It has long been said that the kitchen is the “heart of the home” and whether you are living by yourself or with many other people, there is no denying that this old cliché still has some merit. The kitchen is a place that helps bring people together, share common experiences, and allow us to explore our culinary creativity.

Naturally, if you are going to upgrade any room in your home, the kitchen is a great place to start. A well-designed kitchen can add $10,000 or even more value to your home. The value added from a kitchen upgrade will almost always be greater than the cost of the project itself. Unsurprisingly, many real estate agents recommend upgrading almost any kitchen before bringing it to market.

If you want your kitchen renovation project to be as lucrative as possible, it will be important to pay close attention to modern kitchen design trends. After all, when compared to the other rooms in your home (bedroom, living room, etc.), these trends come and go at a considerably faster rate.

In this article, we will briefly discuss 10 kitchen design trends to keep an eye on in 2020. By ensuring that the design choices you make are truly modern and trendy—and by working with a high-quality kitchen designer—the kitchen of dreams should be well within reach.

1. White Cabinets

The “dark versus light” cabinet debate has raged on for decades but, generally speaking, white cabinets are typically more popular and add more value to a home. White or lightly colored cabinets can help make a space feel much bigger and more open. For kitchens that are otherwise limited on space, adding white cabinets—especially wooden white cabinets—will cause the room to feel a little bit more “breathable.”

2. Colorful Backsplash

Over the past few years, kitchen designers have focused heavily on backsplashes. Backsplashes are an excellent medium for tying a room together and adding some character without betraying the kitchen’s general theme. Colorful, brick-like backsplashes have become incredibly popular and are also easy to install. Additionally, colorful backsplashes (or slabs) that are a continuation of a colorful countertop can help add some character and cause the room to seem a bit more coordinated.

3. Hardwood Flooring

In years past, most new kitchens were designed with some variation of patterned tiles. However, as a direct result of the broader movement towards open floor plans, hardwood floors have enjoyed a significant rise in demand. If your home has an open floorplan and you are hoping to continue the same floor between spaces, then a hardwood floor is likely your best bet. Additionally, hardwood floors are relatively easy to clean (something that will be very valuable in the inevitably messy kitchen).

4. Abstract Islands

An island is a great way to add some additional cooking and prep space to your kitchen without needing to tear down any walls or make other dramatic structural changes. Though the island itself is not exactly that new of a kitchen concept, many creative designers have been finding ways to give this structural staple a well-deserved twist. Having multiple smaller islands, overhanging islands, or other types of “gravity-defying” islands can provide all of the ordinary benefits of an island in addition to some contemporary character.

5. Gas-Powered Stoves

While electric stoves burst onto the kitchen scene in the 1990s, they have quickly fallen out of style. Almost all new kitchens incorporate gas stoves which are not only just as affordable, but also—as almost any chef you ever meet would agree—are much better for cooking. An experienced kitchen design company will make it easy to make the switch from electric to gas.

6. Marble

Anyone who has ever taken the trip to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India will be sure to tell you just how impressive well-utilized marble can be. While your kitchen may not be on the same scale as this international monument, there is still no denying that marble is an excellent medium for making a statement. Use marble to help build an island, revitalize your counters, or create a beautiful backsplash. Marble creates an incredible aesthetic and, simultaneously, is remarkably easy to maintain.

7. Bold Colors

In both the kitchen and other rooms in the home, using incredibly bold colors is a great way to bring some character into an otherwise bland room. If the majority of your kitchen is restricted to black and white, for example, installing bright blue chairs will help the room itself feel a bit more remarkable. While you don’t necessarily want to go over the top with an absurdist color scheme, bold colors are one of the easiest ways to inject some life into your kitchen.

8. Smart Kitchens

Smart technology has transformed the ways many new homes are built and these types of technology are especially common in the kitchen. A smart kitchen makes it easy to control all appliances, create a comfortable climate, adjust your lights, and even watch TV directly on your refrigerator. You can also easily track (and adjust) your total energy consumption.

9. Gold Finishes

The human fascination with gold dates back thousands of years and is still alive and well to this very day. Though a totally gold kitchen may be a bit too much, there are countless places in your kitchen where gold touches can be carefully incorporated. Using a gold sink, gold rims around your windows, gold light fixtures, and other gold details will help give your kitchen a lasting sense of sophistication.

10. Ample Greenery

While many of these tips involve bringing your kitchen to life, there are some things you can do to literally make your kitchen a bit livelier. Succulents, for example, are low-maintenance plants that do not attract insects and will help your kitchen feel quite a bit greener. Additionally, installing a small garden in your windowsill (with tomatoes, basil, strawberries, and other plants) will help you have a continuous supply of fresh food that is sure to be tasty.

Conclusion

Your kitchen is a blank canvas that presents seemingly countless different possibilities. If you are redesigning your kitchen or designing a new kitchen from scratch, it can be difficult to know where to begin your process. If you are looking for a bit of creative inspiration, keep these modern and tasteful kitchen design trends in mind.