Redoing Your Kitchen? Here Are the Top 2023 Trends to Look Out For
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As someone who LOVES food, I spend a lot of time in my kitchen trying new recipes, which TBH, is usually followed up by me calling in takeout cause said recipe majorly flops. Despite my love-hate relationship with cooking, I still want my kitchen to look like it belongs to a competent adult who understands the meaning of “parboil”. So, on top of learning how to make a roux without burning it, I'm also making a resolution to give my kitchen some serious TLC in 2023.
To help get me started on my lil kitchen revamp, I chatted with design experts to discover what trends are on the rise this year. According to the interior gurus, bold color palettes, personal touches, and increased functionality in the kitchen are coming in hotter than freshly microwaved Bagel Bites. And unlike your default dinner of pizza rolls filled with molten cheese lava, there's no need to let these trends cool, cause 2023 is somehow right TF now.
Now, unfortunately for all my fellow renters and budget babes, not a single expert mentioned a possible comeback for the infamous white refrigerator (IYKYK). Maybe next year will be our time to shine? Either way, keep scrolling for all the interior design trends that will take your kitchen from boring to bitchin’ in 2023.
Art in the Kitchen
Other than the Crayola fridge masterpieces my three-year-old niece scribbled for me, I never considered putting art in my kitchen. And TBH, I feel like I'm really missing out on a transformative design moment.
Luckily, Interior Designer and HomeGoods Style Expert, Beth Diana Smith, has opened my eyes to the world of kitchen art - which BTW does not have to be food related. “The attractiveness of this trend is easy to see, it softens the look of the kitchen which usually contains harder materials (cabinets, counters, backsplashes) and gives a more romantic and European appeal,” says Smith.
Since kitchens tend to get messy, you will def want to consider the material of your art. A piece that is easy to wipe clean will fare far better than that delicate canvas passed down to you from grandma. And unless you're into that abstract, Jackson Pollock look, art and a bubbled-up pot of spaghetti sauce should never come in contact with one another. Smith recommends keeping your masterpiece at least 12” away from the sink and 20” from the stove, to ensure it is out of reach from heat, splashes, spills, and all the other mishaps that come along with cooking.
Bringing The Outdoors In
If the only leafy greens found in your kitchen is a wilted bag of spinach you *swore* you would eat, then babes I have news for you: Throw out that weeks-old spinach and bring green into your kitchen with the addition of a plant or two.
“Indoor plants are becoming increasingly popular, as they can purify the air and boost our mood. Some homeowners are even installing green walls or living roofs,” says Interior Designer and bestselling author, Christiane Lemieux.
Whether you set a couple succulents along the windowsill, install a shelf to show off your green thumb, or clear off counter space for a mini herb garden, incorporating natural elements to your kitchen is a great way to bring the outdoors in (minus all the allergies and bugs).
Bold Colors
Sorry, Kim K., but we will *not* be keeping up with your all-beige-everything kitchen. This is the year to embrace bold splashes of color and finally put down the neutral-tone paint brush. “People will be more inclined to take design risks with bold, colorful designs because of how melancholy the world has been in the past few years," says Sarah Hart (Delalian), Senior Designer at Brayton Interiors.
And it's not just the paint choices that will trend in 2023; there are endless ways to bring color into your kitchen that don't involve climbing a ladder to tape off your ceiling. “We expect to see more colorful cabinets, unique backsplashes with bold colors, and reclaimed antique tiles,” she adds.
Hart isn’t the only one taking note of the color trend. Chicago-based Interior Designer, Paige Garland, is also predicting a major shift away from safe design in the kitchen. “Modern Farmhouse is a hellscape that we will be making our way out of this year. Thanks to social media, people are now exposed to many more trend possibilities, and don't feel the need to fall back on the boring, basic, white-on-white look.”
You’ve heard it here first! Now, take the risk and add some color to your space (you too, Kim).
Pretty Pantries
If your new year’s resolution is to organize your life (which includes both your home and those overflowing Hinge matches), then bb let’s start with that jam-packed kitchen pantry of yours. “The pantry is not just a junky storage room of dry goods, it’s how we plan our meals, sort food groups, and make our shopping lists. Post-pandemic, it’s really become an extension of the kitchen space,” says Sherrell Neal, Founder and Principal Designer at Sherrell Design Studio.
“We’re seeing pantries you'd want to live in— with efficient storage, lighting, and playfulness. Function, practicality, and beauty all make sense in this environment.” So, I guess this means no more having to dodge a rogue can of tomato soup every time you open the pantry door?
Dedicated Coffee Station
IMO making coffee at home is severely underrated. A home-brewed cup of joe saves you a whole lot of moolah (which we could all use rn) and hours of your life that would have otherwise been spent waiting in the never-ending Starbucks line. Plus, anything Emma Chamberlain does is worth trying at least once.
So, why not make a hub for all things coffee in your kitchen? FLOOR360 Interior Designer Courtney Wollersheim is all about creating a dedicated space for your morning latte with the addition of a coffee bar. “Paint the cabinets in a color different from your main kitchen cabinets to make it feel like a furniture piece…You could also repurpose a vintage hutch to create the same useful space, but with even more character.”
To complete your custom coffee bar, Wollersheim, recommends hitting up your local thrift or antique shop for unique pieces that add a bit of je ne sais quoi. LOVING the idea of a couple vintage mugs strategically placed next to a French press. So chic, babes.
It’s All About the Lights
Everyone knows the key to snapping that IG-worthy selfie is the lighting. The same thing goes for making your kitchen look HGTV-ready. “Kitchen lighting isn't normally a priority for people, but lights can make or break a space,” says Garland. And as someone who has been meaning to swap out my kitchen lightbulb for months, Garland is absolutely right.
“If you spend time and money curating your perfect kitchen, you should highlight the space and shed some literal light on it,” adds Garland. Whether you're replacing the notorious “boob light” for a trendier shade, or want to jazz up your space with some statement lighting, both you and your kitchen 100% deserve the update.
Also, for the love of Bobby Berk, please make sure you're using warm-tone light bulbs. You live in a home, not a dentist’s office.
Comfortable Touches
Your home should be, well, homey. “This essence of creating a kitchen that’s also an inviting gathering space will certainly be a priority in 2023 and beyond. We will see more banquettes and comfortable seating areas in kitchens as well as more decorative items to give the space a warmer feel,” says North Carolina-based Interior Designer, Grey Joyner.
So, rather than just using your kitchen as a functional space for prepping all your (microwaveable) meals, Joyner suggests flowing the cozy vibes of your living room into the kitchen with the addition of throw pillows, accent seating, and framed photos.
Warning you in advance, your dinner party guests might overstay their welcome once you’ve made your kitchen the coziest spot in town. Sorry, bb!
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