Article by Dacor Appliances:    As the New Year begins, many people are thinking of ways to revitalize their living spaces.  But before you remodel or redecorate, you should know what trends designers see taking hold in 2010.

Designers agree there will be a continued focus on green design, open floor plans with contemporary styling and the overall evolution of the kitchen from merely a space for eating and cooking to an area for entertaining and living.

Employing environmentally friendly methods in construction and remodeling, in addition to exploring more energy efficient alternatives, has increased greatly over the recent years and designers believe that the trend towards “going green” will continue.

“We have already seen an increase in awareness and interest in how the average home can be part of going green without a major expense or change in lifestyle,” said Michelle Drenckhahan, Principal Interior Designer of Spacial Adaptation.  “We will continue to see a lot of people interested in energy efficiency as well as useful and more cost-friendly ways to incorporate it into design.”

Cost has often been a deterrent for many homeowners when considering using environmentally friendly materials in remodeling.  The recent economic recession has made it even more difficult.  Not only are homeowners reconsidering what types of materials to use, but the recession has also widened the gap between people who can legitimately afford to remodel their kitchen or bath with a realistic budget in mind and the tire-kickers looking for freebies, according to Gerry Snapke of CAD Kitchen Plans.

Snapke predicts in 2010, designers will see a continuation of the move towards contemporary styles with clean lines, sleek designs and more open wall space, rather than crowding as many cabinets as possible into the kitchen.

Reducing the number of cabinets will change how cabinetry is designed and force homeowners to adapt.  Susan Serra, CKD, author of The Kitchen Designer, predicts many homeowners will seriously re-evaluate what they really need to store in their kitchens for the very first time.

Design trends will go beyond merely reconfiguring one’s space, and the role the kitchen plays in the home will continue to evolve.

The kitchen is no longer solely the room for cooking and eating but transformed into a space for entertaining and living.  Both appliance and cabinetry design have changed to reflect the evolving trend.

“Although we’ve talked about it for quite some time, we have seen a new serious appreciation and gratitude for the pleasures of cooking and socializing with friends and loved ones as a result of recent difficult times.  Simply put, more cooking and more living are being done in the kitchen and more living room-like features are being built into kitchens,” continued Serra.

Families are going out to eat less often, so appliances now provide a more robust cooking experience at home with functions that allow chefs to explore their creativity.  Pro-style ranges and cooktops, such as the Epicure® Dual-Fuel Range and the Epicure and Preference® Gas Cooktops have high-heat SimmerSear™ Burner output for cooking over a wide range of temperatures.

Installing cabinetry that resembles furniture pieces makes it easier to integrate the kitchen into other living spaces of the home, especially with the continued trend toward open floor plans.

“Integrated components and cabinets with glass door and wood veneer fronts help to incorporate living, dining and kitchen areas together,” said Peter Vidal, Senior Designer of Porcelanosa USA.

“We are seeing more and more great rooms that function as entertaining and cooking areas combined.  So, the trend for 2010 and perhaps onward in kitchen design is cabinetry that reflects your complete lifestyle,” continued Vidal.

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Tags: Appliances, Dacor, Design Trends, TRENDS