Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where you cook and share meals with family, entertain friends, and maybe even work from home. Because you spend so much time there, it’s important for your kitchen to have a functional, modern design that reflects your personality. If your kitchen is outdated and in need of a refresh, here are 11 kitchen trends for 2022 to give you some design inspiration.

1. Walk-In Pantries

pantry organized in clear jars with labels

Photo by Taryn Elliott from Pexels

Walk-in pantries are a must-have kitchen feature this year. According to a recent study by the National Association of Homebuilders, a walk-in pantry is the number one thing homebuyers are currently looking for in a kitchen, tied with double sinks. So if you want to increase your home’s value, make sure you include a spacious pantry in your kitchen remodeling plans.

2. Built-In Banquettes

Built-in banquettes used to be popular in the ‘60 and ‘70s and are making a comeback in 2022. A banquette is a great multipurpose space where you can enjoy a meal, work from home, or just sit and relax. You can even add storage underneath the bench seat to hide away extra kitchen appliances and utensils.

3. Smart Appliances

modern kitchen appliances stainless steel

Photo by Cleyder Duque from Pexels

Another trend that’s taking off in 2022 is smart appliances. The smart kitchen market is expected to grow to $43 billion by 2027. A recent survey even showed that 81% of homebuyers are more likely to purchase a house if it has connected appliances and other smart technology.

Smart appliances will make your home easier to sell in the future and save you time in the present. They offer convenient features such as voice and app control, maintenance alerts, and cooking notifications that let you know when your food is ready.

Smart appliances tend to be more expensive than regular models. However, the ability to preheat your oven remotely or look inside your fridge while you’re at the supermarket is worth the extra cost.

4. Double Islands

If you use your island as a food prep area, kitchen table, and homework spot for the kids, it can quickly become overcrowded. Installing a second island can add some much-needed counter space to your kitchen. You can use one island for cooking and turn the other into a gathering place for family and friends complete with comfy bar stools.

5. Open Shelving

modern kitchen with open shelving with kitchenware

Photo credit Dane Deaner on Unsplash

Upper cabinets provide extra storage space for pots, pans, and pantry staples. But they can look visually heavy, especially if they extend all the way to the ceiling. Replacing them with open wood shelving will update your kitchen and make it feel more light and airy. Open shelves are also a great place to display your favorite dishware.

6. Double Sinks

Double sinks are the top feature homebuyers want to see in a kitchen this year for good reason. They make dinner prep and cleanup a breeze by allowing you to multitask. You’ll be able to soak dirty dishes and wash vegetables simultaneously, so you won’t have to spend as much time in the kitchen. You can even get a double sink with multiple faucets or a built-in dish drying rack for extra functionality.

7. Bold Patterned Floors and Backsplashes

kitchen countertop with multicolor tile backsplash

Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

Homeowners are gravitating toward bold, patterned floors and backsplashes that show off their personality this year. Mosaic and terrazzo tiles are popular flooring choices for 2022, as are wood herringbone floors.

Geometric tile backsplashes in patterns like chevron and checkerboard are also on-trend. Some interior designers are even using floral wallpaper as a funky, unexpected backsplash. To protect the wallpaper and make it splash-proof, all you have to do is install a thin piece of glass on top of it.

8. Colorful Cabinetry

Gray has been the most popular color for kitchen cabinets for nearly a decade. However, it’s starting to go out of style. Homeowners are opting for bolder hues like sage green and sunshine yellow instead to brighten up their kitchens.

If you want to experiment with colorful cabinetry but aren’t ready to fully commit, try painting your island or lower cabinets a bright shade. Keep the rest of the cabinets neutral for a toned-down yet trendy look.

9. Marble Countertops

Modern convenient island kitchen interior design

Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

Marble countertops have been a staple in high-end kitchens for years, a trend that will continue in 2022. Although white marble was the most popular choice in the past, green and black marble are catching on. Dark marble is easier to clean and stains less than white marble, so it’s a good choice for busy families.

10. Closed-Plan Kitchens

Before the pandemic, most homeowners wanted an open-concept kitchen. Now that many families are trying to work and study from home due to coronavirus, they’re favoring closed-plan kitchens that offer more privacy.

Separating your kitchen from the rest of your home will make it easier to get things done without distractions, whether you’re cooking or telecommuting. Putting up some walls will also help soundproof your kitchen and improve the acoustics for important Zoom meetings.

11. Black Appliances and Fixtures

modern bright white kitchen with black appliances and features

Photo by R ARCHITECTURE on Unsplash

Copper and brass fixtures were all the rage in 2021. This year, however, homeowners prefer sleek black fixtures. Installing matte black drawer pulls, faucets, and appliances will add a modern, sophisticated look to your kitchen. As a bonus, black stainless steel appliances are smudge-resistant, so you won’t have to spend as much time cleaning off fingerprints.

Upgrade your kitchen with the kitchen remodeling experts

If you want to renovate your kitchen and bring it up to today’s design standards, the kitchen remodeling experts at JD Brunson can help. We have over 50 years of experience remodeling homes in the Dallas area and can turn your dream kitchen into a reality. Contact us today to get a free estimate for your kitchen remodeling or kitchen update project.