Without question, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. It used to merely be the room where we prepared meals but now it has become the social hub of our home and probably the most used room.
Because of its importance, it’s no surprise that kitchen remodeling is one of the biggest industries in design. And everyone wants their kitchen remodel to have the most popular styles.
Here are some 2018 kitchen trends that you would be wise to include in your remodel.
Bold Colors
In 2018 we can expect to see bold, vibrant colors. Every year Pantone LLC puts together a group of colors that are expected to be used in fashion, interior design, and many other industries.
And this year’s colors are loud and vivacious. For example, the 2018 Pantone Color of the Year is Ultra Violet or Pantone 18-3838. You will be seeing this fun shade of purple in many industries throughout the year.
These vibrant colors can be found in many places in the kitchen. An emerging 2018 design trend is colored cabinets, but color is also being included in your appliances as well as the fixtures and fittings.
Mixed Metal Finishes Throughout history there have been many decades where only one or two metal finish have been popular. For example, brass was a popular metal finish in the 1990’s or copper and gold finishes were popular in the 1960s’ mid-century modern designs.
In contrast, 2018 kitchen remodels are including multiple metal finishes
Natural Materials
With the increasing popularity of the “go green” movement, it’s no surprise that there is also an increased movement for including natural materials into your kitchen remodel.
Wood is one of our best renewable resources for kitchens and can be used in lots of ways including wood flooring, natural finished wood cabinets, and even butcher-block countertops. Other examples of natural materials include stone countertops and brick or stone backsplashes.
Quartz Counters
Quartz is an emerging trend for kitchen countertops in 2019. Quartz is a manufactured stone but can be just as beautiful as your natural granites and marbles.
In fact, because it is a man-made material, the range of colors can be a lot more varied than what is found in natural stones. Other reasons quartz is a good choice for countertops are its superior durability and stain resistance.
Eccentric Tile Choices
Due to its durability and moisture resistance, tile has been the dominant flooring and backsplash materials in kitchen and bathrooms throughout history, and that trend isn’t about to change. But you won’t find the simple 12″ x 12′ square floor tiles or the basic white subway tile in your kitchen today.
Cast Iron Sinks
At one time, most sinks were made of an enamel-coated cast iron, and many people still prefer them today. Those who decide on cast iron choose it for its pretty appearance, as the enamel can be colored.
Today, many cast iron sinks are made with recycled iron, so the environmentally conscious consumer might prefer them too. However, the enamel can scratch and chip over time, especially if a person tends to not be careful about throwing things in the sink, and eventually those small imperfections can start to rust.
Stainless Steel Sinks
Stainless steel is popular in sink choices right now because it is one of the only sinks that can be under-mounted. These sinks are easy to clean, take a beating, and rust or stains can usually be scrubbed out.
Some people find them noisy when washing dishes, but if that’s a concern talk to the contractor about a model that offers sound absorption. At one time people didn’t enjoy the commercial look of a stainless steel sink, but with stainless steel appliances in style, many people no longer mind its appearance.
Cabinets and Open Shelving
The traditional kitchen remodel often calls for a heavy use of cabinets and with the right use of color and materials, that may be your best option. If you want cabinets but you’d still like an airy feel, consider glass-fronted cabinets that will not sacrifice traditional storage for a lighter seeming room.
For a more contemporary aesthetic, frosted glass has a cleanly modem look while not showing off everything stacked inside the door.
Open shelving is an alternative to the cabinet heavy kitchen design and increasingly popular in kitchens today.
A combination of cabinetry and floating shelves above the backsplash is a contemporary alternative to the traditionally designed kitchen that creates a feeling of extra space and openness.
Pantry Options
The pantry question is another option to consider in designing your new kitchen. If you have a large budget, you may want to renovate an existing pantry with new small storage solutions such as pull-out shelving, shelved doors, and drawer additions.
If your household demands it and your budget allows it, consider the addition of a luxurious walk-in pantry to suit storage needs. On the smaller end, corner cabinets and shelving built into cabinet doors for dry goods and spice storage can solve a lot of organizational problems.
Kitchen Work Triangle
Most of the tasks you complete in your kitchen involve three things: the refrigerator, the sink, and the stove top. Many of the tasks also involve walking from one to another during the course of preparing meals or cleaning out the refrigerator.
If you want to have an efficient kitchen, make sure your design includes a clear walkway between the three points. This forms the kitchen work triangle.
The devil is in the details when it comes to the kitchen work triangle.
The major points can’t be too close to each other; the different work zones will start to take over each other’s counter space. If two people are working in the kitchen at the same time, then tight quarters could easily lead to frustration. Ideally, each triangle leg should be four to nine feet in length.
If you’re incorporating an island to your kitchen design, make sure it stays out of the triangle.
Implement These Trends
Home renovation programs show you all the different ways to can make your kitchen shine. A new, sleek backsplash can add a pop of color. New granite or quartz countertops add value and make your kitchen instantly more luxurious.
Adding a kitchen island can give you more counter space and open up the kitchen for more conversation. But all of these glamorous design changes are founded on tried and true design principles.
So if you’re giving your kitchen more than a surface-level facelift and rearranging everything, contact us.