We complete dozens of kitchen remodels every year across Barrington, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Schaumburg, and the rest of the Northwest Suburbs. In the past year, we've seen clear shifts in what homeowners are requesting — away from some trends that dominated the 2020s and toward a more refined, functional aesthetic. Here's what's actually happening on the ground.
Two-Tone Cabinetry Is Still Strong
The two-tone kitchen — typically white or cream uppers with a darker charcoal, navy, or forest green lower — continues to be the most-requested cabinet configuration in our market. It breaks up the visual weight of all-white kitchens while still keeping the space bright and open. We're seeing homeowners get more specific with color choices: warm whites rather than stark bright white, and more nuanced dark tones rather than standard black.
The Island Has Become Non-Negotiable
If there's floor space for it, virtually every kitchen remodel in our market now includes an island or peninsula. The functionality gap between a kitchen with and without an island is significant — seating, prep space, storage, and the social hub of the kitchen. Waterfall edge countertops on islands (where the stone wraps down the side) continue to be a popular premium detail.
Countertops: Quartz Holding Steady, Quartzite Rising
Quartz (engineered stone) remains the dominant countertop choice — it's durable, consistent in pattern, and available in a huge range of finishes at accessible price points. But we're seeing a significant increase in homeowners choosing natural quartzite for premium kitchens. Quartzite has the dramatic veining of marble with significantly better durability — it's been a favorite in high-end markets like Barrington and Inverness for a few years and is now showing up in more mid-range projects.
Hardware: Brushed Brass and Matte Black Are Winning
Chrome and polished nickel have largely given way to brushed brass and matte black in the Northwest Suburbs market. Brushed brass reads as warm and refined without the flashiness of polished gold. Matte black is cleaner and more contemporary. We're also seeing more mixed-metal kitchens — brushed brass on cabinet pulls and drawer hardware, with matte black plumbing fixtures.
Farmhouse Sinks Still Popular — But Style Is Shifting
The classic white porcelain farmhouse sink is still frequently requested. But we're seeing a shift toward stainless steel farmhouse sinks (especially in kitchens with stainless appliances) and toward sleeker fireclay options in off-white or matte tones. The deep, single-basin configuration remains preferred for function.
Open Concept Hasn't Gone Anywhere
Reports of the death of open-concept kitchens have been greatly exaggerated. In the Northwest Suburbs market, homeowners continue to request wall removal to connect kitchens to living areas. The demand for social, multi-functional kitchen spaces isn't going away — if anything, the post-pandemic emphasis on the home as a gathering space has reinforced it.
Our advice: Trends matter less than your specific lifestyle and how you use your kitchen. The best remodel is one designed around how your family actually cooks, entertains, and lives — not one that chases what was on Pinterest last year.
What's Fading
- All-white everything: Still clean and timeless, but homeowners want more personality now
- Grey cabinets: The grey kitchen trend has largely run its course
- Open shelving in place of upper cabinets: Great for photos, impractical for most families
- Subway tile backsplash (standard): Still popular, but the plain white 3x6 subway tile is being replaced by more textured or patterned versions
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