227.
A Layout That Flows into Other Spaces
Cramped spaces can really harsh a vibe. Or, in non-millennial lingo, cramped spaces can make for an uncomfortable living experience.
That’s why homeowners are starting to embrace the open-concept design, which can make even smaller homes much more spacious.
Whether it means tearing down a wall to open things up — or creating a space from scratch that allows for a movement from room to room — a kitchen that allows the homeowners to flow in and out promotes a feeling of freedom and accessibility throughout the rest of the home.
Concealed Kitchens
Concealed kitchens give your space a very sleek look where your sink, fridge, or even stovetop are inset into the counter or cabinets in a way that makes them virtually undetectable. A concealed kitchen can also work for small living spaces by combining cooking, dining, and entertaining all in one space. Kitchen islands can do this super well by incorporating stools for dining on one side, and a sink and stovetop on the other so that your kitchen and entertaining areas coincide together.
Mesh Cabinetry
An alternative to open or glass cabinet doors is to install mesh inlays so that you can have the luxury of seeing into the cabinets but with a unique twist. The mesh helps to keep your cabinets from getting a musty smell cause they can breathe. You can also get a mesh to match your cabinets so from the side they actually look like closed cabinets, but up close, you’ll be able to see through. This makes grabbing glasses or plates super easy as you can see everything but don’t have the clutter of an open cabinet system.
Strong Color Contrasts
Bold is in! If you are stuck wondering what color to paint your kitchen, why limit yourself to only one? Try some bold colors that pop instead of boring white or beige. Another trend we see is painting your upper and lower cabinets in different colors. Why not keep the vanilla color for your top cabinets (to open up space) and pair those with a dark blue and dark countertop on the lower half.
This contrast really gives a dynamic look to your kitchen and can make a huge difference aesthetically. Color blocking can completely transform your kitchen space and actually make it feel bigger, especially if you put a dark color on the bottom and light on top. When in doubt, choose two colors from opposite sides of the color wheel, and have some fun with these latest kitchen trends.
Bold, Dark Color Accents
To piggyback off of the strong color contrasts, we see more and more dark accents walls being utilized in kitchens. Black is actually a very gorgeous color to use in your kitchen as it can give it a more homey, cozy feel rather than an all-white sterile vibe. Dark colors add drama and spice to your kitchen, which is where you express drama and spice in your cooking. And as scary as it may seem to paint your cabinets black, committing to such a dark accent wall can do wonders for your home’s aesthetic. Dark green and dark blue are also trending as popular accent colors for your kitchen.
Statement Lighting
Chances are high that you bought your house with poor ceiling lighting in your kitchen. Who wants to cook in a poorly lit kitchen? We’ll tell you: nobody. But while you’re at it, statement lighting is also vital to making the space come together as a cooking/dining/entertaining experience. Long gone are the days of track lighting in your kitchen, you can get something much more aesthetically pleasing. If you have a kitchen island, drop-down lighting can be a great way to create ambiance, especially if you dine at your kitchen island.
Hardware-Free Cabinets
Can’t decide on the hardware you want on your drawers and cabinets? Don’t fret—handleless cabinets are becoming more and more popular. As if we couldn’t get more streamlined and sleek, kitchens with push-open and close technology have made it even easier. A hardware-free kitchen can be super cool after you’ve gotten used to which side of the cabinet to push to open. The agent technology allows for homeowners to gently push a drawer and it pops open, and then softly closes when you’re done.
Create Spaces That Are Designed By You, and For You
Whether you’re the owner of a design studio or are simply a homeowner looking to improve your home, the most important part about creating a kitchen is to make sure that it is designed for the inhabitants of the home.
So, while these trends can certainly guide the foundations of your kitchen, you have to prioritize what you include in the kitchen based on the lifestyle of those who will use it. Create a list of what you want out of your kitchen and make sure to include those details into the kitchen. The result will be a space that will allow you to thrive for many years to come.
Good luck and happy designing in 2022!