Designers are shifting course, and your kitchen is next. The latest NKBA trends point to calmer palettes, warmer wood, and a quiet star at the center of every worktop. One countertop material is set to push past granite and marble because it pairs beauty with low upkeep. Spaces read cleaner, edges go simpler, and matte finishes matter more. Storage scales up as islands do more. The mood feels modern yet welcoming, and the surface leading the change ties it all together.
Transitional design keeps kitchens flexible
Designers still favor the middle path between classic and contemporary, and the numbers back it up. Transitional styling leads with 72% support, while modern minimalism follows at 60%. Recognizable themes such as farmhouse, cottage, and Mediterranean slide down the list, which signals a broader shift toward clean lines anchored by warmth. This balance suits busy lives, since it mixes practical profiles with familiar details. Think quiet moldings, simple hardware, and unfussy silhouettes that still feel welcoming. Because the look adapts easily, it plays well with open plans, layered lighting, and the latest appliances without reading cold or severe.
Neutral palettes that flatter every countertop material
Neutrals dominate, and the consensus is overwhelming. Ninety-six percent of pros expect browns, grays, white, and black to lead, while green ranks high at 86% and blue at 78%. Homeowners still crave calm rooms; however, color arrives with intention. Designers thread saturated hues through islands, backsplashes, wallpaper, and accessories, so the space feels personal without dating fast. Because finishes skew matte, surfaces read softer and more tactile. That restraint lets wood grain, veining, and hand-made textures shine. The result feels grounded and serene, yet not bland, since small hits of color create movement without sacrificing clarity.
White oak leads, with sleeker cabinet profiles
Cabinetry keeps leaning natural, and wood grain now outruns paint. White oak is the most popular wood species at 51%, and walnut follows at 28% for deeper contrast. Doors go flat-panel and European, while classic Shaker stays close behind, which shows how simplicity is aging well. Full-height runs, integrated pulls, and panel-ready appliances clean up visual noise, yet the rooms stay warm because the tones skew honeyed and light. Storage stretches floor-to-ceiling, so small kitchens feel taller. Paired with concealed hinges and tight reveals, the look sets a calm stage for statement lighting and sculpted hardware.
Quartz leads as the countertop material to beat
Engineered quartz remains the front-runner at 78%, and natural quartzite sits close behind at 62%. Granite now trails at 43%, while marble holds just 26%, largely due to upkeep. Lighter surfaces pair with darker cabinets for contrast, and honed or matte finishes replace polish. Edges trend simple or waterfall to echo the cabinetry’s clean planes. Many homeowners split colors between perimeter and island, though opinions divide 56% to 44% on whether they should match. The matte story extends to sinks, faucets, and lighting, so shine steps back while texture and tactility come forward.
Solid-surface backsplashes that continue your countertop material
Tile remains mainstream at 70%, yet seamless slabs are rising. Designers cite quartz at 64% and quartzite at 61% for backsplashes, which keeps patterns aligned and maintenance low. When the counter runs up the wall, the eye reads one calm plane, and outlets or shelves feel cleaner. Warm neutrals lead, so veining looks soft, not stark. Because grout lines shrink or disappear, cooking messes wipe away faster. The approach also frames windows and hoods neatly, which helps compact spaces feel tailored. It is streamlined without being sterile, especially when paired with wood, plaster, or hand-formed tile accents.
Large-format wood underfoot, engineered for real life
Wood floors hold the top spot in kitchens, and format matters. Planks go wider and longer to minimize seams and ease cleaning. Engineered wood trends at 78% versus 59% for traditional hardwood, since stability and maintenance weigh heavily in busy zones. Tones stay warm and light, which brightens rooms and flatters mixed metals. Because the rest of the palette reads matte, subtle grain becomes the focal point instead of gloss. The effect pairs well with slab doors, paneled appliances, and quiet stone, so the whole room feels cohesive. It is practical, yet never plain.
Lifestyle zones turn kitchens into daily hubs
Renovations carve out areas for specific rituals, and demand is strong. Dedicated beverage bars top the list at 85%—think coffee stations that corral mugs, grinders, and water lines. Pet feeding stations land at 64%, while eat-in kitchens reach 59%, and many plans add mudrooms or compact offices. Because chores and gathering now overlap, storage grows smarter and traffic routes get clearer. Islands handle prep by day and homework by night, yet clutter stays hidden. The right countertop material ties these zones together, so everything feels intentional rather than pieced-together over time.
Why quartz’s rise says so much about how we actually live
Designers keep choosing materials that spare effort yet look refined, and quartz checks both boxes. The surface resists stains and shrugs off daily scrapes, which helps families relax around meals, pets, and guests. Seamless backsplashes lower cleaning time, while matte fixtures dodge fingerprints. Because palettes stay neutral, updates remain flexible as tastes evolve. Trends will shift again, yet the core remains steady: function first, beauty close behind, and choices that welcome real life. The result feels fresh now and future-proof later, anchored by the most adaptable countertop material in the room.
