Kitchen Remodeling That Looks Great and Works Hard

Are the halcyon days of over-the-top gourmet kitchens with massive stainless steel commercial appliances, fickle countertop surfaces, and hand painted tile backsplashes gone? Not entirely. Top-notch design still matters but there is evidence that kitchen remodeling in Washington, DC is getting back to basics in many ways. It’s 2013, and a little post-recession practicality is making some re-imagine kitchen design.

People want kitchens that look good and work hard, not just celebrated designs that look spectacular in a magazine spread and need lots of tender loving care. According to the 2013 National Kitchen & Bath Association Member Survey the average cost of a kitchen remodel stands at $47,308. For that kind of money, you want to thoroughly research your options and make decisions according to your own criteria. Here are some of the recent trends to look for when you start planning your kitchen remodeling in Washington, DC:

• Eco-friendly homes in Washington, DC are infused with natural materials and textures, layering sparse accent colors with neutral palettes of whites and grays.
• The versatile kitchen island is pressed into practical service for everything from storage to homework to casual dining.
• Quartz, friendly and forgiving, is the second most popular counter-surface material used in kitchens behind granite.
• For the first time the transitional design style, a blend of traditional and contemporary aesthetics, surpassed the classic kitchen ambiance in popularity.
• In appliances, stainless steel still seduces, but there are glimmers of white in ovens, ranges, and refrigerators with a new glazed finish.
• The popularity of white-painted cabinetry jumped from 47% in 2011 to 67% this year.
• Installation of glass backsplashes has grown dramatically, from 42% in 2010 to 64% today, while use of natural stone, ceramic, and porcelain tile splashes are in decline.
• Light-emitting diode, or LED, energy-efficient lighting is here to stay, growing from 50% to 77% since 2010. This is an eco-friendly home trend on the verge of becoming the new normal.
• One of the most coveted, and affordable, smart technologies is the touch-activated faucet.
• The satin-nickel finish offers sophisticated accessories a way to get in the game as low-maintenance alternatives to polished metals.

Exploring and collecting design ideas before you talk to an architect or designer can jump start your kitchen remodeling process in Washington, DC. Use digital idea boards like Pinterest or Conceptboard, and gather photos and descriptions from sites like Houzz and Hometalk.

So before you jump in to kitchen remodeling in Washington, DC, remember to do your homework and get back to basics.