Hot Kitchen Designs Trends to Look for This Year

People spend a lot of time in the kitchen these days. Preparing meals, eating meals, and cleaning up the mess after meals is very time consuming. But more than this, the kitchen is, and always has been, a place of gathering. Family members tend to congregate in the heart of the home for more than just eating, so our kitchens should be both comfortable and beautiful to make our time spent here more enjoyable.

These popular trends for kitchen design in 2016 are popping up in kitchen remodels as well as in many new construction homes.

A Softer Color Palette

Kitchen colors are softening to a more muted palette. Grays, charcoals, pale blues, pale greens, and tinted whites are replacing the traditional white. When it comes to the wood of cabinets, 2016 is bringing lighter tones such as walnut, white oak, and whitewashed woods. Accent colors are also toned down with muted greens, blues, and pale yellows popping in for color.

Metal

Metal is edging its way into taking up more and more real estate in kitchens. Metal pendant lights, cabinet pulls, and faucets have been around for the past year or so and are still going strong. And metal is making even bigger statements in 2016 with many wooden hoods being replaced for metal hoods, giving kitchens a nice contrast.

Smart Features

Smart technology is a hot new home amenity this year and is making every aspect of our lives easier and more convenient. So why not bring that technology into the kitchen? Hidden charging stations for phones and tablets make accessing recipes much more convenient. State-of-the-art appliances with smart technology, like refrigerators with cameras or ovens you can control from your phone, are making their way into more and more kitchens.

Open Spaces

More and more homes are being designed with open floor plans that combine the kitchen and living area into one big space. Open spaces make the area seem larger, while allowing for an easy and smooth flow. This means that living spaces and kitchen decorations need to coordinate.

Contrasts Provided Through Texture

Texture-on-texture designs provide a beautiful contrast in a kitchen. The same texture is used more than once throughout the kitchen, but in a different pattern each time. This creates a rich and interesting look as different materials are repositioned in different ways throughout the kitchen.

Backsplashes

Backsplashes are an easy way to update a kitchen, and the perfect place to add a pop of personality. Custom backsplashes in bold patterns and colors are very popular this year. Another popular trend this year is using the same texture material, but in different patterns for a customized look.

Cabinet Lighting

Set the mood to match your meal. In addition to recessed can lights, cabinet lighting adds a unique and elegant touch to a kitchen. Low-voltage light tape strips under cabinets, above cabinets, and within cabinets add a sophisticated accent. You can even use these lights under countertop overhangs.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is the material of choice for countertops right now. Less expensive than granite, but often just as beautiful, quartz is making its way into more and more kitchens. Neutral colors are still king when it comes to countertops.

Mixing and Matching

More and more kitchens are combining different colors in their cabinetry for a unique look. Contrasting colors, like white cabinets above and gray/brown cabinets below create an interesting and customized look. Not only that, but the contrasting colors make some items appear like standalone custom furniture pieces.

Everything… PLUS the Kitchen Sink

We typically picture white or stainless steel when we think of sinks, but bright colors are beginning to replace the traditional kitchen sink. The convenient hands-free faucets are making their way into more and more kitchens as well.
While a large beautiful new kitchen is just one of the many things buyers look forward to most when building a new home, you can never overestimate the importance of having a great kitchen. New homes incorporate many important elements into their kitchen designs, giving new homeowners the chance to have the kitchen of their dreams.