Top Trends in Kitchen Renovations
by Sabrina Kaufman
The kitchen, and by proxy the dining room, is the heart of any
home. Homeowners and new home buyers alike are recognizing a
slight shift in trends for 2010. The most requested style?
Traditional - followed closely by contemporary. White and white
washed wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite
countertops and natural stone flooring are the leaders in
materials. Some newer appliances are breaking ground and some
styles, like Shaker, are making a resurgence.
Bigger Budget Trends For those with the resources, some of the
top kitchen trends include appliances like the French door, bottom
freezer refrigerator, under counter wine refrigerators, and
drawer-style dishwashers. Granite counter tops are still popular
choices in renovations and new home construction but quartz is a
close second. Cherry cabinets, including some with open front,
glass doors, and white-washed cabinets are highly sought after.
In major kitchen renovations, the design of the space is
changing to reflect the desire for island sinks and prep areas.
The triangle design has given way to an open, roomy layout so more
than one person can feel comfortable in the kitchen. Providing
separate work areas, like a pastry table, a vegetable sink, and
separate cook tops and wall ovens are all options that will make
your kitchen loved by all.
Smaller Budget Trends When budget restrictions call for smaller
scale renovations, the trend is to replace more affordable parts.
Extendable kitchen faucets, as well as pot-fillers, are
must-haves, along with under the cabinet task lighting. Flooring
that is made to look like natural stone, and color schemes of
white, bone, brown, or neutral shades are the most popular.
Replacing cabinet hardware when cabinets are out of the budget's
reach with brushed nickel or bronze is another trendy update.
Whatever the budget, perhaps the two most significant trends in
kitchen renovations are energy-saving appliances and eco-friendly
material. The "green" movement has caught on and is probably here
to stay. Building materials from renewable sources are popular as
are those appliances that save money. The drawer-style dishwasher,
for instance, allows smaller loads to be washed, saving money and
electricity. Energy-saving refrigerators with in-the-door water
dispensers and filters are popular and help you save money on
bottled water.
In terms of design, the new kitchen has begun to shy away from
contemporary and leans more towards traditional. This is good news
for those who have already got a kitchen with a traditional look.
Whether making minor or major renovations, keep in mind that
openness is key to a desirable kitchen. No one wants to be shut
off from family members or guests while cooking, so kitchens with
visibility to other areas are popular. Many homeowners can obtain
openness in a renovation by taking out part or all of a wall and
adding a breakfast bar or counter peninsula.
Another interesting design trend that you may have noticed in
magazines and books is contrasting kitchen cabinetry. Where all
wall cabinets may be white, the kitchen island cabinet may be dark
cherry. The contrast of dark and light cabinets is a look you can
achieve on a lower budget by replacing only some cabinets and
painting others. Don't worry if the cabinet style doesn't match
About the Author
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