These dated kitchen trends are making a comeback – here’s how interior designers are making them work for 2024

From cabinetry styles to colors that will reign supreme, there's a lot to be said about the newest and most popular kitchen trends for 2024. Trends are cyclical, coming and going and coming back around again - and we get it, it can be hard to keep up. But fret not, that’s where we (alongside a team of design experts) come in with a guide to the seemingly dated kitchen trends that will be back in 2024.

We've corralled kitchen designers and interior experts to find out which dated kitchen trends are back in for 2024, and how to successfully use them in your own home in a way that feels both current and classic.

The dated kitchen trends that are making a comeback

As the heart of the home, your kitchen is an important space to get right. But what does nailing kitchen design even look like in 2024? 

The first place to start is a consideration of how you use the space: is it a room dedicated to baking with family (think: pantry), a cozy space fit for two (look to maximize kitchen storage with added height), or perhaps a hybrid working from home space that requires an island-meets-desk? Next, you’ll want to think about that all-important sink/cooker/fridge kitchen triangle to ensure the room naturally flows. And finally, and most excitingly, this is where trends come into play… 

From sage green to navy blue and everything in between, there's a myriad of kitchen design styles that can be attributed to a singular space in time, with some seeing a major comeback for the new year. But that doesn't necessarily mean they look the way they once did. So, how do we redefine those trends for the more modern kitchen? Take a trip down memory lane with us as we help you to incorporate these time-forgotten trends into your own kitchen, and evolve them for 2024 according to the experts. 

1. A return to natural wood

While painted kitchens have dominated trends for, well, forever - for 2024 natural wood tones are going to be big news. The goal? To bring warmth and coziness to this central part of your home. Just ask designer Tom Rutt. 

'Natural timber kitchen cabinetry has been on the rise for a while now as people look to celebrate natural sustainable materials and add texture and warmth to their homes,' explains Tom. Not just in kitchens, but all throughout the home, a drive toward warmer tones when decorating will be the palette du jour in 2024.

'But don’t worry, we’re not suggesting those glossy honeyed pine kitchens of old will once again be back in vogue, but natural timbers which have a sleek, pared-back Scandi feel will be one of the top kitchen design trends for the year ahead,' he adds. 

So how do you translate that into your own kitchen plans? Certainly, you can go the whole nine yards with bespoke light oak cabinetry or, if you're looking to update your existing kitchen without the hassle of replacing or refinishing your cabinets, you can nod to this trend with accents. 

Consider floating kitchen shelves made from natural wood or think about mixing in new wood tones in your countertops, kitchen table, or even a freestanding pantry. Want to go one step further? Try striking a balance by installing a wood island to pair with paint-finished cabinets to make a subtle statement.

Tom Rutt

TR Studios is a London based architecture and interiors practice working on projects internationally. Tom Rutt has worked in the offices of Norman Foster and Michaelis Boyd before founding TR Studios in 2015. 

2. Embrace a modern way of molding

Straight, clean lines are always going to be popular in contemporary homes. The key characteristic that sets a modern kitchen apart from more traditional shaker-style cabinetry is simple (or a lack of) millwork. But for the new year, we're welcoming in a mix of old and new and looking to apply more drama to our cabinet fronts. 

'Applied molding on your kitchen cabinets is back in a major way and feeling fresh as a daisy in 2024,' notes designer Montana Labelle. 'Say goodbye to the dated feeling of stuffy old kitchens and hello to this modern and gorgeous take on heavy moldings on your millwork. We love the nod to historical kitchens while still feeling ultra fresh and modern,' she adds.

If you're the proud owner of a flat-fronted kitchen that you'd like to give a little facelift, you may want to consider some bespoke (or DIY) additions to your cabinets. The chunkier the better - this is about adding drama, after all. Whether you choose to add molding, trims, or beading to all your door fronts or opt to highlight a key feature like a kitchen island, this added tactility will bring a dynamic decorative quality that will make waves throughout the entire space. 

3.Try out a 1970s-inspired color palette

By now, you might have noticed that when it comes to kitchen colors, next year things are heating up – with the warmer side of the spectrum coming to the fore. Designer Kathy Kuo sees it as a return to the wavy warm colors of the '70s.

