22 modern kitchen design trends for 2022

If 2021 was the year in which the humble kitchen reinvented itself (largely due to the pandemic), what's in store for the modern kitchen in 2022?

A successful kitchen design includes many elements – layout, cabinets, worktops, appliances, and so forth, and today's modern kitchen seamlessly combines function, aesthetic and technology where every square inch needs to work harder. Essentially, our spaces need to do more.

The modern kitchen

2022 is set to be a 'landmark year for the blended kitchen space', Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations at Rotpunkt, declares. 'Presenting a true democracy for today's lifestyle, the kitchen of tomorrow will be contemporary in style and spatially ergonomic with the very best sustainable furniture forming the basis of each scheme.'

The most desirable modern kitchen designs will reflect what Daval Furniture refer to as 'whole-house interior design schemes', where the kitchen-living space includes added value living areas like a home bar or utility/boot room.

Optimising how the kitchen space adapts with our lifestyles will be vital this year, says Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval: 'Post pandemic life will bring a deeper appreciation of the capabilities of custom-made furniture, alongside the introduction of hygienic surfaces and hardworking kitchen storage like walk-in pantries.'

From adventurous earthy tones to brilliantly bold hues, we're getting braver with colour, too. Ian Penney, Business Unit Director for Room Solutions at Homebase, elaborates: 'There will be lots of earthy tones as we continue to appreciate the great outdoors, but also bright colours such as teals and vibrant accents like copper or gold handles for an optimistic burst of colour. We’ve introduced new cabinet colours into our on-trend collection of contemporary House Beautiful kitchens. Designed and built right here in the UK, these kitchens are sleek and stylish with smart finishing touches. There really is something for everyone, especially those looking to turn their Pinterest dreams into reality.'

New kitchen vs simple refresh

Not all kitchen makeovers have to be expensive. 'Kitchens can be costly investments and aren't easily interchangeable. Using paint to add a splash of colour to walls, cabinet fronts, tiles, or shelving units is not only cost effective, but also allows for a unique burst of creativity and personality to be injected with ease,' says Helen Shaw, Director at Benjamin Moore UK.

To give you all the modern kitchen inspiration you need, here are the top kitchen trends for 2022. From colour and surface choices to finishes and layout, planning your dream kitchen starts here...

Green kitchens are still having a moment in 2022.

'As a colour we associate primarily with nature, this grounding shade has an incredible way of reconnecting us with our surroundings, creating moments of calm and positivity,' says Tom Howley, Design Director at the eponymous kitchen company.

Ben Burbidge, Managing Director of Kitchen Makers, agrees that we'll continue to a surge in popularity of green finishes: 'A positive and versatile colour it can be used in deep, rich saturated tones to deliver a luxury look, especially when combined with marble worktops and brass detailing. At the other end of the scale softer, more powdery tones are particularly efficient in delivering the aspirational country kitchen look.'

Pictured: The Devine Collection in Serpentine, Tom Howley

When paired with authentic raw materials, painted furniture creates a durable kitchen environment that is classic in nature, yet contemporary in finish. The grains in the wood are still visible too, giving an element of texture. Above all, it's cost-effective, providing a great way to renovate your kitchen without the expense of replacing whole units.

The British Standard design team are seeing an increase in cabinets being painted in bright, playful hues. As seen here, Jacqueline Mercer aka @tinyandthehouse, transformed her hand-painted British Standard kitchen by repainting the originally inky blue cabinets in a cheerful yellow.

Read more: How to paint your kitchen cupboards & where to buy the best kitchen cupboard paint

Storage is, and will continue to be, a big part of the kitchen space, with a specific focus around hidden storage solutions. Essential for a streamlined finish, storage systems will maximise space without negatively impacting the look and style of your kitchen.

Ian at Homebase comments: 'Storage remains a top priority, which is why Homebase are launching butler pantries and corner units to help customers to make the most of their kitchen space.'

Pictured: House Beautiful Islington Kitchen in Ice Blue, Homebase

To balance the stylised aesthetic of statement taps (from brass to matt black), we are placing more attention on sink details when it comes to kitchen design.

‘Statement sinks are a trend that continues to gain momentum. More and more clients are focused on finding “the one” when it comes to their kitchen sinks, with vintage and vintage-style pieces, such as this fluted farmhouse design, among the most covetable,' says British Standard Design Manager, Adrian Bergman.

Pictured: British Standard cupboards, British Standard by Plain English

Pantry or larder storage is an essential part of any modern kitchen, and for 2022 the focus is – as British Standard by Plain English calls it – Peekaboo pantries.

'With pantries continuing to top kitchen wish lists, people are adding open shelving to slimline doors or a curtain to even the smallest of spaces to create mini ancillary spaces,' Adrian at British Standard explains.

