Six Kitchen Trends You Can’t Go Wrong With

Trends come and go each year. Yet, the kitchen is the one place where you probably want to proceed with caution when it comes to trendy choices. After all, the last thing you want is a kitchen that’s outdated in just a few years simply because you followed the hot trend that year that fizzled out in popularity as quickly as it arrived.

Instead, try to look at kitchen remodeling trends in terms of the value they will ultimately bring to your home.

Here are six trends that are popular now, but that we predict will have staying power since they cover convenience, savings and various lifestyle needs.

1.     U-Shaped Layout. This layout keeps everything within reach while providing ample space to move around. We believe functionality is important in every kitchen and the u-shape allows free movement in between prep and cooking areas. Many homeowners are also attracted to the open look of this increasingly popular kitchen design.

2.     You Can’t Go Wrong With White. The preference for white cabinets has continued to soar in recent years. In fact, 67 percent of National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) members said that white is their top choice for cabinets, a 20 percent climb from two years prior.

White appliances are much easier to keep clean than stainless, which can smear and smudge. And since stainless has filtered down to the masses, it no longer has that expensive and exclusive cache it once had. Yet white will always have staying power.

3.     Go Gray for Color (Wait, Repeat That?) The popularity of sleek, sophisticated gray color schemes is rising. But gray can be tricky – in cooler climates, it can appear “frozen” unless you use it on warm materials like wood cabinets, or pair it with warm colors such as reds and yellows.

On the other hand, gray can appear pleasantly cool in sunny, hot climates, often a relief in areas that deal with lots of heat and humidity.

4.     Invest in LEDs. Ribbons of LEDs are showing up in a wide range of kitchen places right now. For example, they are being installed along toe kicks as nightlights; on the interior of cabinet doors to show off unique dishware; or, concealed in crown molding to spotlight ceilings with light.

LED rope or cove lights are gaining in popularity because they come in a rainbow of colors, from bright to soft white, red, blue and green. Furthermore, they emit virtually no heat, so you can keep them on forever without burning cabinets or walls. Finally, LEDs are energy efficient, lasting 50,000 hours on average, five times longer than CFLs.

5.     Rethink Your Fridge. Today’s refrigeration is no longer limited to yesterday’s single, massive unit. Instead, people are customizing their cooling needs with “point of use” refrigeration, adding cool where they want it and need it most.

For example, this could mean adding a counter-height produce fridge in a prep island, next to a wine cooler for the parents in the house, and a juice fridge for the children.

6.     Install a Touch-Activated Faucet. While these may seem a little too gimmicky, touch-activated faucets are great for those times when you’ve got dirty hands, or for those in your house who refuse to turn water on and off between tasks because it’s too much trouble.

As leading kitchen remodeling contractors in Phoenix, Republic West Remodeling is ready to help you with all of your kitchen design needs. Schedule your free consultation today.