14 Trends for 2020 That Will Perk Up Your Kitchen

What’s Making News in Kitchens This Year?

 

Ahh, the kitchen!

Will we ever get tired of reimagining, furnishing, and decorating this space? Here we are – into a new year and a new decade – and the kitchen still holds our interest and attention, and certainly that of designers and avid renovators.

While it’s six months into 2020, we can still ask about the hot trends in kitchens this year. Is the all-white subway-tiled kitchen still the go-to design? What about granite and quartz countertops; cabinets and appliances? Maybe, wallpaper? And, will you be ready to return to the stand-alone kitchen – separated clearly from the living room and dining area?

Yes, you may already have created the ideal kitchen and organized its layout, accents, and appliances; however, keep an open mind. Remember that you can still get on board with a number of trendy looks and accessories without messing up your overall design – and spending a lot of money.

So whether you’re in the mood for a makeover or not, here are some stylish and innovative kitchen trends that interior designers believe will be popular in 2020 – and will definitely perk up the heart of the home.

Let’s start with a few ideas that are easily implemented and will not mess up your kitchen’s vibes.

 

1.  Splashes of Color

Break up the white kitchen with pops of color on the walls, light fixtures, and furnishing. Painting the walls, cabinets, appliances and, even vent hoods with a vibrant or soft pastel shade will add personality to the kitchen. Should you change your mind - or get tired of that color palette, it’s easy enough to paint over. In addition to the use of paint, designers call for decorative dishware and countertop accents to jazz up your kitchen.

 

2.  Shades of Blue

Blue is the trendy colors in the kitchen this year. You’ll find cabinets, kitchen islands, appliances, and even vent hoods in various blue tones popping up to give white kitchens personality and vibrancy. The popular shades range from navy to robin’s egg blue to aqua.

 

3.  Artful Mix of Lighting

Chandeliers, pendants or sconces? Why not combine all three in the kitchen design? A smart use and understanding of the different types of lighting - natural, ambient, and task lighting - makes for a versatile and dramatic kitchen. In addition to the natural light that filters into the kitchen from the sun’s rays, these various types of lighting add to the kitchen’s atmosphere. 

• Ambient or general lighting fills an entire room by an overhead fixture or group of fixtures.

• Task Lighting is functional lighting for specific jobs: at the cooktop, over the sink, at the desk, above the laundry, above the snack bar and table.

• Accent Lighting highlights a particular element or decorative object such as a range hood, unique stemware, a basket or pottery collection, or wall art.

• Decorative Lighting brings out the best features of the kitchen by accent features like sconces, pendants, chandeliers, candles, or strips of miniature lights.

 

4.  Open Shelves for Storage

When we think and talk of storage space in the kitchen, closed cabinets and drawers come to mind. However, in 2020, open shelves -  usually reserved for displaying antique cookware, decorative pieces like vintage and copper pots - are now being utilized as storage spaces. Designers say that more and more homeowners prefer to see their kitchen items, and have easy access to them - when they’re preparing meals. Instead of opening cabinets and drawers, why not just reach for these pieces on the floating shelves?  
And don’t worry – you can still find space on the shelves for decorative pieces.

 

 

5.  Tops in Countertops

From marble to composite quartz to dark wood and porcelain, countertops in 2020 are getting a makeover. While granite dominated for years, it’s being pushed to the sidelines by new materials that are more durable and easier to clean. With the kitchen now a space not only for meals but also for homework, entertaining, and other activities, new materials that are easier to clean and maintain are considered necessary.

Designers are touting the return of marble – particularly calacatta marble, which is predicted to surpass carrara marble this year. Calacatta marble has thick, unstructured, “stronger, more pronounced veining that lends a bold, graphic appeal.”  Other choices are walnut, composite quartz, and porcelain. While porcelain has been around in Europe for some time, its appearance on the American scene is quite recent. This year, more people are choosing porcelain, which can “look like granite, marble, wood, or a variety of other natural materials” and is purportedly stain-, heat-, and bacteria-resistant.  

