Trends in Kitchen Design
While the basic functions of a kitchen – preparing and sharing meals – remain constant, the ways in which the room fulfills these requirements has changed dramatically. Today’s kitchens are a comfortable, high-tech center of activity for the entire family. The latest trends in kitchen design and construction are geared toward making kitchens more welcoming, more functional and capable of being more than just a place to cook Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath helps you to keep up with these evolving trends in order to create a kitchen design Massachusetts and Rhode Island customers will be able to enjoy as a family and among friends.
Some of the very latest trends and innovations in kitchen design include:
LED Lighting – Great lighting can make a great room, and the kitchen is no exception. Lighting fixtures using low-energy, long life LED lights are being used to spotlight key prep areas throughout the kitchen, as well as to provide flexible and energy-saving lighting for the entire room.
High Tech Appliances – Appliance makers have made great advances to help make the food storage and preparation process easier. “Smart” appliances allow you to schedule cook time, or to schedule a refrigerator defrost at the most opportune time, all while operating with reduced power demand.
Cabinet & Drawer Organizers – Reaching deep into the back of a cabinet to get to a container or plate is a thing of the past. New design in cabinet and drawer organizers are being built into today’s kitchens to maximize storage space and make it easy to access every item.
Connectivity – Today’s cookbooks and recipe boxes are likely to be stored on-line! Kitchens are keeping pace with internet connectivity, display screens and keyboards, wireless access and entertainment options like flat screen televisions and built-in sound systems.
Downsized Islands – The huge “chef’s island” that was a feature of many display kitchens over the past few decades is giving way to a more modest and functional island size. Instead of an island capable of seating an entire dinner party, kitchen designers are creating islands that require less space yet still offer prep areas and seating for a cozier gathering.
French Door Refrigerators – Long an upgrade favorite, French Door refrigerators are becoming more and more the “go to” for kitchen designers. Attractive to look at, and offering excellent flexible storage options, these split door designs are being found in more and more homes.
Recycling Options – Many new kitchens are expanding the trash compactor option to include space for recycling bins for paper and plastic products. Tastefully hidden behind cabinet facings, these spacious bins make it simpler and easier to be environmentally conscious.
Zoning – Kitchens designed around the way a homeowner prepares and serves meals are the highest form of function. Prep zones with easy access to appliances, storage and sinks are being set up with specifically designed lighting, surfaces and storage space. This might include a cluster of prep counter, small refrigerator, clean up sink and microwave oven – all within easy reach. The rest of the kitchen remains available for preparing larger meals, with full oven and range, full-size refrigerator and oversize sink for clean up.
Updated Cabinets – While traditional wood cabinets remain very popular, some homeowners are remodeling their kitchens with more unusual storage solutions, such as exotic woods, lots of glass and colorful finishes. Instead of white or stained wood, cabinets are painted in rich colors or dark finishes to complement new appliances and flooring options. New kitchen designs also add more display area into upper cabinets, putting in glass inserts into door fronts and gallery lighting inside the cabinet to show off their best china or collections of glassware.
Kitchen designers have been quick to adapt their ideas to meet the needs of the modern lifestyle. As a result, the kitchen has become an even more important room that is both functional and spacious.
