12 Trends in Kitchen Appliances for 2024
See the latest styles and features in fridges, ovens and other kitchen appliances presented at the KBIS 2024 trade show
Kitchen appliances are always evolving, and the latest looks and newest features often premiere at the combined Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and International Builders’ Show (IBS). With dozens of appliance manufacturers exhibiting their products in one place, the annual trade event is a great opportunity to spot both big-picture industrywide shifts and shorter-lived fashions. Here are the trends that stood out at the 2024 show, which was held Feb. 27-29 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Another example is LG’s four-door standard-depth MAX. The refrigerator’s “full-convert” drawer converts from refrigerator to freezer with five temperature settings.
The latest version, which launched at KBIS, has a fun tinted glass panel that illuminates with two knocks. The new MyColor feature allows users to select from five LED light colors via the ThinQ app.
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The latest version, which launched at KBIS, has a fun tinted glass panel that illuminates with two knocks. The new MyColor feature allows users to select from five LED light colors via the ThinQ app.
10 Design Trends for New Kitchen and Bath Products in 2024
2. Beverage Chillers
Undercounter and column wine and beverage fridges have become increasingly popular kitchen additions in recent years. To meet demand, manufacturers keep expanding their collections’ size ranges and features. Like the previously described standard refrigerators, many beverage fridges have multiple, adjustable temperature zones. Wooden racks and anti-vibration technology protect precious cargo, and some designs have an area for displaying fine vintages.
ZLINE added to its lineup with this new Touchstone series of wine coolers and beverage refrigerators, which are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. They’re available in multiple door and handle finishes or can be customized with panels to match surrounding cabinetry.
Undercounter and column wine and beverage fridges have become increasingly popular kitchen additions in recent years. To meet demand, manufacturers keep expanding their collections’ size ranges and features. Like the previously described standard refrigerators, many beverage fridges have multiple, adjustable temperature zones. Wooden racks and anti-vibration technology protect precious cargo, and some designs have an area for displaying fine vintages.
ZLINE added to its lineup with this new Touchstone series of wine coolers and beverage refrigerators, which are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. They’re available in multiple door and handle finishes or can be customized with panels to match surrounding cabinetry.
3. Induction Cooktops
Induction cooktops, which use electromagnetism to heat cookware, are already widely used in Canada and Europe. They’re finally gaining traction in the United States — especially as the technology and cost improve and concerns about gas’ health and environmental impacts grow. At this year’s KBIS, manufacturers debuted induction cooktops and ranges in expanded sizes, at lower price points and with all kinds of nifty features.
The cooktop of this Wi-Fi-enabled Monogram 36-inch induction professional range, for example, has 19 heat settings and two cooktop elements that can be bridged to create one large cooking surface. With the brand’s SmartHQ app and smart pan, users can set a specific temperature instead of simply low, medium or high. They can also select different food types and cooking methods and the pan will automatically adjust the temperature for optimal cooking.
Induction cooktops, which use electromagnetism to heat cookware, are already widely used in Canada and Europe. They’re finally gaining traction in the United States — especially as the technology and cost improve and concerns about gas’ health and environmental impacts grow. At this year’s KBIS, manufacturers debuted induction cooktops and ranges in expanded sizes, at lower price points and with all kinds of nifty features.
The cooktop of this Wi-Fi-enabled Monogram 36-inch induction professional range, for example, has 19 heat settings and two cooktop elements that can be bridged to create one large cooking surface. With the brand’s SmartHQ app and smart pan, users can set a specific temperature instead of simply low, medium or high. They can also select different food types and cooking methods and the pan will automatically adjust the temperature for optimal cooking.
4. Focus on Energy Efficiency
Induction cooktops are more efficient than gas and traditional electric cooktops, making them a smart environmental choice. The technology is just one innovation helping to make appliances at KBIS — and throughout the home — greener.
This new JennAir 30-inch, panel-ready SlimTech Insulation column refrigerator stood out at KBIS. It incorporates an innovative insulating material that makes fridge doors slimmer and should make recycling refrigerators easier. (Read more about the product, which won the 2024 Best of KBIS Game Changing Innovation Gold award, here.)
