| The kitchen plays an important role in a | | | | varied colors but is also a more inexpensive |
| household as the main point of gathering for | | | | option compared to granite. |
| family members. It's not surprising that home | | | | |
| owners spend $54,200 on an average for | | | | 5. Hidden storage. Storage spaces are being |
| remodeling their kitchen, according to the | | | | shifted to the lower levels in the kitchen |
| Remodeling magazine. | | | | with fewer upper cabinets than before. This |
| | | | not only lets in more light but also makes |
| The following are the top ten kitchen design | | | | the kitchen space look larger. |
| trends that have been highlighted in the | | | | |
| recently held annual Kitchen Industry Show | | | | 6. Professional kitchen equipment. Buyers |
| and Convention in Las Vegas. Discover the | | | | prefer professional ranges, ovens and |
| 2007 kitchen design trends and keep in touch | | | | refrigerators. Other equipment such as |
| with what home buyers want. | | | | steamers, induction cook tops, high-speed |
| | | | ovens etc. are on their much favored list. |
| 1. The kitchen area. The emerging trend is | | | | |
| the decentralization of the traditional | | | | 7. Products for small homes. With the trend |
| kitchen consisting of a range, refrigerator | | | | towards home downsizing, manufacturers of |
| and sink into different zones based on the | | | | kitchen products are designing smaller |
| work functions. Today's hottest kitchens are | | | | appliances to suit small homes such as |
| those that are organized according to key | | | | 24-inch ranges. |
| themes such as cooking zone, clean-up zone, | | | | |
| coffee center etc. | | | | 8. Innovations in lighting. There are new |
| | | | introductions in the kitchen's lighting |
| 2. Heart of activity. The kitchen is not only | | | | system too. Some of the innovations include |
| a cooking zone but a major center of | | | | new designs that balance different types of |
| activity. Consequently, the trend in modern | | | | lighting with bulbs on dimmers for |
| kitchens is towards bigger spaces equipped | | | | flexibility. |
| with amenities such as fireplaces, | | | | |
| flat-screen TVs and seating. | | | | 9. Towards greener products. This year too |
| | | | the trend towards earth-friendly products for |
| 3. Mix-and-match products. Kitchens are | | | | kitchens is strong. Green products such as |
| opting for chic designs of the mix and match | | | | bamboo and wheatboard floors, countertops, |
| kind with home owners incorporating products | | | | VOC paints and energy star-rated appliances |
| from different manufacturers for more variety | | | | are big favorites. |
| and aesthetic appeal. | | | | |
| | | | 10. Universal design. The trend has shifted |
| 4. Maintenance friendly. The trend is towards | | | | to non-institutional looking designs for |
| products that are easier to maintain. For | | | | greater functionality such as levers instead |
| instance, preference is for materials such as | | | | of harder-to-turn knobs, lower counters and |
| manmade quartz that is not only available in | | | | wider aisles for wheelchairs, etc. |