The Hottest Kitchen Design Trends For 2018—And What They Cost

Think your all-white kitchen is timeless? You might not like what design experts see coming in 2018.

Two new reports, the Zillow Home Trend Forecast and the Trulia Home Design Panel, suggest the new year could see the demise of some of America’s longest-loved decorating trends including granite countertops and clean, monochromatic cabinetry. Think you’re safe with trendier touches like bar carts and Instagram-ready succulents? These 2018 predictions won’t spare you either.

If all of this caught you off guard, don’t panic. There’s no way of knowing whether the trends at the top of the pile in 2018 will stick around for years or go the way of avocado green and harvest gold come 2019. If you love your kitchen cabinets the way they are or would never dream of replacing your windowsill cactus with a full-sized ficus, there’s little reason to jump at a new trend you don’t love.  

In vogue since the late 1980s, the reign of the granite countertop may finally be coming to a close. According to the Trulia Design Panel, 2018 will see homeowners opt for marble or quartz countertops instead.

As the countertop of choice at LeBron James’ new mansion, marble might sound luxurious, but it costs more or less the same as granite — about $60 per square foot, according to Improvenet. At 53 square feet, the typical kitchen countertop would run you $3,180, the website says. With installation adding between $300 and $500, you are looking at $3,480 and $3,680 total.

Quartz is even pricier, with $60 on the cheaper side and some versions as much as $115, according to Improvenet. Installation prices are also a little steeper, bringing the total price for a 53-square-foot counter to $3,500 or higher. 

If you always thought timeless all-white kitchens were, in fact, a little cold, you aren’t alone. Zillow predicts a resurgence of medium and light wood cabinets in 2018, “particularly with flat fronts and clean lines” to create a warmer, more welcoming atmosphere.

If you recently went with white cabinets and wish you hadn’t, you can get next year’s look for less with just a reface. According to Houselogic, the average cost of refacing kitchen cabinets with real wood veneer ranges from $2,500 to $6,000. For larger projects or those with high-quality wood, prices can range from $7,000 to $9,000, the website says. 

Satisfied with your new wood cabinets? Don’t get too comfortable because this year’s trend predictions also extend to their knobs and handles. Zillow predicts a surge in matte metal hardware, which it calls “a beautiful complement to medium wood cabinets.”

According to Houselogic, the typical cost of a new knob or pull varies between $2 and $20. Your total cost will also depend on just how many cabinets you have, but the website estimates 40 new knobs would run between $80 and $800, depending on material and brand. 

For those all-white kitchen owners who don’t want to completely reface their cabinets, Zillow suggests adding a little color to the room with paint instead. Accent colors in strategic places — for example, painting island cabinets a calming blue — can add vibrance and texture to a room that might otherwise feel uninviting, the website says. With certain cool hues tied to increases in home values, what is there to lose?

Well, in the short term, between $356 and $958, the typical cost of repainting, according to HomeAdvisor. The final cost of your kitchen color touch-up will depend on how many areas you want to paint and whether you hire a professional. 

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