THERE is a saying that goes, “the kitchen is the heart of the home.” Looking back, this adage probably stemmed from the fact that family and friends tend to congregate in this “sanctuary” whenever they are gathered together.
There is a certain degree of magnetism that draws people into the kitchen. Perhaps, it’s the relaxed environment or the promise of great food, but it’s a fact that the kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in the house. So, what does this mean for homeowners who want something a little new?
For starters, it can be just the thing that gets them to finally go through with their renovation plans. What better way to really ring in a new year who with a new and improved kitchen that can act as the main highlight of their home. But, as the last year has shown us, kitchen design has shifted to accommodate functionality and practicality, as more people are choosing to go the minimalist route in terms of styling and decorating their homes.
That being said, I am glad to share with you five of the upcoming design and decorating trends that experts say is bound to get homeowners giddy this year.
‘Smart storage’ as game changers
Since most people are opting for more space these days, havingappliances and storage units that can easily fit into any available space can greatly change the entire makeup of a kitchen.
This is where “smart storage” comes in. Zillow, one of the leading real estate and rental marketplaces in the US, suggests that you forego the bulky antique cabinets and cupboards and go with multi-layered built-in drawers that hold more on the inside than they look on the outside.
Automation is in
While innovation has been the center of attention for several years now in different industries, you might be surprised to find that it is slowly becoming a huge player in home design and decorating, especially for the kitchen.
From sensor-activated lights, motion-sensor faucets to Internet-connected refrigerators (yes, you heard that right), HGTV, the internationally known DIY home-improvement experts, suggests that people embrace house-specific technology to better their carbon footprint and to make their homes more compatible with the fast-paced changes happening around the world. Plus, these new automation technologies also make for great conversation starters next time you have guests over.
Neutrals with pops of color
Traditionally speaking, Filipinos have chosen to go the colorful route when it comes to painting their kitchens. However, experts have come out to say that neutral is the way to go this year.
By sticking with shades of white and gray, homeowners have the freedom to choose which aspects of their kitchen to paint with non-neutral colors. And seeing as Pantone Inc. just released its color of the year, I highly suggest you go with some shade of green for your kitchen.
Contemporary combo
Mark Donnell of Poggenpohl, the world’s oldest and most-known kitchen brand, has said that part of 2017’s trends is the flawless combination of contemporary designs with traditional elements.
By incorporating the old with the new, homeowners can achieve an up-to-date kitchen that still has the classic touches of a space that they associated with togetherness growing up. This is great for homeowners who have heirloom items, such as fine china and silverware, but who still want the sleek look of 21st century kitchens.
Flawless flow
The most important trend for 2017 is not really a trend. In fact, it should be one of the golden rules in designing and decorating your home—something I refer to as the “flawless flow”. This basically means that all the rooms in the house should effortlessly complement one another. This does not mean everyone should opt for an open-floor plan; rather, it means homeowners need to make sure that the theme they choose for their kitchen should reflect the overall theme of the house. This way it does not feel like you are stepping into an entirely different world when you decide to make yourself a snack.
With 11 more months to achieve your #homegoals this year, you have all the time to incorporate these trends to achieve your own Instagram-worthy kitchen. Just always make sure that you do what you think suits your personal style the best.
Image credits: Design By Eclectic, Arcbazar, Häfele