Homeowners who are prioritizing a kitchen renovation this year may find inspiration by taking a look at current kitchen trends. Others would rather not follow the crowd. Here’s our take: see what’s popular with our designers and clients. Note some of the add-ons they’ve chosen. Who knows? Maybe something will create a spark for your renovation.
Where to Start with a Kitchen Renovation
When the budget forces homeowners to prioritize, most of them are choosing to upgrade their countertop, backsplash, or flooring. The vast majority of our clients, however, are replacing their kitchen in its entirety. A few have expanded their kitchen’s footprint or created an open floor plan. What unites them all is their focus on making life easier and more enjoyable.
Shaker Cabinets are the Most Popular
Void of frills, Shaker cabinetry allows knobs and pulls to be the stars of the show, and it’s our most popular seller. Consider glass panel inserts in an upper or two to display barware, vintage dishes, or other special collections.
Our clients continue to lean toward white cabinetry, though we have nearly a dozen shades of white to choose from in our showroom. The 2024 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study indicates our local homeowners are on point with the national trend: 46% of their survey respondents chose white for their color and 60% chose Shaker as their style.
For homeowners who choose to vary the color between upper and lower cabinets, white (52%) is the typical go-to for the uppers. Wood (28%) is the most popular for the lowers, and blue still has a strong showing at 20%.
White Shaker Cabinets, Calpe White Backsplash, Fantasy Brown Granite Countertop – Leathered
Islands Go Green
Or blue, or wood. All three are on the rise as contrasting options for kitchen islands. According to that same Houzz study, wood and blue islands were chosen 25% of the time while green rose from 5% to 10%. Lexington homeowners have been opting for navy or green for their kitchen islands.
For homeowners who do not have an island, most desire one. According to American Society of Interior Designers’ 2024 Trends Outlook, “eatertainment” is a new buzzword to become familiar with. ASID has identified a desire for “connected and comfortable living,” which points to a return to open concept spaces. People want to gather and entertain over food, and they want space to do so.
White is Timeless and Subway Tile is Classic
Our designers tend to suggest white cabinets, white countertops, and white subway tile. Why? It’s timeless and doesn’t immediately date your kitchen. Cary Edgar of Roundtable Interiors is a frequent face in our showroom. She shops with her clients to help guide them in their color and texture selections, gently reminding them, “We’ve all walked into a home and noticed a kitchen or bathroom remodel that stood out – and not in a good way – because of material choices that clearly timestamped when that work was done.”
Those who renovated their kitchens in 2023 agree. “Can no longer stand the style of the old kitchen” was the top trigger for a renovation in those who were surveyed by Houzz. When it’s time to take out the old and bring in the new, Cary has a go-to in her style arsenal that will give your space the longer lifespan it deserves.
“One of my favorite classic materials is subway tile, especially in warm- or cool-toned neutrals,” Cary says. “We can always play around with different layout patterns like herringbone or linear-stacked, but subway tile has been used consistently since the early 1900s for good reason: it’ll never go out of style.”
Some of our Lexington and Rockbridge County homeowners have leaned into color, however. Somewhat surprisingly, the trend of “gray is the new neutral” is still holding court here while white surfaces are on the rise nationally.
Only 12% of Houzz respondents chose gray for their flooring or backsplash. Gray countertops: 11%; gray cabinetry: 8%.
Kitchen renovations are not cheap. A great deal of thought should be given to the longevity of the project in comparison to the price. Cary drives this home, saying, “I always encourage clients toward timeless choices with big remodels, because those fixed materials are the most expensive to replace in the future! Have some fun in a kitchen remodel with a unique paint color or fun fabric for seat cushions on the island bar stools – but use ageless fixed materials like subway tile to otherwise keep the love alive for the long haul.”
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Cabinetry Add-Ons
Roll-out pantry drawers, integrated spice cabinets, charging stations inside of drawers, hidden trash receptacles, appliance lifts, cookie sheet organization, wine storage, and blind corner lazy susans are the kitchen trends that can be found within the homes of our clients.
We have many helpful cabinetry upgrades. Consider these additional ideas when making your plans:
- utensil storage (in a drawer or a base pull-out)
- cutlery drawer inserts
- deep drawers with organization for pots, lids, and dishes
- stemware racks and wine bottle storage
- a range of spice organization options
- roll-out shelves and drawers for base cabinets
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Quartz is King
Nearly every kitchen renovation we completed in 2023 (and thus far in 2024) included a quartz countertop. Clients chose quartz for a variety of reasons, but durability and low maintenance were the top selling points. This is in line with national trends.
Pros of a Quartz Countertop
- Does not require a sealant like marble or granite (no water rings)
- Non-porous (no bacteria, mold, or staining)
- Less susceptible to chipping and scratching than natural stone
- Consistency in appearance
- Easy to clean with non-abrasive cleaners
Cons of a Quartz Countertop
- Doesn’t stand up to heat like natural stone; do not place hot pots, pans, or irons directly on the countertop
Consider It: Quartz can continue upward to complete a backsplash. It can also “waterfall” over the edge of cabinetry.
Other Kitchen Trends
Flooring for the Kitchen
We have installed a lot of luxury vinyl in Lexington kitchens, but when there is existing hardwood, most homeowners prefer to sand and refinish it. Wood-look tile has not been a top choice for local kitchens, but natural stone has. The leading tile color choice in our showroom has been greige (that’s gray-beige), and usually in a 12×24.
Knobs & Pulls
Satin nickel and matte black knobs and pulls still reign supreme in Lexington, but brushed gold is making headway. Bar style pulls are a top choice, but one homeowner chose beautiful 1″ and 3″ honey bronze cup pulls that worked very well with her custom hunter green Fabuwood Allure Galaxy cabinets. She topped it all off with HanStone Le Blanc quartz countertops, and we can’t wait to show you the finished project.
Kitchen Sinks
For a while, farmhouse sinks were flying out our door. That has slowed (but not stopped) as homeowners are leaning toward stainless steel or quartz undermounts. Single or dual basin? That’s a personal preference and we haven’t noticed a discernable trend.
Speaking of farmhouse, only 9% of homeowners who are changing the style of their kitchen are choosing farmhouse, according to Houzz. The Chip and Joanna Gaines trend hit its peak in 2021 at 12%; transitional is currently the most chosen style.
Kitchen Faucets
A new kitchen must include a new faucet or what’s the point? Many of our clients choose a new faucet even if their only upgrade is their countertop. We offer top-of-the-line faucets free of plastic and with beautiful finishes that will not chip or flake over time. See our show-stopping matte black, brushed gold, and chrome options.
Pot Fillers
What a luxury a pot filler is! More and more Lexington homeowners are choosing the ease of filling a pot right at the stove. An idea we’ve yet to successfully pitch is an integrated pet feeding station with a pot filler. Here’s to hoping …
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Final Kitchen Trends Consideration
ASID found in their 2024 Trends Outlook that “aging in place” is a consideration for any home improvement project. When looking to invest in a kitchen renovation, also look to your future. If you plan to stay in your home as long as possible, be sure to allow ample space for mobility, incorporate helpful cabinetry options for accessibility, and ask our advice for non-skid flooring options. We are here to help you love your home.