As the new year rolls in, last years’ kitchen trends and styles roll out. It’s so hard to keep up these days! to make it a little easier on you, we’ve compiled a list of our top ten favorite kitchen design ideas for the coming year. Want to stay in the loop on all fronts? Read our article on modern bathroom design tips for 2021.
White Wash
Over the last few years, pristine, clean design has made its way back on the list of kitchen trends for homeowners all over the country. This classic look has continued to made its way “in” and back out over time. Sanitary white is a timeless style, which will probably never lose it’s allure. Complete this fad with pendant lights and stools!

Quartz Countertops
While marble and granite countertops still hold a spot at the top of the list, quartz has become a key element of the modern kitchen as well.
Wall to Wall Storage
With plenty of items to store, you can never have too much space in your kitchen. From pantry goods to fancy new gadgets, kitchen organization and convenience can quickly become an issue. In that light, the previously popular idea of open shelving has been replaced by wall to wall cabinets. While this may seem drab or old fashioned, we have been pleasantly surprised by all the ways interior designers have found to increase the functionality and convenience of such a simple element. These are just a few ideas:
- Pull-out shelves
- Vertical spice rack inserts
- Hinged cutting boards
- Mixer lifts
- Plenty of hooks and separators
One of our favorite sources for such products is the Rev-a-Shelf website, which offers plenty of unique and creative ways to make the most of the space in your kitchen.

Cottage Style
For a blend of old and new, consider the popular cottage style kitchen. This combination of traditional and modern styles, will give your kitchen a fresh, attractive look that we predict will remain trendy for quite a while.
Black in Black
An edgy, but classic kitchen design works well with almost any complement, from bright white backsplash to elegant wood. If you prefer lighter countertops, try contrasting those with light woods and painted cabinetry.
Fine Wood Finishes
Custom woodworking is definitely making a comeback this year. It’s nice to see beautiful oak and natural maple wood cabinetry again. With an unmatched texture, the appeal of wood grain has never been greater than it is in 2021. Give your house an even more natural look by adding earth tones, as well as deep blues and greens.

Retro Style With Exposed Beams
Let your trusses show! Farmhouse styles really made a show in 2020, but as time goes on, we are starting to see more retro trends taking hold.
Blue and Green Backsplash
Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin Williams, says dark, moody and natural hues are coming back in style. She believes these colors will begin to take over, because they provide an overall sense of comfort and well-being. Blue in particular, has long been known to convey these feelings. Don’t we all want our home to feel – well – like home?

Multi-Level Islands
We predict islands will always be a top kitchen trend. However, we are starting to see more kitchen islands which include multiple levels. It provides extra storage areas, convenience, and prep room, all while using as little space as possible. This is always a win in our book! You may also do well to incorporate some of the creative storage options we went over a few paragraphs ago.
Reclaimed Wood
For a more rustic look, consider adding reclaimed wood to your kitchen design. In addition to brick and warm finishes, wood reclamation is a great, eco-friendly way to remodel your kitchen. This will can also be combined with the exposed beams we mentioned earlier, for a more down-to-earth ambiance.