Remodeling your Kitchen? What you should know.

Have you been thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Homeowners today are concerned more than ever with making decisions for their kitchen that won’t date their home just a few years after remodeling or building? What is hot and not so hot in kitchen interior design? Here is the honest, uncensored scoop.

What has passed it’s due date?

  • Backsplashes only 6″ to 8″ above the countertops. When building and remodeling go vertical all the way up to the upper cabinets
  • Microwaves installed over the stove with ventilation underneath, it was a very 90’s build decision that has passed it’s prime
  • Exposed cabinetry hinges. Euro style, hidden hinges instantly updates your kitchen
  • Overly used granite like Venetian Gold, Absolute Black, Uba Tuba and Baltic Brown. Yawn.
  • Clocks, Roosters, Wallpaper borders. If you don’t know what I am referring to here, this doesn’t apply to you
  • Dusty artificial flowers, ivy, baskets and accessories on top of cabinetry
  • Appliance garages that are obviously appliance garages
  • Fluorescent lighting under and over cabinet lighting
  • A kitchen with nothing but recessed cans – no fixtures, pendants, or chandeliers for interest

On it’s way out? (I don’t want hate mail. I am just reporting here.)

  • Full vibrant glass backsplashes with no architectural reference to the house
  • Overly distressed and glazed cabinetry
  • Themed designs with ornate scrolls and over the top details, that (said again) have no architectural reference to the house
  • Polished granite
  • For medium to large kitchens, the same cabinet and countertop color throughout

What is Hot in Kitchen Design and will last after the recent trends pass?

  • If you REALLY want to use granite, go with a honed stone, OR pick a less commonly used granite
  • Solid countertops other than granite: Quartz, Recycled Glass, Terrazzo, Marble, Live Edge Reclaimed Wood, Stainless Steel & Concetto are our top picks
  • Cabinetry extended to the ceiling
  • Contrasting cabinet and countertop finishes and countertop material between the main cabinets and the island
  • Open shelving
  • Flush mount cabinetry euro style
  • Undermount and Apron Sinks
  • Microwave Drawers
  • Recycling and Trash Centers built within the cabinetry
  • Bar areas with wine coolers, beverage centers
  • Cabinet faced appliances, built in Refrigerators
  • Lighting with natural lighting color index, and energy efficiency

What build and remodeling decisions for your Kitchen have the longest life?

  • The first step might be obvious. Always start with your homes style, architecture and era to maximize a kitchen design that lasts
  • Cabinetry that fits the style and decade the home was built.
  • Hardware Finishes like nickel, chrome, aged brass and oil rubbed bronze to match style and era of the home, not last remodel
  • Backsplashes and flooring that stand the test of time and are very transitional in design. Think subway tile, hardwood floors, stone floors in traditional patterns, hex floors
  • Pay attention to wall finishes. Orange peel isn’t desirable in many homes styles. Think about textures and finishes.
  • While open concept kitchens are wonderful, some eras don’t support an open concept for a kitchen. For example, a Tudor or Victorian home. In those cases, work closely with your designer and builder for a design that respects your home’s past and also offers you current day lifestyle options.

As always, if you aren’t working with an interior designer please give us a call. We are happy to help with the design process, and can even introduce you to a great build/remodeling team member.

Photo courtesy of Stickley Photography. Design by Divo and remodel/build by Olson & Jones Construction.

Angela Todd Studios For Custom Furnishings

Angela Todd

Owner & Principal Designer

Angela is the principal designer at her boutique interior design firm in Portland, Oregon. She is known for creating memorable backdrops that tell the story of fascinating and intricate lives.

Explore our Portfolio

Angela Todd Studios Oregon Coast