Design Trends :: Kitchens

At the start of each new year there are tons of articles on what design trends are on their way in and out for the upcoming year.  I'm sure you all have seen several of them this year alone, so here's one more for you!  Today I'm going to focus on kitchens and how I'm loving the movement towards a more colorful and personalized kitchen.  

For several years now, the trend has been the all-white kitchen.  Now, some are claiming that the all-white kitchen is dead.  I don't agree with that and I think Pinterest feels the same way.  Just open it up, search 'kitchen design', and you get endless images of white or light gray kitchens with marble counters and various white back splashes.  I can appreciate a light and airy kitchen, and of course, marble is definitely still one of my go-to counter tops.  That said, I am very excited about how kitchen trends are evolving this year.

Warmer wood tones 

In general, design is starting to steer away from the gray tones and move towards the warmer beige and tans.  I am still very much a fan of gray as my overall neutral in a space, but I'm not opposed to warming it up a bit.  I'm really excited to see the white oak and bleached oak tones really take hold this year.  You get the warmth of wood, but because it's a subdued tone it still reads as a neutral, offering a great backdrop for pops of color.  There are so many ways that you can bring this wood tone into your kitchen- from flooring to cabinets to ceilings to furniture.  

{Source: Sijmen Interieur}

Dark & rich colors

As you know, I'm a sucker for all things dark so of course I'm going to get on-board with this trend!  I'm particularly loving the greens and blacks that we are seeing so much of.  From emerald to olive to matte black- there are so many gorgeous possibilities.  Now, how you bring these colors into your space are completely up to you.  It could just be accents through a dark color on your center island or go for a bolder statement with all green cabinets.  

{Source: Studio McGee}

Vintage Rugs

We are seeing more and more amazing rugs show up in our kitchens and rightfully so.  These beauties are the perfect way to bring that color and personal style into a space in a way that's less permanent.  Yes, rugs can be an investment piece but they are so versatile and can easily move from room to room as your tastes change.

{Source: Studio McGee}

These trends are eye-catching on their own, but combining them into any variation will make for one stunning kitchen!

{Source: Jean Stoffer Design}

Now that we've touched on some of the trends, let's talk about what happens when these trends are fleeting.  One of the struggles with trends is trying to gauge how long they going to last.  As much as we can strive for a timeless look, inevitably some aspect of your design is likely to date itself at some point.  With that in mind, I like to use more classic pieces or materials for the largest or most expensive items.  If you are spending the time and money to replace your counter tops, you are likely not going to do that again for a very long time.  Same with getting new cabinets.  If you go with a classic style of cabinets and stunning counter top choice, the rest of the selections can come together in a variety of ways.  The cabinet color, back splash, hardware, wall color, and accessories are all great ways to bring your personality in.  That way, 10 years from now, if you no longer feeling the emerald green color of your cabinets, it's not the end of the world to update them.  

Design is such a personal and individual choice.  Regardless of the incoming or outgoing trends, you should first and foremost stay true to your own taste and style.  If you still drool over an all-white kitchen, by all means go for it.  If you love the more colorful cabinets or eclectic mixture of styles, then mix it up.  Create a kitchen, or any space for that matter, that you love to be in.  One that your friends or family would walk into and say 'that's so you!'

So what kitchen trends are you seeing out there?  Any that you have had enough of, or ones that you are excited to see take hold?  I would love to hear from you guys!