Kitchen trends 2022: materials, colors and room solutions for a modern kitchen design

Is a kitchen renovation high on your list for the coming year? Even if you already have your dream kitchen in mind, it is worth taking a look at the kitchen trends for 2022. Which colors will you consider for your kitchen next year? Is the high-gloss look still relevant? What kind of kitchen fronts and furniture are popular? In the article we have summarized the latest trends in kitchen design for you.

Kitchen trends 2022: what works, what stays, what comes?

Despite the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, kitchen manufacturers have some innovations to offer for the coming year. Next year, the modern kitchen will be aesthetically pleasing and functional at the same time. Natural materials and looks are still the focus and are complemented by dark tones. The high gloss that has characterized modern kitchens for a long time is being replaced by matt surfaces on fronts, cabinets and appliances. Color accents also remain, but become stronger, but tinted. Metallic accents come into their own in the form of kitchen fittings and give the kitchen a particularly elegant look. Appliances and small kitchen gadgets that work independently are just as popular than ever.

The latest kitchen trends for 2022 at a glance

Now we would like to take a closer look at the trends for kitchen furnishings. The selection for the coming year is really broad, so that you can always find a suitable solution for your own kitchen.

Dark colors dominate in the kitchen

Black, anthracite and gray are the colors that modern kitchens can no longer be imagined without in 2022. Black worktops combined with white fronts were already very popular last year, but next year white will take a back seat. The dark kitchen fronts look particularly elegant and leave plenty of scope for accents – for example furniture and accessories made of wood or in light tones. If you don’t mind a dramatic look, you can also furnish the kitchen completely in dark tones.

Color accents in tinted colors

The kitchen trends 2022 offer gently tinted, but strong colors as a companion for the dark tones in the kitchen. Earthy tones that symbolize naturalness are particularly popular. From terracotta to spice colors to warm shades of brown – strong colors in soft nuances harmonize wonderfully with dark kitchens. Pastel nuances such as blush can also be wonderfully combined with the black fronts. Whether as wall paint or in the form of kitchen furniture or accessories – these colors put you in a good mood and at the same time create a warm, cozy atmosphere.

Marble is making a comeback

All fans of marble kitchens can look forward to it. Because marble is on the rise again in the coming year. Whether for the back wall of the kitchen, for the worktop or as a holistic look – the noble material will rule the kitchen furnishings in 2022. The popular marble look can be combined with both dark kitchen furniture and the natural effect of wood. The marble with its anthracite-colored grain is particularly popular. However, if you want to make the kitchen a bit more homely, you can use natural stone with brown or beige grains.

The marble is a symbol of unmistakable luxury and can give any room a noble touch. If the natural stone in the kitchen reaches too deep into your pocket, worktops or kitchen rear walls with a marble look are a possible alternative.

Back to nature: focus on natural materials

Not only natural stone, but also other natural materials are possible for the modern kitchen in 2022. Naturalness is combined with timeless elegance, using visible grained wooden fronts in combination with elements made of stainless steel or glass. Kitchen furniture with a concrete look look particularly appealing in combination with real wood and give the room the popular industrial charm.

Wood in the kitchen is not a new trend, but next year there will be even more wood tones for the design of the kitchen fronts. With a real wood veneer made of oak or walnut, for example, entire kitchen walls can be clad, which creates a cozy atmosphere with a natural touch.

If you just want to set a few new accents in the kitchen, a rustic dining table made of solid wood, for example, is well advised. The table, for example, goes wonderfully with simple white kitchen fronts and can quickly make the old kitchen shine in new splendor.

The use of natural materials that are durable and resistant speaks for more sustainability in the kitchen. In addition to marble, granite, slate and concrete are also used. The pleasant stone look gives the kitchen a particularly elegant design that you can admire for years.

Matt surfaces and handleless designs

The high-gloss look is already over. Just like in recent years, matte surfaces are increasingly being used – both for kitchen fronts and worktops. Not only do they look modern, they are also easier to care for. Only the kitchen appliances are allowed to shine, although a matt look is increasingly possible for the appliances.

