It is the horse of the house. The heart of the house. And, in many ways, the center of our domestic life. We are talking about the kitchen – the room that literally feeds us. So, of course, the kitchen decorating trends of 2022 are always on our minds as we lean heavily into this room.
There’s something about the kitchen that tugs at our emotions. (Ever noticed the best conversations happen while gnaw at the counter?) But because we demand so much from this room, our expectations for it can make it a difficult space to design. The kitchen needs to work, which means the decor needs to prevent steam and smoke and oil spills, all while providing a much-needed respite from our frenetic days. As Pearson Turnbull, owner of Santa Ynez General, tell us below, this year’s kitchen is literally becoming “closed out from the rest of the house”.
Considering these multi-tiered needs, the top trends for kitchen design in 2022 towards optimal impact and intentionally. There’s only room for efficiency, beauty and impact, including the massive brick backlash that is officially replacing the much-loved subway tile and upper cabinets will soon be a thing of the past. !
Read on for 8 major kitchen decorating trends that interior designers expect to see everywhere this year.
Trend #1: Large-scale textured background flash
photo taken by Duy Nguyen, provided by Studio Ten Interior Design.
A year and a half has passed and most of us have spent more time indoors than ever before. Consider this, Lori Sutherland Burns, lead designer and owner of Interior Design Studio Ten, believes that we’re all “hungry for texture and size, perhaps because we’ve spent so much time at home over the past few years.” Burns tells us there’s a desire for visual stimulation in the most occupied spaces in the home — where we cook, eat, and congregate. The larger, textured backlight is one of the key elements to bringing this look into the kitchen. “This was previously reserved for high-budget projects, but supply and installation costs are likely to decrease as it becomes more common,” says Burns. To be clear, this doesn’t mean just combining any of the blocks, she added. “Goodbye subway tile… It worked fine but you’re done!”
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Although Burns has been incorporating textured and larger-scale floor tiles and porcelain diagonal tiles into the kitchen for a while, she says the look is often reserved for bathrooms — until now. You can incorporate larger tiles, such as 16”x40” or 24”x48”, to provide a surface with fewer grout lines from the countertop to the underside of upper cabinets or a striking material slab. The best part? This is more economical than making an entire slab to match the countertop. Plus, textures on tiles or porcelain slabs are easier to clean than one might think — a must for any hardworking kitchen.
Trend #2: Combination of Beauty and Utility
Photo courtesy of Las Perellis.
Elena and Beatriz Perelli, the sister design duo behind Las Perellis, has a natural tendency to create functional and warm kitchens, which is an approach they see others taking towards this year. “We believe in creating sustainable and timeless spaces,” says Elena, who says that truly “sustainable” interiors, which people are aiming for these days, are the space respects tradition, meets everyone’s needs, and is “made to last a generation. “If there’s one room where all these things collide, it’s the kitchen. “Now that we are forced to spend more time at home, we think society has realized the importance of finding kitchens that are comfortable, cozy and timeless,” noted Beatriz. equally useful.
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To blur the line between utility and aesthetic, the Perelli sisters decorate with useful yet beautiful cookware and kitchen elements. This includes displays of antique crockery, art kettles, extensive cookbooks, and vibrant casseroles. Having these within reach will evoke a sense of appreciation when wanting to meet the person cooking at home.
Trend #3: Lightness, Organic Elements
Seen photos of Kate Zimmerman Turpin’s kitchen here.
A continuing fact: A lot of us are continuing to work from home in 2022, and while this is an exceptional possibility, it could also come at a cost. Turnbull agrees: “We are feeling the impact of bringing all aspects of our lives together under one roof.” Because of this, he believes people are looking for more boundaries and softer refuges when it comes to the kitchen – a space to rest and relax with the rest of the home. “The kitchen is moving away from an open concept, back into a space where we can close off from the rest of the house,” he added. We couldn’t agree more.
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Think of the kitchen as more of a hideout than a do-it-all space. In honor of this, Turnbull predicts softer, natural organic elements will be introduced into the kitchen by 2022. There will be a range of soothing wood tones, earth tones and clean lines. This can be done with minimal hardware and wooden accessories.
Trend #4: Visually impressive straw fans
Nina Dobrev’s home photo by Chris Patey, viewed here.
Eliza Fox, top interior designer at Smart life flow. These things — quite literally — give your eyes a reason to look up and your mind a reason to stop. Andrea Rodman, creative director of Andrea Rodman Interiors, agree. Exhaust fans give a “clean look” to a kitchen, which can have a very elegant architectural impact. ”
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Adding an exhaust fan can be a big change in the kitchen. It requires the purchase of a large exhaust fan, which is available at any home repair shop. But if this is out of your reach, Fox encourages adding other materials and elements, such as wood trim, that help draw the eye up and create a dramatic feel. A large hanging rattan pendant also works. We love the way Camille transformed the hood in her recent kitchen makeover.
Trend #5: Ample storage space
Whether we are cooking a meal or making tea, we’re working in our kitchens and ideally every inch of this space needs to make it as easy as possible. One right? Plenty of pantry space. Andrea Rodman believes the “framed look” allows for additional tall cabinets, providing the space and storage needed to store dry goods, dishes, jars — you name it. Maximizing your kitchen space with extra storage is one way to enhance intent and impact.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Rodman Interiors.
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Rodman’s forecast for ample storage space may require a contractor, but don’t let that stop you from getting this look. Consider combining the DIY approach with open shelving. Or, if space permits, a freestanding pantry.
Trend #6: Contrast Old with New
Photo courtesy of Las Perellis.
Like the (old!) Blending antique pieces with modern finds is the essence of our design Las Perellis, the sisters tell us — an aesthetic they see will be strong in 2022. Combining the soft lines of an antique with the striking details of a contemporary accessory creates contrast for selected items, helping them to shine apart.
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The options here are essentially endless, but it can be helpful to start with an anchor piece in an aesthetic category. Follow the Perelli sisters’ guidance and consider an antique farmhouse table to start, then supplement with an eclectic mix of cookware and kitchen accessories from there.
Trend #7: Warm creamy whites
Photo courtesy of Furniture Allison Dozier.
There’s an undeniable warmth to a kitchen cast in creamy white. This fresh, neutral palette allows all the other details in the kitchen — the cooking accessories, the windows, the lighting — to fully shine. Allison Dozier, lead designer and owner of Furniture Allison Dozier, look warm whites will be giants in 2022 for any room, but especially the kitchen. “A warm white is timeless, versatile, and goes well with any decor,” says Dozier.
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A fresh coat of paint is one of the most affordable home decor ways to make the most dramatic difference. Dozier love Benjamin Moore’s White Dove for its accessible warmth and neutrality.
Trend #8: Lighter and More Light (and No Upper Cabinet!)
Photo courtesy of Jessica Nicastro Design.
That’s right: Jessica Nicastro, owner and principal of Jessica Nicastro Design, given that 2022 is the year to open the kitchen. This starts with light: many and many from natural and man-made sources. Later? Free up some room by trimming the upper cabinets. Nicastro predicts upper cabinets could soon become a thing of the past. do you agree?
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The important thing is in class. Nicastro recommends combining a mix of sconce, flat-mount, and table lamps to provide a layered beam of light to brighten and open. Windows are best left without curtains to allow plenty of natural light to flow through during the day.
