Countertops, Color, Cabinets And Technology Guide Homeowner Choices

It used to be that the kitchen was a small room that was situated in the back of the home, away from the center of activity. Today not only are kitchens much larger, but they’ve become the hub of family life, connected and open to the big common areas and a gathering place for friends as well as family.

Given these past trends, it’s not at all surprising that we are willing to invest our time and money into remodeling our kitchens. We want the heart of our home to be up-to-date, modern and geared to function in a way that suits our lifestyles. In recent surveys by both by Houzz.com and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), several kitchen trends were uncovered.

Countertops are the biggest change homeowners will make in their kitchens. According to Houzz, more than 90 percent of survey respondents planned to change them and more than half want to upgrade their appliances.

NKBA’s survey results revealed that quartz is the top choice for countertops.

“Quartz countertops are dom­in­a­ting for kitchen and bath applications due to aesthetics, durability and low maintenance,” said Elle H-Millard, certified kitchen designer and NKBA’s industry relations manager.

However, don’t completely rule out natural stone just yet, as folks still love its unique look. “Large-scale veining patterns give the kitchen an artistic look and make the space truly unique,” H-Millard said, “although be sure the fabricator matches the veins properly or the space can easily turn from luxury to bargain bar­rel. Dramatic edges, such as the waterfall and knife profiles, are popular in both quartz and natural stone in contemporary kitchens. In farmhouse and traditional styles, rock and eased profiles are popular.”

Speaking of natural stone, you can add value and old world nostalgia to your kitchen by choosing a cast stone range hood. Old World Stoneworks is a good choice for skillfully, USA hand-crafted range hoods.

Mix-and-match is also popular for countertops. Homeowners report mixing materials between an island and the rest of their countertops, alternating between the more typical granite options and some more unique choices such as wood or marble. With a relatively minor remodel, such as changing the counters, homeowners can recoup as much as 75 percent of the cost at resale.

Color is another popular way to freshen up a tired kitchen, and many of our sources say that white continues to rise in updated kitchens, with white backsplashes, countertops and textured wall finishes gaining favor. HGTV reports, too, that kitchens in shades of gray and blue are more popular now than ever.

Homeowners are also individualizing their smaller appliances by dressing them up with floral decals created by artists online.

Houzz also reported that remodeling homeowners are obsessed with decluttering their countertops by adding more efficient storage solutions with 63 percent of homeowners prioritizing storage over all other functions of their kitchens during renovations. Ways to accomplish a more organized space include pull-out waste
or recycling baskets, cookie sheet/tray organizers, revolving corner trays, deep drawer organizers and pull or swing-out trays and shelves.

“Custom cabinetry is the way to go to find unique storage solutions, including drawers to hold mixers, toasters, micro­waves, spices, flour, technology gadgets, pet food and dishes, brooms, and paper towels,” said H-Millard. “All those items end up out-of-sorts, as they weren’t planned for during the design process. Giving all items a home makes the design both functional and beautiful.”

Regarding cabinetry, Shaker cabinets are the most popular door styles (57 percent) among those updating cabinets, according to the Houzz survey, followed by flat-panel (18 percent) and raised-panel (17 percent) cabinets.

The height of your new cabinets is also something you might want to consider.

“Mid-height cabinetry is gaining traction in the industry, since the natural reach when cooking is from eye level down to the waistline. So often, that space is wasted — although it’s practically the most precious real estate in the kitchen,” says H-Millard.

Perhaps more than any other space, the kitchen leads the way when it comes to innovative technology, where it’s all about smart appliances. Like elsewhere, kitchen technology evolves so quickly, it can be challenging to keep up with all the developments. But the options that make a space safer and more convenient are the ones catching on with busy homeowners, according to the NKBA, as well as those that appeal to your inner professional chef. ➝

“Appliance sensors that monitor temperatures and oven times makes cooking nearly foolproof,” said H-Mill­ard. “Manufacturers have literally eliminated most challenges involved with cooking, allowing for faster prep times, set-and-forget functions, recipe suggestions and nutrient retention. Using an app to preheat your oven while on the way home from work or the grocery store is a dream, and purchasing a speed cooking appliance that doesn’t need to be preheated gives busy people the greatest gift of all: precious extra time.”

“We’ve even seen a smart oven that connects to Wi-Fi,” said Reed at HGTV. “It can tell you the best temperature to cook your food and when you have reached that temperature. And smart refrigerators can create your shopping list and even tell you when your food is going to expire.”

Many manufacturers are turning to a new hue for these next-gen appliances. Though most homeowners still desire traditional stainless steel appliances (65 percent), black stainless steel is popping up everywhere and contrasts very well within a white kitchen.

One thing that most homeowners agree on is that they need a helping hand. Redoing a kitchen is definitely not a popular DIY project. Houzz reports that nearly nine in 10 homeowners hire a professional for their kitchen renovations (86 percent), with nearly two-thirds of renovating homeowners hiring general contractors or kitchen remodelers (63 percent combined).

The key to remodeling in a way that adds value is to make smart, timeless choices that will appeal to a broad number of buyers, so these kind of on-trend ideas will go a long way when it is time to sell.

In this kitchen by Remodeling USA, a convenient beverage cooler and wine cabinet is built into the kitchen island utilizing valuable space.

This USA-crafted cast stone range hood by Old World Stoneworks adds both value and nostalgia to the kitchen.

Choosing high-tech appliances in the kitchen remodel such as this oven by Monogram will pay off in the resale market. (Photo - Monogram appliances)

Deep, well-placed drawers are a kitchen remodeling idea that can help declutter countertops and simplify organization. (Photo - Richard Landon, CMKBD)

Storage space with conven­ient pullout shelves is maximized in this beautiful white kitchen by DGB Construction.

A smart oven and cooktop like Monogram’s can connect to Wi-Fi, advise you on best cooking temperatures and even inform you when you’ve reached that temperature. (Photo - Monogram appliances)

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