Guest Post by HomeAdvisor
Looking to put your kitchen on point with the latest trends? Here’s how to incorporate what’s hot right now into an enduring design that will never go out of style.
#1 Give in to grey
If you want to update your kitchen’s color, consider going grey. Designers have noted that grey is racing toward the top spot for kitchen design color, especially when mixed with white or black. Grey is great for cabinets and shelving, in particular, because it complements the color of many plates and glasses — and it’s also less likely to show scratches and dents than other colors. If your cabinets are in good shape, consider talking to a painter about painting them grey.
#2 Focus on function
Your kitchen should always be functional — and these days, there are a number of innovations available to help increase efficiency. Cabinet designers have revolutionized cabinets and with the introduction of soft-close and button-activated drawers and doors, for example, which minimize wear and tear. And there are a number of pull-outs, inserts and hideaways sure to make any homeowners life a lot easier. If you’re interested in updating your cabinets, consult a professional to see what’s possible.
#3 Embrace tech
No modern kitchen is complete without some form of tech gadgetry. Install only what you’ll actually use — and what you can actually afford. Some options include:
- Energy-saving, sensor-activated lights
- Meat thermometers that plug into your smartphone
- Hands-free faucets
- A digital counter to keep track of how long food’s been open
- Smart countertops that can measure the weight of food
- Bluetooth-enabled frying pans
- Remote-controlled crock pots
#4 Go with the flow
Your house has a flow; the rooms are designed to integrate into one another — dining room, living room, etc. Keep the integration of your kitchen in mind when you’re designing, and achieve a flowing aesthetic with:
- Appliances that blend with cabinets or shelving
- Books, vases, servingware and other pieces complementary to those in other rooms.
- A color scheme that extends or balances the colors used throughout the rest of the house.
#5 Maximize your space
Everything in your kitchen should have and do a job. Storage should be sleek and efficient, making the most of every nook and cranny. If your cabinets aren’t performing at their peak, consider reorganizing them. You might also consider replacing some of your upper cabinets with open shelves — a growing trend that can either help or hinder in the efficiency department. If you need help designing an efficient kitchen, we recommend consulting with a designer.
Andrea Davis is the editor at HomeAdvisor, which connects homeowners with home improvement professionals in their area for free. Connect with Andrea on Google+
Good post, I have also heard one of the latest trends if to close off the kitchen. This trend comes from having house parties and having to maintain clean hosting area and a clean kitchen. I love your point about kitchens going grey, here in Tucson we have several new home sites and they have gray features in their kitchens.
Regardless of new trendy colors and materials, it comes back to functionality and flow. In Hawaii like elsewhere people gravitate to the kitchen. We have even tried putting the snack and drinks table out in the living room to encourage people to enjoy our LR but they always end up in our kitchen. … maybe we nee to cater more?
Great post, Linsay!
Just recently, my husband and I also did a kitchen remodeling project with Michael Nash Design, Build, & Homes (here’s the link to their website in case you want to take a look at their kitchens: http://www.michaelnashkitchens.com/).
Anyway, I really recommend setting an intact budget before doing any remodeling/renovation because you never know what’s coming. I love how my kitchen looks right now, and this post makes me want to improve the other parts of my home as well.