How Home Kitchens are Changing in 2020

by Chuck Roper 10. February 2020 11:17

 

What does your dream kitchen look like? Colorful cabinets, farmhouse sink, island? Kitchen trends come and go, and we’re excited about what 2020 has in store for one of the most popular rooms in the house. Houzz recently released its 2020 Kitchen Trends Study; read on to learn more about what’s in and out for the coming year!

The Island Life

Islands continue to be popular fixtures in kitchen remodels. According to Houzz, half of all homeowners choose to add an island when renovating their kitchens, giving them added storage space, the opportunity for overhead lighting (both recessed and pendant), and a home for appliances like dishwashers and microwaves. L-shaped islands are most popular, coming in at 40 percent of all upgrades, followed by U-shaped at 30 percent.

Mixing Blues and Grays

Blue walls, hardwood floors and engineered quartz countertops are growing in popularity. But far more popular are white cabinets, which account for 45 percent of remodeled kitchens, Houzz reports. Two in five homeowners choose colorful island cabinets to complement the rest of the room, with gray and blue being the two most popular colors for island cabinetry.

Farmhouse Style Fades

Transitional and contemporary style kitchens account for 21 percent and 16 percent of upgrades, respectively. Farmhouse style has dropped to fourth place, with only 11 percent of remodelers opting for a rustic look. Neutral color palettes are still king, with many homeowners opting for gray, white and beige walls; hardwood and vinyl, wood-toned flooring; and stainless-steel appliances (why stop a good thing?). But risk-takers are adding a little personality to their kitchens with blue walls, beige floors and black appliances.

Upgraded Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets account for 94 percent of all kitchen upgrades, with Shaker-style reigning supreme. Though most people choose to completely replace old cabinetry, one in four homeowners opts for a partial upgrade, like refinishing or repainting existing cabinets. While they’re at it, many homeowners are putting in a full-wall backsplash from countertop to ceiling. Ceramic and porcelain continue to dominate for backsplash materials, with marble following in third.

Resources Drive Decisions

Spending on kitchen remodels continues to increase, with most homeowners reporting their primary reason for undertaking a remodel is that they finally have the means to do so. That said, remodels themselves are smaller in scope, with homeowners scaling back the breadth of their upgrades, according to Houzz, and opting against full gut-jobs. Instead, kitchens are being made more open with views to other rooms, with current layouts and sizes staying relatively the same.

Bestselling Kitchen Accents

Houzz reports that the top five categories for kitchen finishes are:


    • Kitchen faucets

    • Range hoods

    • Pendant lights

    • Kitchen sinks

    • Barstools

 

Whether you’re planning a full remodel or just sprucing up your space, we recommend keeping Houzz’s study in mind. The good news is that clean, classic looks with a touch of personality are in, which means your kitchen remodel is sure to stand the test of time.

Top 10 Design Trends for 2020

by Chuck Roper 19. December 2019 11:52

Whether you’re reimagining your current space or searching for a new home, it’s important to understand current design and decor trends. Here are our top 10 design trends for 2020.

In Trends


IN: Grandmillennial Style



Image Source: The Glam Pad


If you’ve been looking for a better way to say “traditional with a twist,” grandmillennial style is it. According to Elle Decor, grandmillennial involves incorporating classical design elements like chinoiserie, scalloped edges, natural-fiber rugs and topiaries (pieces your grandma loved) with contemporary elements, like modern art and clean-lined furniture (favorites of the millennial set). That leads us to…


IN: Layering Old and New



Image Source: Lauren Buxbaum Gordon on ElleDecor.com


Don’t worry about your space looking overly put-together or too precious. These days, it’s in style to mix and match your pieces. Don’t be afraid to incorporate antique furniture with travel souvenirs, contemporary art pieces and other accents.


IN: Bold Monochromatics



Image Source: Douglas Friedman on ElleDecor.com


Muted neutrals are out (more on that later) and monochromatically painted rooms in standout colors like kelly green, cobalt blue and aubergine are in. Add accent pieces like gold-and silver-framed mirrors, unique art and chandeliers for a colorful room that suits your personality.


