Kitchen and bath design are some of my favorite areas to work in. I love working with clients to create a functional kitchen or bath, one that will truly grow with them and serve them and their families for years to come. The options are endless for these areas of the home and exploring them with my clients is exciting. There is nothing I love more than taking a kitchen that was not serving its true potential and turning it into the true center of the home. The role of the kitchen in the home is immense. Its where we come to gather, create memories, socialize and more. For some of us, it is where we host social gatherings. Others, it might be the place we do our work or homework. Depending on the use, the design changes and invites the activities we do the most.
1. Natural Materials
More and more, kitchens are incorporating natural materials. We are seeing these in the cabinets, countertops, flooring and even in backsplashes. The all white and grey kitchens are starting to incorporate some more natural tones and colors in them. We are celebrating nature in our kitchens and using it to create an inviting, welcoming space that we want to spend time in. Natural countertops such as granite, quartzite, travertine, limestone, marble and more are being utilized in kitchens. Of course, we also cannot forget butcher block! The warm tones of the wood provide a wonderful space for families and friends to gather. We are celebrating the natural variations in the stone and showcasing it in our kitchens for our own, unique design. We are pairing these with warm wood tones and bold hardware. Wood with a clear or natural stain is also becoming extremely popular. Homeowners and designers alike are utilizing natural beauty in kitchens and I cannot get enough of it. I embrace natural materials and love to incorporate them anyway I can. As a person who loves the outdoors, any time I can bring them in, I do! The warm weather where we can spend time outside is too short, therefore, I bring some of the outside in to keep me sane during the cold winter months. As the hub of the home, the kitchen needs to be a space that fills us with a sense of peace, a place we want to be in.
2. Cabinets with Character
As we get farther into 2023, kitchen cabinets are becoming unique and creative in their design. From the faces to the configuration of the cabinets on the inside, kitchens are boasting unique and fun designs. The different options that are available are inspiring and so enjoyable to sift through with my clients. When it comes to the fronts, we are seeing a lot when it comes to the design. Some are designed in a way to trick us; for example, some are designed to hide an element that the designer does not want seen or are used to create a balanced look in a space that does not have balance. Many kitchens are turning to using drawers in the lower cabinets to make it easier for children to help set and prep dinner tables, or to help make them more self sufficient from an earlier age. Others are using hidden doors and drawers within cabinets because they want the look of one drawer, but on a practical standpoint, need multiple drawers. Truly, the design for cabinets is endless and I cannot capture it all here. The differences inspire me to think outside the box and to think of different design solutions that will be the best option for the kitchen and client I am working with. We are introducing new styles and options every day and being able to incorporate these into kitchen designs is exhilarating.
3. Stone Slab Backsplashes/Waterfall Counters
The next favorite goes together in my mind, as they are both using stone. Stone backsplashes are becoming more and more popular and available. This is due to the fact that manufacturers are able to create thinner slabs to make this look even possible. In addition, this is a wonderful option for those who do not like the look of grout or who do not like to clean it. It is also a time saver, as it takes much less time to install the slab as a backsplash than it does for tile. The material itself can be more costly, but when compared to the cost of labor and install, it is relatively comparative to having a tile backsplash. In addition to the backsplashes, waterfall counters are an amazing and unique option to include in kitchen design. I cannot get enough of a good waterfall counter. It creates a seamless design from the top of the counter to the bottom, as it eliminates the look of lines on the cabinet. It is also easy to clean, as there are less nooks and crannies for dirt, dust and grime to settle as there are in a cabinet side. The look of a waterfall countertop is more modern in nature, but is a great way to add some flair to your kitchen. It is just another way we are celebrating natural stone and being able to incorporate it in more places to continue to showcase its beauty.
4. Color!
The introduction of color is an exciting change that has been occurring over the past couple of years and my favorites are becoming more popular this year. We saw an explosion of dark blues mixing with bright whites becoming popular already, however we are exchanging that for even more variation. The use of greens, blues, earth tones, and even some unexpected pastels are coming into popularity. As the kitchen is the center of the home, we want to it be welcoming and inviting, and color is a great option for that. If you are not quite ready to go with a green island, incorporating some color by painting the walls or just having an accent wall is still a wonderful way to bring color in and brighten up the space. If not quite ready to change something as permanent as wall color, even just the décor we bring in can be enough. I change colors in my home all the time, especially in the kitchen. I have used reds, teals, navy's and more over the years. Having an entirely neutral kitchen is going out the door as we are bringing color and contrast in. The best part is, it does not take much to incorporate some color. Therefore, it can be changed as often as you like!
5. Mixing Metals
The last trend I am excited about is mixing metals. I have been mixing metals before it was considered a trend and do not intend to stop now! I love using different metals to create a unique style to the space. Mixing black matte and a polished gold is truly a beuatiful combination that I will never tire of. Mixing metals gives us more options for hardware and creates a better design overall. The time of matching everything is over. It gives us as designers more room to play! We can bring in some light fixtures that have a different finish then the cabinet and drawer pulls. We are not focused on finding everything in the same finish; we are open to using different finishes that pair well together to create a cohesive design. We want to have visual interest in a space because otherwise, our minds get bored. We need visual interest in a space, especially one that we spend so much time in. Mixing metals within the space is a great way to add that interest, without going overboard. As designers, we do take the whole design inter consideration as we are mixing up our metals, making sure to keep the design style cohesive and to use metals that do not clash with one other. We take great care to do so, and the end result is spectacular!
Designing kitchens are some of the most fun projects I have had the opportunity and pleasure to work on. There is a lot involved and they are such a fun challenge to tackle. I am so excited by the design trends that are coming out or growing in 2023 and am happy to incorporate them in my design work. I am even more ready to see what else this year has in store for us and how much the styles of today will change.
Thank you for reading and come back next week for more!
Colleen
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