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Top Trends in the North American Kitchen Industry


Design by cityhomeCOLLECTIVE; Photo by Kerri Fukui Photography

June 18, 2021

For Bertazzoni’s first-ever Trend Report, they’ve reviewed and synthesized data, and have consulted the A&D community in North America to arrive at the design updates that are at the forefront of the kitchen industry. Here is what the Italian-based team found, shared in an exclusive interview with KBB.

kitchen industryDesign by Roux MacNeill Studio; Photography by Catherine Nguyen

Color Trends in the Kitchen  Industry: Warmer Palettes, Inviting Ambiance

This last year, the kitchen paradigm has shifted substantially – families are spending more of their time in the kitchen than ever before, and it has become central to daily life. As a result, the kitchen has taken on a new meaning, and the overall design and ambiance of the space is changing.

The kitchen industry is transitioning away from all-white and toward warmer, richer color palettes – with the return of natural wood finishes seen throughout cabinetry, and appliances increasingly serving as the anchor or protagonist, with bold colors like orange, yellow, and red taking centerstage. Across the board, homeowners are increasingly seeking livelier and inviting environments to host friends and family.

kitchen industryDonna DuFresne Interior Design

Bold, Sleek & Sophisticated: How Black is Creating Impact

Another noteworthy reaction to the over-saturation of all-white kitchens for the past several years – popularized by home renovation television shows and Instagram alike – is a shift toward darker hues.

According to Pinterest, searches for “black kitchens” are at an all-time high within the last year (as of January 31, 2020, comparing the previous 12 months). Bertazzoni has also seen a significant rise in black appliances, which – along with white appliances (increasingly used for contrast in kitchen design) – remain the most popular color choice among Bertazzoni consumers.

The use of hues ranging from graphite to black in kitchen design has surged in the last year. For some, this has been through statement products like ranges, which add the “hero” element and visual weight to a space. Others have completely enveloped the kitchen around a grey, black or even jewel-tone color palette, creating a striking design statement.

bertazzoniBertazzoni Steam Oven

Design That’s Better for You: A Space that Supports Health and Wellness

Because people are cooking more at home, there’s never been so many homeowners trying their hand at new dishes. The level of discernment in cooking at home has taken on a whole new level, both in the sense of the quality of ingredients people are using, but also how that food is prepared. Not all cooking methods yield the same results.

Increasingly, we’re using our homes as conduits for personal health and wellness and the kitchen industry is no exception. There’s been a rapid rise of consideration on the appliances we use within the context of supporting healthy eating and lifestyles. In particular, steam and steam assist ovens are gaining traction, praised for retaining food’s nutrients in the cooking process, and refrigeration has grown more important amidst the rise of natural and organic ingredients and the need to best preserve fresh food.

And “better for you” cooking isn’t just limited to what we’re putting into our bodies – a growing number of Americans are seeking technologies with a smaller carbon footprint and better impact on the environment. Induction cooking is increasingly popular as an eco-friendly solution.

Form Leads but Function “Wows” with Today’s Integrated Kitchens

Historically, the kitchen was a space built merely for utility. It was completely dedicated to meal preparation, often “hidden” at the back of the house, not for guests to see. The kitchen is now the social hub of the home, welcoming the family and friends to gather for various activities throughout the day.

The evolution of the kitchen into the heart of the home has accelerated an emphasis on form. Recently, this has driven a rise in built-in kitchens with integrated appliances, which place the priority on beautiful form and seamless design.

colorDesign by Kelly Martin Floyd; Photography by Meghan Beierle O’Brien

Personalized Experience in the Kitchen Industry– Driven Design Is on the Rise

The real estate market is hot – and homes are the latest symbols of aspiration and self-expression. Because of this, there’s a greater shift away from “cookie cutter” homes, toward experience-driven spaces that reflect personal design tastes and lifestyle.

Increasingly, today’s stylish kitchens aren’t generic. “One size fits all,” is a paradox. They’re the imaginations of designers and homeowners, brought to life through colors, materials, textures, finishes, and more. Kitchens that reflect personal values, showcase personality and combine unique design elements into one-of-a-kind spaces are continuing to garner traction. Homeowners

are growing more comfortable with mixing styles and making bold design statements and are seeking products that tell a story with unique materials, heritage-inspired designs and more. Long gone are the days of designing for resale value – now homeowners are creating spaces that will spark joy in their day-to-day experiences – whether their focus is on the aesthetic or on functional updates like wellness or eco-friendly driven design.

bertazzoniBertazzoni 24-in. appliances

Guest Homes are Gaining Popularity: Smaller Footprint Yield High Design

Many city dwellers have been exploring more spacious, suburban options – leading some to predict the demise of urban living. And while the market for small space solutions was traditionally tied to these densely populated urban areas, demand is spiking for a newer and often more suburban market: in-law suites, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), are often coming to life as a detached backyard apartment.

In-law suites have become an increasingly popular way to monetize smaller spaces, with many of these apartments taking up only 900 square feet and rentals spanning both long term and vacation leases. In both instances, high-impact, compact kitchens are critical to drive value for an apartment listing. And this means more than finding size-appropriate appliances. As smaller spaces in the kitchen industry are more likely to have studio or open-floor layouts, appliances take centerstage and can shape the atmosphere of a rental – for better or worse.  Heavy, outdated appliances can be an eyesore, and aesthetics are dictating purchasing decisions as much as, if not more than, cooking capabilities for these properties.