Kitchens remain a popular project for anyone renovating or remodeling their home in the U.S., but as you would expect, trends come and go.
With the kitchen being such an important space, modern homeowners want to make sure that not only does it give them the freedom to prepare and eat food, but that it also looks stunning, is eco-friendly, and has all the latest mod-cons and tech tools.
If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen this year, here are some trends that have got designers hot under the collar:
Hues of green and blue
Helping to bring a sense of peace and tranquillity to a room, the use of natural hues such as green and blue in a kitchen, is one that’s fast gaining momentum. Green is considered to bring a fresh, harmonious element to a space, while blue has many soothing properties. Incorporating these colors into your kitchen design can easily be achieved, and if you don’t want your walls painted in such colors, you can opt for accents and accessories that bring a pop of color, without dominating the space.
Al fresco dining
Extending your kitchen out into the yard can give you an inspiring space to dine and entertain when the weather is fine, and when designed well, the two can be made to merge with one another, creating a large multi-purpose space that connects you with the elements.
Streamlined storage
Storage will never stop being popular in kitchen designs, but nowadays, it’s all about efficiency and functionality, without compromising style. Minimalistic kitchens often have cabinets with hidden drawers and compartments, and organizers that can be pulled out to save space.
Use of materials that are eco-friendly
More and more homeowners are trying to make their homes sustainable nowadays, and a good deal of modern kitchen designs feature materials such as bamboo, quartz or cork; renowned for their renewability, strength and eco-friendliness.
Appliances that are energy efficient
Along with sustainability, many modern homeowners are also seeking to make their homes more energy efficient, and in the kitchen, this often translates to Energy Star-rated items such as dishwashers and refrigerators.
Water conservation
An equally important aspect of sustainability, water conservation can be promoted in a kitchen through the use of low-flow faucets and fixtures, and water-efficient dishwashers.
Natural light
There’s no substitute for natural light in any room of the home, and in the kitchen, making the most of windows and ventilation helps homeowners save energy and reduce their carbon footprint.
Recycling and waste management
Managing waste in a more efficient and planet-friendly way is a huge trend that we all hope will stick, since it helps to promote sustainability and reduce waste in landfills.
Butler pantries
Making a comeback, these areas of a kitchen devoted to food prep, serving, and storage are a stylish and practical space-saving solution for any modern homeowner.
Cabinets that are streamlined
To make the most out of storage in a kitchen, modern cabinet systems have come a long way, and they now feature vertical dividers, pull-out drawers that are deep, and built-in cutting boards among others.
Coffee nooks
If you love coffee, a coffee nook is an absolute must in your kitchen. Containing everything you need to quench your thirst for coffee, they can be as small or as big as you want, and even have seating so that you can pretend you’re in a café as you sip your favorite cup of Joe!
Smart appliances
Connected to smartphones or tablets, these appliances give homeowners the opportunity to control and monitor many aspects of their home from wherever they may be. Some also come with voice-activated controls, making running a modern household, super convenient.
So, if you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen this year, you shouldn’t be stuck for inspiration; there’s plenty to get excited about, and plenty of ideas to help you do your bit for the planet, too.