Pictured: British Standard cupboards, British Standard by Plain English

Broken plan will be the layout of choice and statement furniture solutions combined with modular furniture will become the building blocks of the modern kitchen.

The experts at Rotpunkt explain: 'Industry forecasts indicate that versatile pieces of furniture that create a more flexible home environment will top the charts in 2022, with integrated wall and ceiling storage systems through to all-inclusive islands with space to cook, dine and do business.'

Case in point: The stylish and practical NX510 kitchen from next125 features tall wood veneer doors which open with a tap, then slides effortlessly to disappear to the sides of the cabinet with a gentle push.

Pictured: NX510 kitchen from next125, InHouse Inspired Room Design

As we're entertaining more at home, the modern kitchen needs to accommodate this, so it's no wonder that built-in bars (however big or small) are becoming a must-have feature.

The team of expert designers at Davonport explain: 'With restrictions on socialising over the past two years, our homes have evolved from being our sanctuary to our main social and entertaining hub. As a result, the demand for a home bar or drinks cabinet within the kitchen has increased and is not looking to abate any time soon.'

Pictured: Pantry in classic Mayland kitchen, Davonport

There's also an increase in demand for the breakfast bar. 'A breakfast bar is a versatile piece perfect for a multifunctional kitchen – with the right seating it can work as a dining table where you can enjoy a quick breakfast or informal meal with family and friends, while it doubles up as a bar and buffet area to serve drinks and canapes when hosting a party,' say Harvey Jones designers.

Pictured: House Beautiful Islington Kitchen - Ice Blue, Porcelain, Wild Oak, available at Homebase

The idea that 'old is the new' is driven by a sense of nostalgia and comfort. The design team at British Standard by Plain English say customers are seeking to create spaces full of intrigue and charm. How? By blending older, more characterful pieces into their new kitchens. 'These homely spaces go beyond function and are a backdrop to treasured personal objects, ceramics, glassware and artwork,' they explain.

Equally, filling your home with natural stone flooring, for example, will lend a soothing quality to any room, complementing both contemporary and more traditional kitchen interiors.

Pictured: Bordeaux French Limestone, Quorn Stone

On the modern kitchen wish list this year is glass. 'Not only do glazed cabinets break up the monotony of repetitive, solid fronted doors – especially in large spaces – they maximise the flow of light into darker corners,' Tom Howley explains. 'Having glass-fronted doors is as good as open shelving when it comes to displaying your prized pieces.'

Davonport designers say in the last 12 months glass has been used more decoratively and dramatically as splashbacks or backdrops for open shelving.

Pictured: The Hartford Collection in Azurite, Tom Howley

A cupboard skirt is an ideal decorative finishing touch for rustic, country-style kitchens.

'Instantly softening, a sink skirt is also a great way to inject colour and pattern into your kitchen or pantry,' says Karla Patterson, Designer at British Standard. 'Affordable and stylish, it's also a clever way to conceal any unsightly storage and undersink spaces.'

Pictured: British Standard kitchen in the home of Lisa Mehydene, founder of edit58, British Standard by Plain English

The rise of the 'working kitchen' has seen an increased demand for multi-functional spaces.

Kitchens will continue to require extra worktop space for home workers who may not have a home office, making way for laptops and monitors and even spaces for craft making.

There's a continued focus on integrated seating areas, storage solutions and extended breakfast bars or kitchen island units that become an all-inclusive workstation.

Pictured: House Beautiful Camberwell Kitchen - Nickel, available at Homebase

For a high-traffic area like the kitchen, you need durable flooring which also looks good. The choice for 2022? Flagstone floor tiles.

Isabel Fernandez, Director of Quorn Stone, explains: 'For centuries, estates and country homes have used flagstone flooring, thanks to their hardwearing characteristics and classic appearance that have stood the test of time. Now more than ever, people are wanting to create this timeless look in their kitchens by choosing large format flagstones.'

Pictured: Monte Carlo tumbled limestone, prices start from £33, Quorn Stone.

The British Standard design team have noticed a growing number of clients opting for plain or patterned glazed tiles to create eye-catching sink walls. This rich, glossy depth of colour on glazed tiles provides great textural contrast against pared back, hand painted wooden cabinetry.

Ian Penney at Homebase says tiling is the perfect way to upgrade to a modern kitchen: 'If you’re looking for a simpler refresh, tiling is a great way to go. We’ll be launching a new tiling range that will suit every style; everything from fun patterns and bright shades to darker and bolder colours in all shapes and sizes. Tiling is a great way to inject character into a kitchen, while being versatile, easy to clean and extremely durable. It's also really easy!'

Pictured: British Standard cupboards, British Standard by Plain English

In modern kitchen design, rounded shapes exude luxury and sophistication. A beautiful design element, these softer forms are more ergonomic and feel more natural to use. Aesthetically too, every view is taken care of, rather than creating abrupt stops.

