When you are planning a kitchen renovation, is it important to follow current trends? When enough people start doing the same thing, we call this a trend. Trends are summarized by data and are a big driver in what manufacturers decide to produce and what retailers decide to stock. However, you do need to find a balance between what is on trend, and therefore readily available and current, and making sure that your kitchen remodel meets your needs. The trends below may well be useful to give you a few ideas but, most of all, keep in mind that this is your kitchen, not anybody else’s. What is most important is that you make the best use of your space and budget to produce what best fits your idea of a dream kitchen.

Double up

Not only are double ovens popular at the moment but they can make life so much easier if you entertain on a regular basis. Double sinks have always trended, of course. If your kitchen has the benefit of two sinks, you can separate your work zones into one for preparation and one for cleaning up. Despite the sizeable fridges on the market, some people never have enough fridge space. One good idea is to have an additional mini ‘kids’ fridge for healthy snacks and easily-accessible beverages. If you would like additional fridge space but do not have enough space in your kitchen, consider placing one in your garage for items that are not in use everyday.

Add some colour

There are certain colours on trend at the moment such as blues, pinks and purples. The most important thing to remember about colour is that it is you who will be reacting to it emotionally, depending upon how you are feeling, so choose colours that work for you.

Frugality is all around us

We are living in a period of austerity so, if you don’t want to go for a full kitchen renovation, consider replacing your sink and doors and drawers on your cabinets. Combine this with some redecoration and your kitchen will look as good as new.

Command central

Think about whether you could extend your kitchen, using adjacent spaces such as utility rooms or dining rooms. One trend that is unlikely to go away is that kitchens have become the real hubs of the home and are taking centre stage as the space to manage the home, cook, socialize and even manage work and entertainment. Remodeling your kitchen area gives you the chance to finally have the space available to fit you, rather than the other way round.

Remodeling

With the slump in the property market, what is right on trend is the creation of new spaces within current properties as opposed to moving house. A wisely and well remodeled kitchen will likely recoup on average 81% of its cost. If you are specifically remodeling to add value to your property, you will need to make decisions based on this and remodel to sell as opposed to remodeling for yourself.

Quality counts

Get the best quality that you can afford – it pays off in the long run. Compare fit, finish, design, hardware, box construction and drawer glides. Include comparisons and check references. Keep current trends in mind but decide on whether they will meet your own requirements. Research remodeling costs and return on investment. Most of all, enjoy the exciting experience of anticipating and planning your new dream kitchen.