Posted on February 22nd,
2010
by John Kirchner
If you want to know where to start with a kitchen remodeling project, we’d suggest this: kitchen design trends for 2010 and beyond from Susan Serra, a certified kitchen designer. Among them: people trending toward more open layouts and creating “the social kitchen.”
She writes:
More than ever before, we want our kitchens to be social. So social, that I see islands becoming larger as walls continue to come down, even taking center stage to include a sink and a cooking appliance, and seating. I see soft furnishings (the kitchen sofa for example, a concept that I strongly believe in, which is raised to meet the breakfast room table) in the kitchen and is all about comfort. I see finishes and colors which do not match, but blend. Fireplaces and larger windows in width and height create an open feel and add architectural interest as they do in surrounding rooms. … Multiple work stations providing optimal function for various social lifestyle situations will be designed into the space. A desire for real comfort is strongly connected to the social kitchen trend.
Susan also writes, on Houzz.com (she’s prolific!), about the usefulness of a good kitchen window, saying they’re “one of the most important features in our kitchens! … [T]hey provide light, a connection to the outdoors, a green catalyst to control temperature in the kitchen, depending on the window’s directional exposure, and of course, great architectural interest in terms of proportion and style.”
The bloggers at CalFinder identified a few of their own kitchen design trends, including custom cabinets and hardware, designer and built-in appliances, and even unique features like warming drawers. But it’s not all modern flashiness: CalFinder also found a wealth of awesome retro kitchen appliances and furnishings.
As you get set to embark on your kitchen remodeling project, consider these tips from Home Design Find and these nice before-and-after shots.
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