| A kitchen remodel not only adds significant value to | | | | and computer-based entertainment systems to |
| your home, but it can also improve your quality of life. If | | | | retracting ventilation hoods and gas burners, |
| you are thinking of giving your outdated kitchen a much | | | | technology can make the kitchen more fun, convenient, |
| needed overhaul, it is important to consider current | | | | and cool. The kitchen is both a social and functional |
| kitchen trends. This will allow you to create a space | | | | space in the home. Small additions, like a small mobile |
| not only pleases you and your family, but also appeals | | | | device charging station, really illustrate this point. Imagine |
| to prospective future buyers. Below you will find an | | | | your family returning home in the evening, immediately |
| over-view of the most current kitchen trends that will | | | | plugging in their mobile devices, and congregating in the |
| help enhance your lifestyle and the value of your | | | | kitchen to catch up with each other. |
| home. | | | | - The Fresh, Foodie Kitchen. The rising popularity of |
| - The Sustainable Kitchen. Eco-friendly is all the rage | | | | celebrity chefs and shows like Top Chef help |
| these days, but most notably in the kitchen where a | | | | demonstrate a cultural shift towards culinary |
| few small changes can make a significant impact. You | | | | appreciation and fresh food preparation. The result is |
| can use inexpensive recycled or natural materials such | | | | the growing popularity of restaurant grade appliances |
| as recycled glass counter tops or formaldehyde-free | | | | and features that promote fresh, healthy food |
| bamboo for work surfaces and flooring. Convenient | | | | preparation. Commercial grade stoves are more |
| built-in recycling centers and food composters can | | | | popular than ever. Filtered faucets and refrigerators |
| save space and make recycling simple. The overall | | | | with multiple cooling and humidity settings for keeping |
| idea is making the kitchen effortlessly eco-friendly so | | | | food fresh longer are in demand. Copper sinks have |
| that being green isn’t a sacrifice, it’s just an | | | | made a comeback due to their rustic appeal and |
| easy part of your everyday life. | | | | natural anti-bacterial properties. State of the art food |
| - Multi-functional Convenience. Since your kitchen | | | | storage and fresh herbs on the window sill are easy, |
| remodel should focus on making life easier, | | | | inexpensive ways to incorporate this trend into your |
| multi-functional features are the way to go. Some | | | | kitchen. |
| examples of this trend include sinks with accessories, | | | | - The Come-Back of Color and Shape. Unexpected |
| such as built-in preparation boards, colanders, and/or | | | | flashes of color and bold shapes are all the rage, and |
| drain trays. Storage that is both stylish and highly | | | | offer a nice juxtaposition to the earthy mellowness of |
| engineered can save you both space and frustration. | | | | the eco-friendly trend. Colorful paint, tiles or back |
| Cupboard inserts and custom storage areas with | | | | splashes add some punch to an otherwise |
| adjustable dividers and pull out baskets are big | | | | monochromatic space. Vivid blues, oranges and corals |
| value-adders. Some of today’s homes have | | | | are particularly popular. Stainless steel appliances are |
| appliances set on wheels or movable islands which | | | | still accepted, but colorful appliances are more |
| allow you to easily rearrange the kitchen for | | | | cutting-edge, and seem at once both modern and |
| convenient preparation, cleaning, and entertaining… | | | | retro. Likewise, unexpected shapes – it could be |
| which is not just multi-functional, but also kind of fun. | | | | anything from your windows to accessories |
| - The High-Tech Kitchen. Just like every other aspect | | | | purchased at the flea market - add interest and |
| of our lives, kitchens are featuring more technology | | | | character to your kitchen space. The idea is to make |
| than ever. A lot of this technology is focused on | | | | the space fun and unique, but not obnoxious, so be |
| making the kitchen more enjoyable and adding a bit of | | | | careful to self edit if you find the color and shapes |
| the “wow” factor. From flat-screen televisions | | | | taking over. |