If you’re planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel next year, consider some of these rising trends in color, materials, technology and design to create your dream space.
Technology < SMART APPLIANCES
Technology in the kitchen, such as smart appliances, has been around for a number of years, but appliance apps still get mixed reviews. You might want to rely on a smart speaker like Alexa or Google Assistant to help out in the kitchen. These devices can look up recipes, set cooking timers, order groceries and more.
Cabinets < INJECTING VIBRANT COLOR
One of the biggest trends in kitchen design is color. All-white kitchens have dominated for quite a while, but now cabinets in blue, green and gray are increasing in popularity. If you opt for white cabinets or open grain wood, you can inject vibrant color through your appliances. Bosch refrigerators are available in bold colors and Viking offers its ranges and refrigerators in a variety of exciting colors.
High Tech < BATHROOM
Interesting and helpful high-tech for the bathroom includes motion-detecting faucets, automatic temperature regulators and mirrors with built-in LED lighting or integrated touch screens that control lighting or let you check the day’s weather forecast or your schedule as you get ready for the day.
Tile < TERRAZZO
Terrazzo—a composite of marble, quartz, glass and other materials—isn’t new. In fact, it has been around since ancient times, but it has been making a comeback this year, a trend you can expect to continue into 2019. In the bathroom, use it for decorative accents or on walls, shower floors or countertops. In the kitchen, terrazzo spices up a backsplash, counters, walls or floors. It comes in an array of colors, and the new porcelain terrazzo is available in polished or matte finishes.
Aging IN PLACE
According to Katie Peters, project designer with Bowers Design Build, another trend is toward timeless materials combined with practical elements that allow homeowners to age in place. Peters says the plumbing industry has begun to respond. One manufacturer has come out with a line of hand-held shower assemblies that double as grab bars.
Vintage OR CONTEMPORARY
Although classic designs never go out of style, the main trends in bathroom design now lean toward either vintage or contemporary. To get the vintage look, use antique mirrors and light fixtures and repurpose an old dresser or other piece of furniture as a vanity.
If contemporary is more your style, go for clean lines and warm tones like grays, whites and earth tones as well as seamless shower doors and large tiles for a sleek look.
Fixtures
Homeowners have a variety of metal finishes to choose from for cabinet hardware, faucets, light fixtures and more. Matte sheens remain popular, according to Peters. Brass has been trending for more than a year. If you’re looking for a newer trend, go with golden brass, darker bronzes and matte black finishes. Mixing metals also is popular. To mix metals, consider choosing an element such as a pendant light or faucet as an accent in a different metal such as rose gold.
Counters < QUARTZ
Quartz countertops have been trending for a while and don’t seem to be waning in their popularity. According to the 2018 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, “Engineered quartz overall beat out granite 43 to 34 percent among homeowners updating countertops.” Especially popular are quartz countertops that look like marble. Quartz is durable and requires less maintenance than granite.
