by Jan Rutgers
Kitchen Designers need to be on top of everything trending in Kitchen Design to best serve their clients.
Not every client will want a “Trendy” Kitchen but you should be prepared to offer suggestions to your clients to make sure their new kitchen is not dated the moment they move back in to it.
Here are the Top 10 Kitchen Design Trends that Kitchen Designers need to be presenting to their clients.
1. Statement Lighting
Pendant lights over island 
Pendants over sink 
Wall scones above counter
With kitchen islands being the most asked for element by consumers for a kitchen design, specifying statement lighting above it will highlight this design feature
Style options are unlimited and can coordinate with any decor style.
For style and functionality include a pendant or pendants over the main sink as an alternative to standard pot lights.
Wall scones are another great way to make a statement with functional lighting. Look for ones with extendable arms to provide flexibility in your clients design.
Get creative with your statement lighting placement for a one of a kind look for your client’s kitchen.
2. Open Shelving
Corner Glass & Metal Shelving 
Metal Plate Rack Shelf Drainer 
Metal & Wood Open Shelving
Open shelving in kitchen design has been trending for the past few years and you can update your designs with metal framed open shelves.
The shelf material can be specified to be wood, metal or glass.
Wood shelving is best for areas where items will be taken off and on the shelf on a daily bases while glass shelves will work best for display areas.
This open shelf look is lighter than upper cabinetry and it allows clients to show off their beautiful tableware and collectibles.
3. Mixed Metals
Kitchen with Mixed Metals 
Gold, Nickel & Matte Black Hardware 
Mixed Metals in Kitchen
The same way that fashion designers are mixing metals in clothing accessories the home decor industry is embracing the mixed metal trend.
Mix and match the metal finishes in your kitchen designs when specifying the hardware, lighting fixtures, faucets and accessories for a modern look.
Avoid having things too “matchy-matchy” in your designs.
Matte black is very popular and mixes well with gold, copper, pewter, chrome and nickel so it is a safe metal finish to introduce.
There are no rules here so have fun with unique mixes for you clients.
4. Matte Appliance Finishes
Matte Black Free-standing Appliances
Stainless steel has been the go-to finish in appliances for many years, so it is time for Kitchen Designers to suggest a change.
Dark matte finishes such as black stainless steel is a great way to go.
Not only will this new trending finish update your kitchen designs, it reduces the appearance of fingerprints and dirt. Always a win for consumers.
5. Two-Toned Cabinetry
Blue & White Kitchen Cabinets 
Dark & Light Wood Kitchen 
Wood & White Cabinets
Many clients have been hesitant to veer away from the all white kitchen because it has been popular for so long. Now you can help them embrace color again.
White for your perimeter cabinets still works well but a contrasting color on the island is the way to go.
You can also suggest the base cabinets in one color and the upper cabinets in another.
Find out what your client’s favorite color is for a starting point or check out top color trends for 2020 for inspiration.
Anything goes here and you can really produce a on-of-a-kind look with the introduction of a unique cabinet color combination in your design.
6. Patterned Tile
Patterned Backsplash continues above cabinets 
Patterned Backsplash Focal Point 
Patterned Backsplash Behind Open Shelves
A pop of color in the tile backsplash is a great trend to bring individuality to your kitchen designs.
The choices are unlimited with Spanish and Moroccan inspired tiles very popular at this time.
Tile the entire backsplash with these tiles or choose to accent an area such as behind the cooktop.
Another way to get a patterned look is to install a basic subway tile in a unique pattern such as stacked, chevron or off-set brick. By choosing a contrasting grout color you will have your own custom look.
The tiled backsplash area is the perfect place for the Kitchen Designer to show their creativity and push their clients to embrace a trend without breaking the bank.
7. Textured Finishes
Stone Cabinet Fronts & Counters 
Stone Island Face & Counter 
Natural Toned Accessories
Specifying textured materials in your kitchen designs produces a warm and welcoming space for you clients.
Kitchen Design is moving away from the all gloss kitchen with the incorporation of honed finishes, natural woods, woven materials and matte finishes.
These softer organic materials reduce glare in the kitchen and will make your designs more comfortable to work in.
At a minimum you could suggest your client invest in some woven baskets, wood cutting boards and hand-crafted pottery pieces to accessorize their kitchen for a on-trend look.
8. Greenery
Herbs Growing on Island Counter 
Kitchen Storage wall with Greenery 
Shelves for Greenery at Window
The trend towards cooks preparing vegetarian and vegan foods has lead to including live plants in kitchen designs.
Dedicating an area to grow fresh herbs in you kitchen designs will be a popular trend in 2020 and beyond. This could be as simple as a glass shelf across a window to an elaborate hydroponic growing system across the back of an island.
Watch for appliances specifically for growing salad fixings right in the kitchen. As the greenery trend increases you will want to be the first to specify one in your kitchen designs.
9. High-Tech Features
Charging Drawer 
Smart Refrigerator with Touch Screen 
Kitchen Smart Device
The smart home is here to stay, and the kitchen is a great place to incorporate technology.
It will be important for the Kitchen Designer to be knowledgeable in this area to best advise their clients.
A charging station for your client’s devices is a good start. You could tuck one into a drawer or on a shelf near the entrance to the kitchen.
You should also become familiar with the smart appliances on the market that encorporate touch screens on them to help your clients manage their kitchen tasks.
Refrigerators that scan bar codes allow your busy homeowners to check contents from their smart phone while stopping by the grocery store on the way home from work.
Integrated touch screens on the front of appliances also allow for recipe storage, or for photos looping during meal prep.
Of course, everything will connect to Alexa and Google Home for whole smart home integration.
10. Innovative Storage Solutions
Shallow Storage Cabinets 
Shallow Storage & Display Cabinets 
Open Kitchen Storage Shelves
All professional Kitchen Designers understand the value of including storage solutions in their kitchen designs.
In 2020 and beyond, innovative storage systems will be a key trend.
Everyone is looking to declutter and you are best suited to help your clients do this.
A new approach to storage in the kitchen is storage walls. Shallow depth floor to ceiling storage on one wall of the kitchen is the modern way to incorporate.
Storage walls hold everything from tableware to food stuffs to small appliances.
The creative Kitchen Designer will always be on the look out for new ideas for providing storage in their kitchen designs and 2020 will kick off a decade of innovation in this area.
As the Professional Kitchen Designer, it is your responsibility to bring these trending ideas to the table when working with new clients.
Remember that the average consumer purchases a brand new kitchen maybe once or twice in their lifetime and needs your guidance.
I would love to see how you are incorporating these trends in your kitchen designs so please send me pictures so I can feature them in a future blog.
To help you with this and to keep up to date with all things kitchen design, subscribe and receive the VESTA Blog in your inbox every week.
Jan Rutgers is a Professional Kitchen Designer with more than 25 years experience. She is the founder of VESTABUL SCHOOL OF DESIGN, where she educates and mentors people passionate about the Kitchen Design Industry.
