Kitchens
Image by by Pieter Pieterse

2010 is looking to be a very exciting year in kitchen design trends.  In this article, we explore some of the most exciting trends in design aesthetic and functionality.

 

One trend that is continuing to gain momentum in 2010 is the emphasis on green solutions.

 

In countertops, materials such as ECO by Consentino that utilizes recycled materials such as porcelain, mirror, glass, and stone scraps will increasingly be seen.  In tile, Italian series’ such as Feel, Glam, Stream contain a pre-consumer recycled content of 20%, while a series called Charcoal is utilizing 40% recycled materials.

 

Green is also the word in cabinetry.  For example, reckon bamboo; A solution Innova recently used in a client’s kitchen renovation.  Other green cabinetry solutions include Ecowood; A sophisticated series of real wood stria composites using a revolutionary green technology.  Ecowood’s exotic finishes include  Macassar Ebony, Teak, Mahogany, Zebrawood to name but a few.

 

Other trends in kitchen cabinets include textured laminates, as well as high glosses, and mixed finishes.  When  it comes to mixed finishes, reckon both colour and texture such as high gloss whites mixed with dark wood accents.  And the dark wood finishes?  Out are the chocolates and kahluas, and in are the sophisticated greys.

 

For kitchen cabinetry lighting,  LED  solutions are lighting the way.  LEDs  save energy, and provide years of usage before any of the LEDs have to be replaced as opposed to the older halogen puck lighting which have small life spans and operate at elevated temperatures.

 

Cabinetry functionality trends continue with drawer solutions over doors in base cabinets, and metal rack pull-outs for pantry and base cabinet solutions. And those blind corners where you had to get on your hands and knees to reach to the back?  The Le Mans System solves that problem.  But, the hottest trend by far in cabinetry solutions are servo drives;  An electronically driven systems that opens your drawers with just a touch of your hand…

 

Innova Kitchens and Baths,

www.innovakitchens.com