Are you in a mood to redo your kitchen? You may be looking to make it more functional for meal preparations. Or, there can be some other reason. No matter what it is, New Year is around the corner. So, it can be the perfect time for fresh beginnings, and starting with the kitchen can be a great idea. But before you proceed, you need to know that kitchen remodeling tends to be an expensive undertaking. Even if you opt for average changes, the cost can go up to thousands of dollars. And areas like the kitchen and bathroom play a massive role in the resale value of your home.  

One of the real estate marketing agencies in 2018 said that home buyers minutely scrutinize your kitchen and master bath.  From this, one thing is evident: if you pay attention to this part of your house, you can eventually expect fantastic returns.  Since you will spend a massive amount, you would want your kitchen to look its best for many years. And rightly so! Having an idea of the new trends can help you determine your choices without any hesitation. The chances of making mistakes will also be less.

Some homeowners believe that trends are nothing but a brief period of indulgence in a taste or habit, while the truth is they introduce you to the innovative technologies in the industry and the consumer-driven choices. You want to add beautiful things to your kitchen, and brands ensure that those features are functional, sustainable, and eco-friendly too. Still, you have to be careful about the trends, as tomorrow a few things can fade out from the market. No one can be okay burning thousands on a renovation that becomes a passé way too soon. And if you belong to millennials, your preference for a kitchen can be anything that is low maintenance and high performing. 

Going by this, you can think of adding porcelain countertops, touch screen refrigerators, ovens with a camera, etc. Plus, you may round up the high-end kitchen look with a gorgeous sink. Finishing a high-end kitchen with a sexy sink can feel incredibly satisfying because it doesn't just add to its beauty but increases its functionality also by many notches. Nevertheless, explore the latest kitchen design trends and find out what is popular.

Kitchen interiors by the trend

Open floors

The kitchen and living room are no longer separate entities in the open floor plan. Due to this, the kitchen has to be multitasking as a part of your living space. From entertainment to dinner to relaxation and work, it has to take care of everything. Now it doesn't hide from anybody's view as there are no walls to protect its privacy.  It's right there before everyone's eyes, and hence, occupies a central position. The homeowners want it to look de-cluttered and straightforward. For them, the transitional theme works the best as it maintains the balance between modern and traditional. Some also enjoy the farmhouse look.

If you want to retain a touch of old and new in your kitchen, you can outfit it with a workstation sink, undermount sink, or top-mount sink. The choice of materials can range from stainless steel to granite. For your farmhouse interiors, you don't have to look beyond apron front sinks. 

Soft colors

People are leaning towards calming and soothing tones. Because a lot of time goes into the kitchen with your family every day, it must most likely become the center of your home. That's why you may want to make it relaxing, bright, and comfortable. And only a soft and bright color palette can ensure this. As per designers, light gray and light blue shades have become famous for this reason. Other than these two, cream colors are also having a moment, while the preference for bright whites has seemingly reduced.  

If you get to see some of the latest kitchen designs in magazines, you will encounter the extensive use of a combination of spring green and blue in many layouts. People are also showing particular interest in shaker-style cabinets and selecting different colors from pale blue to cobalt for them. 

Porcelain countertops

Another wave in the kitchen is the porcelain slabs. Easy maintenance and the ability to blend with any modern or traditional theme give them an advantage over others; you can pair it with a monolithic backsplash or 3D or textured tile. Many homeowners are ditching marble for this material because of its stain-resistance. Quartz has also lost the market for its high prices.

Kitchen sinks

You don't seek it for washing dishes only. It has to perform the role of a multi-purpose workstation that features colanders, drying racks, cutting boards, bowls, etc. These sinks are in demand for smaller kitchens where space tends to be an issue. And the best thing is you get many stylish options in these functional appliances to give your kitchen a dose of oomph. From a single bowl to double in various colors and sizes, these can mingle with any décor and deliver. Make sure you pair your sink with the right faucet. For instance, farmhouse or deep bowl sinks need gooseneck-style kitchen faucets. If the basin is shallow, look for short-height options.

Other elements 

Family and guests gather at the kitchen island for dining, homework, and meal prep. That's why it has turned into a hot spot of your house, occupying more space and serving as furniture. Then, the wood floor is another thing in the kitchen trends. Since it gives a sense of continuity with the living area, homes are adopting wood flooring. Space will look separate if you use any other material. 

Overall, successful kitchen design has to last for years, which depends on the choices you make. A lot of time and money go into renovations. But the good thing is trends also take time to develop. So, if you are thorough with your homework, you can safeguard your investment. You can study different options and pick from them to fulfill your demands.

Guest Contributor: Lucy Jones