2019 SEEMS TO BE THE YEAR FOR FRESH STARTS AND MANY HOMEOWNERS ARE TAKING THAT INTO THEIR KITCHENS WITH UPDATES THAT EMBRACE NEW TECHNOLOGY, NEW DESIGN SCHEMES AND NEW MATERIALS.
If you’ve been thinking of revamping your kitchen and thought 2019 might be the year to do it, you wouldn’t be alone. Flexibility, functionality and owner personality drive kitchen updates, and with today’s options that meet those criteria, it’s time to say goodbye to the ‘80s.
For many homeowners, a kitchen design is a long-term commitment that can last 30 years or more. But according to the 2014 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Remodeling Survey, forty-one percent of homeowners are remodeling kitchens 15 years old, and another 25 percent are updating kitchens that are over 30 years old. Those statistics reveal what most home designers readily admit: kitchens are the biggest driver of spending in the remodeling market.
Because kitchen renovations are such a large investment, it’s important to plan carefully before you start. Think about what you’ll need and how you can improve your existing setup based on the problems you encounter with your current space and your changing needs. You’ll definitely want to make decisions you can live with for a long time, so study emerging trends for inspiration, but do so cautiously. Paint colors can be easily changed in 5 years, but changing a bright green granite countertop is much more involved.
Every homeowner’s tastes are different and regional tastes vary as well. You will ultimately have to create your own dream kitchen wish list, but here are a few kitchen design and decorating ideas that are emerging for 2019.
THE MEETING OF TWO DESIGNS
In the past, most kitchen styles could be categorized as either farmhouse/traditional or modern/contemporary. Today’s homeowners are looking for something inbetween.... something “transitional.” Thus the moderntraditional marriage. This new design trend works exactly as it sounds by creating a kitchen that’s streamlined–but not ultra sleek–with warm and homey remnants. Cabinet design, colors, materials and textures are all being thrown in the pot and mixed up resulting in things like classic Shaker cabinet doors in dark wood stains, or stainless steel features mixed with wood. In a reverse notion, ultra modern design elements like sterile chrome handles and marble are being replaced with traditional style features like brushed-nickel and pewter mixed with hints of wood.
FURNITURE STYLE DESIGN
As living rooms and kitchens have all but merged into one, some design elements from each space are starting to mingle. Furniture-style cabinetry celebrates the kitchen as more than just a work area, but rather a treasured space that the whole family can enjoy. One of the best ways to incorporate this idea into the kitchen is through an island. Raising it on legs or including intricate paneling sets the island apart as a sophisticated piece that serves a greater purpose than just food prep.
LIGHTS ON
In the past, homeowners have generally underestimated lighting as both a practical and design tool. By layering lighting with a mix of pendants, strategically placed recessed lights, and under-counter LED lights a kitchen can easily switch between workplace and entertainment area.
Decorative and accent lighting is useful for adding a special touch to a kitchen’s overall design. A line of gorgeous glass pendants over an island or an elegant chandelier hanging over a dining table convert the kitchen into a tasteful room that everyone can enjoy.
LOOK UP
Statement-making ceilings are in vogue as rooms beckon guests to look to up. New shapes, features, recesses, and colors will be spotted on kitchens across the country as homeowners attempt to take advantage of this space. Floating glass “clouds,” wood beams, classic embellishments and designer lighting are just a few ideas that we can expect to see in 2019. If nothing else, the ceiling should be painted to compliment the colors of the room so it is not just white.
LUXURIOUS METALS
Chrome and stainless steel are two common metallics associated with kitchens. Now it’s time for gold, copper and bronze to have their turn at warming things up. Metals can be used in a variety of ways whether it is as a copper range hood, bronze sink apron, aluminum backsplash or gold accents on lighting.
OPEN AND AIRY
Traditionally, cabinets have been used to hide clutter. Many homeowners are now opting to eliminate some clutter so they can replace bulky overhead cabinets with open, user-friendly shelving that personalizes the kitchen space. If done correctly, open shelves can actually make a small space look larger. The key to keeping it streamlined, is to chose kitchen wares, plates, glasses and bowls that are attractive, stackable and colorful. Open shelving can make a statement about your home as much as it can be useful. If you still have some clutter to hide, you can always count on under counter cabinets for extra storage.
Open-plan kitchens have been on the rise for some time. Many kitchen designs are beginning to fully embrace the idea of spaciousness by replacing wall cabinets and shelving with windows that frame a picturesque view or a blank wall whose focus is a striking customized range hood or tile pattern. Careful planning can assure any homeowner that aesthetics and functionality meet in the middle.
REPETITIVE PATTERNS
A major trend on the design forefront is a move away from geometric patterns and toward elegant, repetitive motifs, which will take shape in the form of laser-cut plywood or steel panels, wall coverings, door inserts and tiles. We’ve already seen patterns from bygone eras come to life in upholstery fabrics and fashion design, and these will be replicated in the home. Look for art deco and art nouveau–inspired motifs with hints of Turkish and other Middle Eastern influences to appear in tile patterns, backsplashes, and wallpaper.
