Kitchen Evolution: Top Kitchen Trends 2023

Sunapee New Hampshire Lake House | Lauren Miles Interior Design
Photo courtesy of Lauren Miles Interior Design

The heart of the home continues its evolution in 2023. This year, the top kitchen trends are more thrilling than ever. As lake lovers, our never-ending quest for soothing spaces, natural materials, and nature-inspired hues has reinvented how we think about this favorite gathering space. No longer considered a purely functional place where you prepare meals, the kitchen has transcended into a real living space where people come together, dine, celebrate, and work from home. Plus, our desire to integrate the kitchen with other living spaces has also inspired us to embellish it like other rooms with artwork, collectibles, and refined materials.  

In addition, color is making a comeback in 2023, with cabinet hues in dusty blues, sage greens, neutral browns, and earthy terracottas. Bold pattern is trending in opulent stone slabs cladding kitchen countertops, waterfall islands, and backsplashes. Natural stone elements, lustrous metals, wooden accents, and eco-friendly materials that create an organic vibe are also having a moment in 2023.

So even if you’re not looking for a full kitchen remodel, don’t be afraid to try out some of these ideas for a fresh, updated look. Apply a new backsplash, paint your cabinets or island base, and bring in some new artwork and accessories. Here’s our list of some of the top kitchen trends for 2023.

Full Circle

Photo courtesy of archiproducts

Who says a kitchen island has to be rectangular? Like a round dining table, rounded edges are delightfully inclusive and inviting. They inspire convivial group conversation and encourage guests to gather ‘round. Last year, we saw the emergence of curvaceous, rounded furniture, and 2023 has extended that idea to the kitchen—taking the trend full circle. This one from Cesar’s Tangram collection was inspired by the ancient Chinese game of geometric shapes that can be combined to create endless figures. The collection includes five curved elements that can be added to Cesar’s modules to build kitchen islands with unusual shapes.

Statement Stone

Photo courtesy of Steven Dewall via Good Housekeeping

Dramatic stone features are becoming the central focus of the modern kitchen. Marble waterfall islands, countertops, and backsplashes that showcase the beauty of the material are becoming increasingly popular. Plus, the natural stone brings a lustrous organic element to the kitchen and pairs exceptionally with warm wood finishes. Here, the cabinetry color echoes the soft gray veining in the marble. Additionally, it creates a striking contrast against the light finish of the wood-plank flooring.

Brilliant Backsplashes

Photo courtesy of Amanda Kirkpatrick via Dwell

Backsplashes are front and center this year as one of the hottest kitchen trends. The options are endless, and it’s one of the best ways to give your kitchen a complete makeover without breaking the bank. As functional as they are decorative, the ideal backsplash should not only protect the walls behind your countertops but also complement the cabinetry, flooring, and other design elements of your kitchen.

Available in an impressive range of options and styles, backsplash materials run the gamut from marble and natural stone to metal, stainless steel, and glass. To select one that fits your functionality needs and budget, here are some easy guidelines:

  • If your kitchen seems dull and lacks an exciting focal point, consider a stand-out backsplash with vibrant color or interesting decorative detail.
  • If your kitchen is void of natural light, choose light-reflecting materials such as lustrous metals, glass tiles, or stainless steel.
  • Think about ease of cleanability and choose a surface appropriate for your lifestyle.

This luminous backsplash from TileBar is composed of copper-colored stainless-steel tiles. Its gorgeous reflective capability produces a warm glow against contemporary white cabinetry with black Caesarstone countertops, and the copper look is reiterated in the cabinet hardware

Ultra-Cool Refrigeration

This innovative 48-inch French Door Refrigerator/Freezer from Signature Kitchen Suite boasts unprecedented capacity and functionality in the trendy French door configuration. Making its debut last year, this industry leader is now available on the market. It features a convertible drawer with temperature-changing capabilities, a dual ice maker with Craft Ice™, a user-friendly LCD display, and an internal water dispenser.

Looking for next-level refrigeration that will wow you and your guests? LG Studio’s MoodUP™ customizable refrigerator features color-changing LED panels, voice activation, craft ice, and Bluetooth speaker connectivity. This innovative design offers more than 190,000 color combinations to choose from. Plus, the ThinQ™ app makes matching your refrigerator to your cabinets a breeze. Knock twice on the InstaView™ glass, and you can illuminate the contents of your fridge and see inside.

Graphite & Gunmetal: The New Black

Photo courtesy of Native Trails Home

Superseding matte black hardware in 2023, graphite and gunmetal finishes are becoming the new black. A gleaming example is this new gunmetal sink from the Italian-made Precious Metals Collection from Native Trails. The handcrafted fireclay sink basin with a matte white interior integrates sleekly with an array of kitchen styles and offers an elegant complement to marble countertops and backsplashes. Look for this shimmering metal finish in hardware and plumbing fixtures as well.  

Smart Water

Photo courtesy of Kohler

Smart technology is everywhere, even your kitchen faucet. Recently unveiled by Kohler, the Sensate® touchless pull-down sink faucet has voice-activated technology that dispenses measured amounts of water at your command. It also includes a motion sensor that turns your water on and off with a wave of the hand. In addition, the Sensate® works with the KOHLER® Konnect™ app, which monitors water usage and notifies you of unusual flow. It is available in oil-rubbed bronze, matte black, vibrant stainless, and polished chrome finishes.

Island Dining

Photo courtesy Interior Impressions via The Spruce

Since everyone loves to hang out in the kitchen, many homeowners are opting for sit-down dining with larger islands for family meals and entertaining. In fact, many are forgoing a formal dining room altogether and instead expanding the kitchen to accommodate more seating and table surfaces. As a result, double islands are growing in popularity, as are sizeable in-kitchen dining spaces with plenty of seating and accent lighting.  

So dive in, dream big, and give your lake home kitchen a modern refresh in 2023. For more top kitchen design trends, visit Elle Décor.

Jeanne Delathouder

I was born in Chicago, raised in the Midwest, and studied creative writing and journalism at the University of Iowa. I was quickly immersed in Southern culture when I moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and became a writer and editor for Southern Accents Magazine at Time Warner. The lavish interiors and grand architecture of the region inspired me to study interior design while working as
an editor.
Today I am a lifestyle journalist, editor, brand strategist, and communications specialist with more than 25 years of experience managing and producing content for magazines, books, digital, television, and sales/marketing/PR assets. My diverse career history illustrates a proven track record of my ability to work collaboratively with editors and art directors, write creatively on a multitude of topics, implement projects, manage relationships, write with a mission, connect with a multitude of consumers, and effectively translate research outcomes into compelling content that drives action. I am an adaptable communicator and brand ambassador with specialties that include creative storytelling, content marketing, and project management.