If updating your kitchen is in your plans, these 5 kitchen trends will get design juices flowing! Nothing is too intimidating, and there is something for every budget.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are a great place for a facelift. Warmer and darker wood tones are making a comeback, harkening back to the nostalgia of the kitchen hearth. Painting cabinets opens a world of color choices to create a kitchen that speaks to your design aesthetic. Paint all of them or just an accent, especially if bright, bold are your choice. Two-toned color schemes, dark on the bottom and lighter on the top, bring depth and interest.
Fitting existing cabinets with storage units that optimize the space is one of the kitchen trends that gives a lot of bang for the buck. From big box stores to specialized vendors, there are options for every use of cabinet space. Pots, pans, lids, bakeware, dishes – practically anything you can think of – get a tailor-made space. Do you have corner cabinets with wasted dead space? There are units that pull out and articulate, giving access to all of it.
Countertops
Like optimized storage units, mix-and-match countertops are one of the kitchen trends that is form and function. Stone, granite, marble, wood, concrete, recycled glass . . . the list seems endless. Match intended use of the space to the material. For example, bakers often use marble for its inherent coolness for rolling out pastry. Or you may want to include butcher block for cutting and chopping; just be sure to seal it properly with a food-safe finish and keep it sanitized and sealed for safety. On a budget? Laminate has come a long way since Grandma’s kitchen was new, in both quality and design offerings. Already have countertops you like or love but want to update? It may take a bit of ingenuity, but replacing a section is possible.
Kitchen Trends in Back Splash Choices
The most notable of these trends is the full-height backsplash. Again, there are plenty of choices! A single slab of marble, ceramic tile, metal panels are just a few of the options to consider. If budget is no object, a single slab of marble makes a visual statement. Depending on the size of the space, they may even have a remnant, making this a possibility for the budget conscious. Less expensive tile can be installed in a color or an interesting pattern – think herringbone, for example – to maximize the impact. Peel and stick tiles are available in glass, ceramic, or metal, maximizing options and flexibility.
Smart Technology
Smart technology for the kitchen is available for everything from appliances to entertainment (cooking shows, anyone?) to lighting. Yes, there’s an app for that for many of these options. Even faucets have joined the form and function parade. Not only beautifully designed, touch-free faucets come to the rescue when dirty hands need help. No need to add scrubbing up the handles to the post-cooking cleanup chores.
Kitchen Islands
Kitchen trends may come and go, but sometimes the more things change, the more they stay the same. Kitchen islands have been at the top of the list for kitchen design forever. Some of the island options making a resurgence come from much earlier times, like farm tables. These sometimes large, sometimes rustic, tables not only served to seat family and friends at mealtime, but also as more counter space in the kitchen. Even small kitchens can add island space with something narrow or on wheels. Pinterest is a great place for ideas on unique kitchen islands.
Updating the heart of your home to create a space for cooking, dining and entertaining is a project with big payoff for increasing your pleasure in your home. Consider something from one or more of these kitchen trends to get started. Overwhelmed with ideas? Consult a professional designer to smooth the path to your kitchen update.
