Ever since the pandemic, several homeowners have gained new appreciation for their kitchens. Our culinary hubs have worked hard over the past two years, often doubling as classrooms, offices, and makeshift family restaurants. Hence, it’s about time they received a well-deserved makeover.
Updating your kitchen décor can work wonders for your home’s aesthetic appeal. Not only does it reflect your taste, but it can also make the space work in your favor, injecting function and style that is sure to last years.
So, are you planning a kitchen remodel for your Orange County home this year? We have compiled a list of seven best kitchen design trends to point you in the right direction.
Here we go!
1. Pops of Color
Though all-white kitchens are popular, they aren’t the most practical option in the book. For starters, they require tremendous upkeep. Additionally, sterile white kitchens tend to feel cold and monotone.
You need something to brighten up the space without overwhelming it. That’s why 2022 is the year of colored kitchen cabinetry. Pair neutral tones with bold colors such as deep greens, dark reds, and midnight blues to add character to your kitchen.
If you’re not ready to repaint or re-install all your cabinets at once, start small. Experiment with a boldly colored countertop or backsplash to try this trend on for size. You can always build up from there.
2. Flawed Finishes
High-gloss kitchens are a thing of the past. Nowadays, more homeowners are leaning towards fixtures and finishes that appear worn in. This may include muddy paints, unlacquered brass, and elegant handmade tiles, to name a few things. The goal is to saturate the space with an organic, natural warmth instead of an artificial newness.
3. Green Statements
Both Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have declared dusty, muted greens as their colors of the year. Hence, it’s safe to say that green will dominate kitchen design in 2022. Different shades of green can help you bring the beauty of the outdoors inside, lending your kitchen an earthy vibe.
Whether you prefer moody, darker greens or pastel mint hues, the future looks bright for green kitchen interiors. What’s more, green pairs beautifully with hardwood floors and butcher-block countertops, so you have plenty of options to play around with.
4. Walk-In Pantries
A recent study by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) found walk-in pantries to be a highly coveted kitchen feature, tying in first place with double-basin sinks. And this is with good reason.
A walk-in pantry can make life easier for pro-home chefs. They take the cake for kitchen storage, no questions asked. Most have multiple floor-to-ceiling shelves and are big enough to store dozens of cookbooks, ingredients, pots, pans, and everything in between.
That’s not all. Walk-in pantries also let you get creative with your organization techniques. We’re talking dedicated shelves for different spices, oils, and toppings. With them, you’ll know exactly where your items are at all times.
However, walk-in pantries take up a lot of space, meaning they aren’t the best fit for smaller apartments. But if you’re an avid cook and can live with sacrificing your footprint, we suggest you go for it.
5. Rounded Accents
Move over, sharp edges. This year, rounded accents are set to dominate the world of kitchen décor. Curves and organic shapes promote comfort, whimsy, and sophistication. Since curves don’t create abrupt stops, they can help improve your kitchen’s flow and draw you into the space. Think about every time you felt tempted to run your hand along a rounded table edge, and you’ll know what we mean.
Keep an eye out for scalloped backsplashes, arched windows, and ceiling elements that incorporate swells and curves. If you’re not uprooting your entire kitchen, try adding rounded accent pieces such as seats with curved backs, round geometric patterns, circular trays, and soft furnishings. Again, there are no wrong answers here, so feel free to sample different decorative pieces.
6. Controllable Lighting
Your kitchen deserves better than basic lighting. The right light fixtures can add a ton of intrigue to your space. In case you need some help picking kitchen fixtures, here are some tips to get you started.
Choose a standout fixture for the seating area. Stunning statement lights can become a focal point in your kitchen.
Unsure about how many lights to place? Use the rule of three. Items grouped in odd numbers generally look better.
You can also use your lighting fixtures to add color to a relatively neutral kitchen.
If your kitchen doubles as a dining room or workspace, consider getting flexible lighting options that can change the mood of the space depending on what it’s in use for. Based on your requirements, you can choose between a simple dimmer switch to complex app-controlled lighting fixtures.
Also, don’t forget about natural lighting. Not only is ambient light beautiful, but it also has several health benefits. As long as you can strike a balance between the two, you should be golden.
7. Attractive Countertops
Smart appliances aside, if there is one kitchen feature people love splurging on, it’s the countertops. However, they would also like it to be as low-maintenance as possible. After all, anyone with marble countertops knows how hard it is to preserve its original luster.
Ingredients/drinks like red wine, coffee, and olive oil can wreak havoc on natural stone slabs if not sealed properly. Fortunately, you have a solution.
As per a recent survey, engineered quartz is the countertop material of choice for a large section of homeowners. Quartz holds up to real-life messes and is an ideal alternative for those who love marble countertops.
The Bottom Line
Nothing feels as good as walking into an attractive kitchen after a long, hectic day. Hopefully, this post has given you some insight into the latest kitchen design trends that can give your space a fresh lease of life. Implement a few (or all) of these tips, and watch your kitchen become a stylish haven before your eyes!
Remodeling a kitchen isn’t something you should handle on your own. The pros at OMG Kitchens will help you maximize the functionality of your Orange County kitchen while keeping it on-trend. For more information, do not hesitate to give us a call today!