8 Must-Know Trends for Your Next Kitchen Renovation

Because trends come and go throughout the years, how to renovate a kitchen with enduring trends can be tricky. You want your kitchen remodel to stand the test of time and provide value down the road.

Families are cooking together more than ever, so naturally, the most sought out kitchen remodel ideas focus on ways to declutter countertops and simplify the workflow area so cooking becomes more enjoyable and family-friendly.

If you need help planning out your kitchen remodel in terms of plumbing, contact the pros at Blue Mills Plumbing. We have years of experience helping home owners in Jackson County with kitchen makeovers.

A multi-tasking pantry is becoming essential for modern day kitchen renovation. Pantries are being designed to hide away appliances, pots and pans, can goods, spices and much more. Some custom features include:

• Adjustable shelving
  
• Corner shelves
  
• In the door spice rack
  
• Open cabinets
  
• Book shelves to store cookbooks
  
• Pull out baskets
  
• Countertop areas to hold appliances
  
• Big pull out drawers
  
• Tray dividers for cookie sheets and muffin pans
  
• Wine racks
  

Stylish kitchen remodel ideas? Add a modern door to the front of your pantry like a cool barn door that slides to open or a swinging door that makes a statement.

So give your pantry a makeover to free up counter space. Then roll out the pie dough.

These countertops are not only a smart decision for a kitchen remodel; they are made from a vast selection of beautiful wood options like walnut, Michigan maple or hickory. This wood is very versatile and holds up under the heavy wear and tear of a busy kitchen. Butcher block countertops are ideal for island prep areas: cutting up meat, fruit and vegetables. The surfaces can be easily refinished by using a seal with wax and mineral oil. Easy clean up with diluted vinegar or lemon salt mixture.

Another trend for kitchen renovation is adding a comfortable lounging space in the kitchen that is practical and a welcoming area for the whole family. There are several options available: a kitchen window seat, built-in banquet seating, open front L bench or bench tucked away in the corner. Each one is unique and all these options provide extra seating. Imagine relaxing across your window seat while looking for a new recipe or enjoying your morning coffee. Some designs include storage drawers. Be sure to complete your sanctuary with plenty of overstuffed pillows in all different shapes and sizes. Now it’s time to relax until the timer buzzes.

Make your kitchen remodel luminous by adding under-the-counter puck lighting or under-the-counter light bar. This type of lighting adds a unique layer of light and helps rid the room of shadows that are often cast when you are standing between light and the counter. That makes it easier to see the foods you are preparing. By using these lights instead of the main ones, you can reduce energy and decrease your utility bills. The light bar is rectangular and sheds light over a larger area compared to small round puck lights. Puck lights apply light over a smaller area and are designed to add hot spots around the kitchen or spotlight a special piece of décor, such as a beautiful vase. They both use LED, incandescent or halogen light bulbs. Both lights are easy to install and available in hard-wire, battery-operated or plug in. Perfect solution for kitchen remodel on a budget!

Another kitchen renovation idea is the streamlined microwave drawer unit that frees up counter space. Since these microwave drawers are installed in a wall or cabinet at hip level, it makes adding and removing any type of food effortless. The opening and closing of the drawer is powered by an electric motor with a simple touch of the button. Front-opening drawer gives equal convenience to left-handers or right-handers and makes it easy to stir your dish without taking out. They are designed to be kid-proof and easy to clean. A perfect way to add a modern day touches to any kitchen remodel.

New kitchen cabinets can cost a fortune so if you are looking at trends for a kitchen remodel on a budget and your existing cabinets are in good shape, consider resurfacing them instead of replacing so you can save money. Providing that your cabinets are good quality and the wood is in clean shape, it is simple to reinvigorate them by cleaning, sanding, and either painting or staining them to create a fresh new look. If your cabinets are plastic laminate, they may require a few preparation steps. Need more kitchen cabinet design ideas? In the case your cabinet doors are too threadbare to refurbish, you can buy the doors instead of the whole cabinet. Another simple way to add a modern touch is to replace face of the cabinets with glass. Then show off your pretty dishware and glassware. Once your cabinets have been refreshed, it’s time to update the cabinet hardware including: door handles, knobs and drawer pullers. You can find them in a variety of materials: solid brass, silver, bronze, stainless steel, marble, crystal, aluminum and pewter. Common styles include: vintage, streamline modern, minimalist, traditional, country, eclectic, colonial, Mediterranean, Tuscan, Asian, Victorian, Gothic and many more. The average kitchen uses 20-40 pieces of hardware so cool cabinet hardware can really give your kitchen a brand new look. You refurbished kitchen cabinets will be the highlight of your kitchen remodel before and after!

Updating the flooring in your kitchen is great way to make a stunning statement and is considered a high ticket kitchen remodel. There are so many flooring choices: wood, bamboo, tile, concrete, rubber, carpet, cork, stone, slate, vinyl and more! Since the kitchen is a well-traveled area in the home, you need your flooring to hold up against spills, drops and daily wear and tear. Hardwood floors, once again, is becoming a popular trend in kitchen renovation. Hardwoods are beautiful and accentuate any design aesthetic. They come in various colors, stains and require low maintenance. They also come with a high resale value. There are a few drawbacks: hardwood floors can be expensive, can be squeaky when walking on them and standing water can cause damage. Be sure to hire a professional to install them so you have an even floor without any nicks. If cost is a drawback, a good second choice is engineered wood or laminate flooring. But if you invest in elegant hardwood floors, you will love how they open up the kitchen space and balance the entire room.

Multiple Sinks creates a social kitchen and increases your overall workflow. Adding a prep sink to your kitchen island to your kitchen remodel gives numerous cooks the extra elbow room they need to move around. You have the option to designate one sink as the “dirty dish” sink and the other as the “clean, cut and prepare” sink. This makes cooking and baking more convenient and pleasurable. Be sure to include a garbage disposal and install the second sink to one side so you have the most continuous use of counter space. Also, make sure you place the sink in an area closest to the range…now you’re cooking!

Let Val Gross Blue Mills Plumbing handle the plumbing installation for yourkitchen renovation. We can give you a free estimate on plumbing cost to add to your kitchen remodel cost. We specialize in:

• New kitchen faucets and sink installations or repairs
  
• New Dishwasher installation or repairs
  
• New Garbage Installation or Repairs
  
• New Refrigerator and Refrigerator Supply Lines Installation or Repairs
  
• New Ice Maker Installation & Repairs
  
• Hot Water Systems Installation & Repairs
  

If you need superior plumbing service with over 30 years of experience call Val Gross Blue Mills Plumbing at 816-254-9416 . We are up to 50% less than major competitors!