Top 9 Kitchen Countertops Design Trends in 2022 [Updated!!]

Are you looking to show your kitchen some TLC this year? Perhaps you’d love an engineered quartz countertop, upper cabinets, a trendy kitchen island, or a more functional marble sink. Or maybe you only know what you don’t want and are looking for modern kitchen inspiration? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

2021 kitchen designs are all about making your kitchen feel so you. Remember, this space speaks volumes about your personality, so make the most of your revamp by giving your kitchen that special touch! Here are ten unique kitchen ideas for 2021.

Make Bold Moves

Modern interior design is streamlined, sure, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment or make bold choices. 

In modern kitchens, in particular, granite countertops provide the perfect opportunity to play with design and try out different patterns. 

The good news is, there are plenty of granite slabs available in the St. Louis area. Walk into a fabricator and pick a granite that will make you exclaim in awe. From the nominalistic Arabescato  Venato to the more opulent Azul Treasure, you’re sure to find a slab that will make your kitchen look truly unique.

Make a Statement With Dark Green Cabinets

Move over, navy blue cabinets: one of the most popular new kitchen trends for 2021 is dark green cabinets. Whether you’re partial to emerald, forest green, or moss, dark green cabinets are a stylish new trend that are certain to be popping up in kitchens all over the country. Accentuate the deep green color of your cabinets with copper handles or fixtures. Nervous about repainting all of your cabinets in deep green? Start small by adding a few forest green appliances to your kitchen before taking the plunge.

Consider A Two-Tone Kitchen

Nothing embodies unique modern kitchens more than the two-tone design trend. The combination of two distinct colors, mainly when used throughout the cabinetry, adds an exciting twist to the overall kitchen aesthetics.

Opt for deeper and darker units with contrasting bright flooring and walls. The mix and match of colors and hues is a simple and effective way to make your kitchen stand out from the crowd.

Now, the two-tone modern kitchen doesn’t just limit itself to colors and paints. Think outside the box! Play around with finishes and textures, be it matte laminate, high-gloss, or wood grains. Use any of these rich textures to add depth and personality to your kitchen space.

Explore Sleek Neutrals

If you’ve been keeping tabs on the latest 2021 kitchen trends, then you possibly know that neutrals such as grey, white, and beige are becoming mainstay interior colors. 

If you want your kitchen to appear sleek and sophisticated, opt for neutral color shades. What’s more, neutral color-palettes give an illusion of more space, meaning your drab and condensed kitchen will look livelier and more functional in them.

Add a Splash of Color

Throw the rulebook out of the window in favor of unique paint-color combinations. The modern kitchen is rife with color opportunities, from cabinets and window treatments to flooring and appliances. As far as unique kitchen ideas go, this is the easiest one to implement.

Start by deciding how much permanent color commitment you’re willing to make. Your easiest and safest bet is painting the kitchen walls.

You can also opt for small color commitments, such as selecting a contrasting wood finish for the island or wallpaper with dominant neutral hues and tiny incorporations of color. All in all, let your creative juices flow. 

Or Try Dark, Dramatic Colors

Whether it’s a backsplash of black subway tile, walls painted deep blue or gray, or an eye-catching kitchen island with a black granite countertop, dark, dramatic colors are a major kitchen trend for 2021. Pair dark colors with wooden accents to achieve a warm, homey feel to your kitchen, or use trendy gold hardware that pops against an inky palette. No matter what you do, adding a coat of dark paint to your kitchen walls or cabinets is a great way to add a dash of on-trend drama and moodiness to your home.

Go Big on the Lighting

Gone are the days when you had to make everything match to achieve a tasteful kitchen style.

Design options with a stylish mix-and-match of favorite materials, textures, and fixtures reflect today’s more casual lifestyles. You no longer need to choose between the classy chandelier and simple light pendants—now you can have both.

Modern kitchens incorporate lighting from different sources. An under-cabinet task lighting helps you see what you’re doing, while an overhead light fixture illuminates the entire space. You can even include light scones to brighten dark corners or provide ambient lighting around the table area. Strategically place a lamp or two on your countertop or island if you want extra warmth. 

Beyond illuminating the kitchen, creative lighting can make your space look and feel warmer, larger, and brighter. What’s more unique than that?

Marble Countertops

Nothing complements deep green cabinets like a gorgeous slab of marble. In a kitchen full of deep, dark colors, a marble countertop is a surefire way to add a dramatic pop of white that will also keep your kitchen feeling bright and cozy. However, experts recommend that you don’t just settle for any plain white marble countertop — the more character and dramatic veining your marble countertop has to offer, the more likely it is to be perfectly on trend in 2021. 

Or Consider An Eye-Catching Marble Sink

The most convenient way to make a statement with your kitchen design is to incorporate marble sinks. Marble is highly sustainable, durable, and boasts the ability to withstand passing trends, making it such a good investment.

Strongly-veined marbles, in particular, create an attractive textural contrast between the sink and other polished surfaces, woods, and metals. The end result is an elegant, show-stopping kitchen interior that will make visitors say ‘wow.’

Marble Not Your Style? Try Quartz Countertops

Quartz is the Morgan Freeman of the kitchen world—it just keeps going and going and going. Even in a new decade when some countertop materials have already become outdated (think: plastic laminate, Corian, and tiles), quartz continues to defy odds.  

