What’s Moving Up and What’s Moving Out

Clients always ask what is trending in kitchens. What should they select for the kitchen they have been dreaming of? Open floor plans integrating the kitchen into the whole home design is being driven by social interactions with friends and family centered around cooking. Warm and functional contemporary styles integrating unique materials are being requested. Wood is still in vogue but white is still hot. Here are my top picks for kitchens trends 2019 that you can use for your own home.

Color Trends

White will still be on the rise with softer shades of white mixed with grey, blue and black becoming more common. Wood kitchens are still popular with Walnut and Quarter Sawn Oak the perfect materials for a rustic or modern farmhouse style.  Contemporary looks are still gracing the magazine covers and transitional design has overtaken traditional styles which are moving out.

Appliances: Food preparation and preservation are leading the way in appliances.

Cooking Surfaces:

Induction is on the rise for its efficiency as well as its safety considerations. The heat is only activated when a pot or pan comes in contact with the cooking surface. If your pots and pans hold a magnet, you can cook with induction. Many chefs prefer the control of the induction heat over gas.

Refrigeration:

The newest ones have built in filters to take out ethylene gas that helps food last longer.  The decrease of spoiled foods is a big cost savings for the homeowner. Some integrated models have separate compressors for the refrigerator and freezer and are much more energy efficient.

Steam Ovens:

These little wonders are on the rise. It is a healthier way to cook and is faster and more efficient. In some instances they are replacing traditional ovens and microwaves. An entire meal can be cooked at the same time with no taste transference. For more information about cooking with steam check out my December Blog Why Cook With Steam

Integrated appliances:

Coffee and espresso makers for the at-home barista are becoming much more common. Many kitchens have built in wine refrigeration as well as warming drawers.

Counter Tops:

With the upcoming tariffs on many engineered quartz products, real stone material will be on the rise. Natural materials when prepared properly can be just as worry free as engineered products. Work with your stone specialist to decide on what is  the best product for your project. What’s moving up ? Simple edge details, full slab splashes in lieu of tile, and waterfall details on both island tops and the perimeter areas add interest. Also look for stone details like paneled ends on islands.

Lighting and hardware:

Honey Bronze faucets as well as hardware and accessories are everywhere. Not sure if it will stay? Why not test it on decorative hardware for the cabinets. This is the easiest item to change if the finish falls out of vogue. Lighting companies have embraced the black and bronze color details.  Sconces, pendants and decorative fixtures are all available in these finishes. Black and bronze moving up, brushed Nickle moving out.

Cabinet Details:

All designers look to the past for inspiration. There was a time when you could never have too much molding.  Clean lines from retro styled rooms have given rise to  a minimalist aesthetic. This has brought in a new detail of metal accents as part of the cabinet doors. Aluminum frames on doors, sheet metal door panels as well as full metal cabinets which started showing up with the industrial chic trend were everywhere in the showrooms at the High Point Market furniture show.

So how do you choose something which isn’t “here today and gone tomorrow”? Trends are called trends for a reason. With some careful design detailing, you can have a beautiful kitchen which will stand the test of time.  Select one or two trendy accents which you can easily update if your design style changes.