The latest in
KITCHEN UPGRADES
By Melissa Erickson
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H
A three-year
decline in tele-
visions in the
kitchen has
been met with
the increasing
popularity of
home assistants
such as Amazon
Echo or Google
Home, the Houzz
study found.
omeowners looking to
update their kit chens
are setting their sights
on creating inviting and
personal spaces. White Euro-style
cabinets layered with darker neutral
furniture, man-made countertops
and a helpful dose of technology
prove that a modern kitchen can
still be the heart of the home.
Two main factors determine a
kitchen remodel, said Jason Avery,
owner of Avery Construction Design
Consulting in Clearwater, Florida.
In most cases it’s what’s on trend
in magazines, on Pinterest boards
and at Houzz.com, Avery said.
Secondly, there’s budget. Costs
varies widely based on size, scope,
location and other factors. The
average spend on a major remodel,
which includes replacing at least all
of the cabinetry and appliances, for
a 200-square-foot or greater kitchen
is $42,000, while a major remodel
of a smaller kitchen averages
$25,800, according to the 2018 U.S.
Houzz Kitchen Trends Study.
Most projects are budget-driven,
with homeowners and professionals
discussing priorities and remodelers
helping them negotiate with
themselves about how to get the
most out of their budget, Avery said.
White, white, white
The all-white kitchen that once
dominated is now eclipsed by a
two-toned effect, Avery said. White-
painted cabinets paired with an
espresso-hued island or a darker
floor are popular choices. White
backsplashes, countertops and
wall finishes are also trending,
according to the Houzz study.
“People relate to the white
because it feels brighter and
cleaner,” Avery said.
Clear the counter
Countertops are having a
moment, too. Homeowners
are obsessed with decluttering
countertops to show them off,
according to the Houzz study.
For materials, quartz is king.
Engineered quartz is much more
than just an alternative to natural
granite, Avery said. With so many
finishes, patterns and colors, quartz
mimics stone but is nonporous
and resistant to staining. White
quartz is trending followed by
marble; the budget-conscious
opt for granite, Avery said.
Custom for cabinets
It’s worth the splurge to go custom
in cabinetry to get the most storage
space possible, Avery said. Storage
and organization features include
revolving corner trays, pull-out
shelves and spice drawers, double
trash and recycling sliders, deep
pot-and-pan drawers and pantries
loaded with pull-out shelves, he said.
Kitchen experts can also help create
cabinets that hide appliances inside
cabinets to roll in and out as needed.
Go Euro
Mass-produced face-frame
cabinetry may not provide enough
strength or flexibility for storage
needs, according to Consumer
Reports. Custom European
construction-style cabinets provide
not only a solid and sturdy frame for
the kitchen, but maximize function
and storage needs, Avery said.
Recipe for technology
Integrating home automation in
the kitchen is one of the biggest
trends of the Houzz report, but from
a remodeler’s standpoint Avery said
many homeowners take that next
step on their own or with a tech
specialist. A three-year decline
in televisions in the kitchen has
been met with the increasing
popularity of home assistants such
as Amazon Echo or Google Home,
the study found. Wireless and
voice-controlled kitchen appliances
are also rising in popularity.
2018 Fall Vermont Home, Garden & Car • 13