Meta Description: Are you planning to renovate or remodel your kitchen? You have to ensure you have a functional design and install the best materials.
Kitchen designs are not limited by function anymore; they also blend with living spaces and serve as dining areas. If you are looking for more inspirations, take a look at our top 5 kitchen interior designs over at Beautiful Homes.
Today’s kitchen is no longer just about functionality; it’s also about creating a space that functions on several levels. It can be used as an entertainment center, for example, where the family gathers to watch TV after dinner, or as a casual dining area for casual family meals. Therefore, today’s kitchen is designed to grow with the needs of its users.
Before you begin looking at different styles of kitchen designs, it helps to understand the design trends that emerged in 2011 and 2012.
Here are some of the kitchen styles:
- Contemporary: clean lines and contemporary color schemes, such as grays and whites, paired with dark blue or browns for accents;
- Retro: a look that is inspired by the 50’s and 60’s with midcentury modern details;
- Coastal: casual cottage style with soft, neutral colors and large windows;
- Industrial: exposed brick or reclaimed barn wood paired with steel appliances for an urban look.
- Modern: modern kitchen design features simplicity and clean lines with materials like glass, metal and concrete.
Nowadays, kitchens tend to have a more minimalistic design as opposed to the heavily detailed, Victorian style that was popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
Kitchen designers recommend replacing laminate countertops with granite counters, as they provide a means of customizing your kitchen’s look. Granite is one of the most versatile and precious materials for design and it can be used to create a unique color.
Here are some materials you could use to modernize the look of your kitchen:
- Stainless steel: Durable and easy to clean, stainless steel appliances give your kitchen a sleek look.
- Wood: Oak is the most popular choice when customizing cabinets because of its durability and stain-resistant qualities. But it’s not the only wood option; you can also choose from materials such as pine for an earthy quality or eucalyptus for a contemporary look.
- Granite: Like stainless steel, granite is a durable and great-looking material that is easy to clean. You can also have custom granite countertops in Salt Lake City where you could choose different colors or patterns.
- Concrete: Concrete has the durability of granite but it’s more affordable and easier to customize because you can make it in different colors.
- Glass tiles: This material is similar to concrete in that it’s durable. It can be used on countertops and backsplashes, and paired with natural wood cabinets, it looks rustic and contemporary at the same time.
- Tile: Pairing tile with granite or marble is a great way to add personality to your kitchen without having too many colors in play. Tiles are also easy to replace.
- Carpeting: This material not only adds color but it can also help insulate feet from cold tiles during the winter months.
If you want something more exotic, consider using materials such as steel or reclaimed wood. These materials are considered edgy and will give your kitchen an avant-garde look.
Paint color is also part of the design process. While you might gravitate toward neutral colors, such as beige or white, you can opt for bolder hues to make a statement. Gray tends to look more contemporary while deep reds and yellows are considered retro.
Kitchen designs are not limited by function anymore; they also blend with living spaces and serve as dining areas.
