Kitchen remodeling is one of the largest, most expensive, complex, and potentially high-impact projects you can undertake in your home. Done well, it can not only positively impact the resale value of your property when you sell it, but also its health, safety, comfort and functionality during that time. That's why it's worth paying attention to what professionals are trending. That's why I always pay attention when the National Kitchen & Bath Association, a trade group of 50,000 members including designers, dealers, remodelers, installers and manufacturers, releases its annual survey. It is located in (For the sake of disclosure, I have been a member of the NKBA for nearly 20 years, but this is only one of several major organizations that provide sources for my research.) It's just one thing.)
The 2024 Kitchen Trends Research Report is in the news this week, and you probably won't be surprised to learn that wellness design plays a big role in the findings, gleaned from online interviews with specifiers and manufacturers. Here are eight emerging wellness trends related to sustainability cited in responses. I have included insights from three of her designers, NKBA members, who had the opportunity to review the report and explain their written responses to the trends discussed in the wellness and sustainability-related points.
1. Outdoor connection
Vicki Cerany, a designer in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area, has a clear priority of connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, creating flow between workspaces and gathering zones to maximize efficiency. She says the focus is on creating. “We use spacious sliding doors that open to outdoor living spaces, often incorporating phantom screens for maximum flexibility.”
As many experts have discovered over the past decade, having an outdoor room can improve the quality of your home, especially since the coronavirus made outdoor gatherings a safer experience than indoor gatherings. Increases available space and appeal.
2. Biophilia
Biophilia, the literal love of the living element, is strongly evident in the report, experts agree. “Natural wood is making a comeback in kitchen design, and we add unique wood touches like oak, walnut, and cherry to almost every kitchen we design,” says West, just north of New York City. declares Chester County designer Sarah Robertson. . She chooses finishes that allow the natural beauty of the wood to be the focal point, she says.
Gene Chan of Pasadena, California, sees the same trend. “Our customers don't want sterile kitchens anymore. They want kitchens that have a living, lived-in feel. In terms of trending wood species, white oak and walnut are “It's at the top of the list and we're starting to use alder,” she added. Chong is also introducing wood for ceiling beams and water-resistant floors. “Natural wood can instantly transform a neutral space into a space of warmth and hospitality,” she says.
“Connecting with nature has become a top priority for homeowners,” adds Cerany. “Incorporating nature into design is the current trend, whether it's large doors and windows leading to outdoor living spaces, or living walls covered in moss and plants.”
3. Enhanced lighting
Natural light serves to enhance both indoor-outdoor living and biophilia. “I use a lot of large windows, especially if I have a beautiful view,” comments the North Carolina designer, who observes that a client's preference for natural light often means less upper cabinetry. I am. Rather than sacrifice storage space, she and her colleagues are adding pantries and deep drawers elsewhere in the kitchen.
“The kitchen is the perfect place in the home to display layers of lighting,” says Chung. In addition to task lighting for work surfaces and accent lighting to set the mood, she turns to adjustable white lighting with configurable color temperature. This is one of her trends made possible by energy-efficient LEDs.
4. Sustainability Advantage
One of the focuses of sustainable design has been local sourcing for many years, and Cerany is optimizing this trend, she says, with associated health benefits. “Using local materials and artisans is always a priority in our designs.” This approach gives her more assurance that her sources are using natural materials, making them perfect for her clients' kitchens and It eliminates the risk of toxins and chemicals that you don't want venting into your living area, she points out.
5.IH cooker
“It is only a matter of time before induction accounts for more than 50% of cooking surfaces,” predicts Chung, who sees this change as a normal effect of new construction and appliance replacement over the next 10 to 15 years. “As consumer education accelerates, the stigma associated with the old coil electric cooktops of the '70s will disappear. Their technology and track record… Quite different” she cries.
She says her Los Angeles-area market requires new construction to be all-electric. The same is true for the projects she manages in Hawaii, and she observes that this trend is having a global impact. “At last year's German House Fair, Gas wasn't visibly present and there was only one or two cars in the whole thing on display,” she recalls. (The annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show hosted by NKBA features newer, more sophisticated her induction products each year.)
6. The advent of composting
As of June 2023, a growing number of nine states are requiring local residents to compost food scraps rather than adding them to landfills, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It's a trend that Robertson is also embracing, but she says she's not paying attention to some of the new composting equipment that is gradually coming to market. “We put the compost directly into the bin and the food scraps are collected weekly. I think we need to be careful if we buy and use yet another appliance for composting,” she said. I am commenting. Will recent offers, including her 2023 KBIS Kickstarter Grand Prize winner, sway her? Probably not, but for many residents who are forced to compost without convenient pick-up. They may be attractive.
7. Low-maintenance minimalism
“Minimalist design requires less cleaning, allowing for a healthier approach to cleaning products and reducing exposure to harsh chemical detergents,” Robertson said. Masu. “Things with a ‘less is more’ approach are more sustainable by design because they require fewer resources to build,” she qualifies.
Chung added: “Natural light, a clutter-free environment, functional layout and creating a balanced and calming atmosphere are associated with good health, while the use of sustainable materials, energy efficiency and a considerate approach to consumption Our focus on minimizing our impact on the environment.” impact. “
8. Universal design
While we tend to associate aging with baby boomers entering their 60s, 70s, and 80s, research points to Generation X as a key customer group in the NKBA report. They, too, are looking to create kitchens that will function well into their later years, while also making their projects more sustainable.
This busy, active group also considers the space available should they or a family member be injured in a sports or car accident. “We strive to make universal design elements standard practice whenever possible,” Celany commented, adding wider clearances, easier-to-use cabinet and door hardware, and minimal steps into the home. , mentions an additional block of elevators that could enhance the kitchen/great room area.
“The upper echelons of the Gen X demographic are incredibly aging in place,” Chung points out. “Consumers in their early 50s are increasingly demanding that their homes be renovated with universal design in mind,” she says.
The last word
Technology and innovation are also playing a big role in wellness design and kitchen trends. Next week's coverage of the NKBA report will examine that aspect of these themes.
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