It’s that time of year – the beginning – when we take a look at where Chicago kitchen design trends are headed.
Many of last year’s trends – open concepts, layered lighting and durable countertop and flooring choices – are still at the top of homeowner remodeling lists.
Chicago Kitchen Design Trends Worth Paying Attention To
In addition, we’re listing some of the 2018 trends worth paying attention to. Some make plain ol’ common sense and others might surprise you a bit.
Minimialist Door Styles
The less-is-more idea is still popular. Unless you’ve had your heart set on more traditional cabinet door styles, know that most home buyers and Millennials are into simplicity.
This means more emphasis on things like flat-paneled doors, Shaker style doors (the best way for traditionalists to enjoy the best of both worlds), and frameless cabinets also continue to trend.
Hidden appliance garages
Similarly, the more we move towards simple or minimal designs, the less we see out on the countertops. Hidden appliance garages and innovative storage solutions continue to emerge in an effort to make your kitchen look as un-cluttered and as worthy of an online design spread as you intended it to.
Two-tone cabinet colors
One of the most popular questions we are asked is, “Is it okay to paint your cabinets different colors?” Our answer has always been yes, and now trends back us up.
You’ll continue to see two-toned cabinet color schemes taking place between uppers- and lowers-, between perimeter cabinets and kitchen islands, or between sides of the kitchen, particularly if one opens up to another living space. You can use this “different but complimentary” approach with cabinet door styles as well – switching them up for some contrast.
Darker flooring choices
Since white and gray kitchens continue to trend, there’s been an uptake in darker kitchen flooring options as a way to provide contrast. We’re also seeing that ceramic tile options – that allow colorful designs and patterns – are making a comeback as homeowners forgo area rugs (difficult to maintain and not all that great for accessibility and mobility aids)
Warm gold tones and finishes
Warmer metal tones continue to trend. So, even if you aren’t confident in their longevity – via more permanent fixtures such as oil-rubbed bronze faucets or brass cabinet hardware – you can find ways to implement warm metallic accents via kitchen accessories. These are showing up more and more with rose gold, brass and copper finishes.
Install a bubbly water faucet
Sparkling water is a lifestyle trend that’s here to stay. As a result, homeowners find themselves in a predicament, blowing through countless plastic bottle waste or cluttering up the countertop or cabinet with yet another accessory – a bubbly water machine for the home.
Now, however, you have options. GROHE has released their GROHE Blue Professional faucet, that provides cold, filtered and sparkling water right from your kitchen tap. We’re sure other manufacturers will follow suit, which would make the kitchen that much more luxurious and eco-friendly.
Feel free to go deep with color
Last year, greens and blues were popular color choices. Those continue to trend, joined by purples this year. This is probably the result of Pantone announcing Ultra Violet as 2018’s Color of the Year. But, for what it’s worth, there are beautiful ways to add deep purple (or your color of choice) into your kitchen design as accent colors, backsplashes or contrasting cabinet colors.
Are you looking for luxurious ways to incorporate 2018 Chicago kitchen design trends in ways that are long-lasting? Schedule a design consultation at Kitchens & Baths Unlimited.
