Exploring new trends in kitchen design can be quite exciting as you discover the role technology plays in our homes. Among all the rooms in the house, kitchens are a priority for designers, manufacturers, and homeowners. This has opened doors to hundreds of fresh products and new ideas in kitchen design.
Kitchen Layout
It was once believed that there must be a flow between the sink, oven, and refrigerator to create the ideal kitchen triangle. This layout was suggested as the best for ease of cooking and working. While the kitchen triangle may still be the general idea behind kitchen design, it has evolved with homeowners seeking better ways to create flow in the space.
To achieve this “flow,” most new kitchens are designed with large work areas suited to each need. Bar sinks in kitchen islands to wash vegetables, fruits, and meats; dishwashers located next to the primary sink and garbage compactors for easy cleanup after meals and cooking; and ovens, microwaves, and stovetops located in the same station for quick cooking and multitasking.
The introduction and growing popularity of islands have been primarily responsible for the changes in kitchen layouts over the past five years. Now, most people want the kitchen island to serve as a workspace with easy access to the sink, refrigerator, and oven. What was once a triangle has now become a rectangle to accommodate these new productivity desires.
Appliance Trends
Although stainless steel appliances have been one of the most popular styles, this trend is starting to shift. Stainless steel still has a prominent place in the modern kitchen, but many homeowners now prefer appliances that are built into the cabinets and hidden away as part of the cabinetry. While this can be an expensive upgrade, it works beautifully in almost every modern kitchen design.
Ovens and stovetops are no longer typically installed as one oversized unit. Instead, they have been condensed and mounted separately to maximize kitchen space. Ovens are often installed on the wall, sometimes with double units to cook two separate items at once. Stovetops are becoming sleeker with modern glass tops, mounted in countertops to create a flush, seamless look.
Dishwashers and trash compactors have come a long way since their introduction about twenty years ago. Over the past five years, they have addressed many features that frustrated homeowners. Today, most dishwashers and trash compactors are whisper-quiet, energy- and water-efficient, and offer larger capacities to increase productivity.
Cabinetry Trends
Custom cabinetry is rapidly gaining popularity as homeowners recognize the benefits of having cabinets designed to suit their personal style. Some homeowners choose this option to accommodate larger upper cabinets for storing special occasion dishes, lower cabinets for extra or specialized cooking appliances, or custom-built cabinets to suit appliances that are now often built into cabinetry.
Traditional wooden cabinetry is being overtaken by more modern materials that are not only recyclable but also more environmentally friendly. These eco-friendly upgrades are a major inspiration behind new trends in kitchen design. Metal, man-made materials, and especially bamboo, are increasingly featured in new kitchen designs. These materials can be painted to add color and reduce the monotony of traditional cabinetry. Cabinets are no longer just a necessity; they now play an integral role in the kitchen’s design.
Hideaway cabinet hinges are also becoming popular to create a sleek, finished look. These hinges are installed on the inside of each cabinet door, eliminating bulk on the cabinet face.
Sink Trends
To many homeowners’ surprise, the kitchen sink has now become a focal point in most new kitchen designs. What was once simply a necessity has now worked its way into a prime spot in setting the kitchen’s mood. With this newfound popularity comes the choice of top-of-the-line apron front sinks. These sinks are installed into the sink cabinet with a large “apron” on the front that is visible from the outside of the cabinet. To showcase this style’s potential, many homeowners are opting for custom designs etched into the apron to add a unique flair to their kitchens.
Lighting Trends
Sleek and simple is the name of the game when it comes to kitchen lighting in modern kitchens. Inset lighting has become very popular, providing soft, ambient glows throughout the space, while pendants above islands light up work areas when necessary. Large, overdone chandeliers and track lighting are quickly becoming things of the past. Instead of flooding the entire kitchen with one bright light, the space is now illuminated in stages to create just the right mood for each area.
Dining Trends
Eat-in kitchens have come and gone in kitchen trends over the past thirty years. In modern designs, having an eat-at bar is a must. As people become busier with work, socializing, and taking care of their families, they seek the quickest and most efficient ways to complete daily tasks. Children enjoy breakfast at the bar, with mom and dad preparing them for the day while tidying up after the meal. A kitchen bar is an excellent way to entertain guests and family while handling cooking and cleanup responsibilities. Guests can sit, enjoy appetizers, and chat with you while you prepare the main course.
As breakfast bars gain popularity, the eat-in breakfast nook is quickly disappearing to make better use of the available space. Most homeowners prefer a larger island, more counter space, and less wasted floor space. By removing the breakfast nook, they can expand the kitchen, adding room for more cabinets, a larger island, and a better layout for the growing number of appliances.
The concept behind new kitchen design trends for 2009 is “wide-open cozy.” While this may sound contradictory, modern design offers many options to make a space feel open and free while still being intimate and serene. All these different elements of kitchen design, along with current trends, help make this an attractive, functional style for modern homes.
