subject: Kitchen Remodeling Issues Facing Homeowners [print this page] The economy is only one of the considerations becoming increasingly important to homeowners. Here are other issues facing homeowners today.
Universal design: As many retiring Baby Boomers decide to age-in-place, kitchens that can accommodate the needs of elderly users have become more popular. However, universal design also means taking into account short and tall users, users with limited mobility, and children. This means counters of different height and microwaves that are not inaccessible over the stove.
Kitchen as Living Space: While the kitchen has long been a focal point of activity, recent trends emphasize hiding or camouflaging functional objects so that the kitchen can feel more like a second living room.
Green kitchens: "Green remodeling" can mean many different things. Homeowners may want energy-efficient Energy Star appliances and plumbing fittings that use less water. But green can also mean remodeling done with low VOC materials to ensure good indoor air quality. Recycled materials are also a popular choice; options include countertops made of recycled glass and reclaimed beams in the ceiling.
Budget-Friendly: In the new economic reality, homeowners may need to pick and choose their priorities. New kitchens tend to be comfortable and homeowners often focus on design accents such as custom back splashes rather than using high-end materials for the whole kitchen.
Smaller Kitchens: Remodeling homeowners still want more square footage, but the mega-kitchen isn't quite as popular as it had been. As a result, space-saving features such as roll-out pantries and streamlined appliances have become more popular.
Flexible Appliances: Under-counter refrigerators and wine fridges are popular choices as well as drawer-style dishwashers that allow homeowners to save energy by doing smaller loads.
