NKBA Releases 2024 Kitchen Trends Report

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), representing nearly 50,000 North American kitchen and bath industry professionals, and owners of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), has released its 2024 Kitchen Trends Report. Comprised of data generated from a survey completed by industry experts including designers, manufacturers, remodelers, architects and more, the NKBA Kitchen Trend Report provides a comprehensive look into upcoming trends in residential kitchens.

According to the report, the focus over the next three years will remain on multi-function designs, easy-to-clean kitchens with ample storage, eat-in dining areas, sustainable materials and advanced technology. The report also reveals key emerging trends, including creating designated beverage areas, prioritizing noise eliminating features and implementing more purposeful lighting.

“For many consumers, the kitchen is really the focal point of their house—and it’s often the most used room in the home,” says Pamela McNally, senior vice president, Marketing + Digital at NKBA. “NKBA’s Kitchen Trends Report reveals new and emerging design preferences from true industry professionals. What’s more, there are really interesting lifestyle insights about how kitchen design, relative to the rest of the house, is impacted by how and where we gather. We’re pleased to share this data regarding the trends that designers and homeowners can expect in 2024.”

The full report is available at NKBA.com with free access for NKBA members. Key findings include:

Colors & Materials: What’s In, What’s Out

• Going for Gold: Looking ahead to the next three years, 49.5 percent of respondents identified gold as the top color for kitchen faucets, taking the lead over stainless (48 percent) and black (45 percent) finishes. In particular, matte (63.9 percent), brushed (54.3 percent) and satin (48.9 percent) finishes will be the most popular. Similarly, respondents reported gold, bronze and copper as the most popular finishes for lighting fixtures (54 percent) and sinks (18.5 percent) in the next three years.
• Texture Is In: Texture is popping up throughout the kitchen and is a clear growing trend. Of those surveyed, 52.1 percent agree that textured backsplashes are on the rise and 35 percent expect to continue seeing natural, high-texture wood grain on cabinetry. Additionally, 52.1 percent predict more honed and matte finishes on countertops, compared to 36 percent still favoring the smooth surface of a polished look.
• Green Reigns Supreme: When asked about color trends for the kitchen, green was the top answer, capturing 31 percent of responses, while pink, peach, coral and salmon received the lowest amount of responses with 3 percent. In terms of integrating statement colors into the kitchen, the backsplash was selected by nearly half (46 percent) of respondents as the most popular choice over the island (43 percent), cabinets (38 percent), wall paint (36 percent) and wallpaper (34 percent).
• Wood Usurps White: While white cabinetry has been a staple in kitchens for years, designers now say that wood cabinetry is making a comeback. When asked about popular kitchen color trends, “wood” was cited by 28 percent of respondents, outpacing “white”, which was cited by 25 percent. The report also identified a connection to the outdoors as an emerging theme, with designers layering warmer whites, earthy greens and wood tones to create a sense of nature, calm and harmony.

A Fresh Take on Refreshments

According to nearly 60 percent of this year’s survey respondents, a dedicated beverage area within the kitchen will be in demand. Whether for wine, smoothies or coffee, designers said homeowners are choosing more drink-focused storage, with 43.8 percent of respondents including refrigeration drawers in their kitchens and 44.2 percent of pantries incorporating bottle- and can-specific storage.

Dining: Out with the Table and In with the Island

As homes downsize, about half of designers say clients are opening their floor plans to feature eat-in kitchens with a maximized island rather than closed off, formal dining rooms. While 57 percent of respondents prefer an eat-in kitchen, about 20 percent identified the use of traditional stand-alone kitchen tables as an outgoing trend—making room for a multifunction island. In addition to being used as a gathering place, work surface and dining table, the island serves as a design focal point in the kitchen with 43.8 percent of respondents selecting the kitchen island as the top place for a statement color.

Illuminating Lighting Trends

According to the report, designers will use multiple layers of lighting to support different functions: ambient lighting to create different moods (84.7 percent), decorative statement lighting (80.2 percent) and nighttime lighting for safety and aesthetics (69 percent).

Quiet Luxury Meets the Quiet Kitchen

The kitchen is as quiet as it’s ever been, with designers eliminating noisy appliances and banging cabinet doors, making the environment even more suitable for everything from entertaining to working. When looking for new dishwashers, 64.5 percent favor an ultra quiet model, while 40.6 percent are ditching the noisy trash compactor for standard pull-out receptacles. Soft push-to-open cabinet technology remains popular with 43.3 percent agreeing that homeowners are enjoying this clean approach to hardware.

Seeking Storage Solutions and Multi-Function Designs

Usability is the number one goal across almost all kitchen categories, including storage and organization. More than 50 percent of respondents are looking for walk-in, butler and built-in pantries for more space and function, while standalone and open shelving options come in at less than 15 percent. Additionally, 37 percent of homeowners want cabinets with customizable drawer dividers and partitions. Survey respondents also noted that workstation sinks will be popular (62.9 percent), serving double and triple duty with built-in cutting boards, drying racks and strainers.

Sustainability is Here to Stay

Eco-conscious choices continue to be top-of-mind for both designers and homeowners, as the industry and consumers become more dedicated to reducing, reusing and recycling.

• Reduce: 51 percent of respondents consider the longevity of products when purchasing big-ticket items like appliances, with the ultimate goal of fewer replacements. Meanwhile, designers are aiming to reduce consumption through water-conserving and energy-efficient products.
• Reuse: When renovating a kitchen, more homeowners are donating their used products, with 43.5 percent of survey respondents reporting that they donated cabinetry and 37 percent reporting that they donated appliances.
• Recycle: Built-in recycling storage makes filling the blue bin painless. When it comes to incorporating sustainability, designers are prioritizing storage for recycling (52.5 percent) and composting (23 percent) in kitchens.

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online among 630 respondents, who are members of the NKBA community and targeted occupations including: designers (which make up 52 percent of responses), showrooms, dealers, specialists, manufacturers, kitchen and bath remodelers / contractors, architects. If not qualified as the previous occupations, fabricators, home centers, honorary members and installers were excluded from the field. Respondents must have designed, specified, or sold products for at least one kitchen project in the past year. All ages qualified and gender was allowed to fall naturally. The NKBA sample-sourced, self-administered survey was augmented with a third party sample interviewer-administered survey.