Do you frequent your kitchen? Most of us do, even if we aren't big on cooking. Let's face it; the kitchen houses important things, like the coffee maker, the refrigerator, and the pantry. It's where we go for midnight snacks. And let's not forget that there's a microwave in there!
With Thanksgiving and Christmas mere weeks away, chances are your kitchen is soon to become a highly trafficked area. I don't know about you, but in my family, someone's kitchen inevitably turns into a proverbial restaurant over the holidays. It turns into the main intersection of the house with everyone buzzing through to grab a drink or snack and sneak a taste of what's cooking.
It comes as no surprise, then, that the kitchen is one of the most commonly upgraded rooms in the whole house. The top kitchen trends of 2014 just might give you some ideas for improving or upgrading your kitchen.
Earth-Friendly Space
Green is in all over the house. You may not see green walls, carpet, or appliances but trust me, it's there! We're not talking about the color; we're talking about becoming earth-friendly. Like never before, environmentally friendly, renewable, recycled, and energy-efficient products abound.
Dishwashers, ovens, refrigerators, and more are all available in environmentally friendly, highly efficient models. The next time you're contemplating an appliance upgrade, look for appliances with ECOOPTION. As the push to go green continues, most appliance-making companies are creating models with an "Eco" feature. The feature's function will vary product to product, but it's worth looking into. Chances are it'll result in utility savings.
A High-Tech Touch
"The kitchen of the future" has a nice ring, doesn't it? Companies like Siemens are pioneering the convergence of high-tech and practicality.
According to This Old House's top five kitchen trends, Siemens has created a multimedia ventilation hood that features a 17-inch LCD screen with the option to watch television and DVDs or listen to music. How awesome would that be during football season? Although high-tech, this hood is still practical for use with induction or electric cooktops. It also features a 600 cfm fan and halogen surface lights.
A High-Definition Upgrade
The high-tech touch doesn't stop at ventilation hoods these days. LG Electronics has begun marketing the ultimate refrigerator upgrade: an HDTV unit.
LG has combined the classic side-by-side model design with a fifth-generation digital TV tuner that digitally broadcasts to a 15-inch screen located on the refrigerator door. The mini-TV includes features like remote-control operation, DVD and cable connections, and FM radio. It makes you rethink following the actions of your favorite cooking show, doesn't it?
The freezer door even sports an LCD display above the ice/water dispenser. It's a 4-inch weather-center LCD display. Checking on what's happening outdoors just became unbelievably convenient.
Old School vs New School Stovetops
Dare I say that most of us are still of the generation of old school stovetops? You know the ones, those range tops with burners. I shudder to think about how much time I've spent cleaning the burner trays out thanks to boil overs, cooking splatter, and that frustrating moment when you accidentally drop chopped vegetables into them. Sometimes the easier option was to purchase replacement trays, but then you had to match sizes.
New school stovetops are incredibly simple to care for in comparison. They're flat glass surfaces—no burners, no trays, a single wipe to clean. If you haven't upgraded, this is one change you'll want to make!
Brightening Up the Kitchen
We all love color. We splash it on our walls and painstakingly pick out accents for around the house. Colors reflect our personality, and they can make our home a calming, relaxing haven. The kitchen should be no exception, and thanks to the latest trends, it doesn't have to be.
Dacor's Preference collection features kitchen appliances in an array of colors. Gone are the days of sticking to black, white, and the sheen of stainless steel. Dacor isn't the only company offering colorful appliances either. BlueStar's bright red gas stove was a huge hit at this year's Kitchen and Bath Industry show.
Keeping Up With the Joneses
Keeping up with the super cool kitchen of the Joneses requires knowledge of current design trends. Hopefully, these top trends of 2014 have given you some upgrade ideas for making your kitchen even more functional and homey with a high-tech and colored touch.
Kitchen upgrades come in all varieties, from upgrading appliances to conducting a full-scale renovation. If you've been contemplating a compete remodel, buzz by our things to consider before deciding on a kitchen renovation.
Remember, just about every kitchen project, from upgrade to revamp, can be tackled as a do-it-yourselfer. But don't discount the expert assistance of a qualified contractor. Their firsthand knowledge can make any and every installation a breeze, giving you more time for the important things, like cooking that unforgettable holiday dinner in a highly functional and efficient kitchen.
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