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10 Hot Kitchen Design Trends

By Pro.com
Special to Yahoo Homes

Things are heating up in the kitchen, style-wise, that is. More people now want a functional, yet aesthetically pleasing space to prepare food in and a cozy place to spend time with their family and friends. Because we all know the kitchen makes the best gathering place. Trending décor this year consists of bright colors, an open airy space and lots of lights. Carefully select the changes and upgrades you make as this year’s trends can easily vanish or become next year’s classics.

When taking on a kitchen renovation or designing a new one, keep your own lifestyle and tastes in mind. Since a full kitchen redesign can be costly, you want the look to be timeless. Trend forecasters say this is what’s cooking in the kitchen this year.

1. An Open Floor Plan

Openness throughout the living area of your home continues to trend. If you can see the family room or living area from the kitchen, then you’ll want the décor to be consistent in both. That can mean harmonizing with area rugs in both rooms, hanging artwork by the same artist and/or complementary color palettes. You need something to tie the rooms together.

2. Add an Island

Thanks in part to the Food Network, kitchen islands have transformed and mobilized. Yes, you can move them around for more functionality and efficiency. A mobile island can easily be used as extra counter space when needed.

3. Go for the Quartz

Countertops made of quartz have now replaced granite. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns; you can even get quartz counters that look like granite. Quartz repels stains, resists scratches and chips and requires no yearly sealing. It’s virtually maintenance-free.

4. Buy Appliances in Warm Metal Tones

Say goodbye to stainless steel and usher in gold, copper and bronze appliances. Their texture and shiny finishes match almost any color palette. Manufacturers say these new colors are smudge- and fingerprint-resistant.

5. Choose From a Variety of Cabinetry

Oak just might be the overall winner, but maple and cherry woods also have their place in the kitchen. Other trendsters vote for metallic or gray cabinets. Or paint what you have a driftwood-gray tone. No matter what color you choose, upgrade your cabinets, drawers and pantry to make them efficient. Pull-out shelves where you can see everything at once, shelving supports so you can change the height of the shelves and lazy-Susan type shelves in lower cabinets will all make your life easier.

6. Opt for Oil-Rubbed Bronze Fixtures

Faucets, handles, knobs and even towel rings with an oil-rubbed bronze finish team up well with Pantone’s color of the year, Marsala, which is a deep wine color.

7. Upgrade Your Flooring

Porcelain reigns as the most popular flooring material and if you’re on a strict budget, you’ll want to check into it. Although the name porcelain conjures up images of delicate figurines, when it comes to flooring that’s not the case. It lasts longer than other materials and comes in a variety of textures, colors and patterns.

8. Think Commercial Lighting

Culinary disasters will totally be in your past when your kitchen is lit like a TV studio. Some elements of this trend include clear glass light bulbs, wire caging instead of light fixtures, rivets and other industrial-style hardware.

9. Be Bold with Color

Vanish totally white kitchens. Even neutral tones aren’t resonating this year like they have in the past. Rich tones of mustard, scarlet, royal blue and dusky pink have made their debut, but just on one wall, not all of them. Or you can add an accent with wallpaper on one wall.

10. Get Smart

Kitchens now embrace all kinds of smart technology. Charging stations can be found hidden inside drawers, an Egg Minder in your fridge tells you when it’s time to replenish your supply, a Prep Pad not only measures your food, but also gives you the nutritional content and a slow cooker you can turn on with your smartphone can all make mealtime a snap.

 
 

Pro.com is a website founded in 2013 by service industry entrepreneurs and former Amazon executives to simplify home services -- especially research on contractor fees and qualifications.

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