The next wave in kitchen design is already on the move, and it centers on the countertop in front of you. A new report hints that one surface is poised to take over, quietly pushing familiar choices aside. Its pledge blends style, comfort, and everyday functionality in a way that feels distinct from our realities. At this moment, only the direction is clear, and the precise material still lingers below the radar – awaiting its moment in the sun.
Kitchens confirmed as the true heart of the home
For years people have called the kitchen the heart of the home. Recent research finally puts numbers behind that feeling. The latest National Kitchen and Bathroom Association trend report tracks how families cook, gather, and work in these rooms. It also maps how layout decisions shape comfort, resale value, and long term satisfaction with a remodel.
The comprehensive survey that formed the basis of the report involved over 600 industry professionals, including manufacturers, contractors, and designers. Their responses show areas that continue to grow in terms of both area and purpose. Islands grow longer, storage grows taller, and lighting becomes more layered so every corner can earn its place.
Over the next three years, these professionals expect kitchens to become even more strategic within overall home plans. They see open sight lines, integrated dining, and flexible work zones around a durable countertop that anchors the room.
Transitional style leads as familiar looks slowly fade
The NKBA report claims that transitional design continues to have a strong hold on kitchens in the United States. This design works well with both new builds and older houses by merging casual and clean lines with the familiar, classic silhouette. In the survey, 72% agreed this would be the default design trend for the next three years.
Second place goes to contemporary and modern minimalism, which is supported by 60% of respondents. These kitchens are warm and inviting despite favoring open shelves, flat fronts, and simple hardware. To keep the space peaceful and functional, they frequently combine these cabinets with a straightforward countertop.
More recognizable themes now show clear signs of slowing down. Farmhouse, cottage, and Mediterranean styles land much lower on designers’ lists, which signals shrinking demand. Clients still borrow a sink style or a light fixture. Yet they rarely want an entire room locked into one labeled trend.
Colors, cabinets and countertop style shape the mood
Even with big headlines proclaiming that bold colors are trending in kitchens, the numbers will show that this isn’t quite true. Designers have the intuition(and evidence) submitted by the American Institute of Architects shows that 96 percent of designers predict that neutral colors like brown, gray, black, and white, will continue to be the most popular in design. They trust these hues to age well and to support changing furniture or decor.
When homeowners do reach for stronger shades, green and blue take the lead. Eighty six percent of experts expect green to rank highest, with seventy eight percent choosing blue just behind it. Many people introduce these colors through a backsplash, wallpaper, an island base, or a few favorite accessories.
Cabinetry decisions add another important layer. Half of respondents name white oak as their preferred wood for the next three years. Walnut follows at twenty eight percent. Flat panel doors, soaring cabinets, and panel ready appliances frame the countertop and keep everything streamlined.
Countertop materials shift firmly toward quartz and quartzite
When designers talk about surfaces, quartz now dominates their plans. Seventy eight percent of respondents still pick it as their top material. They like that it looks like stone yet needs little care. Quartzite, the natural version, takes second place for people who want a distinctive slab.
Granite continues to slip, with fewer than half of professionals, forty three percent, naming it as a major player. Marble sits even lower at twenty six percent, despite its luxury image and history in high end kitchens. Its softness and need for frequent sealing make some homeowners nervous.
Lighter countertop surfaces pair with darker cabinets, and matte or honed finishes now replace polished shine. Homeowners debate whether the island and main runs should match. Fifty six percent prefer contrast while forty four percent want one continuous color story. Matte sinks, faucets, and pendants reinforce the softer look and push shiny metal aside.
Backsplashes, flooring and lifestyle zones complete the picture
Homeowners choose porcelain and ceramic tiles for backsplashes around countertops because they are low maintenance. Seventy percent of professionals name them as the top option. Quartz and quartzite follow at sixty four and sixty one percent. They bring looks that can rise from counter to cabinet.
Designers note a rise in solid slabs used as backsplash. This trend is strongest when they continue the same stone from the work surface. Warm neutral tones keep these expanses from feeling cold or harsh.
On the floor, wood stays the favorite choice for kitchens. Large format planks limit seams and keep grout lines to a minimum for faster cleaning. Engineered wood leads at seventy eight percent, while traditional hardwood reaches fifty nine percent. Beverage areas, pet feeding stations, attached mudrooms, eat in corners, and even home office zones round out the plan. They help the kitchen function as a hub for every daily task.
How these kitchen choices guide your next remodel
Trends may move slowly, yet this report shows a clear direction for anyone planning a new kitchen. Transitional style, warm neutrals, and streamlined cabinets now work alongside quartz surfaces, solid backsplashes, and large plank floors. Activity zones such as beverage bars and pet corners help the room stay useful from morning to night. When you treat the countertop as the quiet anchor for these decisions, the space stays calm and durable. It can then evolve as habits, families, and personal taste change.