The linear look of the kitchen furniture is still a trend that will remain. Handleless, puristic fronts look particularly modern and are due to technological progress. In the latest kitchen designs, even handle strips and recessed grips are left out and replaced with tip-on or push-to-open technology.

Kitchen faucets as eye catchers

Stainless steel fittings will be replaced by fittings in gold and copper in the coming year. We already know this trend from the bathroom, but it will also be one of the innovations in the kitchen in 2022. So that the fittings come into their own even better, they are implemented in simple kitchen designs. The faucet should be the eye-catcher, so patterned kitchen splashbacks or other accents are not recommended. However, a harmonious overall picture is created by the combination of fittings, sink and possibly also lamp holders in the metallic look. For this, however, the worktop, fronts and tiles should be monochrome.

For many, however, this trend is a little pompous. If you like it a little more subtle, you can opt for a matt black finish instead. This also makes a statement without attracting too much attention. In addition, kitchen faucets in black look very stylish and go with almost any kitchen facility.

Trends for kitchen lighting: Braided light fittings

If you want to give the kitchen an airy, relaxed feeling, luminaires with a braided look are the right choice for next year. Made from materials such as bamboo and rattan, light-colored, braided pendant lights create a modern, natural atmosphere in the room. Such lights are particularly suitable for the area above the kitchen island or above the dining table.

Kitchen trends 2022: kitchen appliances and smart technologies

New solutions for the smart home have been one of the biggest living trends for several years. And that will certainly not change anytime soon. Because our apartments are becoming more and more networked. In terms of kitchen design, kitchen appliances that work independently are an important part of the modern kitchen. You can make our daily lives easier by saving us time and effort on daily activities.

Smart kitchen appliances have been around for a few years, but they weren’t as common in the past as they are today. With every passing year they become more affordable and can be found in more and more German apartments. Smart technology shouldn’t be missing in the modern kitchen.

The trends in kitchen appliances are not just based on technology, but also on a homely look. Devices with simple designs that can be seamlessly integrated into kitchen furnishings are currently very popular. Just like the kitchen fronts, kitchen appliances in black and dark gray will be trendy in the coming year.

Clever solutions for more functionality

The kitchen trends for 2022 still include functional room solutions that make the kitchen even more practical. For example, additional functions are assigned to the kitchen rear wall with the help of plug-in systems and functional panels. These are mainly used to store various kitchen utensils in an elegant way or to showcase useful decorations such as herb pots.

As a result of the increased storage, which was a big issue in 2020 due to the corona lockdowns, floor-to-ceiling pantries with multiple pull-outs and shelves are coming to the fore. The modern pantry is located in the kitchen and offers space not only for kitchen supplies, but also for small kitchen appliances, cookbooks and other useful kitchen aids.

Kitchen trends 2022 for the spacious kitchen

Large eat-in kitchens are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. They stand for a holistic living concept that offers a seamless transition between kitchen and living room or dining room. This includes various pieces of furniture such as sideboards or open bookshelves, which are coordinated with the kitchen furnishings. Another good option for the spacious eat-in kitchen is the double cooking island. In this kitchen design, two cooking islands are connected to one another using an additional worktop. The connection can be equipped with bar stools and thus functions like a bar. Such a room solution looks particularly luxurious, but is only suitable for rooms where there is a lot of space available.

Trends for the design of the small kitchen

A spacious kitchen with a cooking island, a long solid wood dining table and elegant display cabinets may look beautiful, but it does not correspond to urban reality at all. The kitchen trends 2022 also have a solution to offer for small city apartments: more storage space through floor-to-ceiling vertical cabinets. In the coming year, more and more kitchen manufacturers will deal with the problem of small spaces and provide other clever storage space solutions. Corner modules, for example, have height-adjustable compartments and walls are optimally used – with floating cupboards and shelves.