13 Small Kitchen Trends That Need To Be On Your Radar If You’re Planning A Reno This Year
Kitchens might be small, but their impact on your home is mighty! As your friendly neighborhood designer, I’ve spotted some game-changing trends that can transform even the tiniest cooking spaces into showstoppers.
Are you dreaming of a complete overhaul or just looking to spice things up with a few updates? These small kitchen trends pack big style into every square inch, because size doesn’t matter when your cabinets are this cute.
1. Statement Range Hoods That Double As Art
Gone are the days when range hoods merely sucked up cooking fumes! Now they’re the jewelry of your kitchen, darling. Custom metal finishes, sculptural shapes, and unexpected materials transform these once-utilitarian pieces into conversation starters.
My clients absolutely flip when they see how a copper or matte black hood can anchor their entire design scheme. The right hood doesn’t just ventilate, it ventilates with attitude.
Try wrapping yours in the same material as your backsplash for a seamless look that’ll make your guests wonder why their kitchen feels so boring.
2. Two-Tone Cabinet Finishes
Matchy-matchy is out, my friends! The hottest kitchens now feature upper cabinets in one finish and lowers in another. Think white uppers with navy lowers, or natural wood paired with a punchy green.
This trick visually expands your space while adding personality. Upper cabinets in lighter shades make ceilings appear higher, while darker bases ground the room.
My secret weapon? Adding a third complementary color on your island creates a focal point that looks intentional rather than like you ran out of your first-choice cabinetry!
3. Fluted Glass Cabinet Fronts
Fluted glass is definitely having a moment, and we should use that! These textured, ribbed glass inserts add depth without fully exposing cabinet contents, perfect for those of us who aren’t organizational wizards.
The vertical lines create height in compact spaces while diffusing light beautifully. Unlike clear glass, fluted versions offer a hint of what’s inside without revealing every mismatched mug.
My clients love how these fronts break up solid cabinetry walls without sacrificing storage. Bonus, they work equally well in modern and traditional designs, making them a versatile choice for any aesthetic.
4. Countertop Appliance Garages
Tired of your toaster taking center stage? Say hello to the appliance garage, the clever kitchen hideaway that lets you toast in peace and stash the clutter.
These sleek compartments keep your blender, coffee maker, and other counter dwellers within reach but out of sight. With pocket or tambour doors that slide, glide, or roll away, you can transform chaos into calm in seconds. Bonus points if yours includes outlets inside, no unplugging or dragging cords required!
Because in a small kitchen, nothing feels more a-door-able than closing the lid on visual mess while keeping convenience front and center.
5. Slab Backsplashes That Climb The Wall
Forget tiny tiles with grout lines that need constant scrubbing! Full-height stone slabs create uninterrupted visual flow that makes small kitchens feel larger and more luxurious.
Dramatic veining in materials like marble, quartzite, or porcelain creates natural artwork that extends from the countertop to the ceiling. The continuous surface eliminates visual breaks that can make a space feel choppy.
My favorite application? Running the slab behind floating shelves so the stone becomes the backdrop for your displayed items. Just remember, the bolder the pattern, the fewer additional elements you need!
6. Hidden Charging Stations
Smartphones and tablets have invaded our kitchens, but their charging cables needn’t create eyesores. Integrated charging drawers with built-in outlets keep devices powered while tucked away.
Pop-up charging stations that disappear into countertops when not needed are another brilliant solution. Some even include wireless charging pads embedded directly into your countertop material.
My clients particularly love drawer dividers specifically designed to hold devices upright while charging. No more propping phones against the fruit bowl or finding them face-down in mysterious kitchen spills!
7. Floating Open Shelves With Integrated Lighting
Floating shelves aren’t new, but adding integrated LED lighting underneath? Pure magic! These illuminated platforms showcase your prettiest pieces while providing task lighting for the countertop below.
Thin metal or wood shelves with hidden light channels create an ethereal effect, especially when staggered asymmetrically. The soft glow transforms everyday objects into museum-worthy displays.
Though word to the wise, commit to keeping these shelves styled and dusted. Nothing ruins the floating illusion faster than a collection of dusty mugs under a spotlight!
8. Statement Sinks In Bold Materials
Farmhouse sinks are stepping aside for their cooler cousins, statement sinks in unexpected materials. Hammered copper, natural stone, colored concrete, and even dark matte composites are making waves.
These focal-point fixtures transform the mundane task of washing dishes into a sensory experience. The texture of hammered metal or the cool smoothness of carved stone adds tactile interest to utilitarian spaces.
My design secret? Pair a bold sink with simple surroundings. When your sink makes such a strong statement, let it be the star and keep everything else in supporting roles!
9. Mixed Metals With Intention
Matching all your hardware is so last decade. Today’s kitchens confidently mix metals, brass faucets with matte black cabinet pulls, copper pendants with stainless appliances.
The key is balance and repetition. Each metal should appear at least twice to create rhythm. Think brass faucet and matching light fixtures, with black hardware and black bar stools.
Just remember, limit yourself to three metal finishes max! Beyond that, you’re not designing a kitchen, you’re opening a hardware store. And nobody wants to cook in a hardware store.
10. Smart Appliances That Disappear
Where’s the refrigerator? That’s exactly what you want guests asking! Panel-ready appliances that blend seamlessly with cabinetry create the illusion of more space in tight quarters.
Smart tech now comes in slim profiles specifically designed for urban kitchens. Refrigerator drawers tucked under counters and dishwasher panels that match your cabinets eliminate visual clutter.
However, don’t go hiding everything. Keeping one statement piece visible, like that fire-engine red espresso machine, gives the eye something delicious to land on while everything else plays it cool.
11. Vertical Storage Solutions
Look up, darling! The most overlooked real estate in small kitchens is vertical space. Ceiling-height cabinets, wall-mounted magnetic knife strips, and hanging pot racks maximize every inch.
Skinny pull-out pantries fitted between refrigerators and walls capture those awkward 6-inch gaps. Some of my clients have even installed track systems on backsplashes to hang utensils, spices, and small containers.
Though fair warning, store everyday items between waist and eye level. Those cute seasonal platters can live in the tippy-top cabinets, but your morning coffee supplies deserve prime accessibility real estate!
12. Patterned Floor Tiles That Pack A Punch
Small kitchens can handle big personality underfoot. Graphic cement tiles, colorful porcelain patterns, and geometric designs create instant character without overwhelming tight spaces.
Bold floors paired with simple cabinetry create the perfect balance. The pattern draws the eye downward and across, visually expanding the footprint of compact cooking zones.
My favorite trick? Continuing the same tile into adjacent spaces without thresholds or transitions. This creates flow between rooms and makes your entire floor plan feel more generous, even when square footage is decidedly not!
13. Integrated Herb Gardens
Fresh herbs within arm’s reach while cooking? Yes, please! Window sills transformed into herb gardens, vertical wall planters, and even smart hydroponic systems built into cabinetry bring life to compact kitchens.
Beyond the obvious culinary benefits, these mini gardens add color, texture, and literal freshness to utilitarian spaces. Some of my clients have installed grow lights underneath cabinets to ensure their basil thrives even in north-facing kitchens.
Just choose your herbs based on your cooking habits, not Instagram aesthetics! That trendy microgreens setup isn’t worth the maintenance if you’re more of a rosemary-and-thyme cook.
