A Holiday Countdown for Today’s Hottest Design Trends (Inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas)
The holidays have a way of revealing what our kitchens can do — and what we wish they could. Whether it’s baking cookies with family, hosting a full house of guests, or managing the beautiful chaos of Christmas morning, this time of year puts every inch of the kitchen to the test. In the spirit of the season, here’s our reverse countdown of the twelve features homeowners are prioritizing in kitchen remodels right now—each one making the holidays warmer, easier, and more memorable.
12 Cookies Baking
Double Ovens + Workstation Sinks
Holiday baking season is practically a sport, and nothing supports it better than a kitchen designed for production. Double ovens let you roast a turkey while cookies bake above, or cycle sheet after sheet of gingerbread without slowing down. Pair that with an oversized farmhouse or workstation sink, and cleanup becomes a breeze instead of a bottleneck. With the right setup, you can have twelve cookies baking—or bake twelve dozen—and keep the fun going.
11 People Noshing
Large Seating-Friendly Islands
Everyone gathers in the kitchen, especially during the holidays. Today’s supersized islands with overhang seating make room for everyone to snack on appetizers, decorate cookies, or sample that just-carved roast. A wide island becomes the heart of the celebration, holding charcuterie boards, cocoa fixings, and the inevitable cluster of cousins and neighbors catching up.
10 Drinks A-Chilling
Beverage Fridges + Coffee or Cocoa Stations
From bubbly and wine to hot cocoa and morning coffee, holiday hosting requires serious drink capacity. Undercounter beverage fridges, glass-front coolers, and designated beverage stations keep the drinks chilled and the traffic flowing. Guests can refill without interrupting the cook, and kids know exactly where to grab cocoa toppings or sparkling cider.
9 Bulbs A-Burning
Statement Lighting + Layered Illumination
It’s not just the tree that needs to glow — your kitchen does too. Pendant lights, dimmable LEDs, under-cabinet lighting, and sculptural fixtures bring lighting magic all season long. Bright for prep, soft for dining, warm for late-night laughing and lingering… great lighting sets the stage for the moments you’ll remember.
8 Friends A-Helping
Open Layouts Designed for Multiple Cooks
Holiday meals aren’t a one-person job anymore. With modern layouts — defined prep zones, spacious walkways, and smart work triangles—you can have “eight friends a-helping” without feeling crowded. One person preps vegetables, another checks the oven, two more plate desserts, and the whole joyful dance happens without collisions.
7 Storage Solutions
Deep Drawers, Rollouts, Pantry Shelving
This is the time of year when your kitchen storage works overtime. Deep drawers hold stacks of platters, rollouts organize sheet pans, and built-in dividers keep serving pieces ready at a moment’s notice. When smart storage keeps storage solutions at your fingertips, you don’t waste a minute hunting for your grandmother’s cookie tin or the good carving set.
6 Appliances in Hiding
Panel-Ready & Tucked-Away Small Appliances
Holiday magic feels a little more magical when the kitchen looks clean and clutter-free. Think panel-ready refrigerators, integrated dishwashers, appliance garages, and hidden microwaves. With appliances in hiding, the counters stay open for decorating, prepping, and serving—and your holiday greenery gets the spotlight instead of your toaster.
5 Kitchen Zones
Prep, Cooking, Serving, Cleanup & Beverage Zones
Zoning is one of the biggest trends of the year because it prevents traffic jams and keeps holiday hosting flowing. A well-designed kitchen might include:
- Prep zone with knives and cutting boards
- Cooking zone anchored by the range
- Serving zone for platters and warming drawers
- Cleanup zone with sinks and dish storage
- Beverage zone to divert thirsty guests
With these five kitchen zones, no one gets in anyone’s way — especially when guests “just want to help.”
4 Island Stools
Casual Gathering + Kid-Friendly Seating
The holidays mean cousins decorating cookies, a friend wrapping last-minute gifts, or Grandpa sitting close while stories get passed down. Islands with ample seating (or more) make space for everyone. It’s an instant gathering spot—your cozy kitchen version of the Christmas hearth.
3 Charging Outlets
Charging Drawers, Pop-Ups & Under-Cabinet Power
Holiday kitchens need outlets everywhere. Between stand mixers, slow cookers, roasters, warming trays, and phone chargers, this is prime the season for small appliances. Pop-up outlets in the island, under-cabinet lighting strips with built-in power, and dedicated appliance drawers keep everything running without tangled cords.
2 Farmhouse Sinks
One for Prep, One for Cleanup
Two farmhouse sinks ( one for prep, one for clean-up; or a generous double sink) are becoming a crowd favorite for busy households. With two sinks, you can rinse vegetables in one while soaking roasting pans in the other. Holiday helpers can jump in without waiting their turn—and dish piles disappear twice as fast.
… and a Custom Pantry or Scullery
The Backstage Hero of Holiday Hosting
The true showstopper of a holiday-ready kitchen? A walk-in pantry or scullery tucked just out of sight. This hardworking space stores bulk ingredients, hides small appliances, and gives you an extra countertop for staging platters and desserts. When last-minute guests arrive or the dish count skyrockets, the pantry or scullery is where the magic hides—keeping the main kitchen looking calm, warm, and ready for celebration.
Building Partner – Pine Hill Building Co.
Ready to Design the Kitchen That Makes Your Holidays Shine?
Whether you dream of a scullery to hide the hustle, a beverage center for festive drinks, or a baking zone built for tradition, the team at Swartz Kitchens & Baths can help you bring these hottest kitchen design trends to life. Let’s create a space that makes every season feel special.
