Kitchens are the heart of the home, and kitchen design trends reflect both evolving lifestyles and innovations in materials and technology.
Europe has long been at the forefront of kitchen design, with an emphasis on sleek, minimalist aesthetics paired with maximum functionality.
Today let’s look at some trends currently shaping European kitchen styles.
For each trend, we’ll examine the key features, materials, colors, and layout ideas to help inspire your next kitchen remodel or new home build.
Read on for an in-depth look at what’s hot in European kitchen design right now.
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Minimalism
Minimalism remains one of the biggest overarching trends in European kitchen design.
This aesthetic emphasizes clean lines, hidden storage, a neutral color palette, and a lack of ornamentation for an uncomplicated, clutter-free look.
Key features of the minimalist kitchen include:
- Plain cabinetry fronts with recessed handles or integrated finger pulls for a streamlined look
- Maximum hidden storage in slide-out cabinets and drawers to reduce visual clutter
- Drawer dishwasher and refrigerator to maintain sleek cabinet fronts
- Neutral colors like white, gray, or black combined with natural wood accents
- Uncluttered countertops free of small appliances or accessories
- Simple, modern fixtures like wall-mounted faucets and pendant lighting
- Lack of decorative moldings, trims, or accents
To achieve a minimalist look, aim for an open layout with plenty of carefully concealed storage options.
Stick to one or two neutral hues and natural materials like wood, stone, or laminate.
Focus on simple, modern silhouettes for cabinetry, fixtures, and furniture.
Industrial Style
The industrial trend has expanded beyond living and dining areas into the kitchen.
Characterized by the use of raw building materials, fixtures, and an open layout, the industrial kitchen has an edgy, urban warehouse aesthetic.
Key industrial style elements include:
- Exposed brick, concrete, or ductwork paired with unfinished wood or metal
- Galvanized metal, stainless steel, or aluminum for cabinets, countertops, and appliances
- Dark metal finishes like matte black, brass, or bronze for fixtures and hardware
- Vintage-style pendant lights, often with Edison bulbs
- Barstool seating at kitchen islands in place of formal dining areas
- Retro-inspired appliances like gas ranges or Smeg refrigerators
- Open, airy floor plans with few upper cabinets
While an authentic industrial aesthetic can be achieved in a converted urban loft space, elements of this look can be mixed into more traditional kitchens as well.
Incorporate exposed beams, steel doors, or metal finishes to nod to the utilitarian industrial trend without a full remodel.
This daring style works best in modern, urban spaces.
Two-Tone Kitchens
Two-tone kitchen cabinets make a bold statement and add visual interest through contrasting finishes.
Typically, upper and lower cabinets are finished in different colors, often with an accent island as well.
Popular color combinations for two-tone kitchens include:
- White uppers with navy or green lowers
- Glossy white uppers with natural wood lowers
- Matte black uppers with brass or bronze lowers
- Light gray uppers with charcoal lower cabinets
When selecting two colors for your kitchen, choose a light hue like white, pale gray, or ivory for the uppers so the space maintains an open, airy feeling.
Deep jewel tones, black, or dramatic dark greens work best for lowers, as less surface area keeps things from feeling too heavy.
Accent with brass fixtures, black granite, or marble for an elegant, upscale look.
The two-tone trend also encompasses all-white kitchens with black or natural wood accents.
For example, go for glossy white cabinets with a Carrara marble island and dark wood open shelving.
This approach makes a smaller space feel more expansive.
Smart Kitchens
Home technology is making its way into the kitchen in a big way.
Smart kitchens integrate appliances, lighting, countertops, and more that can be controlled via smartphone, voice commands, or touch screens built into the cabinetry.
- Key smart kitchen features include:
- Refrigerators with cameras inside so you can check your inventory remotely
- Apps that control your oven, dishwasher, and other appliances from your phone
- Motion-censored drawers and cabinets with LED lights that illuminate when opened
- Drawers that can be set to specific temperatures for proofing dough or chilling beverages
- Marble or quartzite counters and backsplashes with built-in digital displays for following recipes, streaming music, and more
- Smart lighting that mimics natural daylight and can be adjusted for food prep tasks
- Faucets and dispensers that automatically pour measured amounts of water or soap when activated
- Cabinets with built-in charging stations for phones and tablets
While a full smart kitchen overhaul can be pricey, small upgrades like app-controlled lighting or a smart refrigerator are great steps towards a more automated galley.
Focus on functionality and choose tech that simplifies time spent cooking and prepping meals.
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Hidden Storage Solutions
For the ultimate streamlined, uncluttered look, European kitchens maximize hidden storage.