Another example is the LG refrigerator with the color-changing glass panel, pictured earlier. The colorful glass panel is not only fun, but it lets users see inside the compartment without opening the door, which reduces cold air loss.
Induction cooktops are more efficient than gas and traditional electric cooktops, making them a smart environmental choice. The technology is just one innovation helping to make appliances at KBIS — and throughout the home — greener.
This new JennAir 30-inch, panel-ready SlimTech Insulation column refrigerator stood out at KBIS. It incorporates an innovative insulating material that makes fridge doors slimmer and should make recycling refrigerators easier. (Read more about the product, which won the 2024 Best of KBIS Game Changing Innovation Gold award, here.)
Another example is the LG refrigerator with the color-changing glass panel, pictured earlier. The colorful glass panel is not only fun, but it lets users see inside the compartment without opening the door, which reduces cold air loss.
5. Smart Features and Connectivity
According to Houzz research, 44% of homeowners renovating their kitchens purchase new appliances with high-tech features such as cameras, smart-home connectivity, built-in apps, cameras and touch-screen displays like this swing-out LCD display for the Monogram induction range pictured earlier. And nearly a third of homeowners choose appliances with Wi-Fi connectivity. The increasing demand is translating to more, and more helpful, smart appliances debuting at each show.
With the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner, pros can create detailed 2D floor plans and 3D models that include kitchen cabinets, appliances, sinks, faucets and more.
According to Houzz research, 44% of homeowners renovating their kitchens purchase new appliances with high-tech features such as cameras, smart-home connectivity, built-in apps, cameras and touch-screen displays like this swing-out LCD display for the Monogram induction range pictured earlier. And nearly a third of homeowners choose appliances with Wi-Fi connectivity. The increasing demand is translating to more, and more helpful, smart appliances debuting at each show.
With the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner, pros can create detailed 2D floor plans and 3D models that include kitchen cabinets, appliances, sinks, faucets and more.
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This combined convection wall oven and microwave drawer from Sharp is worth adding to the list of high-tech refrigerators and ovens already mentioned. The recently launched combo shares an LCD touch-screen control panel and can be voice-controlled using Amazon Alexa for hands-free cooking. One particularly handy trick (pun intended!) is that the microwave drawer can open with a simple wave.
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6. Speedy Multifunctional Cookers
Appliance manufacturers don’t just want to make cooking easier, they want to make it faster too. Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) calls its new 30-inch speed oven, which has 11 cooking modes, a game changer. It uses a combination of halogen lighting, convection heating and infrared technology to eliminate the need for preheating and to cook food up to four times faster than a conventional oven can.
Sharp also had a buzzy, multimode high-speed oven debut in this category. The speed oven (which isn’t yet available) promises to both reduce cooking time compared with a conventional oven and offer the first gold carbon heater for adding charcoal grill flavor, according to the company.
Appliance manufacturers don’t just want to make cooking easier, they want to make it faster too. Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) calls its new 30-inch speed oven, which has 11 cooking modes, a game changer. It uses a combination of halogen lighting, convection heating and infrared technology to eliminate the need for preheating and to cook food up to four times faster than a conventional oven can.
Sharp also had a buzzy, multimode high-speed oven debut in this category. The speed oven (which isn’t yet available) promises to both reduce cooking time compared with a conventional oven and offer the first gold carbon heater for adding charcoal grill flavor, according to the company.
7. Air Fry Mode
If a microwave or conventional oven with multiple cooking modes debuted at the show, you can be sure one mode was air fry. Countertop air fryers, which have been gaining popularity over the past five years or so, work on a similar principal to convection ovens — fans circulate heat to achieve crispy texture without added fat. Now even some full-size ovens have dedicated air fry functions to help users achieve a similarly crispy effect without needing a separate countertop appliance.
Whirlpool’s new 30-inch electric range (pictured) and KitchenAid’s new four-element induction slide-in convection range have an air-fry mode and included dishwasher-safe air-fry basket.