'Rounded corners will be particularly popular in kitchen islands. The majority of worktop features, especially for breakfast bars, use contrasting materials like wood and quartz composite, with different level thickness. A curved seating area is more sociable (think of a round table vs. a long narrow table),' Emma Cowburn, Kitchen Designer at Harvey Jones, explains.

Pictured: Shaker kitchen, Harvey Jones

Our kitchens are moving, quite literally.

'Traditionally a kitchen sits at the back of the home overlooking the garden but we have noticed a growing number of clients creating kitchens at the front of the home,' Adrian at British Standard explains. 'Many terraced houses feature two rooms at the front which can often be knocked through to create one large living space, this can be a good alternative to a side return, saving you the cost of an extension.

'By moving the kitchen to the front you can benefit from an open plan layout and a quieter sitting room at the back of the house, plus a double perspective will give added natural light.'

Pictured: British Standard cupboards, British Standard by Plain English

The kitchen shelfie is reinventing itself for 2022. 'From contemporary open shelving through to traditional dressers, the trend for decorating kitchens with beautiful ceramics and glassware is back,' says Ben at Kitchen Makers.

Open shelves offer an area to showcase your styling capabilities, as well as being a highly practical storage solution. 'Displaying meaningful or decorative items is a relatively simple and effective way to inject personality into a room, giving it a more inviting and homely feel,' adds Richard Davonport, Managing Director at Davonport.

Pictured: Kitchen cupboards in Scullery Yellow, deVOL

Read more: This yellow kitchen in a fisherman's cottage in St Ives is full of character

Open shelving takes on an invisible form in the modern kitchen. Adrian at British Standard explains this kitchen trend: 'Adding a single shelf in the same colour as the wall behind creates the illusion that the shelf is floating or invisible, allowing the pieces featured on them to take centre stage. This type of open shelving offers a less fitted appearance over wall cupboards.'

Polly Shearer, Kitchen Interiors Expert at Tap Warehouse, develops this trend with the idea of the 'invisible kitchen'. She adds: 'People no longer want to fill their kitchens with clutter and accessories, but strip it back to the essentials and have cupboards that blend into the walls behind them.'

Pictured: British Standard kitchen in the home of Susanna Hawkins (@shnordic), British Standard by Plain English

As well as looking stylish, metal is a practical solution – it's extremely hardwearing and boasts antimicrobial properties which makes it a great choice for a working kitchen. And for 2022, metallic surfaces, from handles to worktops and splashbacks, will prove popular in kitchen design.

Hush Kitchens founder, Chris Spink, comments: 'While stainless steel was commonly used in industrial kitchens, now brass, copper and zinc are the must-have materials.'

Gold and bronze shades adding a splash of luxury or hotel-decadence will be big. 'These colours were once reserved for smaller accents such as handles or taps, however, in recent times, we have seen them appear in larger forms such as sinks and entire island work surfaces,' designers at Davonport explain.

Meanwhile, Darren Watts, Showroom Development & Design Director at Wren Kitchens, singles out hardware in any form of brass, from vintage to polished, as being the most popular as it will add warmth and a touch of drama without being overpowering.

Pictured: House Beautiful Islington Kitchen - Alpine, available at Homebase

Changing your kitchen splashback is a great way to give your cooking space a facelift. A modern kitchen must-have, marble continues to be synonymous with style and elegance.

'Elegant, tactile and organic, marble is making a comeback as the most popular choice for splashbacks and work surfaces,' says Adrian at British Standard. 'Richly veined varieties, such as the piece seen in this Streatham kitchen, are a great way to make a statement if you are not looking to use bold colour or pattern and can look particularly luxurious when paired with metallic lighting and hardware,'

Pictured: British Standard cupboards, British Standard by Plain English

Both renewable and biodegradable, versatile cork is making its way into the modern kitchen.

Bo Hellberg, CMO at String Furniture, comments: 'Cork is a material part of the “biophilia” trend, where we seek to connect with nature and organic materials and plant life, in our homes. It is obviously inherently sustainable and brings warmth and texture to any surface or space, but it’s also ideal for insulating, which makes it great for kitchens.

'Cork is a great match for our metal shelves, taming the industrial look. It combines the Scandi kitchen interior with a softer, organic material.'

Pictured: String system cork bottle tray, String Furniture

As we're spending more time cooking and entertaining at home, there's now a greater investment in kitchen appliances – from coffee machines to wine coolers – that won't compromise cabinet or other appliance space.

Ben at Kitchen Makers explains: 'With the rise in the popularity of laundry rooms and breakfast stations, integrated appliances will allow you to keep your room streamlined.'

Pictured: Alderley in Bone, Kitchen Makers

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