Trends in Kitchen and Bath Design

Design trends are constantly bombarding us all, whether in print media, television advertisements or on home improvement cable shows. It’s no matter if the final look desired is an authentic French Country kitchen or a sleek Euro-modern bath, it is wise to keep an eye on these national and international trends for both inspiration and function. It is also recommended to consult with a professional interior designer to navigate the myriad of trends and choices to be made when remodeling a kitchen, bathroom or any other space in your home. Here are some fresh ideas to give you our best thoughts on trends in kitchen and bathroom interior design.

The Living Kitchen The living room is gone, replaced by the kitchen based on foot traffic and time spent together in households. The concepts here revolve around great prep space, a casual dining area and room for everyone to interact during food preparation. The throwback main sink under the window so Mom can clean dishes and watch the kids in the yard has been replaced by the cook being the most important person with sinks and cooktops in islands so they can see and be seen by everyone. Move over living room – the living kitchen is here to stay!
Keep it Simple We are seeing a movement to simplify designs by selecting cabinetry style with clean, simple lines such as Shaker or slab doors as opposed to the more heavily ornamented kitchens with lots of ornate corbels, dentil moldings or other wood and applied carvings. Indiana clients still enjoy traditional kitchens, but clean, transistional lines even in traditional Hoosier kitchens are definitely more apparent.
Mixing and Matching Kitchens are showing tasteful, simplified cabinet styling along with creamy whites, pastel colors, metallics, painted, stained, glazed or combination finishes (i.e. painted and glazed). Distressed and rubbed woods remain in vogue as well. We see heavy traditional styling on the outer perimeter of kitchens combined with a contrasting heirloom furniture-like island versus modern kitchens utilizing a combination of wood stains and painted finishes. The bottom line is clients have such a huge array of choices today it is really wise to enlist the services of a competent designer because too many or improperly applied finishes can ruin any space.
Free Style Because we are spending more time in our kitchens and baths, there is a movement away from the all-or-nothing “fitted” look of hard-installed cabinets and countertops everywhere, to more freestanding or furniture-like pieces such as cabriole legs holding up a countertop, or a stainless steel restaurant table on casters used as an island in a modern kitchen. Another example in a traditional interior is the use of a furniture piece like a chest or commode properly altered as a lavatory sink base cabinet in a powder bath. These details further the notion that kitchens and baths aren’t just for utilitarian cooking and bathing anymore.
Naturally Beautiful The use of natural materials in the kitchen and bath continues to abound. From apron sinks made completely of granite in kitchens to above-counter vessel bath sinks hand carved in wood or copper, the idea here is natural materials soften rooms, create a warm and relaxing atmosphere and balance spaces against chrome faucets or satin nickel hardware.
Color and Finish My World Bold, daring color is reaching kitchens and baths everywhere as a personal statement. Few clients will approve of cobalt blue lacquered cabinets, but color can be injected many ways including paint schemes which are easily changed, a few accent cabinets in color, textiles on chairs or window treatments, artwork or accessories. Another great way to inject color is backsplashes with vibrant tile work in glass, stone or porcelain. Gloss finishes are strong in Europe now with durable chrome making a strong comeback in metal finishes everywhere. Designers are getting their clients to be more comfortable adding properly selected and well-coordinated colors and finishes into their homes.
I Can See Clearly Now Glass is in use everywhere including countertops such as an upper bar supported by standoffs, eating areas and work surfaces, recycled glass tiles for backsplashes and accents, ceramic glass on cooktops, glass refrigerator doors, Murano glass light fixtures, and translucent glass vessel sinks in addition to traditional roles such as inserts in cabinet doors.
Shapely and Sexy Say goodbye to straight lines and right angles everywhere and say hello to wisely placed egg-shaped bath tubs, ellipsoidal sinks and curvy counters. Organic shapes are definitely in. Not only are the shapes pleasing, but they also encourage a more natural circular traffic flow. It is the correctly specified combination of straight and organic shapes that provides the real charm.
All Access Today’s interior environments provide personalized storage solutions including exposed and open storage shelving with fun dishes or collectibles displayed, a wall of cubby holes, horizontal kitchen cabinets with doors that flipper up or retract to open out of the way, counter level cupboards to reduce bending, ergonomic dishwasher drawers flanking the kitchen sink, microwaves in drawers and roll out trays in vanity base bathroom cabinets. Innovative and accessible storage solutions continue to break the monotony, cut the clutter and add to universal design and access for all people.
Sustainable and Healthy Design Eco-friendly and healthy materials are not going out of style anytime soon. There are more ways than ever to go green and healthy in kitchens and baths. From energy efficient appliances, to formaldehyde free cabinetry, you can add value to your home, live a healthier lifestyle and reduce your carbon footprint all at the same time.

Don’t be afraid to adopt trends to personalize your kitchens and baths. Work with your designer to make statements that reflect your unique personality and lifestyle. With so many options, there is something to fit every budget. After all, it’s your home.

Please feel free to contact us via telephone at (317) 357-0155 with any questions about this material or to request more information about our services. Visit the It’s You^TM section on our website at www.jeffsheatsdesigns.com to learn more about the Jeff Sheats Designs, Inc. interior design process. We are your partners in interior design.