5 Kitchen Trends for 2013

2012 was another fantastic year for the kitchen! From new materials to less traditional designs, people were wanting something different in the heart of their home. If you’re considering a kitchen renovation for 2013, be sure to take note of these popular design trends.

Open-Plan Kitchen

The unity of cooking and living flourishes in the New Year as more homeowners are opting for a seamless transition between rooms. This trend makes entertaining crowds a breeze, as guests float between the kitchen and living/family room.

Glass

High gloss abounds, from cabinets to appliances, but nowhere is this more striking than in the rise of back-painted glass backsplashes. It’s easy-to-clean and the reflective surface adds a beautiful polish to the space. Instead of a single glass sheet, glass mosaic tiles offer an option for an impressive design.

Modern Appliances

Today, we are beginning to live more like the Jetsons than the Jones’s thanks to smartphones and tablets. The kitchen is more mobile than ever and can be controlled through multiple devices. Expect to find more professional style appliances in the home. Go-to designs will be professional gas ranges and induction cooktops that will make any neighbor green with envy.

Transitional Style

According to the National Kitchen And Bath Association, the “traditional” kitchen design was dethroned by the “transitional” style in 2012. The kitchen is moving in a more modern direction, but still contains many elements of traditional style. Think more simplified lines, chandelier lights and big, open spaces made for entertaining.

Plain or Colorful

Appliances: expect to see more colorful options from kitchen manufacturers in the New Year, but don’t say farewell to stainless and paneled options just yet!

Organizing Your Kitchen

A kitchen is only as functional as it is organized. If your cabinets and drawers feel cluttered, take a look at these tips to reorganize the the heart of your home.

Kitchen Regions

With a variety of unique design options, you can choose to install custom zones for easier organization. For your glassware and stemware, there is the drinks drawer. You can always opt for an appliance garage to store the toaster and blender. If you’re an enthusiastic baker, you can even install a baking bar for oven mitts, cookie sheets and loaf pans.

Inventory

If you can’t identify the proper use for a piece of equipment or gadget, it’s time to give it away. If you rarely use an item throughout the year, stow it in an out-of-the-way cabinet or storage area. Get rid of duplicate items. It’s also a good idea to carefully examine your kitchen once a year to identify things that you don’t need. Give them away! This is also a great opportunity to see what equipment you would like in your home and make your wish list.

Storage Containers

Be sure to invest in different sizes of storage containers with multiple uses. Go for pieces that nest inside one another which take up less room.

Everything Has Its Place

Pots and pans are best kept near the range or cooktop, mixing bowls close to the countertop you use for food preparation, and plates, glasses and flatware by the dishwasher or sink. If you decide to have an open display (either on open shelves or in clear glass cabinets), be ready for the extra work. You’ll need extra time to make sure you are keeping everything smudge and dust free.

Kitchen Appliances and Their Multimedia Makeover

In case you haven’t read the November 2011 issue of Life @ Home, I highly recommend you grab a copy today. This month the Times Union publication featured a fascinating article on kitchen appliances and their technological advances. Now I’ve been in the home renovation business for years, but the numerous advances in appliances over the past decade are extraordinary. Today, homeowners can purchase vents that are quieter, dishwashers that are Energy Star efficient, or even built-in WiFi right into the refrigerator. With all of these modern updates, I don’t even think the Jetsons are the family to keep up with any longer.

Checkout the latest Life @ Home issue, and see what our own chief cabinet guy, Evan Levey, had to say about how appliances are making life easier in the kitchen.

Read the November Issue of Life @ Home here!

-Laura