10 Trends to Watch in the Kitchen and Bath

What's in and what's out in kitchen and bath design? If you’re planning a new home or a remodel of your current one you don't want your kitchen and bath to be obsolete in say five to ten years. So right from the initial planning and design stage, you'll want to get familiar with the latest trends for the two most important rooms in the home. To help you get started here are just a few of the up and coming trends in the kitchen and bath.

Eclectic is In

At one time everything had to match. So if your kitchen was traditional that theme had to run throughout the room. Now it's about function just as much as it is form. You might want sleek modern kitchen cabinets but the serious chef in you wants the heavy duty country kitchen island. It's all about bringing together all the things you want and need and making them work well together.

 

Until recently cherry cabinets were all the rage. One of the latest trends in wood cabinetry is anegre, a light tan hardwood from Africa. It has a pattern much like curly maple and is especially beautiful when used in modern kitchen design along with sleek cabinet handles and cabinet knobs.

 

Walnut Makes a Comeback

Another wood making its way back into today's cabinetry is walnut. The updated finish is clear, allowing for the natural grain and color of the wood to stand out. The cabinet knobs and cabinet handles are also understated adding to the beautiful clean lines of the wood.

Until just a few years ago installation of manufactured solid surface countertops was the choice for most homeowners. Today it’s all about the granite but other stones such as sandstone and limestone are gaining in popularity as well.

 

But Don’t Count out Metal

Right up there with granite and other natural stone, making a bid for a place in your kitchen is metal, including stainless steel, copper and zinc.  Metal is durable, easy to

 

 

And you thought ceiling fans were reserves for the living and dining rooms. Actually ceiling fans were made for kitchen living. In warmer weather, cooking in the kitchen can be the last place you want to be but adding a ceiling fan can help to alleviate some of that heat. Plus energy conscious homeowners know that ceiling fans help save dollars.

Luxury Spas Head Home

 

Everyone loves being pampered at the spa, so much so that they’re bringing the spa home with them. From tiled steam showers to heated towel bars the home bath is turning into a private luxury spa.

 

When it comes to appliances, we can safely assume that avocado green and harvest gold won’t be back any time soon, but white and now black are quickly leaving the scene as well. Stainless steel is in big time but now it’s going from shine to matte. No more glare in the kitchen!

Whirlpool Tubs get the Boot

Whirlpool tubs are on the way out. Many homeowners claim they are uncomfortable and noisy. So instead they are opting for over sized soaker tubs to relax and soak away the stress after a long hard day.

Oil Rubbed Bronze adds Old World Charm

Oil rubbed bronze cabinet pulls are adding a touch of elegant old world or country charm to new kitchens, but look just as great in the bath when matched up with oil rubbed bronze fixtures. The rich darker color of oil rubbed bronze cabinet pulls and other hardware can make a kitchen or bath feel warm and cozy.