Engineered quartz is particularly interesting, given that it comes in so many distinct patterns and colors. Opt for the artistic 8531 Profondo Quartz or the stunning grey swirls of the Vena Statuario Bianco Quartz if you want to introduce fresh and appealing visuals to your kitchen.

If you’re in the market for new countertops in the St Louis area, explore our gallery. We have a rich collection of quartz, marble, and granite countertops, so you can be sure to find the exact texture, pattern, and tone you want to make your kitchen stand out. Our friendly team can guide you in the process of choosing and installing the ideal countertops for your home.  

Invest In Environmentally Friendly Features

From energy-efficient windows to solar panels and everything in between, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly features are poised to be one of the major trends in kitchens in 2021. Not only are these features better for the environment, but they can save you money as well: energy-efficient stoves, fridges, dishwashers, and other appliances can shave dollars off your electric, gas, and water bills. Fortunately, enjoying a stylish and trendy kitchen in 2021 can also be great for the planet and your wallet.

Upgrade To Smart Technology

Smart tech is almost a no-brainer when it comes to achieving a unique, modern kitchen in 2021. 

Whether it’s something as simple as a voice-activated speaker or as complex as a multi-cooker, smart tech can make your kitchen life a total breeze. 

To achieve that modern, tasteful look, consider hiding these smart tech appliances with beautiful wood paneling. 

Hide Away Appliances in Drawers

When it comes to kitchen appliances in 2021, a good rule of thumb might be “out of sight, out of mind.” From dishwashers and fridges that blend in with the rest of your kitchen’s cabinetry to drawers that are specially designed to charge your phone while you cook, hiding useful appliances behind stylish doors is a major kitchen trend in 2021. Whether you simply want to avoid the eyesore of an old appliance or improve the high-tech capabilities of your kitchen, there’s no doubt that this is an easy way to stay organized and on-trend in 2021.

Spice It Up With Patterned Backsplash Tiles

Subway tile may be timeless, but kitchen backsplash trends in 2021 indicate that fun patterned backsplash tiles are here to stay. Show off your personality with patterned or textured tiles, which can be a great way to easily customize your kitchen. Additionally, a fun and unexpected backsplash is perfect for adding a dash of personality to a stylish monochromatic kitchen. Consider experimenting with tiles of different shapes and sizes, or use tiles of different colors to create a gradient in your backsplash. No matter what you choose, installing an unorthodox backsplash is a trendy way to add a ton of visual interest to your kitchen.

Embrace An Organic Style

Forget sleek industrial design and severe metallic finishes: soft, organic touches are in for 2021. From woven light fixtures to indoor herb gardens, organic style is all about bringing the outdoors in and using natural materials to create a comfortable kitchen. If you’re a fan of the trendy organic look, experiment with reclaimed wooden cabinets, install wood-style flooring, or adopt a neutral color palette with shades of white and tan. Do you like the look of organic-style kitchens but don’t know if you’re ready to fully commit to it? Start by introducing some woven or rattan light fixtures or wastebaskets to your kitchen to see how you like the look of natural materials in your home.

Soften Your Look With Curved Islands

As you know, rectangular-shaped kitchen islands are one of the timeless furnishings in the kitchen interior. Lately, however, there has been a growing tendency for more curved and rounded islands (no hard edges, and the ‘wow factor’ is off the charts).

Besides looking very fashionable, the round or curved island design is handy for small kitchens. You can comfortably use it as a storage compartment, small breakfast table, or sitting area. Talk about practicality and uniqueness!

Function Meets Fashion With Statement, Touchless Faucets

One of the latest modern kitchen trends is touchless taps in eye-catching materials, such as brass or chrome. Not only are high-tech faucets easy to use, making cleanup from crafts or cooking easier than ever, but they’re a sleek and exciting addition to any kitchen. If you want to make sure that your faucet stands out as much as possible, considering coordinating it with the other finishes in your kitchen to achieve a polished, cohesive look that’s perfectly on trend for 2021. 

Organize With Pantries and Storage

As concealed storage becomes more popular and modern, streamlined kitchens are on the rise, ensuring that your kitchen is outfitted with plenty of hidden storage space is likely to be a major trend in 2021. Pantries provide more storage for kitchen staples than regular cabinets, which can free up additional space in your kitchen for open shelving, an accent wall, or even a miniature home office. Plus, pantries are easier to organize and access than wall cabinets, making them convenient for just about everyone. If you’re looking to stay on trend while also improving your kitchen’s functionality, installing a pantry might be a great choice for you.

Rethink Upper Cabinets

In the spirit of thinking out of the box, consider ditching bulky cabinetry and settling for open shelving or a blend of the two. 

Open shelves break up the monotony of a long row of upper cabinets, providing you with a spot for exciting, thoughtful displays.

Are You Looking To Update Your Kitchen?

Whether you want to renovate your kitchen to increase its resale value or you’ve been inspired by some of the coolest kitchen countertop trends of 2021, we’re here to help. At Arch City Granite & Marble, we can help you find the perfect countertop for your lifestyle and your personal style. Check out our gallery to get inspired or contact us to get started planning your dream kitchen today!