Kitchen Trends for 2012

If you're looking to build a home in the coming year, planning to update your home for selling or just want to have an updated kitchen, you might want to think about incorporating some of these kitchen design trends for 2012.

Design Style

Kitchens are being recognized as not only the heart of the home, but also quite often the focal point and centerpiece.  Often open to large great rooms, the kitchen now looks less "kitcheny" and more often like an inviting place to gather and entertain.  One component of this trend is the integration and concealment of appliances, which opens the kitchen floor plan, embracing adjoining areas of the home, rather than becoming an intrusion into them.

The decorative elements that are strong right now include natural finishes like wood and stone but they are complimented by glass, shiny metallics, special attention to lighting details, and even crystal.

Traditional style remains the most popular kitchen design, although it has dropped slightly in popularity compared to last year. Shaker style, which is characterized by its simplicity, un-ornamented yet functional, finely crafted style, overtook ‘contemporary’ style in 2011 as the No. 2 most popular kitchen design style, and that trend should continue into 2012.


Appliances

Sleek, shiney, stainless steel appliances are still on trend for 2012.  Since stainless steel has been used in the best kitchens for over a century due to its universal appeal, its ability to provide a sterile surface, its shiny appearance, as well as its association with luxury.

The second most popular color is currently black, which is due to its more formal appearance in relation to the rest of the common areas of your home.  The top 5 colors list is rounded out by grays, beiges, and bones.

Concealed appliances, such as warming drawers and steam ovens are more popular than ever. By hiding appliances away during your kitchen remodel, you allow more space to incorporate multiple guest functionality. Kitchens are fast becoming a warm gathering place for the clients family and friends.  
 



Warming Drawer


Cabinetry

Maple cabinetry looks to be the front-runner in 2012. As for finishes, various shades of white/off-white hues, some finish distressing or glazes remain popular. Dark natural finishes also have been trending. Light natural and colored painted finishes also remained fairly common.

A mix and match approach is still trending where some stand-alone pieces are stained a different color from the rest of the kitchen.  And furniture-looking pieces are still popular.

Countertops

Natural stone and quartz counters remain remodeling prospect favorites, but other renewable and recycled materials, such as laminate, concrete, paper, glass and stainless steel are seeing increased interest. Consider a low-maintenance surface to help cut down on cleaning and disinfecting time!

Quartz countertops



Concrete countertops


Whether your building new or remodeling, we hope this gives you some great ideas for your kitchen in 2012.  Let us know your thoughts.  What do you think are the best trends in kitchens for 2012?

Sources:  Stanton Homes, MBC Building & Remodeling, Slices of Life