Kitchen Designs We Were Crazy About in 2016
By Mitchell Parker, Houzz
Some kitchen features never go out of style, while others arrive unexpectedly and redefine modern interiors. Looking back at the defining 2016 kitchen trends, we saw enduring classics meet bold, fresh directions. While timeless staples like white perimeter cabinetry, reclaimed wood, and modern farmhouse kitchen design dominated, the dramatic rise of contrasting two-tone cabinetry and warm metallic accents offered an exciting shift. From rustic textures to polished transitional kitchen ideas, these photos earned the most saves to Houzz ideabooks during 2016. Is your favorite look on this list?
8. Slate gray painted alder cabinets join distressed oak cabinets, open shelves on vintage brackets, concrete brick floors, and an antique mounted plate rack for a look that feels pulled together over several generations. This space highlights how textured finishes and open wood shelving anchor an authentic farmhouse kitchen design.
Sink: farmhouse sink, Rohl; floor: cement brick, Arto; cabinets: William Ohs
7. An L-shaped layout wraps around a large maple island painted gray, reflecting the peak of 2016 kitchen island trends toward contrasting focal points. An extra-wide apron front farmhouse sink sits beneath a window overlooking a backyard, while warm wood floors and polished hardware give the space an inviting, transitional feel.
Backsplash: white subway tile, 3 by 6 feet, in white gloss; island: cherry with Flint stain, Woodharbor; range hood: Monogram 48-inch stainless steel professional hood, GE; floor: tongue-in-groove oak in a stain similar to Minwax’s Jacobean
6. A wood-paneled drop ceiling gives an unexpected architectural focal point to this crisp white kitchen while complementing warm white oak floors. The tailored combination of clean lines, natural wood, and sleek pendant lighting delivers a masterclass in transitional kitchen design.
Island lights: Washington pendant, Hudson Valley Lighting; dining table light fixture: Tela, Eurofase
5. It has to be said: Everything is bigger in Texas. This spacious Dallas kitchen showcases two-tone cabinetry at its boldest, pairing crisp white perimeter units with a massive black island beneath 12-foot ceilings and rustic dark-stained beams. The expansive layout pairs Calacatta marble and tactile limestone with oversized counter stools, custom ventilation, and integrated appliances.
Island countertop: Calacatta Colorado marble; perimeter countertop: Cambrian black satin granite; wall paint: Gray Clouds, Sherwin-Williams; island paint: Black Licorice, Behr; ceiling paint: Swirling Water, Behr; range hood: custom, Vent-a-Hood; floors: red oak; backsplash: brick veneer, charcoal Lueders limestone, Alliance Materials; refrigerator: panel-ready Sub-Zero; stools: Ethan Allen; faucet: Etch, Moen; pendant lights: Yoke 1, available on Houzz
4. The character of natural materials stands out in this Toronto kitchen. A reclaimed hemlock wood island countertop and reclaimed wood floors bring organic warmth to classic white Shaker cabinetry with black metal hardware. A leathered stone finish and a cultured stone backsplash complete the layered, tactile aesthetic.
Wall color: Revere Pewter, cabinet and trim color: Chantilly Lace, island color: Storm Cloud Gray, all Benjamin Moore; stools: Restoration Hardware
3. A handmade pantry with two cabinet doors, integrated drawers, and pull-out baskets packs an exceptional amount of smart storage into a compact footprint. Measuring just 4 feet wide, 7 feet high, and 2 feet deep, it proves that dedicated functional zones like appliance garages and specialized shelving do not require a massive floor plan.
Paint color: Purbeck Stone, Farrow & Ball
2. Warm satin brass kitchen hardware, matching plumbing fixtures, and wall sconces pop with sophistication against dark gray custom Shaker cabinets. The space demonstrates the 2016 shift away from cool chrome toward rich, warm metals paired with soft white uppers and durable stone surfaces.
Base cabinet paint: Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball; wall and upper cabinet paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore; cabinet pulls in satin brass: Lew’s Hardware; faucet: East Linear in satin brass, Newport Brass; sink: Rohl; range: BlueStar; sconces: Schoolhouse Electric; runner: vintage; floor: reclaimed heart pine
1. A timeless blend of vintage farmhouse character, a warm American black walnut island countertop, and large-format stone tiles made this English kitchen photo the most popular upload of 2016. The soothing two-tone palette of soft gray perimeter cabinets and an earthy island showed just how enduring grounded, understated kitchen cabinet colors remain.
Wall cabinet color: Smoke, Zoffany; island color: Elephant Gray, Zoffany
