Top 2011 Kitchen Trends and What They Reveal About Us
1. The live-in kitchen. The kitchen is being reinvented as a second living room where family hangs out, couples entertain and cooking is viewed as an art to be valued, enjoyed and shared. Appliances are camouflaged, tools are organized but accessible and the ambiance is inviting.
2. The green kitchen. Energy Star appliances are in. WaterSense fixtures are in. Stainless is in. Reclaimed, recycled and raw materials are in. In other words, we are shifting away from disposable consumption and toward quality, durability and sustainability.
3. The consolidated kitchen. Gone is the “starter castle” fad. As our homes get smaller, each room has to accommodate a variety of functions. The kitchen multi-tasks as an office with a desktop area and disguised filing cabinets. Hideaway laundries are tucked inside pantries. The formal dining room is eliminated in favor of a cozy kitchen table, and handy stools line the breakfast bar.
4. The detailed kitchen. Smaller spaces are less forgiving. As we pare down our kitchens, it becomes more important to attend to every detail. One splurge or statement piece is key. It might be a custom backsplash or an eye-catching granite countertop. Everything else complements that with clean lines and comfortable work spaces.
So what do our kitchen trends say about us as Americans? We’re grasping the fact that less really is more. We’re spending more time at home. We’re living within our means. We’re concerned about health – healthy cooking and a healthy planet. We’re simplifying, streamlining and enjoying what we have. Now isn’t that the most optimistic thing you’ve read all day?
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