Some trends are just here to stay. For our projects, we focus on the functional aspects of the kitchen remodel plan first and foremost, rather than on short lived features that our clients will tire of in a couple of years. Last year it was blue tile backsplash which quickly changed to green a few weeks later because one of those fun reno shows featured it. Our suppliers finally made grout that would work for these pops of colour but now we are back to white again (it has been many months since we had to hunt down the right blue or green tile).
So, what will stand the test of longer periods of time (because nothing is forever)? Our new demonstration kitchen was open for touching in 2023. We have put in every bell and whistle that sells. We even have a few features built in that don’t sell just to show why they don’t work well practically speaking. Lots of things look great in a picture but the feel of it just can’t be replicated without lived experience.
So, here are just a few of the more lasting kitchen remodel features that we love to incorporate when we get in and make a space more liveable. Don’t take our word for it, we are busy putting these features in homes across our great city right now!
1. Opening Things up for a Big Island, or Maybe Two
The majority of our kitchen renovation projects include wall removals. The most important result that we are looking for is the opportunity to put in at least one island. Where there is room, maybe we can do two so we don’t have such a long way to walk to get around it.
This island represents the full length of most quartz slabs. At 10’6″, this island allowed for added storage on either end and we still have lots of room for seating.
2. A Microwave Wall Oven Combo
The most challenging thing that we often face is where to put the darn microwave. Now that air fryers are amazing, the microwave is used less and less but still needed on occasion. Previously the choices were over the range or in the island. Now we pair them with the over for a gorgeous built-in. These units are now so functional because the microwave portion is not only at a great height for any microwaving, but it also operates as a small convection oven and, best of all, the newest models are also an air fryer.
The oven portion is at a comfortable height for all of us and there is storage above and below the oven.
3. Mixed Materials are Warm and Inviting for Your Kitchen Remodel
We are still doing a great range of mixed materials on the cabinets. Our demo kitchen has a warm white as the main colour but the island has this beautiful matte black laminate finish and a pop of wood tone underneath. This mix works well with all of the popular black or white countertops, as well as a mix of metal colours for the hardware and lighting.
4. Talking about lighting…We Need a lot of it in our Winter City
Our kitchen renovation projects include the addition of the wonderful slim LED pot lights in various sizes as well as great feature pieces. Older homes had one or two lights in the kitchen. These are often bulky fluorescent lights that have to go. With the new lighting we have 3 to 4 zones so that different levels of light can be achieved. Where we can, we add a slim bulkhead to have 3-4” accent lighting closer to where we are working, then larger lights or our feature lights in the higher portion of the ceiling.
5. Open shelving for Your Kitchen Remodel
When we maximize our lower storage, we may not need as much upper storage. This lends itself to filling in some of that space with some open shelving. These floating shelves are made to bring in the wood tone from the island and act as a display space. They also allow for some additional height below the lower shelf for a coffee maker or mix master.
6. Quartz backsplashes & Coffee Bars
The quartz backsplash is a luxury feature. It is tricky to measure for and get just right but when we nail it, the result is this beautiful clean look. Sometimes we cannot find a tile that is just right so this is another reason that the matching backsplash is chosen. Now for the coffee bar. With all that working from home many of us did during the last few years, we still need our coffee fix. Be your own barista with so many fine options for brewing machines our there. The coffee bar space is one that we have been putting into our renovation and new home kitchen designs for awhile now and the trend continues to pick up “steam”. For some amazing quartz options for your coffee bar check out our partner products – Silestone, Ceasarstone, and Cambria.
There are so many great features we are putting into spaces today, the list could go on for days. The key things that our clients always strive for are opeing up their existing space, loads of storage, and lots of counter space for entertaining.
Come in and play in our demo kitchen today – https://www.newlookinteriors.ca/contact-us/
