Decorative hoods continue to dominate, as homeowners said a few years ago that the microwave, while practical, was not the centerpiece of the kitchen that defined them. Even the freestanding hood ventilation appliance has slipped onto the list of kitchen design trends to avoid at the end of 2019 for some buyers.
Right now, modern style, custom or semi-custom wood hoods are all the rage. One observation is that they are often bicoloured, especially in Canada. They are usually made with embellishments in stained wood, MDF, or even wood alternatives like laminate or melamine.
Floating shelves
This trend is explained by the desire to display decorative objects in the house, but for this you need floating shelves. The typical context of Zoom or video chat is driving this trend, heavily inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’ve watched news shows since the pandemic began, you’ll almost always find a standard background with open shelves containing books, a lamp, picture frames, artwork, plants, and a few vintage items. People want to showcase their personal style, and kitchens are no different from a space for expression. Open, floating shelves allow homeowners to display sentimental items or have quick and easy access to heavily used items.
Corner floating shelves are gaining popularity in the kitchen, a space usually reserved for a wall-mounted corner cabinet, where according to our kitchen design experts, unused items go to die. Trend experts believe that floating shelves in kitchens and bars will continue to grow in popularity in 2022 and beyond; it does not slow down.
Taller wall cabinets
The motto for upper wall cabinets in 2022 will be “Go big or go home”. Tall or stacked upper cabinets that span the entire wall are what most homeowners today want for their dream home. Depending on the height of the ceiling and the budget, this can be achieved in several ways, whether with a single tall cabinet or with two superimposed cabinets. This grand or filled look has almost become a standard kitchen design feature for most people who are building or remodeling their forever home.
Handles
Knobs on cabinets lost popularity a few years ago; however, some of our trend experts have noticed that knobs are starting to resurface as homeowners and designers choose them for cabinet doors while keeping pulls on drawers. You’ll see more of this unisex look in 2022.
Quality Prevails
The global COVID-19 pandemic has sparked deeper thinking about how people view and use their homes. Many people are now working from home and seeing their spaces differently than before. There is also a move towards multi-generational living, so improving space utilization is a priority for many homeowners.
That said, with more time spent at home, our kitchen design experts have noticed that people are willing to invest in higher quality items that will last rather than choosing items that will need to be replaced sooner. People are keen to invest in higher quality materials and products that outlast normal wear and tear. Although this is more of a behavioral or buying trend, it is important to note.
Summary
Trend spotting for the kitchen and bath industry has struggled with the lack of trade shows due to the pandemic. That said, the trend experts at Superior Cabinets will be doing a mid-year update for you, so stay tuned.