A Holiday Countdown for Today’s Hottest Design Trends (Inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas)
A Holiday Countdown for Today’s Hottest Design Trends (Inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas)
The holidays have a way of revealing what our kitchens can do — and what we wish they could. Whether it’s baking cookies with family, hosting a full house of guests, or managing the beautiful chaos of Christmas morning, this time of year puts every inch of the kitchen to the test. In the spirit of the season, here’s our reverse countdown of the twelve features homeowners are prioritizing in kitchen remodels right now—each one making the holidays warmer, easier, and more memorable.
12 Cookies Baking
Double Ovens + Workstation Sinks
Holiday baking season is practically a sport, and nothing supports it better than a kitchen designed for production. Double ovens let you roast a turkey while cookies bake above, or cycle sheet after sheet of gingerbread without slowing down. Pair that with an oversized farmhouse or workstation sink, and cleanup becomes a breeze instead of a bottleneck. With the right setup, you can have twelve cookies baking—or bake twelve dozen—and keep the fun going.
11 People Noshing
Large Seating-Friendly Islands
Everyone gathers in the kitchen, especially during the holidays. Today’s supersized islands with overhang seating make room for everyone to snack on appetizers, decorate cookies, or sample that just-carved roast. A wide island becomes the heart of the celebration, holding charcuterie boards, cocoa fixings, and the inevitable cluster of cousins and neighbors catching up.
10 Drinks A-Chilling
Beverage Fridges + Coffee or Cocoa Stations
From bubbly and wine to hot cocoa and morning coffee, holiday hosting requires serious drink capacity. Undercounter beverage fridges, glass-front coolers, and designated beverage stations keep the drinks chilled and the traffic flowing. Guests can refill without interrupting the cook, and kids know exactly where to grab cocoa toppings or sparkling cider.
9 Bulbs A-Burning
Statement Lighting + Layered Illumination
It’s not just the tree that needs to glow — your kitchen does too. Pendant lights, dimmable LEDs, under-cabinet lighting, and sculptural fixtures bring lighting magic all season long. Bright for prep, soft for dining, warm for late-night laughing and lingering… great lighting sets the stage for the moments you’ll remember.
8 Friends A-Helping
Open Layouts Designed for Multiple Cooks
Holiday meals aren’t a one-person job anymore. With modern layouts — defined prep zones, spacious walkways, and smart work triangles—you can have “eight friends a-helping” without feeling crowded. One person preps vegetables, another checks the oven, two more plate desserts, and the whole joyful dance happens without collisions.
7 Storage Solutions
Deep Drawers, Rollouts, Pantry Shelving
This is the time of year when your kitchen storage works overtime. Deep drawers hold stacks of platters, rollouts organize sheet pans, and built-in dividers keep serving pieces ready at a moment’s notice. When smart storage keeps storage solutions at your fingertips, you don’t waste a minute hunting for your grandmother’s cookie tin or the good carving set.
6 Appliances in Hiding
Panel-Ready & Tucked-Away Small Appliances
Holiday magic feels a little more magical when the kitchen looks clean and clutter-free. Think panel-ready refrigerators, integrated dishwashers, appliance garages, and hidden microwaves. With appliances in hiding, the counters stay open for decorating, prepping, and serving—and your holiday greenery gets the spotlight instead of your toaster.
5 Kitchen Zones
Prep, Cooking, Serving, Cleanup & Beverage Zones
Zoning is one of the biggest trends of the year because it prevents traffic jams and keeps holiday hosting flowing. A well-designed kitchen might include:
- Prep zone with knives and cutting boards
- Cooking zone anchored by the range
- Serving zone for platters and warming drawers
- Cleanup zone with sinks and dish storage
- Beverage zone to divert thirsty guests
With these five kitchen zones, no one gets in anyone’s way — especially when guests “just want to help.”
4 Island Stools
Casual Gathering + Kid-Friendly Seating
The holidays mean cousins decorating cookies, a friend wrapping last-minute gifts, or Grandpa sitting close while stories get passed down. Islands with ample seating (or more) make space for everyone. It’s an instant gathering spot—your cozy kitchen version of the Christmas hearth.
3 Charging Outlets
Charging Drawers, Pop-Ups & Under-Cabinet Power
Holiday kitchens need outlets everywhere. Between stand mixers, slow cookers, roasters, warming trays, and phone chargers, this is prime the season for small appliances. Pop-up outlets in the island, under-cabinet lighting strips with built-in power, and dedicated appliance drawers keep everything running without tangled cords.
2 Farmhouse Sinks
One for Prep, One for Cleanup
Two farmhouse sinks ( one for prep, one for clean-up; or a generous double sink) are becoming a crowd favorite for busy households. With two sinks, you can rinse vegetables in one while soaking roasting pans in the other. Holiday helpers can jump in without waiting their turn—and dish piles disappear twice as fast.
… and a Custom Pantry or Scullery
The Backstage Hero of Holiday Hosting
The true showstopper of a holiday-ready kitchen? A walk-in pantry or scullery tucked just out of sight. This hardworking space stores bulk ingredients, hides small appliances, and gives you an extra countertop for staging platters and desserts. When last-minute guests arrive or the dish count skyrockets, the pantry or scullery is where the magic hides—keeping the main kitchen looking calm, warm, and ready for celebration.
Building Partner – Pine Hill Building Co.
Ready to Design the Kitchen That Makes Your Holidays Shine?
Whether you dream of a scullery to hide the hustle, a beverage center for festive drinks, or a baking zone built for tradition, the team at Swartz Kitchens & Baths can help you bring these hottest kitchen design trends to life. Let’s create a space that makes every season feel special.