Studio Dearborn’s Top 10 Kitchen Design Trends to Watch in 2019

With the winter holiday season officially here, the clock is running down on the year. And for a kitchen designer like me, it’s time to start calling out the interior design trends that will shape kitchens in 2019.

You’ll still be seeing many of 2018’s big design statements like open shelving, wabi-sabi, and colorful cabinetry in full effect. But design is always evolving, so there are some new twists on 2018 designs and some emerging ideas in the new year.

I shared many of these ideas when I spoke on kitchen design trends at Schrock’s of Walnut Creek this fall.  If you’re embarking on a kitchen renovation or creating a space from scratch, here are some design ideas you’ll want to consider.

Pastel Colors in the Kitchen

Pretty much every kitchen design lover we know has this pink, green, and blue kitchen from the deVol Kitchens showroom somewhere in their Insta feed.

With cheery pink walls paired with vivid green tile, blue cabinetry, and that antique chandelier, this kitchen says “I’m fearless.” And who doesn’t want their kitchen to say just that?

This year, they’re showing more muted pastel kitchens, like this mint green one on the right. 

Free-Range Kitchens

So the official name for this kind of kitchen, where the oven and the refrigerator aren’t built into cabinets, is “unfitted.” But we’re starting a write-in campaign for “free-range” kitchens (see what we did there?)

Instead of ranges and refrigerators confined in a bank of cabinetry, kitchens are getting stripped down for a more flexible and modular approach, as in this Parisian-inspired kitchen from Coquo based in Montreal.

It’s a perfect way to show off a colorful Molteni or a curvy pastel Smeg. You can shift pieces around as you like, so it feels more like a living space than strictly a kitchen.

Dark and Moody Kitchens

Black and deep tones like navy and charcoal have been making kitchen statements for a couple of seasons, like in the lead image by Martyn Thompson.

Dark hues add gravitas to the kitchen and make the space feel more intimate. In 2019, expect to see more kitchens going completely to the dark side with dramatic, dark cabinets, counters, and walls, such as this one by ML Arquitectos based in Mexico City. 

Antiquity and Nature

We’ve been loving all the ways of bringing some history into the kitchen, whether with vintage rugs or a flea market piece of art.

Nature and antiquity will be stronger themes in kitchens this year, thanks to vintage pieces with naturally worn finishes, rustic touches, and antiques.

Chameleon Wood Tones

One of the reasons we love reclaimed wood is that it has a color and patina that you can’t get in a can of wood stain. Designers are creating their own reclaimed looks with new wood by layering different effects.

One-piece might be stained dark, then bleached, then topped with a gray stain. Oak and other woods are being cerused, an ancient technique. This technique dates back to the 1500s and highlights the natural grain on wood by rubbing white into it, as in this bar by H. Ryan Studio based in Phoenix. The cool thing is that these woods can read differently depending on the light.

Kinfolk Style

The Kinfolk movement is dedicated to slow living and simplicity in all aspects of life – if you’re curious, check out the magazine.

For the home, it translates into a comfortable, minimal Bohemian/Scandinavian style with handmade pieces, soft natural color schemes, and lots of plants.

In the kitchen, it’s also expressed in highly specialized and detailed handcrafted cabinetry made from wood, metal, and stone. This Epoch by ARTEIM kitchen sums it up perfectly, with its seamless mix of old and new with meticulously crafted marble drawers and brass mesh panel.

Prep Kitchens

While some kitchens are moving towards looking more like living spaces, others are going the other direction and becoming even more functional.

With stainless steel appliances and hoods plus counter space for days, they look like professional prep kitchens. And even if you’re not cooking for a crowd, isn’t it nice to finally feel like you have enough counter space?

This château kitchen designed by Didier Benderli of Parisian firm Kerylos Intèrieurs hits all the right notes with the stainless paired with gorgeous marble and character wood cabinetry. 

Modern Cottage

The cozy farmhouse kitchen movement is still going strong, but it’s evolving into a sleeker, cleaner version of itself. The modern or urban cottage kitchen still employs pieces like a vintage table as an island, a farmhouse sink, open shelves, and decor like baskets and vintage scales. But the pieces are more streamlined and the color schemes are more muted.

Breakfast Bars

A breakfast bar isn’t just something you eat; it’s also a special kitchen place in the kitchen where you keep your coffee maker or espresso machine, blender, toaster, bowls, and all the things you need to prepare breakfast.

Sometimes the station is hidden behind a sliding panel as in this kitchen overlooking the Hudson River by our own team here at Studio Dearborn. Others have a door that lifts with a hinge or rolls up like a little garage door.

It’s part of the shift from the kitchen being a functional space to a carefully designed and decorated living space that reflects your personal style.

The Anglophile Kitchen

Over the last few seasons, thanks to their drool-worthy Instagram feed, we’ve all become fans of deVol Kitchens based in the UK. The British invasion includes designers like Humphrey Munson, Blakes London, and influential paint maker Farrow & Ball.

There’s not just one look, but common features including custom cabinetry with fine millwork details, warm white walls often paired with a soothing pale grey or blue color scheme, and expanses of natural wood.

In Anglo kitchens, upper cabinets are swapped for a clean simple picture rail, perfect for propping art or vintage finds. And the hardware is usually a classic shape, such as ovals or bin pulls done in brass or nickel.

We’ll be exploring each of these 2019 kitchen design trends in more depth in the coming weeks.  Which one of these looks appeals to you most? Follow @studiodearborn on Instagram and tell us! And if you’re really inspired to transform your kitchen, download our free 2019 Kitchen Trend Design Guide to create these looks at home.