If a microwave or conventional oven with multiple cooking modes debuted at the show, you can be sure one mode was air fry. Countertop air fryers, which have been gaining popularity over the past five years or so, work on a similar principal to convection ovens — fans circulate heat to achieve crispy texture without added fat. Now even some full-size ovens have dedicated air fry functions to help users achieve a similarly crispy effect without needing a separate countertop appliance.
Whirlpool’s new 30-inch electric range (pictured) and KitchenAid’s new four-element induction slide-in convection range have an air-fry mode and included dishwasher-safe air-fry basket.
8. Small-Space Solutions
Elaborate, enormous ranges certainly had a presence at the show. A more notable trend, however, was a proliferation of appliances designed for smaller spaces, such as backyard accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and urban condos. Though small, many of the appliances were as sleek and sophisticated as their standard-size counterparts.
Miele unveiled this 24-inch combination oven, for example. Its induction or electric cooktop shares a single plug with the oven. Plus, all of the controls are on the oven, leaving more usable surface space on the cooktop.
Other standout examples included Smeg’s and Bertazzoni’s new freestanding 24-inch induction ranges, which are available now, and Sharp’s suite of 24-inch-wide appliances, which the company showed off in a compact display kitchen.
Elaborate, enormous ranges certainly had a presence at the show. A more notable trend, however, was a proliferation of appliances designed for smaller spaces, such as backyard accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and urban condos. Though small, many of the appliances were as sleek and sophisticated as their standard-size counterparts.
Miele unveiled this 24-inch combination oven, for example. Its induction or electric cooktop shares a single plug with the oven. Plus, all of the controls are on the oven, leaving more usable surface space on the cooktop.
Other standout examples included Smeg’s and Bertazzoni’s new freestanding 24-inch induction ranges, which are available now, and Sharp’s suite of 24-inch-wide appliances, which the company showed off in a compact display kitchen.
Small appliances still made big style statements. This minifridge from Dolce & Gabbana’s Blu Mediterraneo collection for Smeg, which debuted at KBIS, is perhaps the most charming of the brand’s compact, 1950s-style refrigerators to date.
9. Customized Cleanup
Refrigerators and ovens tend to hog the stage when it comes to aesthetics. That’s especially true since the trend for dishwashers is to be as imperceptible as possible. In fact, the latest JennAir dishwashers can be so silent and seamlessly integrated into kitchen cabinetry that just about the only way to spot them is by the digital projection of their cycle status on the floor!
At the show, most of the visible design innovation was inside the dishwashers. There, flexibility, customization, larger third racks and targeted sprays reigned. The stainless steel interior of this new Café CustomFit smart dishwasher, for example, has an adjustable caddy for the upper rack specifically designed for lids and a redesigned cutlery basket that keeps reusable straws from slipping down into the spinning washer arm. And the customizable third rack has a power-washing zone.
Refrigerators and ovens tend to hog the stage when it comes to aesthetics. That’s especially true since the trend for dishwashers is to be as imperceptible as possible. In fact, the latest JennAir dishwashers can be so silent and seamlessly integrated into kitchen cabinetry that just about the only way to spot them is by the digital projection of their cycle status on the floor!
At the show, most of the visible design innovation was inside the dishwashers. There, flexibility, customization, larger third racks and targeted sprays reigned. The stainless steel interior of this new Café CustomFit smart dishwasher, for example, has an adjustable caddy for the upper rack specifically designed for lids and a redesigned cutlery basket that keeps reusable straws from slipping down into the spinning washer arm. And the customizable third rack has a power-washing zone.
10. Sleek Built-In Styling
Many of the newest and buzziest appliances from major manufacturers were built-ins that sat completely flush with the cabinetry. Refrigerators and freezers were arranged in rows of matching columns. Coordinating ovens and other wall units were installed as rows or stacks of same-sized rectangles. The overall look was seamless, with a transitional or contemporary European flair.
The new Viking RVL collection — this year’s Best of KBIS Silver award-winner for Style Statement: Kitchen — was a good illustration of the trend. Viking is known for its professional-grade freestanding ranges, and this is its first transitional and contemporary-style collection. It includes speed, steam and convection ovens (pictured here); cooktops; and built-in refrigeration with sleek styling and minimal gap requirements.
