10 Big Kitchen Trends For 2023
Pink kitchens, reeded glass cabinets and freestanding furniture are some of the biggest kitchen trends for 2023.
As the role of the kitchen continues to evolve, bespoke designs, colour preferences and a range of materials and finishes will help to personalise this space that’s become the hub of family activity.
‘The kitchen is the heart of the home and homeowners are constantly demanding more from this room. A place to cook, eat, work, rest and entertain, we want a stylish space that not only looks good but brings practical value into our daily lives – from clever storage solutions to islands, breakfast bars and more,’ says Josie Medved, Design Project Manager at Symphony Group PLC.
‘Homeowners who are looking to renovate, remodel or reconfigure their kitchen want to be the first to know of the latest design trends and how they can integrate these into their own space.’ So on that note, here are 10 big kitchen trends for 2023.
1. Playful pinks
While greens and blues still very much have a place on the ‘top kitchen colours’ list, pink is making a comeback. ‘From hot to blush pink, the demand for painted pink kitchens is on the up,’ says Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr.
Pair pink cabinetry with white or light grey to soften the space, or for contrast, pair pale pink with darker colours such as black or dark grey to create depth.
HUSK, the ‘IKEA hack’ kitchen specialist providing handmade door and drawer fronts, has launched a new on-trend collection for a budget-friendly kitchen update in 2023. The vibrant Terra taps into the current playful pink trend in interiors.
‘Pink, peach and scarlet tones seems to be everywhere right now, this is definitely the colour to watch in 2023 and it chimes with our experience that many homeowners are looking for warm rosy tones that bring joy and are making bolder colour choices that lift the mood,’ explains Dave Young, founder of HUSK.
If you don’t fancy pink cabinets, you could also experiment with pink on your walls. A move towards colour confidence has led to an increasing demand for colour in the kitchen, which is especially useful in an open plan layout to make the look and feel of cooking, dining and socialising spaces feel harmonious.
2. Concealed breakfast stations
2023 is the year for intelligent internal storage solutions, particularly breakfast pantries and clever drawer ideas – the focus here is storage that you can hide away when not in use.
Tom Howley, Design Director of the eponymous kitchen brand, lists the benefits of a breakfast pantry: ‘They can incorporate your entire morning, from a professional coffee machine, toaster, storage for everyday crockery and a whole host of cereal options for the kids. The best thing is that once you’ve had enough, you can close the doors behind you, concealing all the mess and clutter until it’s time to tidy.’
Annie Tullett, Designer at Tom Howley’s Cheltenham Showroom, says we should pay particular attention to the ‘bi-folding pantry’, which is a must for every modern kitchen. ‘The unwavering, clever versatility of it is hard not to be impressed by. Not only do you have the initial Narnia’s Wardrobe moment when you open the doors to reveal how much storage space is inside, but the functional possibilities are endless,’ Annie explains.
‘You could use it as a breakfast station each morning, neatly tucking the mess of coffee machine and toaster away, yet, at the next evening soiree it can transform into a cocktail bar – simply line the spirits and mixers up, stack the glasses and jars of garnish ingredients above and let your guests help themselves!’
3. Freestanding furniture
A move away from the traditional, more and more homeowners are looking to add freestanding furniture into their kitchen designs. ‘While fitted kitchens are unlikely to ever go out of style, the request for freestanding pieces is on the rise,’ reveals Al. ‘Rather than kitchen islands, we’re seeing an uptake in bakers tables – similar to a kitchen island, but on legs. This freestanding piece makes the island feel like a piece of furniture while still having all of the benefits of a usual island with deep drawers and a place to perch.’
And this isn’t limited to kitchen islands either – freestanding larders are growing in popularity too, combining functionality and style.
4. Reeded glass
Reeded glass is back, perfect for adding textural contrast and enhancing depth. Here, Al explains the trend: ‘Reeded glass is having a full revival and makes a great addition to either glass cabinets, worktop dressers or within the bakers tables. This stylish upgrade gives the kitchen a contemporary twist and is perfect for disguising everyday tableware which isn’t always display-worthy.’
5. Mixing metallics
Mixed metals is one of 2023’s biggest kitchen trends, according to Richard Davonport, Managing Director at Davonport Kitchens, and choosing the right mix can create a statement and focal point in your design.
