These Are the Top Kitchen Decor Trends Designers Say Will Be Huge in 2024

Any real estate agent will tell you it’s worth investing in your kitchen, but beyond modern appliances and luxe touches (forever dreaming of a warming drawer) creating a beautiful space to serve as the heart of your home will reap intangible rewards. Thankfully, 2024 kitchen decor trends are skewing much warmer and cozier than the bright, white kitchens that have dominated for years. The heart of the home should be a reflection of you.

If you’re planning on making any culinary-adjacent updates (big or small) in the coming year, we’ve tapped a stable of talented designers to discuss the 2024 kitchen decor trends worth investing in.

Featured image from our interview with Kate Arends by Suruchi Avasthi.

Renovations are stressful. We asked the experts so you can remodel with confidence. The following trends—from moody marble to “kitschens”—are well worth the investment.

Image by Suruchi Avasthi

Statement-Making Marble

“We predict Viola marble will become a popular choice for countertops and backsplashes. The all-white kitchen trend is waning, and we’re seeing an increase in the use of white oak and walnut, cut in a less grainy style.” — Amy Mobley of City Hill Design       

Courtesy of Lisa Furay Interiors

Soft Checkered Patterns

“While checkerboard in contrasting color schemes and inverse color palettes were on the rise recently, we’re seeing a more scaled-down version of the traditional marbled checkerboard floor through incorporating a softer color palette in the same tone family that go beyond the traditional black and white.” — Munir Turunc, president of Country Floors

Individualistic Kitchens

“2024 will spell the end of the ‘all white everything, all the time’ trend in kitchens. ‘All white and bright’ has a time and a place, but moving into the New Year we’re going to see a more individualistic take on the kitchen. The kitchen wasn’t always thought to be the place where people considered choice in material or texture or even giving it personality. I guarantee if you walked into 10 different kitchens right now, nine out of 10 would be pretty similar. But, I’m here to tell you—you don’t have to have the same kitchen as your neighbor! Whether boldly stepping out of their comfort zone with a stand-out marble or opting to go moody with dark blue, and grey cabinets—homeowners are wanting to show their true colors through their kitchens, quite literally!” – Lauren Meichtry of Elsie Home

Unique Hardware

“While I will always love black and gold hardware options, the upcoming trend is all about the shift toward more unique hardware options. Personally, I’m drawn to eye-catching textures, such as knurled, reeded, or wooden finishes.” — Shaolin Low of Studio Shaolin 

Image of Claire Zinnecker’s kitchen

Organic Kitchens

“Warm wood tones, especially in contemporary or Scandinavian-inspired designs, will be warmly welcomed into kitchens. One of my favorites is using oak wood, as it brings an organic air to the kitchen.” — Shaolin Low of Studio Shaolin 

Kitchen Metalwork

“In 2024, I think we’re going to be seeing a lot of metalwork in kitchens. Designers have been loving custom cabinetry and range hoods over the last few years, but I still think we’re still in the early days of this trend. There are so many ways to incorporate metal into a kitchen while still creating a warm and refined space. I can’t wait to watch this design develop!” — Tess Twiehaus of Tess Interiors

Tile X Design, photographed by Alyssa Lee

Y2K Kitchens

“In 2024, we’ll continue to look to the past for future design inspiration, and the Y2k period is no exception. Integrating elements such as metallic finishes (whether through fixtures and accents) or high-gloss ones including reflective tiles and shiny surfaces are also a more modern way of integrating the design elements commonly found in the Y2K period.” — Munir Turunc, president of Country Floors

Bright pink kitchen.
Image of Alex McCabe’s kitchen

Kitchens With Personality

“When it comes to design, personality is key! That’s why I absolutely adore incorporating pops of color through wallpaper, backsplashes, and playful floor patterns with colorful ranges. This addition is the perfect way to infuse a fun and vibrant touch into any kitchen, making it truly unique and reflective of your individual style.” — Shaolin Low of Studio Shaolin 

Image by Danae Horst

“Kitschens”

And finally, the good folks at Pinterest have released their 2024 “Pinterest Predicts” home trends, with eclectic kitchens (AKA “Kitschens”) front and center.

“Gen X and Boomers will quirk up their cooking areas with thrifted finds, vintage appliances and eye-jarring pops of paint. No minimalist aesthetic is safe.”

The Black Friday Kitchen Sales Our Editors Are Shopping This Year

My prized Black Friday purchase is my beloved immersion blender. It was by no means a significant spend ($19 at 40% off—you never forget your first). But it’s completely changed the way I make soup. While I once had to awkwardly transfer the hot liquid between a pot and blender, I’d found a way to save myself the cumbersome step. And though I wouldn’t call myself a material person, there’s something about saving up and watching the price on a transformative tool until you finally decide to pull the trigger. As an ode to my sentimental savings, I rounded up this year’s best Black Friday kitchen deals. Thankfully, year after year, it just keeps getting better.

The week leading up to Thanksgiving is funny. It’s an odd mix of stress, excitement, and anticipatory shopping. Everyone’s eagerly plowing through the work to be done Monday and Tuesday, packing their bags, and preparing for the feast of the season. Once the plates are cleaned and the pies polished off, the holiday madness can begin in earnest.

The Best Black Friday Kitchen Deals of 2023

So, if you’re itching to start your shopping early and have your heart set on a few culinary prizes that’ll make your meals seamless and kitchen habits joyful, you’ve found the right list. Time to kick off the holiday season with some stress-free shopping—and all the best Black Friday kitchen deals.

Psst… Shop the biggest once-a-year sale at Casa Zuma! Get 15% off everything—this week only.

