Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most important spaces in any home, and their design and functionality have a significant impact on our daily lives. As we head into the middle of the year, we are seeing some exciting trends emerging in kitchen and bath design that are taking these spaces to new heights of beauty and functionality. In this blog post, we will explore three of the hottest kitchen and bath trends that we are absolutely loving right now. Whether you are considering a renovation or just looking for inspiration, these trends are sure to get your creative juices flowing.

Mixed Materials and Textures

Mixing different materials and textures adds depth and visual appeal to kitchen and bath spaces. It's essential to strike a balance when mixing materials and textures, ensuring they complement and harmonize with each other rather than clash.

Consider the overall style and theme of your kitchen and aim for a cohesive look. We like to mix up materials by playing with the cabinet finish, hardware, and range hood finish. Honey Bronze and Ash Gray finishes by Top Knobs have always been popular hardware finishes. We also love working with Stoll Industries on custom range hoods and metal floating shelves.

With the right combination, mixing materials and textures can transform your kitchen into a visually stunning and inviting space that truly stands out, like the kitchen pictures above. Interior designer Gina Sims incorporated three different metal finishes into the small space and it turned out wonderfully.

Open Shelving and Statement Pieces

Open shelving is becoming a popular trend, allowing for the display of stylish dinnerware, glassware, and decorative items. Unique statement pieces like eye-catching faucets, lighting fixtures, or bold-colored sinks are being incorporated to add personality and visual interest.

We incorporated open shelves in three different ways above. In the first kitchen, we utilized walnut floating shelves to bring in some warmth and contrast to the stark white and dark cabinets. In the middle kitchen metal and glass shelving was used to break up the blue cabinets, and in the last kitchen, floating shelves as well as open shelves in the island brought uniqueness and function to this in-town house.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design

With increased environmental consciousness, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable design in the kitchen and bath industry. This includes the use of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient appliances, water-saving fixtures, and recycling systems. We'll provide a few examples of how you can incorporate environmental consciousness into your kitchen.

Instead of using a traditional waste bin for your trash, upgrade to a sophisticated waste management system.

These systems with multiple bins that slide out of the cabinet make it easy to sort trash, recycling, and compost. Some systems have the added benefit of a lid to help control odors. In fact, according to the 2020 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, a pull-out waste or recycling system is the No. 1 storage solution requested by homeowners looking to remodel their kitchen. We often order recycling centers from Richelieu.

Another way to help the environment and lower your bills is to select kitchen appliances with high energy efficiency ratings, such as Energy Star-certified models.

These appliances consume less energy, reducing your carbon footprint and saving you money on utility bills. The top two appliance brands that we work with are Sub-Zero and Bertazzoni, and both offer Energy Star-certified appliances.

If you are remodeling your space, speak with your designer about utilizing energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the kitchen. LED bulbs last longer and consume significantly less electricity compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. Consider incorporating natural lighting sources, such as skylights or larger windows, to maximize natural light during the day.