Designers Share 7 Kitchen Trends for 2022

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Whether you’re planning a new kitchen design or you want to bring your existing layout up to date, fall is prime time for kitchen remodels and also when designers and retailers are starting to think about the biggest trends for the upcoming year. One trend that’s here to stay: Kitchens are increasingly being used for far more than cooking. They’re now being designed as inviting spaces where people can gather with family or friends to chat, dine and entertain.

Read on to discover what designers predict will be the hottest kitchen trends for next year. These include the sustained shift toward designing kitchens as socializing spaces, plus a wildly popular color for cabinets, a storage solution that’s worth the splurge and more.

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1. Spaces for Socializing

Designers are increasingly putting socializing and entertaining at the forefront of kitchen design, whether clients are planning to have guests over or simply want to make their kitchen an inviting place where family can hang out. That shift includes thinking about the movement of guests in and around the kitchen as well as how the kitchen connects to other rooms. “We’ll be seeing more streamlined kitchens that flow with the elements of other areas in the room,” says Tess Ceron, designer and principal at Belle Decor & Design in Orlando, Florida.

With socializing at the forefront of kitchen design, there’s also a shift toward making the space look less “kitchen-like” and more decorative and inviting. For example, Ceron cites the popular choice to replace bulky upper cabinets with a single floating shelf to display a few choice items, as one might in a living room. “There’s a trend towards less upper cabinetry and empty countertops,” she says. “Kitchen designs are becoming simplified and much less commercial-looking.”

It’s no surprise that with the focus on socializing, island units also are coming into their own as a place for prepping, storing items and entertaining. If you’re planning to introduce or update an island, it’s worth considering placing the sink or range so the chef can interact with guests while working.

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2. Green Cabinetry

The trend of bringing nature indoors has been growing in popularity, and the kitchen is no exception; designers are styling kitchens with cut branches arranged in vases, and homeowners are opting for nature-inspired greens for walls and cabinetry. “With Evergreen Fog being the Sherwin-Williams color of 2022, I think that green will become even more popular,” Ceron says. “It can be used for the walls, backsplashes and on the island. In fact, I’ve had two requests in the last three months from clients requesting green cabinetry.”

Ceron isn’t alone in seeing the rising popularity of green kitchens among clients. According to the 2021 Houzz Emerging Home Designs Trend Report, readers searched for “green kitchen cabinets” on Houzz 829% more in 2021 than 2020.

Tip: Not sure about introducing a different color? Try it solely on a kitchen island or bottom cabinets, so it’s not overpowering.

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3. Warm Tones and Natural Wood

Natural woods continue to be popular for kitchen cabinetry, and while pale hues remain in high demand, some designers are seeing an uptick in interest for warmer tones and texture-rich materials. When these materials are integrated alongside high-performance stainless steel appliances, faucets and sinks, they cozy up a kitchen. “We’ve seen more wood cabinetry finished in medium stains, which adds a richness and warmth to the room,” says Sara English, lead designer at AMEK in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Susan Froehlich, co-owner and design and selections coordinator at Corinthian Fine Homes in Indianapolis, sees that trend carrying over to tiles and backsplashes too. “In 2022 we expect to see an increased use of textured tiles and longer-format tiles, used in different patterns rather than horizontal brick-pattern layouts,” she says.

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4. Secondary Wash Areas

With the kitchen sink often in high demand, it’s no surprise that there’s a call for more sinks and faucets to be added, whether to islands, countertops or utility areas.  But with so many styles on offer, which are the latest designs to consider?

“We’re going to be seeing a continued increase in the use of touch-activated or sensored faucets in the kitchen,” Froehlich says, “along with a rise in mixing materials as well as finishes in the kitchen. Homeowners of the past tended to focus on matching faucet and lighting finishes, but now they’re beginning to get a bit more daring and mix it up.”

Tip: Site your sink close to the dishwasher for easy rinsing and loading, and opt for a faucet with a pull-down spray to make rinsing easier. 

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5. The Latest Kitchen Appliances

With kitchens increasingly being used for entertaining and socializing, homeowners need appliances that can step up, make lives easier and accommodate extra guests when needed. That’s why for 2022 we’ll be seeing a rise in the use of oversize stoves, multiple ovens, wine coolers and large refrigerators with ice makers.

“There’s an increase in the number of homeowners who are choosing to showcase their appliances, such as the refrigerator, in all its stainless steel glory,” Froehlich says. “Multiple ovens in a kitchen will also remain a mainstay for 2022, and the use of a range in addition to double ovens is on the rise as more homeowners continue to enjoy a new hobby they learned during the pandemic.”

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6. A Focus on Lighting

Now that kitchens are being used for so many different functions, it’s never been so important to get the lighting just right. You’ll want to ensure you have well-lit prep areas as well as mood lighting to create atmosphere. “Not only are lights essential for safety while chopping and using heated appliances, but they also create an ambiance that enhances how you feel about your kitchen while doing meal preparation or entertaining,” English explains. “For this reason, we add dimmers when we can to easily change from task-oriented lighting to mood and accent lighting.”

Whether you choose fisherman-style pendant lights, like the steel and glass designs seen here, for over your island or table, or opt for spotlights under cabinets, it’s all about using lighting to to show off your own style and personality. So think carefully about what design would work best with your scheme.

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7. Pantries and Extra Storage

With folks like Marie Kondo and shows like The Home Edit walking us through how to organize and declutter our homes, there’s been a huge shift toward personalizing storage areas and opting for Instagram-worthy walk-in pantries. “Homeowners are taking stock of what they have in their cabinets and pantries, and requesting their kitchen be designed with customized storage for their own pots, pans and small appliances,” Froehlich says. “Larger, pretty pantries will continue to be a need in 2022, and we estimate an increase in busy families wanting designated snack storage areas near the door for the kids to grab on the go.”

That’s not the only key storage area these days. Wine coolers are becoming more of a staple and less of an indulgence too. “We’ve been installing beverage coolers in all of our latest kitchen renovations,” Ceron says. “Think of how much space drinks take up in your refrigerator — they’re very functional.”

More: Shop the latest kitchen products and get expert advice and inspiration on Ferguson’s website.

This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.