Walker Custom Homes & Remodeling

5 Kitchen Trends

Decades ago, the kitchen was hidden in the back of the house. It was a place where meals were prepared and dirty dishes were washed. Fast forward to 2021 and the kitchen has a much different role. Today, the kitchen is the focal point of the home, the place that brings everyone together at the start of the day or after a long day way. Now instead, the kitchen is paraded in all its beauty and warmth at the very center of the house.

Kitchens have changed a lot over the decades and planning for your kitchen remodel is very important. Technology advances and changing social dynamics have contributed greatly to the rise of the modern kitchen. There is a far bigger focus on open concept homes that revolve around the kitchen so everyone can be together. As with any modern design trend, clean and simple styles have become favorites for homeowners with natural light becoming an essential aspect of the overall look and function of the kitchen space.

Smart Kitchens

Technology has entered the kitchen in full force and not just in the form of fancy gadgets and appliances. Today, you can have a kitchen with technology integrated into every function and appliance–from the faucets to the fridge to the lighting. This is what we call a smart kitchen.

A lot of kitchens today are built smart from the ground up. For older kitchens, sensors, smart gadgets, and other devices can be added for convenience to the homeowner.

Easy add-ons are motion-sense-equipped kitchen faucets that can sense the presence of hands underneath and will come on automatically or try a one-touch feature. Refrigerators that can alert you when your groceries items are running low or a coffee maker programmed to have your coffee ready when you wake up. There is also a gadget that monitors your eggs, telling you which ones are almost going bad. Do not forget to update your lighting system–allowing you to control all the lights from your smartphone or tablet.

Countertop

Though we’ve seen our fair share of various countertop materials come and go, the popularity of brilliant quartz finishes continues to have no end in sight as it remains one of our client’s most frequently requested materials, and for good reason.

And besides a great timeless look, quartz is virtually indestructible as it produces a harder surface – just be sure to avoid excessive heat as hot pots can damage the material easily.

So, no more granite? A mainstay of the 1990s and early 2000s, we’re happy to report that granite continues to dwindle in popularity as it tends to date kitchen decor while making it appear a tad ordinary. Plus granite is super porous and could collect bacteria if not properly taken care of.

Another option for countertops is concrete. We’ve seen our fair share of concrete backsplashes, countertops, and flooring as they’re great options for a budget-friendly kitchen and instantly lend the room modern yet industrial notes.

And for a more Mid-Century Modern approach is Terrazo popular in the ’50s and ’60s and revived in the 1980s, Terrazzo surfaces are back on trend these surfaces will lend a playful punch to even the most stripped-down of kitchens.

White kitchens are over

While there’s no denying the timeless appeal of an ultra-bright white kitchen, there are plenty of fantastic alternatives to take in for a more rich and intoxicating look. And it should go without saying that all-white kitchens are much harder to keep clean on a daily basis, so why not consider bringing in some distinctive hues to create a more memorable kitchen.

Instead of bright optic white, consider setting a moodier tone in your kitchen with alluring and unexpected colors to create a more rich and nuanced look.

The antithesis to the tendency to go for all-white kitchens, black, and moodier hued kitchen design ideas are sure to quickly add an elegant sense of drama to any home, are easier to manage, and are an elegant alternative to standard ivories.

Clutter-free

In a kitchen, less truly can mean more as the slightest upgrades can add more space for prep time and storage solutions. Stick to the concept and be sure that surfaces are clutter-free, and rethink the way we have been using cabinets, storage, etc.

A new way of thinking, the upper wall cabinets is by Removing them. It has become a growing trend in the last few years since it opens up the visual space making the kitchen appear much larger and brighter. It allows you to utilize the countertop space more productively. Not to mention, most people can’t reach what is on the top shelves of the cabinetry anyway. Although open shelves would be a great alternative if the added storage space is needed or a focal point element was desired.

Clearing spots above lower cabinetry, opt for under the counter appliances like microwaves and the ilk to keep them out of sight as upper spots become more vacant.

Ceramic or Hardwood floor

Hardwood flooring is still very popular when it comes to kitchen flooring. But the second most popular option, ceramic flooring, is about to get more attention. Thanks to technology, ceramic flooring now comes in a wide variety of designs and styles, and sizes.

For example, you can get ceramic tiles that look exactly like hardwood flooring. So if you want to retain the hardwood look but wanted a material that is easier to maintain, consider using ceramic. In addition to wood, ceramic tiles can be designed to resemble a range of other materials including natural stone. Even the surface texture is changed to mimic these materials.

In terms of size, you do not have to go for traditional sizing any longer. It seems like the sky is the limit with variety and larger format tiles. You can get single plank tiles that resemble actual wide planks of hardwood once laid down on the floor. Or you can get custom-cut tiles to create a uniquely patterned kitchen.

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