Summer is the perfect time for a kitchen remodel, and choosing your countertops is at the heart of the process. Whether it's the enduring appeal of quartz or the revived beauty of natural stones like granite, quartzite, or marble, countertops are the heart of any kitchen remodel. The goals of the remodel often guide these choices, which reflect the homeowner's style and needs.
Here are seven trends driving kitchen remodeling today.
1. Create a more open layout
Open concepts remain popular because they offer a more spacious environment, encourage social interaction, create a sense of togetherness, and accommodate a range of activities from cooking to dining to remote working. Removing walls between kitchens and living areas promotes inclusivity and adds flexibility and freedom.
2. Maximize space efficiency
For those with small kitchens or who simply love entertaining, using space more efficiently is essential. “Another trend we've noticed is people remodeling their kitchens to make better use of the space,” says Scott Nichols, sales director at Bedrock Quartz. “What we often hear from homeowners is that their previous layout was inefficient.”
This trend allows for greater functionality and customization. Homeowners can redesign their kitchens to make them more efficient and functional. Urban Ladder recommends adding cabinets that extend to the ceiling, which not only eliminates hard-to-clean areas above the cabinets, but also adds storage space.
However you want to create additional space, your countertops will seamlessly adapt to these new layouts, giving you the flexibility to get bigger, smaller or repositioned.
3. Design a functional kitchen island
Kitchen islands remain extremely popular and have become more versatile. They can serve multiple purposes, including cooking area, dining space and storage. They may also feature built-in appliances such as a microwave, under-counter refrigerator and ice maker, adding to their functionality. When combined with an open-floor concept, islands can create an inviting gathering spot.
When deciding where to place it in your space, try to keep the kitchen triangle open. According to Martha Stewart's Madeline Buiano, the triangle is the area of your sink, refrigerator, and cooking appliances (like your stove). Even if you can't avoid leaving that entire area open, try not to completely block it off so you can easily prepare food.
4. Enhanced storage solutions
Modern kitchens, especially first-time homes, demand innovative storage solutions to make up for the shortcomings of outdated designs from the 1970s and '80s. But even more modest homes from the 1990s and 2000s can be surprisingly deficient when it comes to kitchen storage. Pull-out pantries, deep drawers and sleek corner units maximise space and organisation to meet the needs of modern families.
5. Incorporate bold colors and textures
While neutral tones remain popular, dramatic hues like black quartz and dark-toned granite create a striking, elegant, or even moody aesthetic. Bold colors and unique textures are making a comeback. According to Jessica Bennett of Better Homes & Gardens, bold countertop colors like deep blues, forest greens, emerald greens, black, and woods and color blends are becoming a focal point of modern kitchen design.
While colour is important in your kitchen renovation, don't forget about variations in texture and finishes. Leather and honed stone finishes are softer, more pleasant to the touch and have a more muted appearance than polished finishes. Matte finishes and combining different textures in your kitchen to create contrast and depth are becoming more and more on trend.
6. Mix things up
From a countertop perspective, look at both the perimeter and the island. Do you want them both in the same material? “Combining different countertop materials in the same kitchen to add visual interest is another trend we're seeing grow,” says Nichols. A bold backsplash with intricately patterned or textured tile can liven up a shared kitchen.
7. Minimalist and sophisticated design
Minimalist design, featuring clean lines and integrated appliances, is on trend. The focus is on creating uncluttered, functional spaces that exude elegance and simplicity. This trend includes handle-less cabinetry, integrated appliances, and streamlined islands.
Whatever your reason for gutting and redoing your kitchen, countertops are one of the major decisions a homeowner must consider. The experts at Bedrock Quartz believe that stone countertops are a great option for any kitchen. Visit one of our seven showrooms in Utah to see our amazing options in person.
