Top 5 things to consider before remodeling your kitchen: The Latest Trends
by Rudy Niño

The fact of the matter is that trends drive sales. Consumers are more cautious about what they purchase; the successful companies will be those that can offer them something different, relevant and on-trend with today?s current marketplace conditions.

Remodeling your kitchen?

• Interested in the latest trends in kitchen décor and technology.
• The latest and greatest products will both enhance the style of your kitchen and make cooking more convenient.
• Styles, spaces, and gadgets that work best for how you use the kitchen are current decorating themes.
• Unique and edgy décor are also popular.

Kitchen design

• Kitchen designing is highly specialized and complex.
• An authorized kitchen designer is imperative, in conjunction with an interior designer, an architect or alone.
• Kitchen designers think about the little things that can become big if not anticipated -- like the placement of outlets, size and shape of appliances and proper storage spaces.
• They know about kitchen trends, innovations and specific manufacturer details; they keep abreast of the frequent changes, finishes and options offered by the many companies that will be a part of your kitchen.

Kitchen Lighting

• The average homeowner spends over 19 hours a week in their kitchen.
• Most common lighting fixtures found in today's kitchens are

1. Recessed,
2. Track,
3. Drop-down or pendant,
4. Under cabinet and ceiling.

Cabinetry Designs

The newest trend in cabinets is: Personalized storage: Country and European looks.

• Cherry strongest
• Maple strong
• Birch popular as well.
• Dark woods - forward-looking design,
• Lighter colors still in great demand,
• Wider-than-ever array of drawer pulls,
• Wider-than-ever array of drawer pulls, doorknobs, and other hardware.
• Open shelves,
• built-in wine rack,
• china displays, or a wall of cubby holes,
• Roll-out trays,
• lid holders,
• bread boxes,

Appliances

• Chef-style cooking equipment
• Six-burner gas cook tops with front controls
• Ranges that measure up to four-feet wide.
• Refrigerators with exterior drawers,
• Warming drawers,
• built-in steamers,
• Barbecue grills on the cook top.

Sinks

• Composite sinks,
• under-mount installation;

Counter Tops

• granite,
• Solid surface,
• ceramic tile

Faucets

• High arc faucets - Tri-flow brushed nickel faucets
• Pull-down spouts w/"pause" button
• pull-out side sprays

Color -- [From the Color Marketing Group]

• Lion King - Regal gold recalls exotic jungle beasts and distant Moroccan markets. Metallic yellows.
• Cinder Blue-Silver pushes this mechanical blue toward cool grays.
• Soda Green - with a thirst-quenching twist, this soothing green calms and illuminates
• Root Beer-This rich brown bubbles up copper undertones.
• Iron Ore-ange-Copper merges with orange to create a mature and sophisticated background with ethnic undertones. Vibrant oranges-reds.

Flooring

• Designer slate & limestone tile.
• Hardwood-oaks & Bamboo

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