10 Trends in Kitchen Design 2011

What’s ‘In’ and ‘Out’ in the Kitchen: 10 Trends to Watch

On March 14, 2011, in Home Trends, by Melissa Tracey

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Kitchens are going dark, LED lighting is gaining steam, and trash is getting more attention–all are trends in kitchen designs this year, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, which surveyed 100 designers at the end of 2010 to reveal the hottest kitchen trends. (Last week, we highlighted NKBA’s 4 Bathroom Trends to Watch.)

The following is a list of what’s cooking in kitchen trends for 2011, based on NKBA survey results of which kitchen designs are increasing in demand and which are losing favor.

Maple kitchen; Photo credit: Courtesy of KraftMaid Cabinetry

1. Cabinetry

Gaining steam: Maple cabinetry

Losing steam: Cherry cabinetry (Cherry dominated kitchens in early 2010 but was overtaken by maple cabinetry this year)

Kitchen cabinets in Sonoma Maple, Midnight with Bristol Maple, Pebble; Photo credit: Wellborn Cabinet Inc.

2. Kitchen finishes

Gaining steam: Dark natural finishes; light natural and colored painted finishes also remained fairly common, inching up slightly in use.

Losing steam: Medium natural, glazed, and white painted finishes are on the decline and the use of distressed finishes has dropped significantly in the last year.

Photo credit: Miro Dvorscak

3. Color

Gaining steam: Grays, beiges, and bones

Losing steam: Brown tones, whites, and off-whites

O’Neil Cabinets shaker style; Photo credit: Courtesy of O’Neil Cabinets

4. Design styles

Gaining steam: Shaker style, which is characterized by its simplicity, un-ornamented yet functional, finely crafted style. (Shaker overtook contemporary style this year as the No. 2 most popular kitchen design style). Traditional style remains the most popular kitchen design, although it has dropped slightly in popularity compared to last year.

Losing steam: Contemporary style

Kitchen from Huntwood Cabinets features an island with built-in wine cubbies; Photo credit: Alan Bisson

5. Cabinetry upgrades

Gaining steam: Unchilled wine storage (yet undercounter wine refrigerators are losing favor)

Losing steam: Tall pantries, lazy Susans, appliance garages, and pull-out racks are declining slightly in popularity.

DuPont Corian solid surface in Sorrel; Photo Credit: TC Studios

6. Countertops

Gaining steam: Solid surfaces, a low-maintenance countertop surface, has grown in popularity, but granite and quartz continue to hold dominance. Other countertops surfaces increasing in niche use include butcher block and marble.

Losing steam: Laminate

Liebherr’s 2060 series

7. Refrigerators

Gaining steam: French door and side-by-side refrigerators

Losing steam: Freezer-top refrigerators and freezer-bottom models

Thermador’s Masterpiece Series 36-inch Silver-Mirrored Induction Cooktop; Photo credit: Thermador

8. Cooktops

Gaining steam: Induction cooktops are closing the gap on gas and electric models; double wall ovens are increasing in use.

Losing steam: Gas cooktops are still popular but their use is falling slightly in favor of induction and electric cooktops. Single wall ovens and warming drawers are also on the decline.

Photo credit: Kichler Lighting

9. Lighting

Gaining steam: LED energy-efficient lighting options

Losing steam: Incandescent lighting and CFLs (compact fluorescent lights)

Photo credit: Rev-A-Shelf, LLC

10. Trash

Gaining steam: More designers are taking into account trash considerations in kitchen designs, with trash or recycling pull-outs, garbage disposals, and trash compactors on the rise.

Losing steam: Not considering where the trash goes in the kitchen

Melissa Tracey

Arrange a room

1. Find a focal point -- a fireplace, a large window, or an entertainment center -- and build the furniture design around it. The focal point should be anchored to a wall. Move your furniture away from the walls to create an intimate grouping.
2. Place chairs no more than 8 feet apart to encourage conversation.
3. Position a table within reach of every seating piece. If possible, place a lamp near each seating area.
4. Allow ample legroom by placing the coffee table 14 to 18 inches from the sofa.
5. Choose side tables that are about as tall as the arm of the chair or sofa they are serving.
6. Create traffic lanes that are several feet wide to allow easy movement through the room.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WITH A "WIDE OPEN" FLOOR PLAN OR MULTI-PURPOSE RM

1. Give each area in a multipurpose room a dominant feature. For instance, focus your dining area on a large hutch and your sitting area on an entertainment unit. If possible, place these elements opposite each other to create equal weight in the room.
2. Create a natural divide using furniture placement. Face a sofa or a pair of chairs away from the dining area. Or, use a folding screen to separate the areas.
3. Aim for harmony by balancing two or more smaller items against a large one. Pair chairs and even accessories for balance.
4. Use area rugs to define each grouping.
5. Allow at least 3 feet of space around the dining table to leave room for comfortable sitting, as well as a wide aisle for traffic flow.
6. Clear the entry of furniture, and direct traffic toward the dining and sitting areas.

BEDROOM FURNITURE PLACEMENT

1. Angle furniture to give your room drama: This arrangement works well in rooms with many doors and windows. It also helps cozy up groupings; furniture that's placed around the perimeter often results in arrangements that are too far apart.
2. Anchor the space with an area rug or small runner placed on the same angle to emphasize the diagonal.
3. Pair side tables at each side of the bed to create balance. For a sitting area, position tables at each side of a sofa or between matching chairs.
4. Create traffic options in tight quarters with diagonal furniture placement. This also helps the room appear larger and more complex.
5. Play up the bed as a focal-point. Position baskets, a trunk, or a bench at the foot of the bed. If you don't have a headboard, create one with a folding screen or old shutters.

ACCESSORIZE

When it comes to successful displays of collectibles and accessories, the odds are with you. As a rule, odd numbers of items create more interest than even numbers (things grouped in 3's tend too look great). Likewise, a variety of shapes and sizes catches the eye.

Check out Better Homes and Gardens to Arrange your Room!!
http://arrangearoom.bhg.com/arrangearoom/