2018 Kitchen Trends Revealed

Design & Construction Week is a fabulous blend of the best that KBIS (Kitchen & Bath Industry Show) and IBS (International Builders Show) have to offer.  While your particular needs and budget will ultimately determine the direction for any home renovation or design project, it is helpful to learn about new innovations that might not necessarily be on your radar.  As you read through the following 2018 kitchen trends, take note of those that might enhance your lifestyle and accurately reflect your personal taste and décor goals.

1. Laying the Foundation: Looking forward, the top three kitchen design styles are farmhouse, transitional, and contemporary. This is good news, because it includes nearly everyone somewhere along the design spectrum.  Farmhouse kitchens continue to remain popular with their emphasis on nostalgic collections, painted cabinets, and chippy furniture to create a cozy and unpretentious social and dining space. Transitional kitchens seamlessly blend yesterday and today by combining modern features, such as crisp, white cabinets with clean lines, with rustic touches, such as reclaimed-wood beams, to preserve warmth.  Contemporary kitchens are sleek but livable with a focus on uncluttered space and high functionality, punctuated by a limited color palette or textural elements.  Among these three styles there remains plenty of room for individuality while still maintaining convenience.
2. It’s in the Details: Painted cabinets remain most popular, and along with the standard white cabinets can be found vibrant reds and blues, taking a bolder leap in expressing personality.  Additionally, textured cabinets such as those covered with recycled leather by Quality Custom Cabinetry Inc. have introduced whole new worlds to traditional kitchen surfaces.  While quartz countertops have gained the number one spot among consumers, there are some fun newcomers to the scene, such as the HappyWords Formica Writable Surface by Formica Corp.  This high-gloss, dry-erase surface comes in numerous colors and adds practicality for message writing and other time-management purposes.  Over in the paint department, Sherwin-Williams has developed the Harmony Zero VOC interior acrylic latex paint, which features odor-eliminating technology and resists mold and mildew.

   

3. Focal Points: Large islands remain a standard, aiding in both food preparation and hosting responsibilities.  The island can be a great way to introduce the bold colors that are grabbing attention in the design world without the commitment colored cabinetry calls for.  Stainless steel sinks are at the top of the list for both consumers and designers, and Elkay has broadened horizons with their new farmhouse-style stainless steel sinks with interchangeable apron fronts (quartz, fireclay, and classic stainless) to coordinate with nearly any kitchen appliance or design choice. Textured tile is making its mark through the Embossed Series by Pratt & Larson or the 6^th Avenue collection by Walker Zanger.  Here texture adds interest beyond mere color and design.
4. Technology Redefined: Practical technology continues to emerge as homeowners desire to improve their lifestyle.  Bosch has developed a side-by-side oven with a side-hinged door for easier access and eye-level usage.  Restaurant-quality refrigerators for at-home cooks are becoming the norm.  Perlick offers a stunning model which includes four cooling zones, “a tip-out storage bin, a two-tiered deli drawer, and a built-in marinating and prep pan.”  Wine connoisseurs will appreciate Vinotemp’s WineSteward dispensing system, designed to store, cool, preserve, and dispense from four bottles, perfect for entertaining and parties

While it is not necessary to be “trending” in your own home, it’s helpful to know your options when it comes time to replace a countertop or an appliance.  With new items continually entering the market, a bit of research might yield you a much different end result than you originally planned, increasing value and practicality simultaneously.