Photographed by Nicole Franzen. Interior design by Corvino Design. Styling by Eve Singer from Broyt. From the quietly luxe New Jersey home of designer Marissa Corvino

Find us an architect or interior designer who doesn’t believe in the value of a well-designed kitchen, and we’ll call their bluff. It’s a commonly known fact that the humble kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home. A space for daily rituals and often the centre of every party (you know it’s true), we all know the kitchen matters. But like everything in interiors, certain elements of kitchen design fall in and out of favour. Over the years, we’ve seen all manner of kitchen trends rise to popularity—from concealed cabinets and starkly minimal benchtops to curated shelves and Hamptons-style cupboards—it’s clear the kitchen is just as susceptible to trends as the rest of the home.

So when it comes to predicting what’s next in the realm of kitchen design, we trust one main source: architects and interior designers. Here, we asked 13 designers and architects from Australia and the United States to share their kitchen design predictions for 2024.

Photographed by Lillie Thompson. Interior design by Tali Roth. Styled by Joseph Gardner. From designer Tali Roth’s warm and masterfully curated Melbourne home

1. A return to tradition

 Yep, you heard it here first. The ultra-sleek, everything-is-hidden design is no longer the dominant aesthetic, according to Australian interior designer Tali Roth. “I think we are moving more and more away from the minimalist kitchen where everything is integrated and moving more to embracing a more traditional style of kitchen with a feature cooktop and exposed fridge, etc.,” says Roth. The designer’s Melbourne home (above), while certainly sleek, features a beautiful cooktop and proudly displays her coffee machine on the counter.  

Photographed by Prue Ruscoe. Architecture by Luigi Rosselli Architects. Interior design by Handelsmann + Khaw. Styled by Joseph Gardner. From a grand harbourside Sydney home revitalised with classic French flair

2. Light the way 

Melbourne-based designer Simone Haag wants to see an end to “beam-like linear light fittings over kitchen benches”. She’s a much bigger fan of soft, diffused light sources that don’t hang from above. “I feel like lamps on the kitchen island should become more common place,” she explains. “They’re good for people like me who rarely cook. I have a dimly lit lamp on my bench and find the light so much more seductive than a beam overhead.”

New York-based designer Ryann Swan seconds this. “We're steering away from the standard kitchen pendant and incorporating more unexpected lighting that one would think was normally reserved for dining spaces or bedrooms,” she says. It’s a motion also supported by the designer and founder of Jen Samson Design, who is “seeing the ongoing trend of smaller decorative sconces [in kitchens], rather than large statement lighting and pendants.”

Photographed by Lillie Thompson. Interior design by Brahman Perera. From a family’s artful collection of travel mementos finds an elegant home in Melbourne

3. Material matters

We’ve said it before—unusual materials in the kitchen are on the rise, and interior designer Brahman Perera is here for it. “I think we will start to see less heavy stone slabs in kitchens, and a more sensitive, practical lightness to the space,” he says. The Melbourne-based designer is all for “a kitchen space that speaks to practicality, family and conviviality.” He argues that stainless steel will be a big drawcard, particularly when mixed back with soft tones and timber.

Photographed by Sharyn Cairns. Interior design by Studio Tate

4. Home to the office

If you’re lucky enough to work for an employer that fully understands the need for a proper kitchen in the office, you’ll love this one. “When it comes to amenities, top of the list has become the integration of fully functional kitchens with top-of-the line appliances including ovens and cooktops,” says Liz Ride, associate designer at Studio Tate. “These home-style kitchens enable staff to cook for themselves, employers to provide catered mealtimes, and also offer a dedicated space for companies to host and entertain their clients and collaborators.” Ride is also seeing integrated tea and coffee stations become an essential in the office, alongside "those stations that convert to a bar for evening staff drinks and hosting”. Sounds like our ideal home office scenario.

Photographed by Gavin Green. Interior design by Studio Prineas

5. Innovate for sustainability 

“As we make the move away from non-renewable resources such as gas-fuelled kitchen appliances, there are so many wonderful design opportunities to be embraced in 2024 and beyond,” says Eva-Marie Prineas, principal of Studio Prineas. Sustainability is at the heart of Studio Prineas, and it has recently achieved B-Corp certification status. “It’s an incredibly exciting and meaningful moment for us, and one that will continue to challenge us to ensure everything we do is informed by a greater awareness of the impact of our work,” says Prineas, who sees many other architecture and design studios on the same path. Prineas is particularly excited about seeing how companies continue to innovate. “At the 2023 Salone Del Mobile earlier this year, our team was inspired by Molteni & Co. collection, which included a stunning induction cooker as a kitchen benchtop extension, we look forward to seeing these innovative solutions continue to make their way into the homes of our clients.”

Photographed by Younes Bounhar of Double Space Photo. Interior design and styling by Elizabeth Metcalfe Design. From a fashion designer’s warm and tactile home filled with breathtaking use of marble

6. The bold type

Marble has been a mainstay of luxury kitchen for many years now, but don’t worry, it’s not going anywhere. In fact, according to New York-based designer Hilary Matt, we’re seeing more statement than ever. “More and more homeowners are incorporating bold statement pieces of marble in their kitchens to create a focal point and add a touch of drama,” she says. “You can achieve this look with a bolder use of colour, unique veining styles, or both.”  The designer also predicts more inventive and creative placement of marble for added impact. Try “matching the slab of the countertop to the backsplash so that it looks like a continuous piece, or using a statement slab for a custom hood vent cover,” she adds.