Every product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll always give an honest opinion, whether gifted or purchased ourselves. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Up to 30% off

Known for its timeless appeal, accessible prices, and design-driven collaborations (we’re obsessed with Athena Calderone’s collection) Crate & Barrel is a one-stop shop for contemporary, cozy styles.

Up to 40% off

Nothing represents California cool more than Williams Sonoma. With its elegant but laid-back aesthetic, Ina Garten fans can bond over their mutual love of the brand.

Image of Brian and Jessie De Lowe’s kitchen by Michelle Nash

Up to 40% off kitchen items

We hit it up at least twice a week and walk out with far more than our lists called for. Target’s a treasure trove of affordable kitchen goods that look wayyy more expensive than they are. Let’s dive into their Black Friday best.

Up to 50% off

Classic farmhouse design meets sustainable sourcing and ethical production practices. If you’ve written off Pottery Barn in the past for being too traditional, take a spin around their website—and expect to be blown away.

Up to 45% off

Once a millennial favorite, Our Place has expanded its beautifully designed cookware empire to resonate with all generations. (Yes, even the notoriously hard-to-please Gen Z!) Take advantage of their biggest sale to stock up on the viral Always Pan, stunning bakeware set, and the air fryer that broke the internet.

Up to 40% off

For maximalist, statement-making pieces, Fazeek is the best (re: only) option. The Australian brand has reached cult status among the design-inclined. During their Black Friday sale, we have our eyes on everything from the limited-edition Star Collection (peep the platter below) to

Up to 50% off

Modern and inherently stylish, West Elm is a go-to for anyone looking to give their space a little facelift—the kitchen, included. We’re eyeing everything from the dinnerware sets to the cookware accessories. Because yes, an aesthetic set of measuring cups and spoons is a kitchen essential.

This Modern Design Trend Adds Wow Factor to Any Kitchen

In a time where kitchens are typically customized within an inch of their smart refrigerators’ lives, it’s surprising how long islands remained just, well, islands. The standalone structures seemed to go on for years without much dramatic tinkering, until a relatively recent contemporary design trend: the waterfall kitchen island.

For guidance on the eye-catching style (where the counter extends to cover the sides of the island), I tapped the team behind some of the most stunning waterfall island installs I’ve seen yet, the all-women trio behind Dallas-based BuildTX Solutions.

Featured image of Camille’s kitchen by Michelle Nash.

Breaking Down the Waterfall Kitchen Island Trend

“What we appreciate most about the waterfall kitchen island trend is its ability to blend functionality with high-end design,” says Yelitza Mora, BuildTX’s director of business development. “It provides a seamless look that can make a kitchen appear more spacious and uncluttered. Additionally, the design offers added protection to the sides of the cabinets, which can be particularly beneficial in high-traffic areas.”

The streamlined look can also help with flow, creating continuity between the kitchen and other living areas. “This is important in open-concept layouts, where the kitchen is often visible from other parts of the home,” adds Mora.

And thanks to the availability of new, more affordable materials, like quartz and laminate, a waterfall island doesn’t have to destroy your budget. (Though nothing can truly beat the look and durability of natural stone.)

For clean-lined inspiration, we gathered up 12 striking examples of great waterfall kitchen islands, including some that feature Mora’s favorite custom touches.

12 Waterfall Kitchen Islands for Every Style (and Budget)

Image courtesy of BuildTX Solutions

The Fluted Waterfall Island

Much like the waterfall kitchen island, the fluted trend isn’t going anywhere. “This new trend is everywhere, from walls to tile and furniture,” Daniella Villamil shared with us this summer. “It’s a beautiful way of playing with organic shapes and textures and we welcome it!”

Image courtesy of BuildTX Solutions

The High-Contrast Waterfall Kitchen Island

Up the drama by pairing a white marble waterfall countertop with dark-painted wood and cabinetry for even more visual interest.

The Butcher Block Waterfall

As striking as it is utilitarian, this wooden take on a waterfall island (or, in this case, peninsula) offers a slightly more affordable take on the trend while maintaining that continuous flow.

Image courtesy of BuildTX Solutions

The Built-In Waterfall Wine Fridge

Our absolute favorite way to blend form, function, and the waterfall look.

A Waterfall Island With Built-In Shelving

A waterfall island is a statement-making focal point enough on its own, but adding shelving to display things like cookbooks or artwork makes for a true storage showstopper.

Image by Molly Culver

The All-White Waterfall Island

Why stop at the stone when it comes to continuity? Keep the streamlined look going by placing your “waterfall” over an existing peninsula and keep the baseboards (and outlets!) intact.

A Built-In Beverage Station

One of the coolest custom additions Mora has seen requested for a waterfall island installation.

Image via Cement Elegance

A Concrete Waterfall

For a more industrial spin on the modern kitchen trend, opt for cement or concrete countertops.

Image courtesy of BuildTX Solutions

Tuck in Your Dishwasher

“A clever way to maximize space in a small kitchen is to house an under-counter refrigerator or dishwasher in the waterfall element,” Mora notes.

Under Cabinet Lighting

Display your island like the work of art it is.

Image by Danielle Sabol

Make It a Marble Statement Piece

Waterfall islands have a reputation for being pricey, mainly because of how much expensive stone (like marble) goes into creating the look. But think about it this way: if you go big on the island, you can minimal on everything else, à la Ashley Robertson. Just be sure to treat your stone if you do go with marble slabs since the material can be so porous.

Image by Molly Culver

A Durable Quartz Waterfall Kitchen Island

And speaking of porous, opting for durable quartz over marble can easily solve that problem. Camille has always embraced the waterfall island trend (in bother her bungalow and her family’s Austin home). In the airy bungalow, she opted for Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo to act as a neutral for their mostly white contemporary kitchen.