IN: Classic Interiors



Image Source: Old House Online


“Classic” doesn’t have to mean your grandmother’s style circa 1952. These days, it means comfortable furniture with clean lines; elegant materials like crystal, acrylics and interesting woods; and reinterpretations of traditional patterns.


IN: Real Plants and Greenery


Image Source: HGTV


In addition to being visually pleasing, plants are also good for your health. In fact, NBC News reports that studies have proven that indoor plants improve concentration and productivity, reduce stress levels, and boost your mood. Whether you opt for an easy pothos plant in a terra cotta pot or an elaborate biomontage wall full of greenery, plants are an easy way to spruce up your space.

Out Trends


OUT: Decorating in Pale Monochromatics




Rooms with all taupe, all gray or all white interiors—from walls and flooring to furniture and textiles—are both too safe and too dull. Add some visual interest, personality and excitement with colorful walls, patterned furniture and accent pieces like art, vases and mirrors.









OUT: White Doors



Image Source: Tria Giovan on ElleDecor.com


Not long ago, designers recommended that you paint your interior doors and trim white. Research suggests white doors, in particular, are out. Instead, consider dark wood doors, either painted or stained.


OUT: All-White Kitchens




Kitchens should be full of sweet and savory tastes and smells, but sterile, all-white kitchens don't exactly lend themselves to that aesthetic. Southern Living reports that though white cabinets are still popular with remodelers, colorful kitchens are becoming more commonplace. But don’t worry—we think the avocado-green appliances are permanently a thing of the past.


OUT: Open Shelving





Image Source: HGTV


It’s a great idea in theory—glass cabinets or open shelves that show off your beautiful dishes and vases. But the reality is that open shelving means having to keep everything perfectly organized and spotlessly clean. Practicality is back.


OUT: Subway Tile



Image Source: Real Simple

 

Though it’s been a favorite on many home renovation shows, subway tile is overused and, on its way out. In 2020, embrace tiling and backsplash in new patterns, textures and colors.

5 Ways to Refresh Your Front Yard

by Chuck Roper 16. July 2018 08:59

 

After this year’s unusually long winter, it’s understandable that not everyone has had a chance to get outside to give their yard some much needed upkeep. However, a well-kept yard shows you care about your property as well as your neighbors and neighborhood. If you’re looking to sell your home in the near future, a well-maintained yard will add value to your property.


Even if you haven’t been gifted with a green thumb, that doesn’t mean you can’t still create a beautiful yard for your home! Luckily, we’ve gathered a few tips to get you started toward the landscaping you and your home deserve.


Keep a Manicured Lawn

Just as a fresh haircut can make you feel renewed, mowing your lawn regularly will create a crisp, clean face for your home. Without any changes to your home itself, your property will look like new again with just this quick, simple fix.


Make Sure Sprinklers Work and Run Regularly

Sprinklers are the easiest way to keep your lawn alive and green under the hot summer sun. If you don’t have sprinklers built into your lawn, you can purchase some from Home Depot or any other home and garden store to easily integrate into your yard. If possible, set your sprinklers on a timer so that they can run at night, which minimizes evaporation and ensures you don’t waste any water.


Complete Landscaping Projects During the Warmer Months

Why not take advantage of the warm summer weather? For example, take a weekend to plant in-season plants and flowers - not only will they thrive in the heat, they’ll keep your yard looking bright into the fall season. Other summer projects might include laying new stonework or mulch, or clearing paths and walkways to get the most out of your yard space.


Replace Your Lawn with Other Plants

If maintaining long stretches of grass isn’t for you, that’s perfectly fine, too. Replacing some or all of your grass with shrubbery or flowers can create a more modern look, and will also cut down on the time that would have been spent mowing or fertilizing your lawn.


Install Window Boxes in your Apartment

If you live in the city or in another area without a lawn, there are still plenty of things you can do to brighten up your space. For example, you can add flower boxes or even potted plants to your windows to make your home feel tuned into nature.


Not only will these changes make your home look better, but they can make your home easier to sell down the line. If you’re getting ready to sell your home and looking for more ways to give your home some much needed curb appeal, our agents at Janet McAfee are always here and ready to help.

Tags: , , ,

Summer Home Tips

TextBox

Tag cloud