| From so many sources we have been hit by all the | | | | contemporary styles. Unfitted custom kitchens are |
| latest in trends for the kitchen. On one thing do most | | | | those that are classically designed pieces used to |
| kitchen design professionals agree: kitchens will | | | | conceal full-size appliances such as ovens, stoves, |
| continue to be larger, more open, and definitely the | | | | dishwashers and refrigerators. Custom kitchens with |
| most important room in the home. The custom kitchen | | | | the unfitted look can also create more room for |
| of today should create a space that is open for | | | | windows, columns, displays, and any other design |
| people to gather. | | | | element that can give a kitchen more character. |
| The perfect custom kitchen design can be suited to | | | | 4. The Custom Look in Countertops |
| your every dream and needs of you and your family, | | | | In designing a custom kitchen it is becoming easier to |
| and also to be able to fit the boundaries of your | | | | create the look of custom countertops because of the |
| budget. | | | | availability of so many materials being used today. |
| Below are 5 custom kitchen trends to be aware of | | | | Many of these materials can be mixed, like using |
| when your are planning for your custom kitchen | | | | concrete embedded with bits of glass and metal. While |
| remodeling project. | | | | stone materials, such as soapstone and marble are still |
| 1. Hardwood Mouldings to Create a Custom Look | | | | highly prized by homeowners, stainless steel, sealed |
| Adding hardwood mouldings to kitchen cabinets can | | | | concrete, and engineered quartz are being used in |
| provide a richness not found in other features. | | | | more low-use areas of the kitchen. |
| Mouldings are available in oak, cherry, and maple. They | | | | Other trends in custom countertops include: solid |
| can provide your cabinets with such details as fluted | | | | surface materials and granite look-a-likes that are |
| columns, valances, cornices, galley rails and open | | | | easily repairable, and are available in many colors. Also |
| shelves. These can help to combine function and | | | | popular is the use of ceramic tile, particularly on |
| beauty to your kitchen. Mouldings can also provide a | | | | backsplashes. Other materials that are part of this |
| custom look to stock cabinets. Examples of the uses | | | | trend is stainless steel, and butcher block in certain |
| of mouldings on cabinetry include: installation around | | | | specific areas |
| corners and along the face of cabinetry to minimize | | | | 5. More Sophisticated Appliances |
| the square look of cabinet, using in soffit areas, and | | | | Kitchen appliances are becoming more and more |
| installing on top of cabinets to add a crown moulding. | | | | sophisticated and allowing for greater customization, |
| 2. Solid Hardwood Flooring in the Kitchen | | | | personalizing, and convenience. This has helped make |
| Solid hardwood flooring makes a great choice for the | | | | the kitchen the high-tech center of the home. |
| kitchen because not only is it beautiful, it has practical | | | | The following appliance reflect the changes that are |
| features as well. It is thicker than other flooring | | | | being introduced in kitchen appliances today: |
| materials which makes it good for insulation, and sound | | | | Duel-fuel ranges: The debate over whether to use gas |
| proofing. It will last of many years because it can be | | | | or electric for cooking is an old one. Some |
| refinished many times. | | | | manufacturers of stoves offer ranges that are |
| If you just want to change the look and color of your | | | | professional-quality, and can feature both the power of |
| hardwood floor, you can just sand it. You never need | | | | a gas cooktop with an electric one. |
| to replace the entire flooring. | | | | Refrigerators: Refrigerators today offer such features |
| 3. Free-Standing and Unfitted Cabinets | | | | as: multi-zone temperature control. They are offered in |
| The trend toward free-standing cabinetry from the | | | | both free-standing units and integrated versions that do |
| desire to get away from the cookie cutter look by | | | | not look like a refrigerator, but can be concealed by |
| creating cabinets that look more like furniture, including | | | | the use of cabinet fronts into the surrounding cabinetry. |
| such features as molding, feet, and valances. This type | | | | Some counter-height refrigerators are even being |
| of custom cabinetry is available in both traditional and | | | | used in kitchen islands or butlers pantries. |