subject: Some Of The Latest Trends In Home Kitchen Remodeling [print this page] The tanked housing market has resulted in more people making do with the home they already have than at any time in recent history. Just a few years ago, if homeowners wanted a more spacious and modern kitchen, they were just as likely to move up to a bigger home as they were to remodel. Not so anymore. Home remodeling projects are on the upswing as owners are "nesting" and making necessary improvements to their older kitchens. If you are among those who are considering kitchen remodeling this year, here are some of the latest trends to discuss with your contractor.
Greater Versatility and Functionality
The kitchen has become much more than a cooking center: it is now additional living space for everyday activities as well as big events. A kitchen must be versatile enough in its design that it can accommodate after-school snack and homework sessions just as easily as buffet entertaining for a crowd. To this end, pay a lot of attention to your choice of counter space design.
-- Try to keep your kitchen as open as possible: this may involve knocking out an unneeded wall to help with access to an adjacent formal dining or even a family room. People love to gather in a kitchen while food is being prepared: it's just like a moth to a flame; having an open design rather than a small, enclosed kitchen makes it easy to congregate and mingle whether you are having a small party or a large family reunion.
-- An additional length of lower counter space attached to your working counter space makes an ideal place for informal eating as well as for hanging out.
-- For greater functionality as well as convenience, convert your plain kitchen island into a real work horse, complete with deep sink, cooking surface, and food prep area. One of the most popular trends is to convert the entire bank of counters under the window into a dishwashing Mecca with multiple or extra-large sinks and plenty of room to operate when clean-up time comes.
Create a Real Home Office
If room permits, why not transform that small desk space in the outer corner of the kitchen into a real home office area? A wrap-around counter/desk will allow you to maintain a computer center, organizational system, have additional storage for non-cooking items that are handy to keep nearby, and even a little TV if you wish. Again, the idea is to create additional living space within your existing space.
These are just a couple of the trends that are not only hot right now, but that will continue to be popular far into the future, adding value to your home. Make sure to consult with good remodeling contractors to get just what you want and to get it done right.
