Kitchens are one of the most used spaces in a home. From preparing meals and eating to evening study, the kitchen is a multifunctional space buzzing with activity almost all day.
A few decades back, the kitchen was the hidden corner of the house and was planned only with functionality in mind. But, things have changed in these years and creativity, style and luxury have become as much a part of kitchen design as any other part of the house if not more.
Therefore, kitchen remodeling has become an investment that not only pays off regarding the improved quality of life and comfort, but it also adds value to your property. Even if you plan to sell your home in few years, you will find buyers who are interested in modern kitchen design and layout.
That being said, it is important to have your kitchen remodeled for the future. If you are planning to remodel your kitchen in 2018, you must keep an eye on the latest trends that dominate 2018 and beyond.
For the convenience of homeowners, we have a compiled a list of latest trends in kitchen designs to choose the right style, material, and layout for your kitchen.
1- Choose Matt Black Finishes
We all know the pristine white kitchens in the past where everything from the tiles to the appliances was covered in white and glossy surfaces.
Guess what? It is now rapidly replaced. While dark colors are getting in style again, black is taking over the kitchen world. You will see a flux of matte-black hardware and appliances in the market. Be it kitchen faucet, tiles or a refrigerator; you will find various black options in designs and models.
Black is also sweeping in the cabinetry and countertops as it is a color that works with almost all other colors and materials. In some of the kitchens, black backsplashes are also witnessed.
2- Make Your Kitchen Green and Environmental-Friendly
We have heard about kitchen gardens where the people grow their vegetables and fruits in their garden for self-consumption. But, this greening trend is not limited only to the outside of the kitchen. Green is making rounds in kitchen designing with designers choosing a darker shade of greens in the cabinetry, faucets or other hardware.
The green is also becoming a popular color in backsplashes combined with light colored cabinets.
Another of the greening trend is to decorate live plants in the kitchen. You can buy indoor plants that you can hang with the ceiling or can display at the open shelves.
3- Concrete as A Complete Remodeling Material
We all are aware of the popularity of concrete as the flooring material in the kitchen. Concrete is highly customizable, flexible and durable which makes it an evergreen material for all kinds of projects including the kitchen. Along with this, concrete is an affordable material.
But in 2018, the usability of concrete is not limited to the floors only. With its endless possibilities in design and texture, concrete is also used in stylish countertops, walls and cabinets. Seamless concrete countertops in different designs and textures have become the trend that is going to last for coming years.
If you are planning a kitchen remodeling on the budget, then opting for concrete is the most cost-effective option. However, make sure that you use light textures and light-colored paints with the concrete. Otherwise, it may give an appearance of the prison.
4- Choose Simple Designing With Less Details
Even though the oak trend and communal dining table of the 1980s and 1990s are back, there is a difference in those styles and the latest trends.
The kitchens are becoming simple and elegant with little details as compared to in the past. In the 1980s, wood was heavily carved and patterned, but now, the cabinets and shelves are plain with minimum details. The smooth, clean and flat surfaces are preferred over overly ornamented surfaces.
The dining table or eating area is kept simple with no unwanted details to crowd the view. Even the pillows and cushions are vanishing from the kitchen seating or are completely simple.
5- Building a Hidden Kitchen Hood
Kitchen hoods were often dealt as the focal point of the space in the past. The hoods are adorned, with a distinct finishing that makes it stand out from the other elements of the space.
But, guess what? If you are remodeling in 2018, you do not need to worry about it. The latest trend calls for subtle and expertly hidden hoods that are there to perform their work but are not exposed for view. In the latest kitchen trends, hoods are blended with the rest of wall finishes creating a seamless experience for the eye.
So, whether you are installing tiles or working on paints, you will need to choose the same color and texture for the hood.
6- Make Built-in Sink
Sinks are an essential part of the kitchen and receive significant creative attention in almost all kitchen styles. Made up of different materials such as stainless steel, marble or ceramic tiles, sinks are often superimposed on the countertops.
But, the trend has changed now. The latest trend calls for the built-in sink which forms a seamless design with the countertops. Sinks are also built with the same material as that of countertop which creates a smooth surface without any visual breaks. Complemented with stylish and long faucets, these built-in sink gives a simple and uncluttered appearance to your kitchen.
7- Open Shelves
Open shelves are also making their way to the kitchen trends in 2018. The open shelves have appeared on various home improvement magazines for their classy look but tough maintenance. Open shelves are a perfect place to show off your crockery, display decoration items, and store important things.
But, these shelves are messy to maintain as these require regular cleaning and organization to avoid a sense of clutter and dirt. These open shelves can also be used to show greenery and place your plants, and they also make space look more spacious and open.
When you are remodeling your kitchen, make sure that you design enough space for the storage. Make separate compartments for groceries to help you organize.
8- Kitchen Lighting
Lastly, kitchen lighting is as much important in designing and planning kitchen as other aspects. Along with ample ambient lighting, the pendant lights or accent lights are trending. The pendant lights hanging on the countertops and above the dining area can enhance the character of the space, giving it a creative and unique depth.
So, when you are remodeling your kitchen, take time and budget to decide the most suitable lighting.