Have you noticed that your kitchen is starting to show its age? Do you feel as if the place in which you entertain and cook is no longer relevant in its current state? There is no better time than now to start considering a renovation that can improve your kitchen and align it with the latest design and architecture trends. At Ressabuilt, we constantly research and follow what are the hottest choices being made in the residential construction world. Allow our team to help you bring your kitchen into 2023 based on the highlights of some of the projects we have reviewed.
Some of the most unique and interesting ideas we have seen involve kitchen islands. First, why have one when you can have two? The increase in social gatherings has led home entertainers to want separate areas for food prep and guest socialization. In larger kitchens, these dual islands add the ability to customize seating areas and guest interactions. Secondly, island construction and aesthetics have been updated to reflect a new mentality of the modern home. Islands themselves have become larger and the common rectangle shape has partially given way to ones that are circular or have rounded edges which is more conducive to gathering. Surfaces normally covered by stone or ceramics have been adjusted to a butcher block for instance which creates a bohemian style. Finally, painted or fluted panels have allowed the islands to truly “pop” as the centerpiece of the space.
Steering away from tiles and other ceramics, whole stone slab backsplashes are becoming the preferred choice in kitchen design. Whether granite or marble (marble is the current hot preference), these large pieces of stone create a true statement piece that can define the space; a huge plus is they can be matched to the countertops to create a more fluid and cohesive aesthetic. A related popular choice is cutting the edges and corners in untraditional manners such as with curves creating an even more eye-catching look. In terms of functionality, full slabs are much easier to maintain and clean as they lack the grout lines that tiles employ.
Later on, we will discuss the concealment of certain assets, but why hide away your beautiful antique dishware or pottery? Open shelving and minimal shelving are having their moment. Allowing your cooking ware to be visible creates another interesting visual aspect for your kitchen. A single open shelf helps create a minimalistic approach to the design which has become intriguing to many. Additionally, like stated previously, the shelving does not need to follow strict linear norms. Adding dips, gaps, or changes in height bring further unique ways for items to be stored.
Since the lighting of a room is a major factor in the perception of space, style, and function, kitchen lighting should be as diverse as the many roles generally held by the space in most homes. Standard recess lighting is being replaced by statement pendant lights that can be customized from the cord that they hang by to the design of the lighting source at the end. Also popular is the use of different layers of lighting creating a dynamic lighting environment that can be customized for different times of day or events going on in the space. By adding differing lighting sources, heights, brightness, and temperatures, the perfect lighting atmosphere can be attained.
While it is nice to have picturesque ceramics or antiques in view for guests, not so much for large clunky metal appliances or “sterile” feeling stainless steel. Enlarged cabinet space for a stand mixer and other similar kitchen tools is fantastic at helping keep your counters clear. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and even vented hoods can be clad in the same material as your cabinets in order to conceal them and add a higher level of elegance to the space. A second concealment move that many are wishing for is a butler's pantry, also known as a scullery. These small rooms directly off the kitchen are great areas to do heavy prep work or add additional storage for all kitchen goods. They can also serve as a hidden coffee bar, hold additional refrigeration, or even have a spot for a wine fridge or custom cocktail bar.
The general chaos of the last few years has led many wanting their home to be a place of peace that represents who they are and the aesthetics they enjoy. In kitchen design, this means decorating and detailing in unique ways which makes your kitchen truly yours and portrays a homey and lived-in charm. Interesting personal items, hand-painted floors, wallpaper, and the mixing and matching of materials are all methods designers and homeowners have used to create a space that feels like home. It is hard to be specific on how to attain this, but when brainstorming for your renovation/remodel, think about how your personal touch can heighten the perception that your kitchen is not only functional but also truly distinctive to the place it holds in your home.
Want more insight into how RessaBuilt can help you transform your home? Check out the informative articles on our blog, or contact us to get your own home remodeling project started.