Kitchen design keeps evolving with the introduction of smarter appliances and innovative materials. 2017 brings with it some trends that are transforming the way we use our kitchens. Let’s explore some of the exciting kitchen trends for 2017.
Countertops
Engineered quartz countertops have been around for awhile now. They have been mostly neutral in tone. This year we are seeing bright, bold colors being introduced as a focal point in kitchens, especially used as a feature on islands. Some of the new color options are magenta, orange, and lime green. Quartz is resistant to stains, heat, and impact.
Slab glass is also making a splash as a countertop material. It comes in a variety of shades and can be cut to different shapes. Glass is easy to clean. It opens up a kitchen by reflecting light.
Cabinets
Lacquered cabinet doors and drawers are allowing us to introduce even more color into our kitchens. The sky is the limit with lacquer. However, this year black seems to be the new white when it comes to cabinet faces. Black works nicely in an open kitchen plan where there is no separation between living area and food preparation space. Open plans are trending.
Appliances
The buzz surrounding appliances right now is technology. There are ranges that are Wi-Fi enabled so that you can start dinner from your smart phone before you arrive home. Some ovens even have a built-in refrigeration mode to keep items chilled until you are ready for them to be cooked.
There are refrigerators with sensors and alarms to alert you when a door has been accidentally left ajar. There are others than come with LCD screens that allow you to do online shopping, watch TV, or make lists. And some have cameras so you can see what is inside the fridge on your phone while out grocery shopping.
Faucets
While not a new concept in commercial plumbing, hands free faucets are becoming more popular in residential kitchens. These have sensors that enable the faucet to turn on, at the correct temperature, without having to touch the faucet.
Wall mounted faucets are also popular. These are nice because you can swing the faucet to sit flat against the backsplash when not in use, freeing up sink space.
Greenery
Living walls are finding their way into kitchens. This is a really nice feature if you have a green thumb and want a year-round edible herb garden. These walls are good for your health, as they provide much needed oxygen and can filter air pollutants. A living wall works especially well if you have natural daylight, as from a skylight. They can also work with grow lights placed above them.
Lighting
If you haven’t already changed out your light fixtures or bulbs, you are going to have to consider doing it soon. Incandescent bulbs have gone the way of the dodo because they are not energy efficient. Low voltage lamps are also fading away because they generate too much heat. Compact fluorescents give off unusual color spectrums.
LED is the way to go in 2017. The spectrum is great. The bulbs last forever. And, the lamps are cool to the touch.