Many of the newest and buzziest appliances from major manufacturers were built-ins that sat completely flush with the cabinetry. Refrigerators and freezers were arranged in rows of matching columns. Coordinating ovens and other wall units were installed as rows or stacks of same-sized rectangles. The overall look was seamless, with a transitional or contemporary European flair.
The new Viking RVL collection — this year’s Best of KBIS Silver award-winner for Style Statement: Kitchen — was a good illustration of the trend. Viking is known for its professional-grade freestanding ranges, and this is its first transitional and contemporary-style collection. It includes speed, steam and convection ovens (pictured here); cooktops; and built-in refrigeration with sleek styling and minimal gap requirements.
The Transitional series from SKS, which also launched at the show, has a similarly sleek aesthetic, with slimmed-down handles in place of knobs and flush-mount installation.
The look is minimalist but the features are not. The SKS wall ovens have a built-in camera combined with artificial intelligence technology that can identify the ingredients inside, offer recipe suggestions through the ThinQ app, then let users monitor, photograph and even capture video of the dish as it cooks.
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The look is minimalist but the features are not. The SKS wall ovens have a built-in camera combined with artificial intelligence technology that can identify the ingredients inside, offer recipe suggestions through the ThinQ app, then let users monitor, photograph and even capture video of the dish as it cooks.
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Even AGA, which is renowned for its vintage-style cast-iron cookers, introduced a new series with sleek, contemporary lines. The ERA has a black glass-and-chrome finish and a high-tech touch-screen panel hidden behind one door.
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11. Dark Matte Finishes
Glassy black is a staple for contemporary-style appliances, but matte black and matte dark gray began showing up a couple of years ago, and several top manufacturers expanded their offerings in the edgy finish this year. Bertazzoni, for example, now has a full suite of appliances in its graphite-shaded, Italian sports-car-inspired Carbonio finish, seen here.
Obsidian, a new matte black for Miele’s ArtLine design line, also debuted at the show. Available this spring, the handleless, glass-fronted appliances have a velvety finish and integrated displays.
Glassy black is a staple for contemporary-style appliances, but matte black and matte dark gray began showing up a couple of years ago, and several top manufacturers expanded their offerings in the edgy finish this year. Bertazzoni, for example, now has a full suite of appliances in its graphite-shaded, Italian sports-car-inspired Carbonio finish, seen here.
Obsidian, a new matte black for Miele’s ArtLine design line, also debuted at the show. Available this spring, the handleless, glass-fronted appliances have a velvety finish and integrated displays.
12. Punches of Color
Boldly colored retro- and traditional-style appliances were the maximalist counterpoints to the more minimalist designs at the show. The blue-and-white Smeg fridge pictured earlier is a particularly cheerful example. Blue and green shades were perhaps the most common color pops, but lemons, oranges and berries were also on view. And True Residential chose this pretty, pearlescent pink metallic Champagne for its 2024 color of the year.
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Boldly colored retro- and traditional-style appliances were the maximalist counterpoints to the more minimalist designs at the show. The blue-and-white Smeg fridge pictured earlier is a particularly cheerful example. Blue and green shades were perhaps the most common color pops, but lemons, oranges and berries were also on view. And True Residential chose this pretty, pearlescent pink metallic Champagne for its 2024 color of the year.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Different foods and beverages are often best stored at different temperatures and humidity levels. And depending on a home chef’s meal plans, more refrigerator or freezer space may be required week to week. Accordingly, the latest refrigerators go beyond the standard fridge-and-freezer combination to offer multiple and, in some cases, adjustable temperature and humidity zones.
The bottom right compartment of the newest Energy Star quad-door refrigerator from GE’s Café brand, for example, can be adjusted to minus 6 to 5 degrees for additional freezer storage, 34 to 40 degrees for fresh food storage or 41 to 43 degrees for wine chilling. It also has a humidity-controlled zone that extends the life of leafy greens.
This just-released model has LED backlighting and a dual-dispense pitcher inside that automatically refills itself when placed on its dock.
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