Concealing appliances, cookware, and pantry items reduces visual chaos so counters and cabinets remain sleek and organized.
Creative ways to incorporate hidden storage include:
- Pull-out corner cabinets with lazy susans or slide-out layers
- Floor-to-ceiling tall pantry units concealed with seamless cabinet fronts
- Drawers with built-in organizers for utensils, bakeware, and more
- Pull-out racks, trays, and lift systems inside lower cabinets
- Appliances set into cabinetry or housed in slide-in adjacent pantries
- Upper cabinets extended to the ceiling to maximize vertical storage
- Custom built-in furniture-like pieces concealing storage
- Cabinet facades that flip up for easy access to stored electric mixers, blenders, etc.
- Under-cabinet rollout trays for spices, oils, and dry goods
- Hidden garbage, recycling, and compost bins incorporated into lower cabinetry
Take time to analyze all your kitchen items that typically remain out on counters and determine clever ways to conceal them.
Custom storage solutions like pull-outs, rollouts, and lift systems can be easily incorporated into new cabinetry.
For existing kitchens, consider retrofitting existing cabinets or adding freestanding pantry units.
The clean look and functionality of a hidden storage kitchen is well worth the investment.
Statement Islands
The kitchen island is now primed to make a statement.
As the focal point of open concept kitchens, island designs are getting more creative.
From dramatic shapes and sizes to innovative materials, today’s kitchen islands do more than provide extra prepping space.
Some top ways to make your island a standout include:
- Opt for an oversized, elongated rectangular or oval shape
- Choose an avant-garde shape like a trapezoid, half-moon, or cloud shape
- Float the island parallel to kitchen cabinetry for a modern twist
- Use luxurious materials like thick quartzite, polished concrete, or stainless steel
- Incorporate textural wood finishes, textile fronts, or colorful lacquered surfaces
- Add special details like integrated sinks, pendant lights, or breakfast bar seating
- Include functional add-ons like pull-out cutting boards, storage drawers, or outlets
Large kitchens can accommodate a double island, one for additional counter space and one for seating guests.
Multi-level islands also provide customizable prep, dining, and storage space.
For smaller kitchens, a mobile cart-style island saves room when not in use.
The key is choosing an island design that enhances your cooking experience through form and function.
Bold Colors and Patterns
White, gray, and neutral kitchens may be trending, but bold bursts of color and playful patterns also make a statement.
From vibrant cabinet colors to eye-catching backsplashes, colorful accents liven up minimalist kitchens.
Current approaches to add a pop of color include:
- Vibrant blue, green, red, or yellow on lower cabinets
- Contrasting or color-blocking of island and main cabinets
- Black stainless steel appliances for an industrial edge
- Colorful patterned or handmade subway tile backsplashes
- Unexpected material accents like terrazzo, concrete, or wood veneer
- Colored glass or metallic mosaic tiles on backsplashes and walls
- Homogenous palette blending cabinetry, counters, floors, and walls
When implementing colors and patterns, stick to one or two bold hues and repeat through different elements for cohesion.
For example, inject red onto lower cabinets, nearby walls, and accent lighting fixtures.
Or, opt for a lively patterned tile backsplash that ties into multicolored cabinets and floors.
The overall look should be lively yet pulled-together.
Sleek Surfaces
We’ve come a long way from bulky laminate countertops.
Today’s popular kitchen surfaces include thinner profile engineered quartz, large-scale polished concrete slabs, and ceramic tiles with exaggerated dimensions.
These sleek, seamless materials create a clean-lined contemporary vibe through scale and finish.
Top options include:
- Oversized porcelain, ceramic, or stone slab tiles with minimal grout lines
- Large quartz countertop slabs with front-to-back depths as thin as 2 cm
- Polished or matte-finish concrete on islands, counters, and backsplashes
- Spacious stainless steel countertops surrounding a minimalist wall-mounted range
- Glossy solid surface acrylic materials like Corian formed into a single slab
Pair these sleek surfaces with simple shaker-style cabinetry and integrated appliances to achieve a streamlined look.
Built-in drainboards and food prepping areas keep lines fluid.
For concrete and stone, opt for special coagulants and sealers to minimize porosity and required maintenance.
The result is an ultra-modern, seamless kitchen perfect for entertaining.
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Natural Materials
Nature-inspired materials like wood, stone, jute, and cork make a welcoming, organic statement.
Natural kitchen elements provide warmth and texture to balance sleek cabinetry and stainless steel.
