Kitchen Trends

Old World style—warm colors, big hoods, ornate furnishings—has proved to be a lasting trend. Arts and Crafts is loved for its balance between clean lines and warmth. But gaining in popularity is the loft kitchen, as many opt for the airy, clean, one-room feel in urban homes. Loft kitchens range from transitional contemporary to full-out modern—and needn’t be created only in a loft. But many of the appliances that have come into foodie fashion—as integral as tile and color choice—are showing up in all types of kitchens.

“Most people want to think of themselves as chefs [in the kitchen],” says designer JoLynn Johnson. “Either people love to cook, or want the equipment for the look.” Accordingly, professional ranges such as those by Viking or Wolf have risen in popularity. They can feature dual-fuel power—an electric oven for baking and a gas range for fire power—giving the cook more control. SubZero refrigerators preserve the clean lines of the furniture and cabinetry; new models offer a clear-glass door that allows the cook to take inventory without giving up a free hand. Stainless steel is still extremely popular. “It could be timeless, unlike the green and gold of the 1970s,” Johnson says.

As for the “in” colors, Johnson explains, “What you see in fashion is what you see in kitchens.” Right now, that’s oranges and orange-reds, and darker cabinetry, including cabinets in lyptus wood, which is a renewable resource. “Chocolate brown is the new black,” she adds.

In another case of fashion-plus-function, the microwave is being replaced by the built-in steam oven, which streamlines sightlines and is touted as a healthier method of cooking. Other kitchen wish-list items are wine coolers, warming drawers, and extra dishwashers.

Extremely efficient, loft-style kitchens maximize space with loads of lower storage, rather than uppers. Even dishes are stashed in low drawers with special organizers to keep them from shifting.

Countertops are being mixed for a unique, customized kitchen look. Granite remains the perennial favorite; materials such as concrete, Cambria, Silestone, and Corian, with unlimited colors, patterns, and finishes, complete an urbane, chic, professional look right from the Food Network.