Pro Tips: What’s Hot in Current Kitchen Design
Guest post by Chloe Taylor
When it comes to our homes, we have strong connections with every room: we find bedrooms to be little oasis of peace, bathrooms are for relaxing, living rooms are for socializing (as are the gardens), but when it comes to kitchens, the situation is a bit different. We used to consider kitchens to be simply functional spaces where we prepared our meals, and we didn’t think about their design or décor too much. Today kitchens have become places where we can express our creativity in both cooking and design.
Exciting lights
Is there a point in cooking if you’re barely able to see what you’re doing? Kitchens should be well-lit so you can read the recipes, see the ingredients, and feel good while preparing food. If there isn’t enough natural light in your kitchen, you’ll fall in love with this trend: oversized light fixtures! Not only are they exciting and elegant, but they’re useful too. Of course, if you have a small kitchen, you won’t be using fixtures that will prevent you from moving around freely, but a couple of oversized pendant lights will create a bit more drama in the room and add a sense of depth perception too, especially if you have a bit lower ceilings.
Focus on functionality
It seems like we’re focusing more on functionality in every room of the house, and the kitchen is no exception. Just as the interior designers have been thinking about the colour palettes, the hardware manufacturers have been changing the way in which drawers and cabinet doors function. Easy-close doors that can fold up are the number one trend in kitchen design, especially when it comes to small kitchens where space is an issue. A lot of manufacturers are trying to double up available storage space with amazing custom kitchens that have innovative storage solutions such as open shelves and corner cabinet carousels.
Hot countertops
Another thing that defines the kitchen’s style is the countertop, so a lot of people decide to buy the one that’s high-quality but expensive. On the other hand, there are many budget-friendly options available on the market today. A lot of modern granite-like countertops are actually laminate but it’s hard to tell as they feature a more realistic stone pattern that’s a bit larger, as well as a rounded edge. When it comes to natural stone, quartz is at the very top of the list because it’s durable, elegant, and comes in many neutral colours which allows you to redecorate much easier. It is also heat-resistant and virtually impossible to scratch, but most importantly it’s easy to clean. Last but not least, if you’re looking for something completely different, you can always choose a wooden countertop.
The future is here
Futuristic kitchens our grandmas have dreamed about are finally here, and we couldn’t be happier. There are so many innovative ideas that are going to make your life easier: sensor-activated lights which are turned on only when you’re actually there and meat thermometers that send you a notification when your dinner is done are just some of the things you’re able to do with your kitchen today. Those who are new to automation will fall in love with a hands-free faucet that’s the perfect choice for families with small children.
Unexpected colour schemes
If you’re thinking about painting your cabinets a different colour, you’ll love these new trends. White cabinets are still the most popular ones, but the grey ones are catching up, or so it seems. Soft grey cabinets pair so well with richly stained wood that any kitchen will look like it was just ‘done’ by a professional interior designer. When it comes to sinks, there are alternatives to basic white and stainless steel: green apron-front sinks are all the rage and they are a wonderful way to add a pop of colour to an otherwise neutral palette in the kitchen, especially if you use the same shade in the backsplash.
Kitchens have come a long way: from being hidden at the back of the house and barely big enough to fit a sink and a stove, to merging with living rooms proudly displayed to guests. Kitchen designs have also evolved and every year brings us something different, even if it’s only a new colour palette. Try to keep track of new trends because you never know when you’ll find something that you’ll fall in love with and that will be able to improve and modernize your kitchen.
This post was brought to you by Chloe Taylor, one of our favorite contributing writers
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Inspiring creativity,
Ricci
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