7 Trends to Try in Your 2022 Kitchen Remodel

Whether you’ve owned your San Diego County home for many years or less than a decade, it can be difficult (and expensive) to keep up with current trends. Gone are the days of shag carpets and wood paneling—but even homes from the early 2010s can feel dated when compared to what’s trendy with buyers in 2022.

San Diego County is home to an array of beautiful houses and a competitive real estate market. Whether you’re looking at condos in Encinitas or Carlsbad homes for sale, you’re sure to see design trends from across the board. If you’re considering listing your own San Diego County home for sale, you should start thinking about how you can integrate popular trends into your listing to catch the eye of contemporary buyers.

Below are seven kitchen remodeling trends to get you started.

Appliances have come a long way. Years ago, fridges, stoves, and microwaves were almost exclusively white. At one point, black appliances gained some traction but eventually dwindled in popularity with the introduction of stainless steel.

In 2022, black appliances are making a comeback—likely due to their sleek appearance. Some newer appliances even offer stainless steel trim, giving your kitchen a clean and sharp look. Samsung offers a full black appliance set that includes a refrigerator, oven, microwave, and dishwasher. In addition to their overall quality and functionality, these Samsung appliances are chic and sophisticated.

One of the more popular interior design trends this year has been rustic touches within otherwise chic and luxurious spaces. While some homeowners still want a clean, bright, and meticulous finish in their home, others have realized the value of unfinished or imperfect features around the house.

The problem with glossy hardware is that it almost always needs to be cleaned and shined. Even a drop of water can be an eyesore on a shiny new faucet. Choosing unfinished hardware, such as faucets and cabinet handles, can make it easier to keep a clean appearance while still adding to your kitchen’s overall aesthetic.

Selecting the right hardware can be a bigger decision than you might realize. Just remember, if you’re shopping for condos in Encinitas and come across a less than ideal kitchen, replacing hardware is one of the easiest ways to upgrade its appearance. Not to mention, brass is making a major comeback.

If you really want to make a statement with your kitchen, a unique backsplash can be one of the most effective ways to do so. Just like your countertops, you’ll have endless options to choose from if you decide to use a backsplash slab—meaning you can pick from marble, granite, quartz, or any other material you like. Beyond being a great centerpiece for your kitchen, a solid backsplash slab can actually be easier to install than tile. The hardest part is picking the right color and material.

Your kitchen should look great, but it should also be functional. An island can help open up space while still offering functional countertop space and storage. A stationary island can even offer subtle conveniences such as electric outlets.

Many Carlsbad houses for sale will already have an island, and you can always add one if you find the perfect home that doesn’t feature an island. The size and complexity of the island will depend on how much space your kitchen can allow. You can choose from a variety of islands—some are mobile and some are stationary with a built-in sink.

If you’re planning on selling and are working with a small kitchen to renovate, you might choose to select a mobile kitchen island that can be wheeled in and out depending on what you need for the day. Some mobile islands could even match your black appliances.

As mentioned previously, the rustic-style decor is in. Whether it be the floors or hardware, a rustic appearance is typically easier to maintain. Rustic wood pieces have become a staple in many households, whether it be flooring, barn doors, or decorative driftwood.

Shiplap can be used to cover a small wall surrounding a doorway, on the ceiling, or virtually anywhere else. Wooden accents have continued to be a popular feature and have become more available in recent years. If you can’t squeeze in a shiplap wall, you should consider adding a real or faux wood beam to your ceiling as a unique accent piece. Again, wood beams can be just about any color you’d like.

If you want to impress your guests while improving your quality of life in the kitchen, you should consider customizing your pantry. EasyClosets offers tools to help you custom design your pantry space so that you can make the most out of it. By customizing your pantry, you can help prevent endless digging for ingredients and shuffling from one side to the next.

Kitchen hoods were traditionally designed for commercial kitchens to effectively remove any fumes from the space. Now, in addition to being highly functional, they’ve also become popular decorative pieces. Kitchen hoods come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and finishes. If you’re looking for a gas grill, a kitchen hood is always a great addition for both aesthetic and safety reasons. While you may not find many Carlsbad houses for sale with a hood, you can easily add one after you buy.

Whether you’re looking for more tips for renovating your San Diego home for sale, or you’re ready to see the best luxury real estate listings in Encinitas or Carlsbad, contact experienced San Deigo County realtor Lynda Wennerstrom.