2019 Predictions - Kitchen Design Trends

Here at the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, we’re always on the look out for up and coming trends.  The next few weeks we’ll be posting a series of blog posts on various 2019 trend predictions.  Today we’re taking a look into kitchen and bath design trends for next year.

Cabinet Storage

More and more homeowners are looking for innovative storage solutions for their kitchens – especially millennial homeowners who use their kitchens for more than just cooking.  Minimalism is all the rage and homeowners want to declutter their countertops.  2020spaces identified a few storage trends in a recent blog post:

• Wide & deep drawers
• Pull out drawers and roll out trays for more hidden storage
• Hidden appliances

Mydomaine.com believes the days of wraparound counters are gone and the new kitchens of 2019 will feature “one wall of lower cabinets and countertops, a larger island, and floor to ceiling storage in the rest of the space.”  These storage walls are the modern equivalent of a classic butler’s pantry – more storage fit to today’s smaller spaces.

Photo courtesy of Alyssa Rosenheck

Door Styles

Shaker cabinets will fall to the wayside as shiplap continues to have its moment thanks to Joanna Gaines.  The new hot cabinet trend for 2019 according to mydomaine.com is a modern-minimal take on classic shiplap or beadboard-paneled cabinets, featuring groves along the height of the panels but no border or framing.  This style is a great way to add subtle texture to a kitchen.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Roberts

As we mentioned above – minimalism is increasing in popularity and that applies to cabinets too.  Hardware is disappearing with a more seamless cabinet on the rise, along with subtle edge pulls that let cabinet doors shine. Forgoing molding and heavy finishes gives kitchens a modern-contemporary look that is timeless.

Finally, high-gloss cabinets will be poplar next year according to the Decoraid blog. Think of slick cabinet fronts like the painted surface of a car, or nail polish as a go-to option for a hyper-sophisticated kitchen.

Natural Materials

Like some of the recent colors of the year from paint manufacturers, people are seeking more nature-inspired and earthy elements to their kitchens for 2019.  Wood countertops can add warmth and character to any kitchen.  Combine with high-gloss cabinets for a modern kitchen that doesn’t feel cold.

We’ll discuss color trends in a later post, but natural, unfinished wood in small doses brings hints of semi-rustic and industrial style into the kitchen.  Many designers are even incorporating more natural stone into a kitchen via waterfall edges and tall backsplashes that carry to the ceiling.

Less is More

While it may sound counter-intuitive to many homeowners’ desire for more storage – a big trend expected for next year is fewer upper cabinets and open shelving. Homeowners are opting for the open, airy look of additional windows or choosing to display dishware and artwork on open shelves.

Photo courtesy of bhg.com

We’ll be back throughout the coming weeks with more 2019 predictions on manufacturing technologies and cabinet colors.  In the meantime, visit www.kcma.org to learn more about the cabinet industry and to become a member.