When designing your dream kitchen, it’s important to balance timeless features with playful colors, patterns and textures that reflect your personality and design aesthetic. Now that we’ve officially made it into 2023, we’re looking ahead at the trends and styles that will define the new year. We spoke with interior designers and kitchen experts who shared their top kitchen trends for 2023, touching on everything from cabinet colors and kitchen lighting ideas to design styles they’re loving.

You may not want to completely remodel your space every year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t creative ways to keep your interior feeling fresh and modern. For kitchen countertops, the pros are predicting both natural and expressive stones. For paint colors, they’re loving dusty greens and blues, as well as soft hues like terracotta and natural browns. But, don’t worry: bold patterns are not out. As you scroll, you’ll notice a surge of gold hardware — but matte black and brass are sticking around as well.

Swap out your backsplash tile (dare we suggest something vibrant), add a fresh coat of paint to your kitchen island or layer in handmade artisan details — all of which can be completed in a few hours. As much as we love a hot trend, we’ll leave you with this message from our designers: “Focus more on what the space needs and less on what is ‘trending.’ Doing what’s best for your space never goes out of style!”

1. Overstated Hardware

We are integrating metalwork onto drawers, doors and shelving. Also, dark colors and mixed materials are still really popular, which adds sophistication to the room.

2. Creative Cabinetry

For me, one of the keys to great design is when a client and a designer have the trust to take a risk together and choose a kitchen cabinet color or patterned tile that is bold and unexpected. I believe in 2023, we are going to see even more bold cabinet color choices, mixed with other interesting and unique finishes. 

3. Stone Slabs

Stone slabs are dominating backsplashes from the countertop to the ceiling, cascading to the floor in waterfall edges and wrapping around islands. It’s an exciting development, as these stones are so unique and beautiful, and truly enhance these spaces as the basic neutrals they replace never could.

4. Painted Islands

The all-white kitchen may be out, but what about homeowners who want to update their existing space without a gut job? One of the best ways to inject color into the kitchen is to paint the island base. It instantly activates a sterile-looking space and doesn’t require construction.

5. Mixed Metals

We’re going to see a lot more blending of different finishes in the kitchen: Brass, bronze, stainless, nickel and more. By mixing finishes, you get a visually rich, incredibly inviting look.

6. Butcher-Block Islands

A butcher-block island is not only stylish, but incredibly functional and durable. We love using walnut as the primary material for a butcher-block island, as it really warms the space. For added functionality, use a butcher-block island that has a mini fridge for extra storage space and plenty of cabinets where you can keep larger appliances hidden.

7. Lower Kitchen Drawers

Kitchens with loads of lower drawers, instead of cabinets, are on the rise. Drawers glide out easily, and can store so much. Bending down, getting on your knees and holding a flashlight is no longer a necessity. Plus, extra large cabinet hardware is the icing on the cake in any kitchen — don’t skimp or skip on this must-have.

8. Brights Mixed With Woods

There will be more unexpected hues for cabinetry. We have seen a lot of saturated, bright colors in 2022, and I believe we will still see color but lighter and chalkier shades and definitely mixed with woods.

9. Marble Slab Backsplashes

Subway tile backsplashes are starting to look dated, and we are seeing a big shift toward marble slab backsplashes — which add drama and depth to the kitchen. Not only is it easier to clean than tile, a marble backsplash and countertop sets the tone for the entire space and makes a big statement.

10. Secondary Kitchen Spaces

A kitchen design trend we are seeing in 2023 is sculleries. Homeowners who are in need of additional space will love this trend. A scullery acts as secondary kitchen storage — space for food prep, hidden coffee nooks and so much more.