In the Design Studio: More Kitchen Trends to Watch

RestonNow.com Sponsor May 6, 2016 at 12:00pm

This is a sponsored post by Anna Gibson, owner of AKG Design Studio and an award-winning, certified kitchen and bathroom designer. AKG Design Studio is a boutique design firm specializing in kitchen, bathroom designs and cabinetry sales. Contact her at 571-989-2541 or [email protected], and check out her work on Houzz; Pinterest; Facebook; and Twitter.

In my last post, we explored the super kitchen, cabinets and styles. Today we look at the color trends, appliances and countertops to see where kitchen design is heading this year.

Notice that each trend connects to the other elements in the kitchen. The super kitchen removes walls and opens space, bringing the dining room in the kitchen, affecting the design style and function of cabinets. Let’s see how colors, appliances and countertops round up the final touches.

Colors — Gray, white and soft colors will continue to dominate the trends in 2016. Glidden and Benjamin Moore have both named off-white hues the color of 2016. Additionally, Behr and Sherwin-Williams have off-white in their 2016 color trends.

In 2015, gray hit the market strong as it fits right there in the middle, the gray zone, between the white, light and the dark. In 2016, gray is maturing with lots more shades, grain and texture.

Painted cabinets are dominating the market (84 percent, based on recent survey), and this trend is here to stay. Wood grains are pushed to accent color or smoothed to a sleek contemporary look.

That said, we are also seeing a growing trend of darker colors and a bold looks. The days of one kitchen cabinet color are gone — we are seeing two, three or more colors to complete the look, so mix it up!

One more finish to be on the look for is brass. It’s not your grandmother’s brass. But brushed/ antiqued brass is creeping back into the market, as it complements the few different design style from the Farmhouse to the Mid-Century Modern.

Appliances – Stainless steel has been a popular choice for years but the black stainless steel is the new kid on the block and it’s fabulous! Another revived color for 2016 is white appliances.

Whirlpool leading the way with a new White Ice collection. Check it out below.

Technology also plays a big part in the kitchen. Samsung released a Hub Fridge this spring that turns your refrigerator into a fully connected Wi-Fi capable device that you can connect with your family, entertain, manage your food supplies, and build a shopping list like never before.

Wifi-enabled stoves that tell you when your food is ready will be coming along before you know it.

Countertops –– Following the trends of light colors, consumers are looking for white counter top with and easy upkeep. As much we love the look of white marble in the kitchens, the truth of the matter is that they stain and scratch easily.

This is where the quartz industry has found a great part of the market. Consumer Reports says quartz is the toughest countertop material, which resists scratches, burns, and chips and gives the look of marble without the fuss.

For more natural and look, there is no replacement to Mother Nature, she is the greatest artist on earth. With new quarries around the world, new stone colors available to give some amazing options.

Because of its slick look, sometimes Quartz works better with contemporary designs; granite brings character to a monochrome design.

For those looking to stay with the current trend (and thinking about selling in 2016-17), white Shaker and subway tile will be your winning style.

Those who want to charge ahead of the trend, look at the beautiful bold and dark “Kitchen Noir.”