Home Decorating Articles

One of the best things about attending The International Builders Show is getting to meet with all of the different manufacturers and hearing what trends they see coming to market. Kitchens are a very important part of the home, in fact the Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen found that 30 percent of adults considered their kitchen to be the center of activity in their homes.

The biggest trend in the home - one that continues to gain momentum is lifestyle. Choices are made by considering the homeowners lifestyle instead of a "style" such as cottage, traditional, contemporary, etc. Now we talk about if the consumer is an avid chef, if they are wine lovers, or if they live on "take-in". I have considered myself a Lifestylist® for over 20 years now, so I'm thrilled to see this term becoming more accepted.

Color is coming back into the kitchen! Darker finishes are starting to lose market share, and lighter stains and painted finishes are being seen in more homes. The New American Home this year featured Rushmore® Maple Square Hazelnut Glaze cabinets by Timberlake Cabinetry that were light and cheery.

KraftMaid's director of designer relations Sarah Reep stated that "Cabinetry with colorful finishes adds a burst of personality to your kitchen walls. KraftMaid's variety of woods and finishes make it easy to personalize your kitchen with the styles and colors that inspire you". KraftMaid says this year's kitchen color trends are bringing back the basics - creamy browns, navy and reds. Darker colors will be replaced with colors and styles reminiscent of farmers' markets and country roads.

Thermador is introducing color into the kitchen in a different way - their Sapphire dishwasher that was shown in The New American Home comes complete with Sapphire Glow LEDs that illuminate the interior of your dishwasher with a beautiful blue glow. This was a huge hit at the show, and it is not only really cool but it's also functional - it allows you to see items that are even in the back.

As the size of new homes starts to shrink, the space allocated for the kitchen is also getting smaller. Now more than ever consumers are looking for ways to add storage and make the most of every square foot of space. Being organized in the kitchen is a must.

We are looking forward to attending the Kitchen and Bath Show to search out more trends for us to share.