Home may be where the heart is, but the kitchen is the home’s heart and soul. It’s the go-to room for daily family life, get-togethers, and even quiet meditations late at night (accompanied by a glass of milk and a snack). And for many people, the kitchen has also become the favorite place for splurging—not in calories, but in dollars.

According to a 2022 survey conducted by Houzz magazine, homeowners are eagerly investing in kitchen remodels, with the median spend for a major large kitchen renovation averaging around $50,000. The report also shows that increasing numbers of homeowners are hiring kitchen designers, ensuring that their home will be enhanced with the latest decorative trends, smart appliances, and tech-savvy gadgets.

Building a new custom LifeStyle home affords you the opportunity to design your dream kitchen from scratch—with the assistance of LifeStyle’s design team, of course—including today’s top trends for modern, functional kitchens.

Unexpected Bursts of Color
Traditional monochrome kitchens may become a thing of the past, if designers have their way. Today’s trendy kitchens feature neutral shades paired with vibrant cobalt, forest green, scarlet, and other rich jewel tones, especially seen in tile backsplashes.

And while some designers opt to keep cabinetry in its natural woodgrain finish—adding color only to kitchen islands and pantries—others let their imaginations run riot with all kitchen cabinets painted in shades of thyme, golden yellow, emerald, and other nature-inspired colors.

The black-and-white kitchen is coming back too, but recreated this time in softer shades, and warmed up by touches of natural wood in earth-tone hues. Other favorite colors include gray or greige (a mix of beige and gray), coupled with soft whites and wood veneers for a cozier look.

Whether you prefer blacks, greys, jewel tones, or pastels, they’ll be showcased to perfection when paired with an elegant hardwood floor, the flooring of choice for kitchen designers.

Island Living
No matter what poll, list, or designer blog you read, you’ll find that—if space allows—no modern kitchen is complete without the classic kitchen island—the larger and brighter, the better. According to the Houzz report, 39 percent of homeowners are opting for islands measuring more than 7 feet long, while 92 percent opt for multiple pendant light fixtures directly above.

Regardless of its size, an island can provide a much-needed food prep area and is the perfect place for using coffeemakers and small appliances, especially if countertop space is limited. And for larger rooms, one of the biggest trends is a double island—one serving as a prep station, the other as an informal dining table for family and guests.

Slab Backsplashes
While tiled backsplashes remain popular, the innovative slab backsplash is rapidly gaining ground as the year’s trendiest kitchen look. Comprised of a single sheet in a natural finish in marble or quartz, slab backsplashes eliminate grout lines and provide a smoother, cleaner appearance. And by matching a slab backsplash with a countertop, you can create a streamlined, eye-catching look that can make your kitchen appear even larger.

Quartz Countertops
This one isn’t surprising, since quartz countertops have been trending for years now with no signs of abating in popularity. Made primarily from engineered stone (real quartz and stone bits that are crushed and processed), quartz countertops are durable, easy to clean, and absolutely gorgeous. Plus, they can give your kitchen a welcome natural touch to balance all those high-tech stainless-steel appliances.

Quartz countertops come in a wide range of colors, from traditional marble-veined white to midnight black and brick red. They match any type of kitchen décor, whether it’s contemporary, rustic, farmhouse, retro, or French provincial. And for all their beauty, they’re easy to maintain, so you’ll never have to worry about damaging them with spills or wear.

Highly Functional Walk-In Pantries
If you have the room, today’s most-coveted walk-in pantries are enhanced with work counters where you can make coffee or use small appliances. And of course, they’re constructed with enough wall-to-wall shelves to store all your necessities and more.

Wood Flooring
Wood flooring continues to be a big trend in kitchen design, and today’s manufacturers are producing an impressive variety of sustainable wood flooring products. While wood flooring is not an ideal choice for your new home’s wet rooms, such as its bathrooms and laundry room, it can be used in the kitchen. And with many homeowner’s opting for an open-concept floorplan, this mean’s your home’s wood flooring can flow seamlessly from the great room to the kitchen.

Retro Styling
With kitchens, everything old is new again, as designers vie for the most attractive pieces of vintage furniture and accessories for their clients’ kitchens. In particular, antique farmhouse tables in their original rough finish are being snapped up, especially by homeowners who, because of space or budget, can’t install a kitchen island. These types of tables are ideal for food prep or impromptu dining, and can be small or large enough for any kitchen area. Plus, they’re recycled, so by saving them from the landfill, you can help save the environment, too.

Likewise, kitchen themes that evoke the 1950s continue to be popular with many homeowners and designers. Features include color block designs in pink, blue, and aqua, retro-styled appliances and décor, diner-style tables and chairs, and of course, black-and-white tile flooring.

Whatever your taste, you’re sure to find something that will catch your eye among today’s most popular kitchen trends. And if you’re looking to make a move and relocate from your current home, be sure to visit our website and learn how LifeStyle Homes can help you get the dream home you’ve always wanted.