SPECIAL SECTION: HOME DESIGN TRENDS: INSPIRED UPGRADES
We’re usually thrilled with the next big thing—especially when it
comes to home improvement. Home design concepts usher in ideal
solutions for upgrading a few key areas, and experts say the three
things homeowners should focus on this year are your kitchen, your
pet and your connectivity.
Reconfiguring everything from remote control lighting in the
living room to a remote area specifically for your pet’s lavish lifestyle
can be a challenging, yet rewarding process. Here are just a few
trends to keep you on the cutting edge of home design.
SPACIOUS KITCHENS
Elevated Taste
The drama of life can take center stage in the most lived-in room
of your home—the kitchen. Keep family and friends gathered
around in style and with room to spare. A spacious kitchen can
begin with the island. It’s not only a space saver, it’s a platform for
lively conversations, prepping for dinner, and doing homework, to
name just a few. Whether you have a U-shaped, L-shaped or a more
unique-shaped kitchen, the island provides a generous supply of
counter space and storage as well as the possibility for a cooktop or
utility sink.
If space is limited, it doesn’t take a home renovation expert to
cook up ideas that add flavor to your kitchen without compromising
taste. Starting with the basics is the easiest plan of attack. Colorful
paint will help define separate areas in your kitchen. An accent wall
is ideal because you can choose a shade that pops and will work as a
focal point. From cool and relaxing to warm and inviting, a balance
of wall paint and cabinet hues can introduce the illusion of more
space when a color scheme is coordinated to make the best impact.
Adding living-space accessories such as a bench or breakfast nook
can create a new area. The division is subtle enough to enhance the
kitchen and cue the eye in a different direction. A space-making
furniture piece such as a nook bench can sometimes include built-in
storage under the lid of the seat, allowing you to hide kitchen clutter.
Hiding objects to make space is sometimes more obvious than
not. To shed light on your redesign, consider your windows for
example. Evaluate whether they make design sense in their current
place. Additionally, if your windows aren’t providing ample natural
light and if they’re not generating enough air flow when opened,
removing them to make space for more cabinetry might be the best
option to find space when you need it the most.
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Planning for a spacious kitchen means concentrating on your main
functional areas including cooking, baking, prep areas, refrigeration
and dishwashing. Before your redesign of the physical space, plan for
savings, too. Look for the Energy Star label when you’re shopping
for appliances such as refrigerators. The EnergyGuide label on new
models will explain the amount of electricity a refrigerator uses in
one year. The difference in used energy is such that a new refrigerator
uses up to 15 percent less energy than non-Energy Star models.
Other appliances that help save space in your yearly budget include
natural gas ovens or ranges with an automatic, electric ignition
system. These styles save gas by not having the continual burn of the
pilot light. For efficiency regarding your dishwasher, many models
have an internal heating system that enables you to conserve water
heating. The EnergyGuide label will estimate how much power is
needed for the year for you to heat the water in your dishwasher.
Exploring the amount of money and energy you can save will reduce
the cost of your redesign in the long run and make more space in
your budget for a kitchen where you’ll want to eat, stay and love.