Photographed by Anson Smart. Interior design by Flack Studio. Styled by Joseph Gardner. From a beachside Tamarama home wholeheartedly embracing Milanese maximalism

7. In the hood

In 2024, Matt is also seeing an increased awareness of your hood vent. “Often the design of hood vent covers can fall to the backburner, but I anticipate more focus on them,” she says. “It makes complete sense—they are traditionally the main focal point in a kitchen, that the entire layout is centred around.” Matt has already begun experimenting with different custom cabinetry shapes, “depending on the style of the cabinets” and believes things will only get bolder in 2024. “A couple of examples are incorporating different distinct textures on the hood, like plaster or wood fluting; and a more bold option is a marble hood, which can be really fun.”

Photographed by Felix Forest. Interior design by Richards Stanisich. From a Bellevue Hill home artfully reconfigured for family living

8. Lived in

Cosiness is coming back—and the kitchen is no exception. “In 2024 I anticipate us seeing kitchens that feel more like living areas in the home,” says Sarah Stacey of Sarah Stacey Interior Design. Think “more art displayed, rich textures and additional seating options like a kitchen table with chairs instead of a kitchen island.” Designer Jen Samson agrees. “Communal kitchens with breakfast nooks and banquettes are still high priority for lounging, eating and gathering,” she says.

Photographed by Kasia Gatkowska. Interior design by Sally Caroline. Styled by Barbara Berends. From playful design details bring this historic Amsterdam family home to life

9. Colour me happy

“Please, no more white cabinets!” says interior designer Lauren Meichtry of Elsie Home + Design. Like many others, the designer is thrilled to see clients embrace colour again, especially when it comes to cabinets. “We’re loving a lacquered cabinet moment in soft grey, green, blue—the sky's the limit, really.” Jen Samson is vibing “rich colours like blues, greens and deep reds” for tiles and cabinetry, while Ryann Swan is seeing navy, lights greens and plum bring boldness to the kitchen cabinet. Jill Elliott of Color Kind Studio has noticed the return of colour as well. “Don’t get us wrong, a classic white or cream is never going out of style, but infusing the space with some colour is so much more personal.” Elliott suggests painted cabinets, patterned tiles and patterned wall coverings as a way to add expression to your kitchen.

Photographed by Seth Smoot. Interior design by Lauren Nelson Design. Styled by Kendra Smoot. From a beauty executive’s Californian childhood home receives a warm and inviting upgrade

10. Wood works

It’s been largely absent from contemporary kitchens, but in 2024 timber is set to make its mark. “Work in a medium and dark wood and your kitchen will be transformed,” says Meichtry, who loves walnut mixed back with a bold colour and a stone countertop. Amy Mobley, cofounder of Memphis-based studio City Hill Design is another proponent of wood in the kitchen. “Beautiful wood tones are here to stay,” she says. “This isn't the dated oak cabinets from the ’80s—instead, we're seeing a variety of wood cuts, such as rift cut or quarter-sawn, that bring warmth and life back to the kitchen. Tighter woodgrains and medium brown stains are also becoming more popular.”

Photographed by Shannon McGrath. Interior design by Hecker Guthrie. From a classic Melbourne Victorian scores an elegant and light-filled upgrade

11. Embrace imperfection

In fact, the embrace of more porous finishes like wood, brass and stone is something Swan is seeing more and more of. “I think people are starting to be more comfortable with and embracing the idea of living finishes in the kitchen,” she says. “Yes, the unlacquered brass will change with time and the marble countertop will get stains, but it's the patina that makes these spaces so beautiful and dynamic.”

Photographed by John Daniel Powers. Photographer’s assistant Carolin Schild. Interior design by Hunterhouse Design. Architecture by Abramson Architects. From a modern Malibu masterpiece with stunning views of the Pacific

12. Fancy a glass?

Gone are the humble days of drinking water directly from the tap. In 2024, your H₂O comes in much, much fancier form. And the trend for multifunction taps is only set to rise, says Swan. “There are some exceptional products on the market that incorporate filtered hot, cold and sparkling water into one spout—we find we are specifying them more frequently.”

Photographed by Taran Wilkhu. Interior design by Covet Noir. From a grand Georgian mansion scores an elegant and contemporary makeover

13. Bring back the butler

Philadelphia-based architect Kevin Kaminski of Kaminski + Pew has noticed a resurgence in requests for a butler’s pantry, and loves how they can store all the messy stuff, like appliances, coffee stations and the like. “The pantry is typically concealed from the kitchen, but always adjacent for convenience (sometimes even concealed through a hidden door). As kitchens become more of a gathering space, the butler’s pantry becomes the functional work space,” he says.

Lisa Schwert, founder of Connecticut-based architecture and design firm Innate Studio, concurs. “We’re noticing a growing trend where clients prefer to have spacious pantry and servery areas that allow them to keep most of the mess associated with hosting out of the main kitchen,” she says. A butler’s pantry or secondary kitchen space is also ideal for installing additional appliances, like a second dishwasher, sink, oven and larger freezer.  “This approach not only makes hosting more convenient but also allows for greater design flexibility to create a more elevated and spacious main kitchen area,” adds Schwert.

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