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