No matter the style of a home, the kitchen can be counted on to draw the most traffic. It is the hearth and heart of the home, the central nervous system, the gathering place. So where better to put the latest design ideas to work? Here’s what is trending in luxury kitchens for 2020.
Cooking With Color
If you are so over stainless steel ovens and ranges, take heart. Several brands are rolling out color options for luxury appliances. “We’ve done ranges in subdued colors, from pearl white to navy blue. But we’ve also designed fun ovens in teal, fuchsia, and orange,” says Houston interior designer Micah Tipler. Her team works with luxury clients to establish a color palette, to which the custom appliance color can be matched precisely.
If a full-color range is too much for your tastes, you can still get a pop of color with newly redesigned professional ranges with bold blue knobs.
Show and Tell
Glass is making a statement in high-end kitchen designs. Use upper cabinets in the bar area to show off stemware and your favorite libations. Keep your favorite dinnerware behind glass doors, and tuck the everyday goods behind wood. But don’t stop there.
For the latest in refrigerator designs, check out the new glass-door refrigerators that scream “sleek and modern.” Not sure you want to share all your fridge contents with visitors’ eyes? No problem. Manufacturers offer styles that provide split doors with glass on one side, full stainless on the other.
Or, you can tuck glass-door wine and beverage coolers at each end of your eat-in bar for a chic and sophisticated look.
Mix it Up
When choosing kitchen plumping fixtures and lighting, don’t be afraid to incorporate a mix of finishes. High-end kitchens today are showing a mix of stainless, titanium-coated black stainless, and bronze in plumbing selections. In fact, using the right mix can add interest and dimension to your space.
But don’t get carried away, cautions Judd Lord, Delta Faucet’s director of industrial design. “Harmony is the key to pulling the look together. One way to do that is to choose finishes that are all polished or all brushed,” Lord says.
Change Up the Upper
You may be drawn to the sleek, minimalistic look, but let’s face reality: you still need kitchen storage space. Many luxury homes are finding a comfortable middle ground when it comes to cabinetry.
“Traditional upper cabinets seem to be fading and not as popular as they once were,” says Austin real estate broker Mary Lynne Gibbs, with Keller Williams Realty-Lake Travis. “However, having a wall of floor-to-ceiling storage offers a great alternative for sleek design and eliminates the butler pantries that were once so trendy.”
And, she adds, “With that sleek design, hardware is becoming more subtle – and practically disappearing.”
Down below, deep drawers with soft-close hardware continue to be the kitchen cabinet style of choice for luxury homebuyers.
Make a Splash
The trend for monochromatic whites and greys in countertops and cabinet colors continues. But as with other kitchen selections, color is making a comeback on the backsplash. Designers are adding visual excitement to the kitchen with bold, colorful backsplash tiles.
“One of the hottest upcoming trends involves the use of graphic print or large pattern tiles in big, bold colors,” notes Illinois builder Sebring Design Build. “These oversized patterned tiles have the punch to liven up any space to make any homeowner proud. Keep in mind that the tile will have repeats much like wallpaper. It’s important to lay out your design ahead of time so that it ends up looking balanced. Check what patterns your local dealer has and see how you can integrate them into your kitchen backsplash.”
Freelance writer and marketer Sue Durio has been writing about construction, design and related products for more than 18 years.
Home Style Guide: The Farmhouse