Top Kitchen Remodeling Trends for 2013

Remodeling a kitchen is hard work, but it is worth it in the end. When you have a kitchen you are proud of, the entire house looks and feels better. Are you getting ready to remodel your home? Start in the kitchen with some of these popular trends for 2013.

Countertops

The Old: Corian countertops are so 2002! And if it is all over your kitchen in the form of a blackspash and a sink (you know who you are!), it's time for a change.

The New: Today, the hot countertop is quartz. Not only is it a highly durable material, it is easy to clean and looks great. If you are redoing your countertops, don’t go with something you will have to replace again in just a few years. Instead, go for the long haul.

The other option for trendy counters is concrete. More and more people are using concrete for their countertops. It is even more durable than quartz and you can get it in nearly any color you want. Match the concrete countertop to the rest of the kitchen or use a complementary color to get a great look you simply can’t achieve with other materials.

Floors

The Old: Tiled and laminate floors are things of the past. If that's what you have in your house, it's time to pull up your flooring and start over.

The New: What exactly should you use? Hardwood is the material of choice in kitchen and dining room areas. You may be wondering, with so many hardwood options, what exactly should you choose for your flooring?

To be honest, it doesn’t really matter. Go with what feels best in your kitchen. Lighter woods have started to come back in style, as have wider planks than normal. However, dark wood and thin planks are still as beautiful and classy as ever.

Backsplashes

The Old: Have you ever walked into a kitchen and seen a tiny, almost non-existent backsplash? These are going the way of the dinosaur.

The New: In 2013, you want a full backsplash anywhere you have a countertop. What type of backsplash is in? Well, it depends on your style. Do you want something that looks good and is extremely low-maintenance? Marble is a great option; however, since it is porous it does tend to absorb things like grease.

If you are looking for something fun and unique, try a natural stone backsplash or even colored glass. The great thing about these is that you can customize them so that they are completely unique to your kitchen.

Colors

The Old: Neutrals. Basic, traditional colors for countertops or backsplashes are fading away.

The New: Go bold or go home, as the saying goes. Bright, bold colors are extremely popular this year. Don’t limit the colors in your kitchen to traditional kitchen palette. Instead, think outside the box. Plum and turquoise are some of the most popular colors to use for countertops, backsplashes, appliances, and more.

However, remember that you can still have too much of a good thing. Keep things like your cabinets and floors more neutral to help balance the look. Brown, off-white, and black are all popular colors for your neutral shading.

Energy Efficient

The Old: Energy-sucking appliances (the gas-guzzling SUVs of the kitchen) are phasing out and we couldn't be happier about it.

The New: Energy-efficient items. This includes not only your big appliances like the stove and fridge, but it also encompasses your smaller appliances. The more items you have in the kitchen that are energy-efficient, the more you will save on your electric bill and the more in-style you become.

On top of electronics, such as a griddle or stand mixer, make sure that your sink and dishwasher are energy-efficient as well. This will help your water consumption and cut down your carbon footprint. When upgrading your kitchen, keep an eye out for the most efficient items for your home.

Built-In

The Old: Stand-alone pieces. Having stand-alone appliances takes up valuable kitchen real estate and we just can't have that.

The New: More and more appliances are coming with built-in options. You can have a fridge and freezer built into surrounding cabinets. Having a microwave built into the bottom of cabinets is a trend that has been around for years. Some people even have their stovetops built right into the countertop.

The most recent innovation of the built-in trend is a built-in coffee maker. This item can save room on your counters, since it is usually built into the cabinets above. It looks great, is efficient, and you never have to worry about bumping into the coffee maker.

Modern or Retro

The Old: Well, the old is sort of the new. When considering the kitchen trends of 2013, one school of thought is that we should go back to a more simple time and apply those looks and styles to more modern conveniences. The retro look is extremely popular. In fact, you can get almost any appliance and kitchen accessory in a retro style. Colors and lines from the 1950s have made their way back into our kitchens and our hearts.

The New: On the other hand, you may find that you walk into more and more homes with uber-modern kitchens. These kitchens have very minimalistic styling. Black, white, and chrome are the colors of modern kitchens. Straight, hard lines and a very clean look are the lynch pins of the trend.

Open Room

The Old: Fewer people are putting an island in the middle of the kitchen unless the room is so large that it is practically a necessity.

The New: You need a kitchen in which you can cook. This means you need space to spread out. An open floor plan for your kitchen is essential. The more room you have, the easier it is to host fabulous soirees in your newly renovated kitchen. Give you and your guests some space.

Along with the open floor plan, more people are looking for open counter space in their kitchens. Get rid of the clutter. Make sure that as many small appliances as possible are put in cabinets or somewhere else instead of on the countertops. Things that used to be expected on the countertop, such as a toaster or coffee pot, are now expected to be out of sight.

Having the perfect kitchen is just a remodel away. Keep these trends for 2013 in mind when redoing your kitchen. You will add value and beauty to your home with just a few simple changes.