Forecasters, product companies, editors, and influencers are always selling the next big thing, but here are a few of the most requested updates by our real-life clients:

Easy care: Until we have self-cleaning kitchens, everyone wants materials and products that will look best for the longest time. Consider these options as you start to plan your update:

  • Switch out your gas or older electric stove for an easy-to-wipe-down induction cooktop or slide-in range. 
  • Run the same slab material as your new counters up the wall to the underside of the wall cabinets as the backsplash. This is a great decorative statement and avoids grout lines. If you want less grout but still want the look of the tile, consider larger-scale tiles for the wall. Waterfall islands, where the counter material runs down the short sides of the island to the floor, are also popular and will keep your island looking like new over the years.
  • Choose your door style and finish with care in mind. A quality laminate or acrylic door in a slab style is the easiest to keep clean. While these are more contemporary than other options, they are quickly wiped down and do not have any crevices or seams that will catch dirt, dust, or crumbs. If the slab does not fit your look, you can also look at one-piece laminates that come in framed styles, like Shaker but are easily cleaned. Laminates have come a long way and are available in many colors, textures, and styles. If you want stained or painted wood, look at simpler styles that won’t harbor dust or grease.
  • Another way to keep your kitchen clean is to build in dedicated trash and recycling storage. Getting trash cans off the floor and out of sight immediately updates the kitchen. Remember to consider how easy the trash pull-out will be to keep clean—we prefer metal over wood options.
  • Corner base cabinets are often unavoidable, so consider what types of inserts will fit (and what you can choose to store in them) to use the most storage space. Sometimes, going more prominent on the corner cabinet (and the openings into the cabinet) offers more insert options.

Small appliance storage: Air fryers are the new instant pots, and we see them in almost every home we visit. Stand mixers, blenders, bread machines, and specialized coffee machines—include anything that brings you and your family joy in the kitchen in your space planning. Make it easy to store and use your favorite appliances.

Warm woods and earthier colors: we’re seeing a renewed interest in wood tones, but they’re browner and less yellow or red than wood stains of the past. These woodsy tones look great paired with white or earthier versions of any color. And for those who love grey, don’t hesitate to use it! While grey had a fashionable moment in the last few years, it will continue to be an excellent choice for a kitchen. There are many tones of gray and ways to incorporate it into your design.

Technology upgrades:  if you’re starting fresh, consider how you want to use your updated kitchen. Plan for every day and the special events or hosting you may do. Think about the number of devices you may want to plug in and charge at one time and the best locations, a possible place to set up a laptop or desktop, layered lighting options to improve the feel and function at any hour, and thoughtful placement of outlets.

At Kitchen Tune-Up, we want to help you make the most of your home. We would love to see your kitchen, show you door and hardware samples, and create a plan to update and upgrade your space to meet your needs. Contact us today for a free design appointment and estimate.

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