Kitchen renovations have been king during the past year or so, as homeowners spent more time cooking at home than ever before. Here are the trends of note.
Natural Wood Accents

Kitchens are having a major moment in 2022. With most folks lately spending so much time in the hub of a residence, kitchen updates are topping homeowners’ to-do lists for good reason. Here, four metro area design experts – Ellie Redders of Ellie Redders Interiors, Julie Abner of Julie Abner Interiors, Stephanie Pohlman of Stephanie Pohlman Designs and Rebekah Murphy, co-founder and lead designer at Stone Hall Cabinetry – share the latest trends and tips to achieve your own great kitchen renovation.
Bring warmth and charm to the heart of your home with beautiful natural wood tones, Redders says: “We’ve been seeing lighter wood, which we still love, [combined with] some darker tones for depth and interest.”
Pohlman agrees that the warmth, texture and character of natural wood will be right at home in 2022 kitchens. “This year, it will be very on-trend to pick finishes with lots of texture and character,” she notes. “If you want to make a statement, go for that natural-wood accent.”
High-Gloss Cabinets

With a spectacular light-reflecting appearance that helps spaces feel larger and more open, high-gloss cabinets have become increasingly popular, Murphy says, noting the glossy paint finish has withstood the test of time – with even George Washington choosing a high-gloss variety for his Mount Vernon, Virginia, home’s green dining room.
Stone Countertops

Countertops with more character are picking up, Pohlman says, “whether that means a natural marble or a quartzite with more movement and color variation.”
Redders echoes Pohlman on this trend, adding: “We are combining more unique stone combinations – lots of quartzite and marble – on counters and less of the plain white composite … pulling in some character and personality with bold veining and interesting colors.”
Unique Metal Accents

Infusing character with unique backsplash tile constitutes another strong trend for 2022.
Try “a mix of metals, such as matte black and warm brass accents,” Abner says.
To add vintage style and character to cabinets, Murphy recommends antique, decorative cremone bolt hardware, commonly made of brass, copper or iron, or icebox hinges and latches.
Textured Backsplashes

Finishes with texture likewise loom large this year, especially for backsplash tile, Pohlman notes.
Abner agrees, adding that “handmade tiles with unique shapes, textures and patterns” are definitely on-trend.
Redders suggests treating cabinet inserts with antique mirrors, mullions and decorative grates, or adding wallpaper in “unsuspected places,” to create an even more customized look.
Applicable Appliances

State-of-the-art stainless steel appliances remain popular. “Designing the kitchen with appliances that are specified to the client’s needs is imperative,” Abner notes.
Steam ovens, in particular, are having a moment, Murphy says. “Steam ovens are great because they turn out healthier, more nutrient-dense food,” she explains. “The high heat of a traditional oven can destroy nutrients, while steam cooking preserves them. Because steam is a more moist way to cook, you can also skip the oils you’d need to use in a traditional oven. They also cook faster because water conducts heat more efficiently than air.”
Functional Features

Homeowners are craving organizational features for a more functional kitchen, Redders says: “Think peg drawers for keeping dishes organized and easy to grab and put away, pullout cooking utensil canisters and knife storage, cookie tray organizers, and clear pantry containers, which make it easy to see how much of an item is left and when it’s time to make a run to the store.”
Family-Friendly Furnishings

As families continue to spend more time at home amid the pandemic, comfortable upholstered furnishings remain popular, including “counter stools with family-friendly fabrics at the [kitchen] island,” Abner says.
Bonus Tip: Put Your Remodeling Plan in Place

For homeowners who want to begin a kitchen renovation in 2022, Pohlman advises getting started – the earlier, the better. “Contractors are busy, items are on backorder, and prices aren’t getting any better,” she explains. “Get started with an interior designer or architect right away to get your plan in place. Start doing your homework on some of the bigger selections, so you are ready to order when the time comes. If you have the right team with a plan in place, your project will go a lot smoother!”
Ellie Redders Interiors, 16227 Westwoods Business Park, Ellisville, 636-220-8144, elliereddersinteriors.com
Julie Abner Interiors, 5149 Daggett Ave., St. Louis, 314-606-8698, julieabnerinteriors.com
Stephanie Pohlman Designs, stephaniepohlmandesigns.com
Stone Hall Cabinetry, 314-873-1154, stonehallcabinetry.com