The fact that many homeowners in Colorado continue to work from home either on a part-time or full-time basis continues to change the way homes need to function and the way family members interact with their homes. Evidence of the changing dynamic was ever-present at the recently held 2021 London Design Festival. Some of the major trends that are affecting kitchens, baths and home remodels in Metro Denver and Colorado Springs include the following:
New kitchens and baths especially are being transformed into nurturing spaces.
Comfort, ease of use, space for oneself to decompress were clearly evident in London. Many homeowners along the front range of Colorado are transforming their primary baths into personal refuges, featuring multifunctional showers, system tubs, steam baths, smart mirrors, toilets and lighting that provide a few minutes every day to wash away the stresses of the day. An in-home spa provides a space for you and your family to be embraced, warmed, focused and empowered.
Human-centric design
New kitchens, in particular, have to serve multiple roles that include classroom, office, lounge, and playground now in Colorado homes so focusing on the residents is number one. New dream kitchens that we are designing for homeowners in the Denver Metro area account for the more casual nature that homes are used today.
Bringing Nature Indoors
Plants and greenery in new kitchens and baths also are on-trend. In Colorado, we are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world so designing rooms where the views are is crucial to well-being. Plants bring nature into the most used room in your home. Placing plants in your kitchen not only makes your kitchen more attractive but also can make the kitchen healthier. Plant increase both humidity and oxygen levels that make breathing easier. Plans also can remove toxins from the air, garbage cans, and odorous foodstuffs and sharpen your focus. Plants are considered to make people more attentive.
Creating a windowsill herb garden is perfect for the gourmet cooks in your family.
Kitchen & Bath Color Trends
We are seeing a gradual shift in color palette preferences. While white remains the dominant color in both new dream kitchens and primary baths, cool grays and blues that have been popular for some time are giving way to warmer shades of green and rich earthy tones that include coral and teal.
Sustainability in Design
Sustainability was another hot design trend seen at the London Design Festival. We are also seeing an increase in requests for using sustainable materials among homeowners in Colorado. Sustainable kitchen materials provide environmental, social, and economic benefits while protecting the environment over the material’s life cycle – from raw materials to final disposal. Sustainable kitchen materials include reclaimed timber, birch plywood, bamboo, linoleum, and cork.
Contrast is in Demand
Split finishes are in vogue in everything from plumbing fixtures and appliances to door and cabinet hardware. We’ve seen ear-to-ear smiles when we present a combination of black and gold finishes to our clients in Denver. Specifying gold refrigerator pulls on a matte black refrigerator creates a dramatic and refined focal point in any kitchen. We also have had an extremely positive reception pairing black and silver tones in all design motifs – traditional, transitional, and contemporary.
Mixed materials are another trend in new kitchens and baths in Colorado. Combining metal, stone, wood, and glass are on point for many homeowners and builders. Imagine an island that features an engineered stone top contrasted with two-tone wood paneling and a matte black sink with a gold-finished faucet. Simply gorgeous.
Similar to mixing materials is specifying contrasting colors. Different colored upper and lower cabinets continue to gain in popularity.
Functional furniture is also making a new home in kitchens and baths. Homeowners in Metro Denver warmly respond to suggestions for desk space, separate storage cabinetry and pantries, open shelving, and other solutions that are more reminiscent of furniture found in other places in the home than traditional kitchen cabinetry.
White kitchen cabinetry continues to rank as the number one preference in Denver. However, we see white trending in other materials and fixtures beyond cabinetry. White finished appliances, split chrome and white faucetry and split white toned lighting make for a dramatic statement in any kitchen. Other trending colors for finishes in kitchens and baths include champagne, bronze, gray, gold and black.
Smart Kitchens
Smart appliances and fixtures also continue to gain in popularity. Many homeowners along the front range like having the ability to preheat their ovens from a smartphone app. Smart technology for the kitchen helps make homeowners’ lives easier and more enjoyable. Smart technology also enables homeowners to react to potential maintenance and malfunction issues immediately. For example, a smartphone alert can notify a homeowner that a refrigerator door may have been left open or that the dishwasher is leaking.
Kitchens Remain the Heart of the Home
The kitchen design plays a critical role in connecting it as the most important room in the home with other spaces. That helps to explain the popularity of open floor plan kitchens. Your new kitchen has to look out-of-this-world and serve multiple purposes and functions, spanning from the space where meals are prepared to a central gathering place for family and friends. A well-designed kitchen combines stylish aesthetics with durable and functional finishes and materials.
What current trends would work best in your new dream kitchen, bath or home renovation project? Give us a call to discuss the possibilities and learn how you can turn your dreams into spaces that make you smile every time you cross the threshold. Please schedule a consultation here or drop by your nearest Colorado showroom location.