 

 

6.  Butler’s Pantries

After many years of growing popularity, the butlers pantry is now a “must-have” feature in kitchens of larger homes – and one of the top items on the wish lists of potential buyers who love a neat, structured space. While cabinets and drawers on a kitchen island are great areas for storage, a sizable pantry with organized compartments and pull-out shelves is a better answer for storing essentials away from the main kitchen. So, if you have the square footage, go for a butler’s pantry.

You can even connect the pantry to the main kitchen and equip it with small appliances - even a dishwasher. And if you add a door, you can hide the mess while entertaining your guests. 

 

7.  Larder Cupboards

Sometimes called pantry cupboards, larder cupboards have been kitchen staples for a long time, but it’s only in the last few years that they have become the focus of attention and the “ultimate status symbol.” With these functional larders, everyday food essentials are organized in one place, “and not scattered around in numerous wall cupboards.”  This makes it easier to track what items are needed when the family goes grocery shopping.

And because the larder serves as a centralized storage space, it means there are fewer wall cabinets and less clutter in the kitchen, resulting in a neat and orderly spot.

 

8.  Double Islands

As homes increase in square footage, so does the demand for larger kitchens and kitchen islands. In 2020, double islands are a must for expanded kitchens. With a pair of islands, you can have a dedicated area for meal prep and serving; and the other one as a dining/gathering space.

 

9.  Bold Backsplashes

Backsplashes that make bold statements are bound to make an impact this year. Taking a respite from the tried-and-true subway tiles and chevron designs, the 2020 versions will be quite elaborate and decorative and will serve as artistic focal points. Add unique lighting fixtures, and you can create a truly dramatic accent piece or focal point in your kitchen.

 

10.  Sleek Cabinetry

Less is more as cabinet designs tend toward clean and unadorned lines. In 2020, there will be less crown molding and accents on the top of upper cabinets as more home owners and potential buyers opt for a sleek finish.

 

11.  Steel Hoods

Like bold and artsy backsplashes, steel hoods will also be conversation pieces in 2020. As more homeowners become more adventurous and embrace the new trends, vent hoods made of stainless steel and painted wood may be a thing of the past.

 

12.  Standalone Kitchen

Not to put a damper on the open plan concept, but there’s now a phenomenon referred to as “broken plan,” in which screens, freestanding furniture, cabinetry, and large house plants are used to create distinct zones for cooking and entertaining.

 A number of designers say they are ready for a kitchen that is separate from the living room, and believe that the all-in-one Great Room “will be making a graceful exit in this next decade.”

 

13.  Vacuum Sealer

No year is complete without new products coming to the forefront. While vacuum sealers have been around for a few years, in 2020 more people who are into the wellness trend are excited about the idea of being to preserve and portion food. With a vacuum sealer, air is removed from the pouch “to prevent foods from oxidizing and spoiling, extending the time you can store food.” In addition to food, a vacuum sealer can also reseal opened wine bottles. Its making a resurgence!

 

14.  Smart Technology

Welcome Googles Alexa to the 2020 kitchen as new technology makes its way to ovens and fridges. Today, a number of smart ovens can be connected to a smart speaker that can set and preheat it – and get it prepped while the cook is busy with other chores.

A “smart” countertop oven can recognize whats in it and  automatically adjust temperatures and cooking times to the type of food and weight. The new-tech oven also sends push notifications to your smartphone when cooking is finished.

While this smart kitchen technology is not appealing to master chefs and avid cooks, tech-savvy and busy homeowners can appreciate the fact that they can execute a few cooking chores remotely. 

 

While there are many hot trends in 2020 kitchen designs, designers across the board agree that sunny and soft hues can add personality and vibrancy to the heart of the home. So, don’t abandon the all-white kitchen yet. Just give it some pops of color and unique decorative accents!

 

Footnote: The lead image in this article is a fabulous kitchen in an amazing 1.5 story Country home with four bedrooms and 3.5 baths.  For more details on this 3,254-square foot home and its luxurious features, go to Plan #204-1017.