A survey of homeowners reveals popular preferences.
A North American survey of home improvement professionals revealed what’s hot in the world of remodels, kitchens and baths. It was conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, a nonprofit organization for over 50 years that hosts over 50,000 members and 14,000 companies in the kitchen and bath industry (the NKBA also owns and holds the long-running Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Florida and Las Vegas).
Emerging from the study were some very specific trends that have gained favor over the past year. Interestingly, a common theme developed and it was determined that kitchens that included elements of both traditional and contemporary designs were favored throughout the country overall.
Here’s the gist of the list:
1. Clean lines – flush hardware in a seamless fashion. Built-in and simple door designs of transitional-styled kitchens reign. Contemporary follows in popularity, trailed by the traditional style.
2. Cabinets painted white and gray seem to be a popular choice that doesn’t look to change anytime soon, with gray in particular dominating the scene. Blue is also being used more often as a cabinet color as are high gloss finishes. Overall kitchen scheme preferences also note blue as quite popular with black (!) picking up speed.
3. Two-tone kitchens are where it’s at. Combining materials (such as wood and metal) creatively, as accents, countertops, etc… is currently the ‘in’ thing to do.
4. For years, wood dominated the cabinet field, and that hasn’t changed. However, there is a rise in popularity of metal cabinets among young males and fans of the industrial style.
5. Crown molding is on the decline. Other features to emerge are under-cabinet LED lighting, rollout trays, pull-out shelves and cabinets that appear to be “furniture style” (glossy wood grain).
6. Quartz continues to be the most popular kitchen countertop material, and it is ‘trending’ up. Meanwhile the nearly-as-popular granite is slowly declining in popularity.
7. Also ‘trending’ higher are induction countertops and convection ovens. Microwave drawers are now preferred over built-in models. Steam ovens maintain their loyal user base and surprisingly show some growth.
8. Tech integration such as that used in internet connected devices and docking stations is on the rise and are expected to become more prominent with each subsequent year.
9. Barn-style and pocket doors have become more prevalent. They are quite stylish and free up a bit of space.
10. Easily accessible, universal design features are as popular as ever, and are increasing in appeal.
If you own a property that you rent out, keeping abreast of trends such as these will establish yourself as someone who knows and cares about what people are looking for.
