As an increasing number of homeowners in Denver Colorado become more adept and comfortable working from home, the kitchen continues to grow in importance as the most significant, functional and enjoyable room in the home. Today’s kitchens are multifunctional, serving as classrooms, offices, studies and break rooms, as well as the main room in the home to gather, spend quality time, prepare meals and dine.
With the continuous evolution of the kitchen’s role, here is what we expect to trend in the coming year.
2021 Kitchen Design Trends in Denver
Design responding to the new roles that kitchens serve. 2021 kitchen designs will incorporate artwork, decorative pottery, cookbooks, collectibles and other items that reflect the owner’s personality and design preferences. That is one reason why we expect open shelving to continue growing in popularity because it allows homeowners to display ceramics, sculptures, plates, cookware, and other important items.
Walnut cabinets are expected to come to the forefront in 2021 as well as darker-toned kitchens. Walnut is soothing, offers warmth and connotes luxury. Don’t be surprised if you see black walls, cabinets and countertops in design publications and social media sites. Black also connotes luxury, and in cabinetry, it can provide a rustic vibe.
The painted kitchen will make its mark in 2021. Painted walls and cabinets are easy to maintain and offer an unlimited palette of color and design options. And if you don’t like or tire of the look, repainting is easy and cost-effective.
Marble is making a big comeback as a countertop and backsplash material. We are also seeing an increase in wood finishes, such as lighter-toned wood to complement the warmer tones of stone countertops.
Storage is becoming a necessity as working and schooling from home persists. Demand for pantries in kitchens will increase for several reasons. They serve as a central storage area for food stuffs, and that can free up wall space for open shelving, artwork, or be left bare.
Ease of use will trend in 2021
Everything from touch-open cabinets and drawers that eliminate the need for cabinet hardware to voice-activated faucets, and digital kitchen assistants that help homeowners plan meals, order groceries and inventory supplies, will make using a kitchen much easier and more enjoyable.
Sinks are becoming design statements in addition to the functionality they provide. Sink workstations help improve the efficiency and space in a kitchen, providing additional countertop space and making it easier for homeowners to prepare meals.
Because of the need for private areas to work, attend school or simply relax, open floor plan spaces will be repurposed to provide distinct zones. Use of screens, interior windows, freestanding furniture, cabinets and plants will break up space to provide separate zones for cooking, entertaining and working.
Smart appliances, faucets, lighting, thermostats, locks and doorbells will continue to advance and gain popularity.
What trends in 2021 make the most sense for your new dream kitchen? Let’s have a conversation. Contact us here to make a virtual appointment or to schedule a visit to either of our showrooms.
Bath Remodeling Trends in Denver
Renovations to help our clientele age in place are trending upward. Both Baby Boomers who are looking to stay in their homes longer and Generation X who are modifying their homes for parents who are coming to live with them is fueling demand for universal design renovations. This type of remodeling focuses on accessibility and ease of use, exemplified by curbless shower enclosures and grab bars in tubs, showers and water closet areas in bathroom remodels, first-floor bedrooms, wider doorways and handrails throughout the home.
In master bathroom remodels, many of our customers are opting for shower systems and foregoing a tub, especially if there are tubs in other bathrooms in the home. A walk-in shower delivers different relaxation benefits than soaking in a tub, and many of our customers do not have time to soak in a tub.
The hottest kitchen technology trends include:
- Designated charging stations in the kitchen
- Integrated cabinet lighting
- Smart appliances
- Voice-activated controls
- Automated cabinet opening
- Smartphone wireless controls
The top design motifs for are:
- Contemporary
- Transitional
- Farmhouse
- Industrial
- Rustic
Mixing materials is another hot trend with 49% of designers stating that they believe mixing an opaque with a stain is a top trend. A play on that is a contemporary look that mixes metals with traditional accent pieces. Cherry and maple continue to dominate stained cabinet sales, but there is a growing trend for wood finishes that show more grain and character.
