Sure, it’s tons of fun looking through home and garden magazines, watching home improvement reality shows, and perusing thousands of Pinterest boards on trending kitchen designs. But sometimes wouldn’t you really like to check out what your actual neighbors are doing inside their kitchens?
The hugely popular home remodeling and design platform Houzz recently released a survey of more than 2,400 U.S. homeowners in which they asked them what choices they were making for their kitchen renovation projects. Here are the top four responses. And who knows, maybe one of them was one of your neighbors!
Fairfax Kitchen Design Trends
At Foley, we’ve found that the majority of our kitchen remodeling clients are choosing trends they believe will last for years to come.
“Super Kitchens” are In. Houzz coined the term “super kitchens” to describe a multi-purpose, all-in-one hub of the home. Nearly half of the homeowners they surveyed made the decision to open up their kitchen to the rest of the house and, in some cases, to the outdoors. Today’s kitchens continue to evolve beyond a place where meals are prepared. Entertaining, socializing, homework, or just hanging out – 60% of homeowners are now spending three or more hours a day in their kitchens.
Customized features such as coffee stations, pastry counters, and wine refrigerators are becoming more common, as are high-tech work stations. The super kitchen of today is now a true family room, with layouts and design elements that blur the line between where the kitchen ends and the rest of home begins.
A Vintage Flavor. Homeowners are moving away from ultra-sleek kitchens and embracing designs that blend contemporary style with vintage flair. Designers see it as looking to the past for a sense of comfort, and welcome it as a way to introduce a cozy and welcoming vibe. There’s been a recent resurgence of designing a kitchen that is functional yet timeless and, most importantly, reflects a family’s true lifestyle. This is a trend that works well with Fairfax kitchen design, as Northern VA is an area steeped in history and tradition.
Homeowners are choosing retro-style countertop appliances that add a nostalgic air to their contemporary cooking area. And while vintage used to mean the 1920s, today it can refer to the 1960s Nordic style kitchen that some people are embracing, or to the color-clad appliances of the same time period. Whatever trend they choose, homeowners are having fun taking a trip to the past to help them design their kitchen of the future.
Muted Color Palettes. Though white motifs continue to rule, there’s a move towards soft, muted color palettes. Bold primary colors will be put on the back burner as neutral pastels, grays, and tinted whites get used for everything from cabinets to backsplashes. Homeowners are also choosing lighter wood tones, including white oak, walnuts, and whitewashed woods. Neutrals are both soothing and versatile, making them a trend that’s likely to last for quite some time.
Engineered Materials. So realistic that they almost rival the real thing, engineered materials are taking their place in the spotlight. Gone are the manufactured materials of the past that looked fake and drab. Today’s engineered stone, board, and tile look nearly as good as their natural counterparts. Better yet, they’re often more durable, easier to maintain, and less expensive than the originals.
Designers and homeowners are choosing engineered stone that looks like marble for countertops and backsplashes. For flooring, there are vinyl floor tiles that mimic premium stone and timber that are ideal for kitchens that see a lot of foot traffic.
A Kitchen Remodel with Staying Power
At Foley, we like to remind our clients that there’s a difference between trends and fads, and not to worry about adapting the latest trends into their own kitchen remodel. The key is to use only those trends you and your family truly love and that reflect your personal taste and lifestyle. It’s the sure way to end up with a kitchen that will serve you well for many years to come.
Contact us today to learn more about Fairfax kitchen design and our complete home remodeling process.