2018 Kitchen Trends to Look Forward To

The difference between a trend and a fad is longevity. The styles we are looking forward to seeing in 2018 are going to be around for a while so they definitely fall into the former category. We will be seeing these trends for years to come, and some have actually already been around for quite some time and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon!

So, what are the hot trends to be watching for in 2018? Thought you would never ask! The first one to keep an eye out for is quartz countertops.

This probably never went away, but is resurging none-the-less…white! White kitchens will never go out of style. White subway tile is super-hot again, and it never even really went out of style!

Home owners are looking for gorgeous but don’t want the work of the sealing and scrubbing. Quartz-surface countertops offers the elegance and beauty of their granite counterparts but require less on-going upkeep and offer timeless appeal. A bonus with quart is the quartz surface has less glitter or shimmering in the surface, so you're less likely to grow tired of it.The second trend to be on the lookout for is open layouts. This is one of those trends that has been on the rise for some time, but it is just going to keep on growing, so tear down those walls! No more will the kitchen tolerate being tucked away by itself, open layouts are here to stay. Family dynamics have changed over the years and a desire for more informal dining and relaxed cooking drives this design trend which supports a busy, casual yet very connected lifestyle. The open kitchen style encourages both family interaction and great entertaining with their smooth blending of living spaces.

Following right on the heels of the open layout kitchen is the trend toward the single-level island. Seems like just yesterday you had to have a multi-level one! But with the open layout, the single-level islands allow light to seamlessly stream through a space and offer a less obstructed view. Plus, counter-height islands increase the coziness of a kitchen while at the same time expanding prep space – which is always in short supply!

Here’s a new trend on my must watch list: ceiling treatments. Start watching for interesting treatments overhead to shakeup the boring nothingness of the typical kitchen ceiling. This area overhead is often overlooked in kitchen designs but next year we will start to see design elements like shallow coffers in smaller kitchens and moldings complementing the shape of an island or work space below helping to define larger kitchens.

The future of the kitchen is bright – with LED lights. Technology in lighting continues to develop and LED lights have lost their stark, chilly look and are being employed in many new and innovative ways. Try using them as under-cabinet work space lighting, or to light up your toe-kicks. They are energy efficient as well. These new lights last much longer that your typical fluorescent and halogen bulbs. So, switching to LED is a pretty bright idea all the way around!

You're much more likely to grow tired of bold hues on major surfaces, so stick with accessories you can swap out to get that kiss of color. This is such a great way to inexpensively “redo” your kitchen from time to time – swap out your accessories for a totally new color and voile’! a “fresh, new” kitchen! Consider your kitchen's stone floor, backsplash, and trim to find the perfect shade of white for the space and you have perfect backdrop that will work for you for years to come.

While hardwood floors will continue to reign supreme, after all they work beautifully in tying together an open concept design, we may see some additions to the actual material used. They may not have the warmth of actual hardwood, but they will bring their own strengths to the party. Porcelain planks that look like wood provide the same inviting style but are easier to maintain. Same with some of the newer vinyl snap planks.

This trend just keeps on building steam…deep drawers in place of lower cabinets. They make so much sense. Extra-deep drawers make storage much more efficient and take the backache out of reaching for those heavy items at the back.

They're more accessible and very easy to incorporate into a beautiful kitchen design. Add-ons, like pegboard and drawer organizers, keep drawers neat and organized. This trend comes to us from our friends in Europe who’ve been enjoying it for many years. It’s going to be around for a long time.This one is a little hard for some of us to wrap our heads around, but here goes…fewer upper cabinets. I know, it seems a bit strange on the surface. But there is a minimalist movement in some design quarters. Less is more, as made apparent by this minimalist trend. We will see upper cabinets continue to keep coming down as some homeowners choose windows and an open look or choose to display dishware and artwork on open shelves. Don’t look for this to go away anyway soon. It won’t be for everyone but it suits a certain aesthetic.

Lets wrap up with one more new trend making an appearance in 2018 – large, practical sinks. Obviously selected for their workmanship and practicality over their beauty! When it comes to sink trends, the emphasis is truly on function over form. Generous, high-performance models with a single bowl accommodates large pots and pans and (small children?) or other items that require handwashing while at the same time keeping splashing to a minimum.