It’s no secret that the kitchen is our favorite room in the house. The kitchen is where you spend a large portion of your time, and it’s a prime gathering space for family time and holidays. Making the kitchen functional (and beautiful!) is a necessity for virtually all home buyers and renovators. But where to start? We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite trends and styles in kitchens right now so you don’t have to!
Natural Elements
This applies to our projects in general, not just kitchens – but we love incorporating natural elements in our homes. Wood beams, shelving, and leather bar stools all add beautiful interest to otherwise neutral kitchens.
![](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1450GameFarmRd_LRP-24.jpg?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1)
Pops of Color
Speaking of neutral kitchens, of course, we love them. But a well-placed pop of color is such a nice touch in any kitchen. Try a bold colored island or subtle cabinet color to add just the right amount.
![](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AlmaHomesOrono_028-2.jpg?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1)
Open shelving
Open shelves in the kitchen are a great way to add visual interest and extra space for decorating, but a lot of people are scared away by open shelving (how do you hide away dishes that aren’t shelf-worthy?!). Luckily, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Try adding a few shelves along with traditional cabinets to incorporate the style without having everything on display.
![](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Dupont_Ave_S_015.jpg?resize=960%2C641&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2015-Franklin-Ave-SE-large-002-2-DSC-0275-DxO-665x1000-72dpi.jpg?w=960&ssl=1)
Statement backsplash
A backsplash is a great opportunity to break up a neutral space with some color or texture. We love a bold backsplash as a finishing touch in any kitchen.
![](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/AlmaHomesMapleGrove_20.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
Range hoods
A lot of our clients opt for a bold or custom range hood in the kitchen, and we can see why! They’re beautiful and functional, too.
![#TheTonkaHouse Kitchen Reveal](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AlmaHomesOrono_036-1.jpg?resize=960%2C1440&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Dupont_Ave_S_014.jpg?resize=775%2C1024&ssl=1)
Islands
Kitchen islands are nothing new, but they play such a crucial role in adding work space, seating and storage space to a kitchen. Not to mention a big, bold island is a great visual centerpiece for a space.
![#TheTonkaHouse Kitchen Reveal](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AlmaHomesOrono_034-1.jpg?resize=960%2C1440&ssl=1)
Mixed Materials
It’s so important in a monochromatic or neutral room to mix it up as much as possible with texture. For this reason, we love using mixed materials! Try mixing wood, marble, tile, and metals for a cohesive look that is far from boring.
![](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/7845TurnerRoad_2017_LRP-64.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Dupont_Ave_S_018.jpg?resize=960%2C652&ssl=1)
Cabinet/drawer pulls
It’s hard to believe that something as small as drawer pulls can make a difference in a kitchen design, but they absolutely do. They can add a ton of visual interest and contrast to the cupboards and the whole space in general. Picking out the correct cabinet or drawer pulls for a kitchen can seem intimidating, but we put together a whole post about it to help you out! Check it out here for all the details on our favorite pulls.
![This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is AlmaHomesMapleGrove_17-683x1024.jpg](https://i0.wp.com/almahomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/AlmaHomesMapleGrove_17.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
What are your kitchen must-haves? Come over to our Instagram @AlmaHomes and let us know, and make sure to share your favorite kitchens with us, too!
Photography: Laura Rae Photography, Spacecrafting Photography, Sarah Olfelt Photo, Alma Homes