Kitchen Trends For 2016

Posted on Aug 14, 2016 in Home Improvement, Kitchens & Baths, Newsletter Article

Homes with all-white kitchens look great in magazines, but a recent survey found they’re not popular with homebuyers because of upkeep. So, before you paint your kitchen, replace your countertops or install new cabinets, use these helpful hints to make your kitchen more appealing as well as more user-friendly.

Set the tone. Think about your kitchen’s functionality and personality. Dark walls or cabinets tend to be more elegant and formal. Bright colors are cheerful, playful and family-friendly. If you like white, add some soft color in a glass backsplash.

Gray areas. According to Lowessemployees.com, the most popular colors and materials in kitchens floors are gray, charcoal or espresso ceramic, stone and hardwood.

Quartz, not granite. Manufactured quartz is the leading countertop material, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Quartz is tougher, easier to maintain, offers numerous colors and patterns, mimics the high-end look of granite, and it’s more earth-friendly.

Colorful appliances. Houzz.com reports that bold color in sinks, backsplashes and accents is replacing neutrals. You can get a Viking range in orange, or go retro with Elmira Stoveworks’ faux-1950’s appliance, in turquoise.

Clean lines. Flat-panel or Shaker-style door treatments help streamline the kitchen. Choosing shelves in place of a few upper cabinets allow pretty dishes, glassware, and wall paint to show.

Light. More windows and light never hurt, but you’ll also need task lighting, whether in overhead lights, track lighting, pendant lights or under cabinet lights.

Before you choose hue-rich appliances, countertops, cabinets, or new paint, make sure you try color samples under the same lighting you’ll be using in your kitchen.

From Chuck Barry’s August 2016 Issue of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Monthly Newsletter.

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