By Ken Urman, Realtor
Homeowners remodel for a number of reasons, among them
preparing to sell their home. The kitchen can make or break the sale of a home
for top dollar. According to the 2014
Cost vs. Value
Report, the cost of a mid-range kitchen remodel is now about
$55,000 and the cost of an upscale remodel averages $109,000. Whether you are
planning a kitchen remodel before putting your home on the market or just to
improve your home, incorporate these kitchen remodeling trends for optimal
results. These trends are highlighted in a recent list from The National
Association of Realtors.
1. Clean, contemporary lines. The trend
this year is contemporary. Choose cabinetry with unornamented doors or little
molding and minimal or no knobs or handles. Scale back the color, and opt for
simpler designs for countertops and flooring. If using tile, choose larger
tiles to reduce the amount of grout visible.
2. Make it feel expansive. Make your
kitchen feel larger and look brighter by opening it to other rooms or to the
outdoors. Create clearly defined work and dining zones in your kitchen and
include features like a fireplace or an entertainment center.
3. Preferred colors. Home buyers still
tend to gravitate to white kitchens. The next color in popularity this year is
gray. With either choice, don’t be afraid to add a few small items of color.
4. Flooring of wood or ceramic tile. In
terms of popularity, the two materials are equal. If you choose wood, use
smaller strips (2-3 inches). If you choose ceramic tile, think big – 12 x 24
inches.
5. Quartz for the countertop. Quartz has
displaced granite in popularity. It is less costly, easier to maintain and keep
clean, and has less-strident designs.
6. Drawers below the counters. Instead of
bending over to open a cabinet and sort through items to find what you need,
there is a clear trend to drawers below counters to simplify the search and
reduce bending. The problem of all drawers being the same size can be overcome
by having your contractor customize the drawers to sizes you prefer.
7. Backsplashes are focal points. Ceramic
tile or subway tile is still popular. However, color and finish now permit greater
creativity. Matte finishes are now as popular as glossy finishes. Some tiles
made from recycled materials offer new color and finish options. Larger tiles are preferred this year (4 x 10
instead of 3 x 6). If you want something
unique, consider tiles handcrafted into Frank Lloyd Wright or Art Deco designs.
8. LED lighting. Energy efficiency is
critical, if not mandated by some states. LED lighting is both efficient and
attractive. It is also becoming somewhat less expensive to purchase. The trend
is clearly toward fewer larger fixtures.
9. No desks. With the shift to smaller
electronic devices, kitchen desks are not required. Re-charging stations are
needed, however. You might choose a small counter area or a section of a pantry
for this purpose.
10. Think about safety. Never take
shortcuts that could create fire hazards. Position oven and stove at a level
that can be reached by everyone in your family. Ensure adequate lighting in all
parts of the kitchen. Choose floor covering options that can help you avoid
falls. Ask your contractor about a fire suppression system that will prevent
re-ignition of the stove in the event of fire and other similar items.
These are 10 top trends in kitchen design and renovation. In
a future post I’ll review trends in appliances.
If you are planning a kitchen remodel with a view to
remaining in a home for ten years or more, you should feel greater freedom to
make choices that fit your personal taste. If you plan to sell your home soon,
it is more important to consider trends in buyer preference. If you are
considering listing your home, please feel free to call me (206-230-0833) to
discuss your kitchen remodel. I would be happy to spend some time discussing
with you the preferences we are hearing from home buyers this year. Remember,
I’ll bring the coffee.
