What Are The Top Kitchen Trends For 2023? (11 Design Styles)

With 2022 coming to an end interior designers and everyday people are wondering, what 2023 home decor trends are expected for the New Year. 

Debi Mazar said it perfectly “The kitchen is the heart of every home, for the most part. It evokes memories of your family history”. 

So it’s no wonder that we are all eagerly awaiting what styles and designs will storm through our kitchens in the coming year and beyond. 

Every year Houzz publishes a kitchen trends and statistics report where they interview homeowners and in their recent 2022 report they stated that “spend on kitchen remodels continues to climb”. They found that from 2020 to 2021 the median spend for major renovations increased by 14% and by 25% for medium renovations. So it’s clear that there is an upward trend in kitchen renovations and homeowners are constantly browsing for decor ideas.

Let’s explore what are predicted to be the top kitchen trends of 2023 and how we can incorporate these design styles into our homes.

1. Layers of Black

Is a black kitchen a good idea? If you think that black will make your kitchen look dreary and gloomy, think again! Nothing says bold like the color black, simply ask gothic interior design enthusiasts.

There are many ways you can incorporate black into your space without making it feel creepy. In fact, if done properly, it can be elegant, sophisticated and modern.

Imagine black marble countertops with light veins, black shiny appliances and matte black cabinets accessorized with other color choices and materials to create a beautiful contrast.

How do you soften a black kitchen? The best way to add warmth to a black kitchen is by adding colors such as creams, soft greens, wood tones, grays and off-white. 

You can incorporate black into any part of the kitchen but most often I have seen this design style finding its way onto cabinets. Black is a good color for kitchen cabinets and walls because it gives your space a chic and luxurious feel. Here are some black kitchen cabinet ideas to consider for your 2023 kitchen renovations by Helena Madden at Elle Decor.

2. Sustainable and Organic Materials 

Sustainability and the use of natural organic materials in general have become integral in all aspects of our lives as we begin to live a more conscious lifestyle. So it’s no surprise that decorating with sustainable and natural materials has found its way into our kitchens. 

Creating a kitchen with sustainability in mind is not only expected to see an increase in 2023, but for years to come. If you would like some inspiration, interior design concepts such as Biophilic home decor and the Japandi style have sustainable living as their foundation.

How to create a sustainable kitchen in 2023?

• Choose energy-efficient appliances. Appliances that have energy star “Make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products”
• Invest in stainless steel appliances
• Ditch the plastic and use glass for storage
• Get some LED lights
• Make use of natural light
• High-quality cookware 
• Incorporate natural materials such as wood, stones, granite and rattan. 
• Install dishwashers that are quick wash
• Decorate with plants and flowers 

3. Vintage Kitchens

Vintage decor and kitchens are a match made in heaven! All things antiques, old school, and retro have made a comeback in a big way in 2022 and will continue to be a dominant design style in 2023.  So if you are someone who loves all things quirky take a trip back in time and add some vintage kitchen decor to your home.

If you are looking for some inspiration, House and Gardens have an excellent piece on how can you make your kitchen look vintage.

4. Natural Light

Interior designers are adding windows behind the counter space rather than cabinets. “These spaces were designed to make the most of ample sunlight—some forgo upper cabinets for more windows, while others feature shiny, light-reflecting countertops.” States Allix Cott from Architectural Designs. 

In addition to creating an aesthetically pleasing kitchen, natural light is good for our well-being. According to Healthline access to more natural light can boost vit d, improve sleep and ward off depression. 

A study published by MDs Steven D Targum and Norman Rosenthal in NCBI, states that seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder)  affects about 6% of the U.S. population. So if you are someone who gets the blues in the fall or winter, natural sunlight will be a good way to improve your mood. 

So let’s ditch the drapes in 2023 and bring some warmth into the kitchen by adding lots of windows, glass doors, and reflective mirrors.

12 tips for how to add natural light to your kitchen in 2023: 

• Add a skylight 
• Incorporate floor-to-ceiling windows
• Install windows to the backsplash area
• Add windows above the sink
• Pick glass cabinetry 
• Add a mirrored backsplash 
• Ditch the curtains or use sheer curtains
• Metallic finishes for appliances 
• Lighter colors for your kitchen island
• Use mirrors to reflect sunlight 
• Paint walls neutral or lighter colors as they reflect light better 
• Pick neutral or  light colors for your floors

Of course, you will also have some light fixtures in your kitchen. Check out this article I wrote on how to choose kitchen island lights for some inspiration and guidance.

