Top Kitchen Trends in 2011

Posted on 07. Mar, 2011 by Sesshu Design in Blog

Kitchen remodels are the most popular home improvement for homeowners, whether it is a simple facelift of fresh finishes and new appliances or a total makeover with major changes to layout.  Here are some of the hottest trends for the most used room in your home to make it more functional, beautiful and efficient.

• Dishwasher drawers- easier to load, and you can do half loads, too!
• Workstations for specialized purposes, i.e. coffee center, wine tasting, planning, baking, etc.
• Flexible pull-out faucets along with instant hot and cold taps

• New finishes other than polished on granite countertops like “leather”, honed, and “fired” which bring out different characteristics of the stone
• Integrating computers, sound systems and televisions into the room
• Lots of lighting for task, under-cabinet and general – all with dimmers

• Storage in functional drawers with dividers for organized, easy access- especially in work areas
• Cabinet panel fronts on appliances to blend seamlessly with the rest of the design scheme
• White cabinets with brightly colored walls or accents
• Under-counter freezers, beverage centers, wine storage and more
• Built in strainers, colanders, and cutting boards in sinks

• Stainless steel appliances are still very popular.
• Dual appliances like two dishwashers, dual ovens, etc. make entertaining or feeding a large family easier
• Green and/or recycled materials, energy-star rated appliances- hooray!

If it’s time to update your kitchen, you will be happy to know that it is still considered a good investment.  Typical kitchen remodels generally will return between 80 and 100 percent on the investment when you sell.  According to Consumer Reports, this is an excellent time to redo your kitchen and it’s still the most popular remodel.  To ensure you get the results you want, hire a qualified contractor and designer to work through the details and guide you through the process.

Tags: design trends, eco-friendly interior design, energy efficient design, kitchen design, water saving tips