'I have a feeling that we'll be seeing a sort of 1970s-inspired kitchen look coming back for 2024,' says Kathy. 'Now, I don't mean carpeted kitchens or wacky wood paneling – but rather a mix of darker earth tones with lighter colors and an overall look that's just a little more playful than the farmhouse kitchen look that has been dominant for so long,' she suggests.

And it's not just the color palette of the '70s you should embrace, but a sense of nostalgia and comfort, too. In a testament to the timeless appeal of this year, the real hallmarks of a 1970s-style kitchen are a space filled with texture, inviting colors, and an atmosphere for socializing. By combining a cozy hug of saturated colors paired with contemporary finishes and understated neutrals, you can achieve a look that offers the best of both worlds. 

Kathy Kuo

Kathy Kuo is a celebrated interior designer and international guru within the home and lifestyle space. She has 20+ years of experience in the design industry.

4. High-gloss finishes

Speaking of the 1970s, the 'dated' high gloss kitchen is also being reimagined for 2024. Futuristic, space-age, glossy kitchens first gained popularity back in the '70s, with a small resurgence in the 2010s, before we all fell for the matte cabinet styles that are so popular today. But, according to Joa Studholme, color curator at Farrow & Ball, we're all going to be lusting after a lustrous shine next year.

If you're not feeling particularly sold on the idea of an all-out gloss kitchen, the way to strike a balance with this trend is a combination of finishes, according to Joa's expertise. 'The use of high gloss on cabinetry has really come to the fore, being used for statement schemes to highlight accent pieces. Balancing ultra-matt with full gloss is a gorgeous, albeit unexpected, way to give spaces a modern, polished feel.'

'While a Dead Flat® finish accentuates the architectural detail without overwhelming your chosen color scheme, using a combination of finishes like this bounces light around and makes the space feel more interesting, transforming the ordinary into extraordinary,' she continues. 'An island in a high-shine finish creates a beautiful but subtle contrast to flat walls, in a way that is practical as well as glamorous. The result is truly unique.'

5. Bring back internal glazing

Just when you thought a trend was way past its peak, the circle of trends brings it right back around again. And none seems quite as retro as the return to period-style internal glazing. 

Where recently this trend has leaned more towards sleek industrial style, the look has since evolved and softened to focus on wood, with bonus points added if it's reclaimed or antique. 'Particularly popular in long, narrow homes where the designer or homeowner is trying to flood some light into the gloomier corners of the home, it seems only natural to borrow light by providing an internal window or door for it to flow through,' advises H&G’s head of interiors, Hebe Hatton. 

For deVOL's creative director, Helen Parker, a pantry shouldn't be hidden away behind big solid doors. 'The most essential ingredients for a kitchen are a pantry and a kitchen table, they will never date and will always be the very center of your kitchen,' says Helen. By replacing your pantry or larder doors with glass fronts, you're not only lending a sense of airiness to a tight space but affording your kitchen with more display opportunities. 

6. The new way to style all-white

Undoubtedly, colorful kitchens have been a big trend in recent years, as homeowners shy away from the clinical look towards something more inviting. However, according to designer and founder of DATE Interiors, Molly Torres Portnof, the all-white kitchen is back on top. 

While it might not bring the same impact as a brightly-hued kitchen does, a white kitchen is a timeless choice. 'Though colored kitchen cabinetry had a big moment the past few years, there's something perennially chic and classic about white kitchen cabinetry,' says Molly. 'I love using warm shades of white, like Benjamin Moore White Dove to make a kitchen feel inviting and interesting,' she advises.

To dispel any notions of a show home, the way to style an all-white kitchen in 2024 is to focus on details. Try a statement checkerboard floor, patterned or naturally textured tiles for the backsplash like a zellige, and don't forget to inject color with your countertops. Lighting, accessories, and even your appliances will also play a key role here in ensuring your white cabinetry plays a background role in the overall aesthetic. 

Molly Torres Portnof

After moving next door to the Empire State Building, designer Molly Torres Portnof founded DATE Interiors (an acronym for ‘Designing A Tiny Empire’). Her design style brings together her background of fashion, pop culture, and music to nearly every space she designs. 

Feeling inspired to get creative with your kitchen decor and experiment with these dated trends making a comeback in the coming year? From decorative details to the new colors du jour, let this be your guide to what's coming around again in 2024, and how to ensure you get it right this time around.