Trends on the watch list include:
- Metal accents
- Contrasting finishes
- Walnut
- Dramatic textures
- Light-filled spaces
- Feminine influences
Greige tones – Gray and beige combined, This is a warm grey color that looks like yesterday’s oatmeal. It’s become wildly popular. If it’s darker then the color is bray, brown and gray.
The leading cabinet enhancements are:
- Wide/deeper drawers with organizers
- Floating/open shelves
- Built-in appliances
- Integrated cabinet lighting
- Built-in seating
Sink Areas Finally Getting the Recognition They Deserve
This decade has produced some very pleasant new kitchen trends. One is sinks that serve multiple purposes and functions. Clients, especially those who like to entertain, are drawn toward trough sinks that can be used to chill wine or shellfish, grow herbs and function as a regular sink. Our clients appreciate the wow factor a trough sink has in their new kitchen, especially when the sinks are equipped with LED lights that change color.
The kitchen sink can be a design statement yet, too often, it is an afterthought. Sink sizes, shapes, and available materials influence the overall look and feel of a new kitchen. Functionality is another consideration from the noise that results from running water or placing pots, pans, and plates in the sink, to the ease of use. There are sinks today that function as complete workstations, providing another area in the kitchen for meal preparation, chopping, washing, serving and entertaining. And many of our customers, when asked if they want more than one sink in their new kitchen, respond with a resounding yes.
The kitchen faucet is the showpiece of the kitchen area and happens to be the most used appliance in the home. Manufacturers are making smart faucets that can be activated by apps, a wave of the hand or a tap of an elbow. Smart touch faucets are greatly appreciated by home cooks, especially bakers. Similar to a gorgeous outfit, accessories can make the sink area and kitchen more functional and beautiful. Instant hot and cold water, soap dispensers, air gaps, colanders, strainers, chopping boards, dish racks, drying mats and protective grates are among the numerous accessories to enhance the functionality, look and performance of a kitchen.
Innovative Lighting
Lighting sets the mood for any space and it certainly has come a long way in the kitchen. One of the hottest trends is integrated LED lighting in, above and below cabinets and drawers. Perched above cabinets, as well as hidden inside and under them, integrated kitchen lighting adds atmosphere, functionality, and style to a kitchen. They’re a brilliant way to complete the look of your kitchen and get a better look at what you’re making for dinner.
Under-cabinet lighting makes tasks easier and safer by delivering directed light to a specific area. Under-cabinet lighting can provide task lighting for countertop food preparation and accent lighting to highlight countertops and backsplashes. Under-cabinet lighting also helps to eliminate shadows making it easier to prepare meals. Additionally, under cabinet lighting helps to create unique looks by adding another layer of light and it’s extremely affordable.
Integrated cabinet lighting can showpiece dinnerware, collectibles and objects d’art. Integrated cabinet and drawer lighting also makes organizing and finding what you are looking for much easier not to mention the wow factor that is achieved every time you open a drawer or door the interior of the space is illuminated.
Open Shelving
Open shelving provides numerous options. It’s functional, providing storage and organization to a kitchen remodel. It contributes to the look and feel of the room, allowing our clients to express their personality by showcasing works of art, pottery, collectibles, cookware, chinaware, glasses, plants, flowers, herbs, and objects d’art.
Living Walls
Living walls create an art piece from sustainable vertical gardens indoors and outside as well. In the kitchen, you can install living walls that do not require watering, natural light, fertilizer or pruning. In addition to being exceptionally cool and visually stunning, vertical gardens help absorb sound, preventing conversations and acoustics from the kitchen from traveling to other rooms in the home.
Storage Solutions
Storage solutions continue to evolve not only for the kitchen but also for the bathroom. We saw many shallow upper cabinets designed for the bath that can be recessed into the wall to avoid having to dedicate countertop space for storage. Another bath trend was the use of two to three different tiles in the bath, combining small-scale mosaics with 4 by 6-inch wall tiles and 12 by 24-inch floor tiles.
To learn how you can capitalize on new technologies, storage solutions and the latest industry trends to help create a dream kitchen, please schedule a consultation here, drop by one of our showrooms or give us a call.
