2016 Kitchen Trends: Integrated living, soft colors, LED lighting, and metallic finishes

  No longer used only for cooking and casual dining, nearly two-thirds of Americans spend more than three hours each day in their kitchens entertaining, eating, reading, watching TV, working, doing homework, or simply hanging out with their friends and family. With all of these activities taking place in the kitchen, more features are being added to accommodate them, including island seating, built-in banquettes, desks, workspaces, and built-in stations for coffee and tea. Kitchens are also boasting the latest in tech and appliances, such as state-of-the art coffee machines, wine coolers, steam ovens, and televisions. While kitchens have always been a place to find gadgets, it has now also become a place to use your personal electronics. Phones, laptops, and other mobile devices need charging, so kitchens are integrating designated smart spaces where hidden charging stations can be installed. For many years a single shade of white was the standard in kitchen colors. While white is still a dominant color, different shades of white are now being used, as well as pale blue, pale green-gray, beige, and soft charcoal. These muted, neutral color palettes are being chose as primary colors as well as accent colors. Following the lighter paint colors of walls is a movement toward lighter wood tones, whitewashed woods, and wood painted to show the grain in flooring and cabinets. An increase in raw, natural-looking materials such as rough-sawn, knotted timber and woodgrains washed in light tones show that kitchen design is trending toward a beachy, refined-rustic style. Cabinetry needs to do more than simply store. It need to have customized storage and lighting. Popular built-in features such as pull-out waste and recycling drawers, cookie sheet, cutting board, and spice organizers provide specific storage solutions while concealed LED strip lighting is being placed below cabinets, above cabinets, inside cabinets, and below countertop overhangs to illuminate every inch of kitchen space. Metallic finishes, such as copper, brass or bronze are taking on a more dominant role. While metallic finished faucets, pendant lights, and cabinet pulls have recently been incorporated into kitchen design, look for more metal wall panels and range hoods. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances still top the list of kitchen “must-haves” for most homeowners. After that, everyone has their own idea of a dream kitchen. If you are interested in incorporating a few of these trends into your kitchen, or are looking to do a full remodel, give Green Remodeling a call at 678-445-5533 or stop by our showroom. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can assist you in making your kitchen remodeling dreams a reality.