‘2023 is a year when we’ll see a lot more blending of different finishes in the kitchen, from brass to bronze, to stainless steel and nickel to many other options,’ Richard says. ‘Our recommendation is to stick with two or three metal finishes to keep a cohesive look throughout, while also working to a 70/30 ratio. Pick a dominant metal finish (the 70 per cent) and coordinate it with accent metals (the 30 per cent). By sticking to these rules, you can create a visually rich and exciting space.’
Mixed metals aren’t confined to one style of kitchen, such as traditional or contemporary, either. ‘There is one final thing to consider when looking at mixing your metals. As a general rule of thumb, don’t choose the same metal but in a different finish e.g. chrome/brushed chrome,’ he adds.
6. Marble effect
Marble in kitchen design schemes exude a chic, understated yet refined elegance, and for 2023 we’ll be seeing more colours coming through to create a truly bespoke look.
‘Natural marbles have always been a staple in kitchen design as they not only offer a true sense of luxury and timeless appeal, but they are also durable and easy to maintain,’ says Claire O’Brien, Head of Design at Splashback.co.uk. ‘Whilst the ever-familiar clean and crisp Carrara and Calacatta veins are still perennial favourites, we are now seeing a move towards embracing a more colourful marble. These natural marbles have a striking presence and a depth of beauty that is totally unique. Often, colours blend, and tones mix across the surface of the marble – making each piece one of a kind.’
Melissa Klink, Creative Director at Harvey Jones, agrees that marble and marble-inspired materials are still in high demand: ‘It feels so timeless and classic in the finished appearance. Stunningly beautiful and full of character and charm, you can make such an impactful statement applying marble in the right way, or even as a hidden moment within a pantry larder or breakfast dresser.’
7. The feature splashback
Splashbacks are taking centre stage this year. Supersize feature splashbacks offer a simple and effective way to add glamour and utility whilst complementing an existing design scheme.
‘In recent years we have seen the worktop material carried right up the wall up to the underside of the cabinets or shelving. Now we are cutting off the edge of the backsplash and making more of a feature out from it. Adding careful curves and delicate finishes really elevates the sophistication in a kitchen and amplifies the beauty of the stone when you can see it from various angles,’ explains Melissa.
Jayne Everett, Design Director at Naked Kitchens, also notes: ‘As with other kitchen features, splashback trends change variously over time and recently we have seen more of the feature tile throughout kitchens. Whether this be using bold colours, patterns, surface textures or tile formations, it is the perfect way to inject some charm into a kitchen.’
8. Black is back – but with a natural twist
There’s a demand for dark, moody and dramatic kitchens but we’ll be seeing more of a natural twist for 2023. Embracing natural materials helps to pare back an all-black, unapologetically bold kitchen scheme, reducing the drama but still holding impact.
‘Although this can look striking in the kitchen design, one has to be careful not to overdo it and to combine black with softer colours or natural materials to make the overall effect far more liveable and long-lasting,’ Jayne advises.
9. Accessories to add flair
As a room we spend so much time, it makes sense that we curate it to our tastes, and fill it with treasures. ‘Incorporating additional pieces beyond the main furniture of the space is a fun way to add personality to a kitchen. Antiques, family heirlooms, unique vintage items will become even more popular to intermix with the standard cabinetry pieces,’ says Melissa.
Vintage dining tables that transform into a central island, wood shelving, and found objects all help to create a unique look.
11. Eco credentials
Sustainability is a huge factor influencing purchasing decisions across the board, and it’s no different when it comes to the kitchen. ‘As expected, a consideration to work with sustainably conscious brands is becoming more prevalent,’ says Melissa.
There’s a focus on how materials are sourced, what materials are used, and how to save money whilst renovating. ‘Sustainability is not a trend – it’s a way of life now for many homeowners and this is something that will continue to develop and evolve over time, as our homes become ever-more environmentally conscious,’ adds Josie.
For example, Used Kitchen Exchange offers used and ex-display kitchens for sale, encouraging consumers to rethink how they buy a kitchen and save thousands of pounds in the process, all whilst helping to offset their carbon footprint. Elsewhere, Magnet recently launched its sustainable Rehome initiative, where customers can trade in their pre-loved kitchen when buying a new one.
In fact, Mindful World, a new concept kitchen by Magnet, offers a perfect blend of sustainability, craftsmanship and functionality. ‘With its recycled sea plastic handles, ethically sourced and carbon neutral worktop, energy efficient LED lighting and the world’s first natural quartz composite sink, this range was designed with our planet in mind by bringing it back to basics without compromising on design,’ explains Amanda Douglas-Slater, Head of Product Sustainability at Magnet.