Are you tired of looking at outdated cabinets? Want to elevate your kitchen? Ready to feel like your kitchen is the heart of your home and not an eyesore? You’re not the only one! The top reason individuals renovated their kitchen last year was to update their style, according to Houzz’s 2023 U.S. Kitchen Trend Study, which polled 2,380 people on their planned or recent kitchen renovations. The Interior Design Institute (IDI) captured what designers are seeing in the heart of homes this year. These top trends highlight the best ways to incorporate composite panels and decorative surfaces into any kitchen design.
Fluted Wood
Woodgrain cabinets gained popularity in 2023, with light tones, like white oak, taking the forefront and darker hues, like walnut and alder, also entering the scene. One main reason for these gains is that clients want to move away from sterile-looking kitchens and create a lived-in, welcoming atmosphere achieved by the warmer feel of woodgrains.
For the first half of 2024, fluted wood details in natural wood finishes made a splash in kitchen design, furthering this design aesthetic. MDF paired with woodgrain patterned TFL (thermally fused laminate) perfectly achieves this look. With its deep textures and homogenous density profile, a fluted panel ready for installation can easily be machined with specific characteristics, like moisture and scratch resistance, making this an affordable and durable option.
Dedicated Beverage Areas
Beverage centers aren’t just for espresso machines anymore; these devoted spaces can range from under-counter refrigeration to spaces reserved for small appliances, drink servicing, and more. The National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) 2024 Kitchen Trend Study noted approximately 60% of respondents shared that beverage areas within a kitchen are on their wish list. The space is typically closer to the dining area and stands apart from the main prep area, allowing it to be functional without interfering. With MDF or particleboard being the perfect substrates for your cabinetry needs, HPL (high pressure laminate) is a stylish, durable surface manufactured to withstand the demands of a high-traffic beverage station and can be matched to fit any style, color, and pattern.
Wrap-Around Islands
Kitchen islands continue to be a focal point in kitchens, with NKBA reporting that 78% of designers noted islands as their first priority when designing a project. In 2024, the “all in a row” island seating will take a back seat and lean towards wrap-around seating, which opens more prep space and creates a better flowing, multi-functional space. With so much attention on the heart of the kitchen, it’s an opportune place to add unique touches to the space, including mixing countertop materials, experimenting with color, and adding texture. 3DL (three-dimensional laminate) is an affordable and performative material with a continuous-formed surface ideal for mimicking stone or wood countertops with a seamless design ideal for easier cleaning. Resistant to impact, chipping, and cracking, 3DL is a gorgeous and durable decorative surface to make any island a statement.
Green Finishes
Green is making waves this year and popping up as a kitchen color favorite. Any shade of green is here to stay for 2024, according to designers, whether it’s cabinetry, wall color, tile, or a backsplash. From enriching a kitchen with bold hues for clients unafraid of color to subtly pairing it with neutrals for hesitant customers, green’s ability to harmonize with nature provides a welcoming and grounding atmosphere to any kitchen. There is no better way to weave green into your design than selecting cabinets made with TFL. The versatility of TFL can add value to any home with its low maintenance and high-performance characteristics, including scratch resistance. Plus, it’s easily matched with other surfaces (like HPL and 3DL). Paint and coatings are other ways to accomplish the perfect green hue with a durable finish on a sustainable MDF substrate.
Built-In Organization
Kitchen organization isn’t a new concept, but trends and demands for storage solutions continue to evolve to accommodate more than pots and pans. Over 90% of designers and homeowners are hungry for better, built-in storage options in cabinetry, including customizable storage options that can be configured to fit specific needs, such as dividers and partitions. Priorities include large, deep drawers, pantry cabinets, utensils and spice storage, open shelving, hidden outlets/charging stations, and more. Drawers, dividers, and cabinets utilizing MDF or particleboard are versatile and sustainable substrates to create durable custom cabinetry. Particleboard and MDF can fit the need to supply customizable products with quick, efficient production lines in North America, allowing project flexibility and timelines to remain on schedule. Pair it with the endless design potential of TFL, and the final result is a functional and versatile space that meets any built-in organizational needs.
Kitchens are well-loved spaces that capture the daily moments of our lives. Choosing the right materials to achieve both function and beauty can help create a space that suits our needs while reflecting the essence of our lives at the heart of the home. Explore CPA’s Design Portfolio to learn more about how these products can bring your designs to life.
