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