Ideas for integrating organic materials include:
- Maple, oak, or walnut cabinetry and shelving
- Butcher block counters and islands
- Wood panel feature walls or backsplashes
- White, gray, or multicolored quartzite countertops
- White Carrara, Calacatta gold, or Statuario marble counters
- White oak and wide-plank wood flooring
- Jute, seagrass, or sisal rug under dining areas
- Rattan or bamboo pendant lighting
- Cerused or whitewashed wood finishes
Mixing natural wood cabinetry and shelving with sleek countertops like quartzite or solid surface materials balances contemporary and organic.
Ensure woods are properly sealed to prevent moisture damage and warping.
The welcoming vibe of natural kitchens suits family-centric homes.
Blurring of Indoor/Outdoor Boundaries
Today’s kitchens transition fluidly between indoor and outdoor areas.
Glass walls, multiple entry points, and open patio flow maximize views and facilitate easy transport of food and drinks.
Elements that blend interior and exterior include:
- Sliding or folding glass door walls adjacent to patios
- Wrap-around kitchen counters extending outside
- Outdoor cabinetry or appliances for alfresco prepping
- Dining tables situated just beyond a kitchen’s exterior doorway
- Built-in outdoor cabinets, bars, and grilling stations
- Seamless patio materials like stained concrete continuing from the kitchen floor
- Skylights, clerestory windows, or interior window boxes connecting to nature
- Vented range hoods routed to ventilate directly outside
With a harmonious exterior color scheme and materials palette, the transition from indoor to outdoor cooking and dining feels natural.
Just be sure to incorporate surfaces and appliances suited to wind, rain, and UV rays when designing for true outdoor use.
Open concept kitchens benefit most from dissolving the barriers between interior and exterior.
Multi-Purpose Islands
Kitchen islands continue to evolve as the ultimate multi-purpose furnishing.
Today’s islands integrate numerous functions including:
- Adjustable height settings for cooking, entertaining, and casual dining
- Storage cabinets, shelves, and pull-out racks for maximizing unused space
- Retractable counter extensions on sides to accommodate large gatherings
- Built-in appliances like second sinks, beverage fridges, or pop-up outlets
- Shelves below for cookbooks, dishes, or extra work surface
- Wine racks, towel bars, and cooling zones for champagne built in
- Charging docks for phones and tablets
- Surfaces that slide to adjust depth or expand overall footprint
With open floor plans, kitchen islands must multitask as dining space, storage, and extra prepping area all in one.
Adding casters allows you to rearrange your island based on need.
Incorporate at least two functions like seating and storage into an island to maximize usefulness.
Textured Metallics
Warmer metal finishes like brass, bronze, pewter, and copper inject personality into minimalist kitchens.
Textured metals add depth, shine, and elegance as accents.
Ideas for incorporating metallics include:
- Rose gold, antique brass, or oil-rubbed bronze hardware
- Mercury glass pendants and accent lighting
- Metallic geometric or Deco-patterned tile backsplashes
- Hematite, gold, or silver leaf mosaic tile
- Stainless steel appliances with a textured or hammered finish
- Aged copper or brass kitchen sinks
- Dark bronze faucets and plumbing fixtures
- Pewter, silver, or gold marble, granite, or quartz countertops
- Distressed metal shelves or table legs
Mixing metals can work beautifully, just be sure to stick to 2-3 value variations.
For example, pair brushed brass hardware with dark antique bronze pendants and silver countertops.
The key is blending both color and texture of metallics.
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Creative Backsplashes
Backsplashes today go boldly beyond basic subway tile.
From 3D textures to unconventional materials, the backsplash offers the perfect opportunity to show off your style.
Creative backsplash mediums to consider include:
- Dimensional tile in relief patterns, like 3D hexagons
- Vintage glass, marbles, ceramics, or collectible plates
- Salvaged barn wood planks grouted with epoxy
- Intricate Moroccan-style patterned tile
- Geometric metro tiles arranged in chevron, herringbone, or diamond motifs
- Handmade ceramic tile with visible depth and crackle glaze
- Colorfully glazed porcelain or glass mosaic tiles
- Oversized tiles like 12″ x 24″ slabs with minimal grout lines
- Rounded riverstone tiles or textured stone veneer panels
- Rustic wood logs sliced horizontally for organic stripes
Don’t overlook the sink wall either!
Continue backsplashes on side walls or into window spaces to expand the eye-catching focal point.
Limit accent tile to just the backsplash or broaden the scope for a bold graphic statement.
European kitchen designers lead the way in aesthetic innovation while still focusing on functionality.
Integrating even a few of these cutting-edge trends will ensure your kitchen feels fresh and modern for years to come.
Look to European kitchen style for enduring, on-trend ideas guaranteed to add beauty and livability to your cooking space.
