1. End-of-Island Storage
This kitchen in Ontario was the most popular new kitchen photo added over the summer. Having an island with the bar refrigerator built right into it was a hit.
While the fridge here is full of adult beverages, it would also come in handy for juice boxes and other kiddo drinks, allowing the little ones to serve themselves.
A new kitchen addition in Pittsburgh included this clever island, complete wth glass-front drawers where the snacks add to the design.
The drawers have a false front with storage behind, so the homeowners can display whatever catches their fancy.
2. High Contrast
While white kitchens continue to resonate with home design fans, those with more contrast are gaining steam.
This Pennsylvania kitchen with its charcoal gray island, white cabinets, and backsplash and stools that navigate between the two caught a lot of eyes.
This kitchen in Massachusetts combines traditional style and contemporary touches. Similar to the last kitchen, the island provides a strong contrast to the creamy cabinetry. And a new, large, boxed-out window lets in lots of beautiful light, something the room was lacking before the renovation.
3. Farmhouse Inspiration
Designers are turning to farmhouse style when they want to bring homey touches to elegant kitchens.
While this kitchen could have skewed very glam, industrial stools, open shelves on the island, subway tile and rustic gray-washed flooring are farmhouse touches that provide a pleasing balance between sophisticated and simple.
4. Walk-In Pantries
Large pantries are back in a big way. Not only are they used for food, china and glassware, but many homeowners are finding them a more convenient place to store small appliances and beverage refrigerators.
If you add a small sink and a toaster, a walk-in pantry can also be a good spot for a morning coffee-tea-bagel station.
5. Wood Cabinetry
For a while there, it seemed like every cabinet in the country was getting a white paint job. But homeowners are rediscovering the beauty of wood. Open shelving and light countertops and backsplash keep this room airy and highlight the beautiful qualities of the walnut cabinetry.
6. Warm Contemporary Style
At some point, modern and contemporary rooms got a bad rap as cold and sterile spaces. It’s simply not true. Celebrating the qualities of elements like wood (in this case, rift-cut white oak with a clear stain)
over fussy ornamentation is a contemporary principle that’s exemplified by this clean-lined, inviting kitchen.
7. Two-Toned Cabinets
This kitchen in British Columbia also highlights rift-cut white oak and clean contemporary lines. But the white upper cabinets keep things light and bright. Also worth noting is the way the cabinets are wrapped in wood up the sides and over the top, taking care of that awkward space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling in an architectural way.
8. All-White Kitchens
All-white-kitchen lovers, don’t fret, the look is still plenty popular. Using all white is a great way to let the beautiful finishes on the hardware, faucets and lighting stand out. And by using glass-front cabinets, these homeowners can bring in any accent colors they want via china and glassware.
