It’s all too easy to fall out of fashion. Just because you chose to follow a trend two years ago doesn’t mean you should be punished for it now that the hipsters have deemed it an old hat. In the future, you can look upon and consider trends for their practicality.
For instance, when it comes to your kitchen, you want to make smart choices that will increase the overall value of your home rather than follow the fads.
Certain popular trends are appearing to become reliable mainstays. Established functionality that supports everyday needs and lifestyles, convenience, and affordability are general criteria.
But most importantly, they’ve become beloved; homeowners believe they will enjoy their kitchens in their current form for many years to come.
The White Kitchen Popularity
For instance, it’s been proven that the popularity of a kitchen done in white refuses to wane. Most polled members of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) unanimously report that white and grey are the preferred color choices for their cabinets.
That’s a substantial change of attitude in just a few years. It’s more popular than ever. Even layering white on white – by way of countertops, backsplashes, and cabinets – seems just as acceptable.
White appliances even have an advantage. They’re much easier to clean than stainless steel models, which are prone to smudges. They also blend effortlessly with transitional and contemporary kitchen styles.
Fact is, after years of being the ‘go-to’, stainless steel has essentially flooded the market to the point where it no longer commands top dollar. White finishes, on the other hand, have yet to come close to such a concern.
Small Appliances Are The Next Big Thing
While discussing appliances, it’s pretty clear what’s “big”—the smaller, the better. The convenience of micro-living has widespread appeal, particularly among millennials and retirees. Homes are prepared with smaller secondary kitchens to accommodate returning grown children and/or elderly parents (both out of necessity).
You’ll likely find a two-burner cooktop, microwave/convection oven, small dishwasher, mini fridge, or even just a fridge drawer within.
Quartz For Countertops
Also, quartz counters are preferred for a solid few years running, even over granite. The popularity of each was actually evenly matched in 2014, but quartz has consistently outsold its counterpart since.
It is not entirely surprising. It’s quite durable and easy to maintain, and it is unnecessary to have it sealed every twelve months (unlike granite).
You have crushed quartz stone mixed with resin, producing gorgeous countertops in various colors and designs. They resist scratches, burns, and chips and are tougher than natural stone.
LED Leading The Way
Thanks to the inclusion of LEDs, lighting in the kitchen has evolved tastefully. Ribbons of them have been found along toe kicks, where they serve as night lights.
They can be placed on the interior of cabinet doors or hidden in the crown molding so they may illuminate the ceiling. You can get them in various shades, from bright white to soft white, and colors like red, blue, and green.
It’s easy to develop unique installment ideas, and they don’t emit heat, so there’s no danger of burning. Plus, they are energy efficient, becoming more affordable each day and more popular in kitchens of the cutting edge.
Refrigerators are a Necessity
Most homeowners don’t give a second thought to their refrigerators. They’re a giant appliance, a bulky necessity. The main developments in this area are folks adding counter-height fridges when there is a kitchen island to be used just for produce or strictly as juice/soda coolers.
These are known as “point of use” refrigerators, and they can feature a number of shelf positions, slide-out bins that extend fully, and settings to accommodate the contents specifically, temperature-wise.
Touch-Activated Faucet Craze
Another innovation that looks like it will become commonplace is the touch-activated faucet, a popular craze that has not ceased in momentum since its inception. Its popularity increases yearly, resting any belief that it is just a fad.
They’re not cheap but add a hyper-modern element to any kitchen. They contribute to savings on the water bill and are a smart choice among the forward-thinking set.
Go For Transitional Kitchen Design Style
Lastly, you will not go wrong by maintaining a transitional design. It’s the explosively popular contemporary design combined with the standard, favorite traditional style. By being somewhere in between, you can insure against drastic changes leaning too far one way or the other while exploiting the best elements of each—now that’s smart!
