No Comments »

Design Dilemma: Five 2012 Kitchen Design Trends

• Tweet

• Tweet

There have been some big changes in kitchen design. In fact, you can take pretty much every major trend of the last few years and turn it on its head if you want to know what’s new and hot in 2012. Here’s a quick summary:

1. Unmatched cabinetry.

The biggest design trend of them all, unmatched cabinets, have become practically de riguer in Europe. Colors and materials are freely mixed and matched, often an oak wood cabinet base is matched with glossy uppers.  One of the most popular looks is darker colors and cabinetry for the base cabinets, and lighter upper cabinets which help provide a sense of openness.

2. Limed Oak

Limed oak, otherwise known as cerused oak, dates back to the 1500s, when white lead was used as an overlay on porous woods. When applied to a wood such as oak, the white pigment fills and reveals grain lines without affecting the overall color of the wood’s finish. In 2012, a non-toxic wax is used to create the limed look which has been popping up on case goods, cabinetry, flooring and doors.

3. Smaller Kitchen Islands

Huge, boat-like islands were the design trend a few years back, but these days, more people are realizing that a smaller surface can perform just as well, or better, in an average-sized kitchen.

We’re seeing more and more kitchens in which ovens, cooktops, dishwashers and refrigerators integrate seamlessly with cabinetry. The days of showing off expensive trophy appliances may be coming to an end — at least for a while. The integration trend also extends to kitchen cabinet pulls and knobs, which are now invisible in many kitchens, and even sinks, which disappear.

5. Lower-profile faucets.

For a while huge, gooseneck, professional-style faucets were all the rage in trendy kitchens. But this year, lower-profile faucets are back in vogue, making a more subtle and refined modern statement. Many of the newest faucets are sleek and low, almost of the type that we are used to seeing in bathrooms. Many feature a detachable spray nozzle which allows for easy filling of large pots.