5. Bright and Bold Colors

In 2023 we are done with kitchens that are exclusively white or neutral!  Yes, white is a timeless color but we also want to mix in some pops of color. The use of bold dramatic colors is all the buzz right now in the home decor space and has found its way into the kitchen.

“Artists and interior designers have long believed that color can dramatically affect moods, feelings, and emotion” states Kendra Cherry in her article about color psychology from Very Well Mind.

Magnet, an expert company in creating your dream kitchen, conducted a study in the U.K to find out how color makes us feel. They found that pastel kitchens were popular with “74% of those surveyed saying they have or are considering a pastel palette in their kitchen.” 

Danish pastel decor is an excellent example of adding color to your home.

Here are 25 ways that you can add pops of color to your kitchen curated by Jessica Bennet at Better Homes & Gardens. 

6. Green Color Palettes 

With more of us moving towards sustainability it’s no surprise that the color green was the most popular choice for kitchens in 2022 and experts believe that it isn’t going anywhere in 2023. 

Interior designers say that lighter greens are a good choice for your kitchen cabinets and walls.  

Green is a good color for a kitchen because it makes the room feel airy, and natural, giving it a sustainable and organic vibe. The best green for kitchen walls and cabinets are mint, sage green, and pistachio.

7. Colored Kitchen Cabinets 

The cabinets in our kitchens stand out so it’s no surprise that this is where a lot of interior designers are choosing to display a pop of color. Colored cabinets are all the hype right now and we will see them become more popular in 2023. 

If you decide to use pops of colors on your cabinets consider creating contrast and balance with other color choices. To balance colors in your modern kitchen Better Homes & Gardens suggest using the 70-30-10 color scheme rule, 70% being the main color, 10% being an accent color and the other 20% functions to balance other shades.

If you are wondering what color kitchen cabinets are in for 2023, Better Homes and Gardens also suggests green, orange, yellow and blue amongst others.

8. Colored Marble Kitchen Islands 

Marble kitchen islands are very versatile and can be paired nicely with any interior design style. When we think of marble we often think of white with gray veins, but for 2023 we are seeing something new, colored marble! In fact, you can have any color you’d like, it will just come with a heavy price tag. 

Kitchen islands are an integral part of our kitchens and serve a functional purpose. We use it for eating, entertaining, and according to a study by Houzz, “Islands Are Where We Work From Home” In their study of 2380 homeowners they found that 1 in 5 (20%) said that their top use of their island was for working. We are using our islands more than ever so if you are renovating and looking for something luxe and vibrant consider incorporating colored marbled islands.

9. Rounded or Curved Kitchen islands 

We are used to seeing rectangular or square kitchen islands, but kitchen islands with rounded edges are beginning to pop up in the interior design space and will be in style for 2023 and years to come. 

Can a kitchen island be round or does a kitchen island have to be rectangle? Your kitchen island does not have to be a rectangle. If you are looking for something unique with elegance, charm and that adds visual interest to your space, rounded or circular kitchen islands are a great option.

What are some examples of round kitchen islands? Consider the following shapes

• Circular
• Oval
• U-shaped
• Key shaped ( one end a longer rectangular and the other rounded)
• Rounded ends (both ends) with a rectangular middle 

When installing consider how much space a round kitchen island needs to ensure you have the appropriate space, The general rule of thumb is that a kitchen island should have at least 3 feet (ideally 4) between the counter space to allow safe movement throughout the kitchen. 

10. Custom Range Hoods

The range hood is often the least attractive thing about our kitchens, right? But it doesn’t have to be. Kitchen hoods everywhere are seeing a makeover, they are being wrapped in beautiful stones, woods, and metals to name a few and it is absolutely stunning. This has been around for a few years now but it is only expected to gain more popularity in 2023.

I’ve written an article all about custom high-end kitchen appliances and why they are worth the money. Check it out for some inspiration.

11. Mirrored Backsplashes

When we think of kitchen backsplashes we immediately envision brick or tile as these are the types we see in most homes. However, we are seeing mirrored backsplashes gain popularity in the interior design space and it is predicted to find its way into more homes in 2023. 

Can you use a mirror as a kitchen backsplash and is a mirrored backsplash a good idea? You can use a mirrored backsplash in your kitchen. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean, but they also make your kitchen look bigger and enhance natural light as sunshine bounces off of them. 

Check out my articles on kitchen backsplash trends, countertop ideas, flooring designs, hardware styles, lighting, popular colors and cabinet trends for more inspiration on how you can create a modern kitchen.

If you are wondering what trends to avoid my article on outdated decor will help you to stay current.