The kitchen is the heart of any home. It’s where families gather to make meals, entertain guests, and spend time with one another. The design trends that are popular in kitchens today not only look beautiful but also offer key functionality for your family’s needs. Whether you’re planning a remodel or just want to freshen up your current kitchen, take some time to explore these 5 kitchen design trends so you can find the perfect fit for your space.

Open-Concept Layouts

This trend has become increasingly popular among homeowners because it offers an easy way for people to socialize while cooking. It’s great for homeowners who enjoy cooking with friends and family because the open concept layout allows guests to chat while stirring a pot of tomato sauce or chopping up vegetables. Many have found that a kitchen island works great for an open concept kitchen. Consider putting bar stools on the other side of your island so that your guests or children can visit or even help with the cooking.

High-End Finishes

Today’s high-end finishes include stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, and tile backsplashes. These finishes are popular because they offer durability and style that will last through the years, but also give your kitchen an upscale look without breaking the bank for homeowners who want to remodel their space on a budget. For an extra chic look, consider glass backsplash tiles, black stainless steel, or even cabinet overlays on your appliances.

White Cabinets

Homeowners are often drawn to white because it’s a classic color that provides an airy, high-end feel. White doesn’t absorb light like darker colors do and can make your space look larger than it actually is. This makes it an especially great option for small or dark rooms. This kitchen design trend is popular because it’s easy to maintain and can be paired with any color or style of countertops. It gives you the versatility to switch out your towels and other decor items in order to change the color scheme as often as you’d like to.

Dark Pops of Color

Alternatively, many people are starting to lean to the more colorful side. In particular, colors such as black, emerald green, and navy blue have been quite popular. If you want both the benefits of airy whites and dark accents, you could try a two-toned kitchen with white on the top and a dark color on the bottom. This is another trendy look right now that will be sure to make a statement in your kitchen.

Warm Metals

While finishes like brushed nickel have certainly had their time in the sun, warm metals are also a great option. Brass, brushed gold, and copper have been taking the interior design world by storm for the past few years. These warm tones can provide great contrast with your cabinets and appliances. Adding new hardware is a great way to update your kitchen on a budget. You’d be surprised how far sleek hardware can go in modernizing a space.

Open Shelving

Open shelves are another open concept trend in kitchen remodeling that allows homeowners to showcase their favorite items while still keeping them within easy reach. Open shelving is a popular choice for homeowners who love to entertain and often have friends over. They can use open shelves as extra storage or display space for their favorite cookbooks, dishes, mugs, etc.

Small Appliances

Small kitchen appliances are a great way to cut down on clutter and give your space a more open, modern look. Rather than storing bulky coffee makers, blenders, food processors, etc., homeowners will often opt for smaller versions that do the same job but take up less countertop or storage space in their cabinets.

We know that a kitchen is a place you spend a lot of time in, and we want to help make sure it’s an enjoyable experience. That’s why we wanted to share some design trends with you so you can get started on your own remodel project. Whether these ideas inspire new features for your kitchen or simply provide inspiration for how to tackle small things like paint color–we hope they will guide you as you redo or renovate this important space.