Upcoming Kitchen Designs Trends for 2023
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There’s an old saying in real estate: “Kitchens sell houses.”
And it’s true buyers often fall in love with a home the moment they step into a well-designed kitchen.
With rising interest rates and the real estate market slowing in many areas, now is the perfect time to make your kitchen stand out. A modern kitchen that blends style, comfort, and function can help your home sell faster or simply give your family a beautiful space to enjoy every day.
Here are six kitchen design trends to watch in 2023 that bring together practicality, warmth, and timeless appeal.
1. Softening Elements
Poorly designed kitchens can fall into the trap of becoming cold and utilitarian.
Too much stainless steel backed by dark colors may not play well for all types of homes.
To avoid this pitfall, homeowners are looking for creative ways to add softening elements as we move toward 2023.
Some of the most popular trends include:
- Woven pendant lighting for a casual, relaxed vibe.
- Timber doors to evoke warm contrast with the kitchen’s stone elements,
- Large windows to reduce reliance on artificial light in the space.
Explore our Quartz Collections →
2. Bold Accents
Homeowners looking to create a calming sense of harmony within their kitchen are using monochromatic color schemes to establish cohesion.
White walls, islands, and appliances are a popular choice when executing this scheme, as it better reflects light and gives the kitchen a brighter, more welcoming ambiance.
But to avoid a space that feels flat, designers are adding bold accents that make the room pop.
This look often comes to life with details such as
- A shiplap feature wall in crisp white for texture.
- Dark fixtures or cabinet hardware against light quartz counters.
- A striking island stone, like PentalQuartz® Carrara, as the centerpiece.
These accents bring personality into the space without overwhelming it.
3. Functional Pantries
Pantries are making a comeback this time as stylish and practical extensions of the kitchen.
Traditional pantries have been pegged as frumpy and unappealing in recent years as homeowners look for more dynamic means of using their kitchen space.
However, with many homeowners being forced to stock up and eat in while they wait for inflation to stagnate, the pantry is once again becoming a necessary component of kitchens heading into 2023.
As homeowners look to avoid turning their pantry into an oversized food closet, look for the following features in modern pantries:
- Sliding glass doors to limit space and give homeowners a quick look at what they have available.
- Adjustable wire shelving which creates an understated aspect when not in use.
- Pull-out drawers that can be used for storage or transition for use as cutting boards or tables when the need should arise
Location is also an important factor as homeowners look to mobilize their pantries.
Gone are the cumbersome corner pantries, replaced with more practical built-in wall pantries that provide functional transitions between appliances.
Pro tip: Match your pantry finishes with your countertops for a cohesive, high-end look.
4. Family-Friendly Features
With the cost-of-living skyrocketing around the country, the traditional household family is being forced to evolve in unprecedented ways.
Many homes are now being shared between more than one family, and roommate living is becoming the new norm as young professionals look for ways to make their monthly payments.
Kitchen trends are emerging to accommodate these changes.
- There is a huge emphasis on creating open kitchens to allow for more mingling between meals
- Large central islands with durable quartz countertops that can serve as both a dining table and work-from-home station throughout the day are becoming the standard.
- Cushioned stools and upholstered chairs are replacing stiff-backed wood options to provide more comfort for lounging.
Quartz countertops are especially popular here, they’re durable enough for daily use while still looking luxurious.
See Why Quartz Is Perfect for Kitchens
5. Reclaimed Materials
No matter how progressive design sensibilities become, there will always be a strong yearning for the vintage. This certainly appears to be the case as we head into 2023, with many homeowners looking for ways to add some timeless touches to their cook spaces. One way to accomplish this is by incorporating reclaimed materials. Some features to keep an eye on include:
- Salvaged wood shelving for warmth.
- Repurposed stone tiles for floors or backsplashes.
- Exposed barn wood beams on the Ceiling that bring rustic elegance.
Pairing reclaimed materials with sleek quartz or porcelain surfaces creates a kitchen that feels both modern and storied.
6. Outdoor Kitchens
With people looking to maximize functional exterior space, the design of outdoor kitchens is set to continue in full force heading into 2023.
Among the features found in outdoor kitchens include:
- Heavy-duty stainless-steel appliances
- Wood-fired or stone ovens for authentic cooking experiences
- Granite or quartzite countertops for durability
- Pergolas for shade and weather protection
- Stone pavers to complete the natural look
While some outdoor kitchens are stand-alone structures situated away from the home, some homes are replacing their traditional patio with an outdoor kitchen.
They are using a pass-through window to conveniently connect their interior and exterior cook spaces.
👉 Get Inspired by Outdoor Living Spaces →
Kitchens That Work for Life
The kitchen has always been the heart of the home, but in today’s market it’s also a major selling point. By embracing trends like softening elements, bold accents, family-friendly islands, reclaimed materials, and outdoor kitchens, you can create a space that’s as inviting as it is functional.
Whether you’re remodelling for your family or preparing your home for sale, the right kitchen design can make all the difference.
Lisa Thompkins is a freelance writer living in Dallas, Texas. She works closely in the Home Improvement and Real Estate fields and has a background in Interior Design. When not writing, Lisa enjoys spending her time out on the lake with her friends and family. Lisa’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource launching in Fall 2022.
