subject: Modern Kitchen Trends [print this page] Modern Kitchen Trends Modern Kitchen Trends
The kitchen is where it's at when it comes to determining the quality and style of a home. Families spend more and more time in kitchens, incorporating them into offices, sitting rooms and general gathering places.
Because of the value of a quality, modern and upscale kitchen, people are opting to spend extra time designing their kitchen when building their home or remodeling their kitchens with careful detail.
What are some of the top trends in modern kitchen trends?
1. Stainless-Steel Appliances - The look of stainless-steel adds a sophisticated and rich feel to a kitchen, no matter what the style you are going for. Stainless-steel is also practical in that it's easy to clean, and some come with a special fingerprint-resistant steel. The surface is easily sanitized too and when wiped down becomes smooth, sleek and shiny. With stainless-steel, color never fades and it is rust-proof. Stainless steel is also non-porous so it resists bacteria and germs more effectively than wood or plastic surfaces, such as those used on the interior of standard refrigerators or a stand refrigerator's door handles or dispensers. Last, stainless steel doesn't affect the flavor of foods due to the fact it does not retain germs. All of this can account for why restaurants and commercial kitchens have been using stainless steel appliances for so long.
2. Work Areas - Building in small offices or work areas within the kitchen is still a popular trend. Having a desk with a computer in a small nook within your kitchen can help you look up recipes, finish work while waiting for food to cook, allow your children to do their homework while you are busy in the kitchen, and more. Such workstations can be integrated into almost any kitchen. You can also have a professional design your workstation into your kitchen's layout. Many opt to have a custom-built desk at one end of the kitchen, which provides as an anchor. Integrating numerous drawers, a phone, and outlets along with wireless connections will keep this area fully prepared.
3.Warming Drawers - Many of today's modern homes have warming drawers. Warming drawers are nice alternatives to microwave ovens. If your family eats at different times, using a warming drawer is more energy efficient and provides a way to keep meals of the same quality as when you first cooked them. Many quality warming drawers have built-in moisture controls which keeps your food from drying out after being rewarmed. In using a warming drawer, you are also using less energy than that of an oven. Warming drawers use between 450 and 600 watts while an oven takes approximately 2000 watts. The heating elements in a warming oven are thermostatically controlled so they are on only part of the time. Most foods must be kept above 140 degrees to make sure they don't spoil. Warming drawers are sold in widths of 27 and 30 inches, which match the standard widths of kitchen cabinets and other appliances. This makes them easy to install. A 27 and 30 inch model will fit four 11-inch plates and a 24-inch model should hold up to four 9-inch plates. A warming drawer, when closed, looks like any other drawer under the countertop. Controls are hidden behind the front cover. You can have your warming drawer mounted under the oven for an integrated look as well.
4. Technology In The Kitchen - Many folks are also opting for popular electronic items to be installed in their kitchens. Items include wall-mount televisions, sound systems and computer monitors. Watching television while cooking and baking, helps pass away the time. Or maybe you want to watch your favorite cooking channel while trying your hand at a new dish. For those of you who live out of your kitchen, bringing everything together within it, just makes sense.
5. Installing Eco-Friendly Products - There are so many new products today that one can use in their kitchen that is green' or eco-friendly. This has become a popular trend whether it is eco-friendly cabinetry made of bamboo or wheatboard or the fact that the homeowner uses water-conserving faucets and Energy Star appliances. In regards to countertops, there are other products out there beyond standard marble and granite - they include IceStone, a mix of recycled glass and concrete. For floors, there are choices from bamboo and cork to just plain concrete - all nice replacements to linoleum.
Any of these choices or all of them will help bring your kitchen up to date with some of the latest trends that are not only smart and beautiful, but practical and a worthy investment.
