From
Home and Garden Television (HGTV):
Do you feel drab when dishing up dinner? Bored during breakfast? Here're nine hot trends to spice up your kitchen.
Freestyle. Because we're spending more time in our kitchens, there is a move away from the all-or-nothing "fitted" look of continuous counters. Look for more freestanding pieces of furniture or features with furniture-like qualities, such as a cabriole leg holding up a kitchen counter.
- Artistic upgrades. In the ongoing effort to customize kitchens, almost anything goes. Now range hoods are works of art, literally. Already beautiful as well as functional, hoods can now be customized with panels you choose. Cupboard doors can be replaced with accent doors.
- Going green. Eco-friendly products aren't going to go out of style anytime soon. And now there are more ways that you can go green in the kitchen, too, from energy-efficient dishwashers to environmentally sound flooring options made of reclaimed wood and tiles.
- Oh-so-organic. Forget straight lines and right angles, organic shapes are in.
- Asian fusion. With international style so popular at home, it's no wonder that the Asian influence is still going strong in the kitchen. Look for drawer pulls reminiscent of bamboo, built-in teriyaki grills and Japanese-style sliding pantry doors in the kitchen.
- Drawer designs. Move over, refrigerator drawers and dishwasher drawers, and say hello to the microwave drawer. Yes, that handy appliance, popcorn button and all, now comes in a drawer.
- High-tech. Advances in technology continue to offer us out-of-this-world options, including an oven that can be programmed to keep food cold until it's cooking time. You can even change the cooking directions from your office computer. Don't have enough freezer space? Technology can help you turn a fridge drawer into a freezer in no time.
- Built-ins. Built-ins are convenient and sleek, two must-haves in today's kitchens. Think steamers and strainers, high-end coffeemakers, professional ice machines and wine coolers, knife racks, spice holders, ring holders, fondue pots and ice beds for shrimp.
- Glass acts. Glass is everywhere in today's kitchens, from recycled and Depression-era glass tiles to opaque glass on cook tops, refrigerators and cabinet doors. Glass mosaic tiles and Venetian glass light fixtures add light and drama.
