White is the new black in kitchens
Shades of whites and off-whites will be the most common kitchen colors in 2010, while brown, beige and bone hues will also be popular, according to a survey just released by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Designers polled by the Hackettstown, N.J., trade association said their customers prefer traditional or contemporary cabinetry made with cherry, maple and white alder wood. The Shaker style is making a strong resurgence, but “distressed” finishes are definitely on the decline.
Hardwood will dominate kitchen floors in 2010, according to the survey, followed by ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tile. For countertops, granite continues to be the most popular option, but quartz is catching up.
Pull-out faucets are increasing their market share, along with pot-filler faucets. Brushed nickel remains the most popular finish, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel and – surprisingly -- polished chrome.
Two new trends in appliances surfaced during the survey, both involving refrigeration: The use of undercounter refrigerator drawers is on the rise, and undercounter wine refrigerators have been recently specified by half of the kitchen designers surveyed. Dishwasher drawers are gaining in popularity because they give consumers the ability to wash small loads of dishes in each drawer, thereby saving water and electricity.
In bathrooms, beige and bone will dominate the color palette in 2010. Traditional will be the strongest design style, with contemporary a distant second choice. Forget about hardwood flooring -- homeowners will want ceramic or porcelain tile. The most common color for fixtures will be white, unless they’re bisque and off-white. For sinks, simple undermount models will be most popular, followed by integrated sink tops, drop-in sinks, vessel sinks and pedestal sinks.
Brushed nickel will continue to lead the way in 2010, although polished chrome and satin nickel -- also popular trends in 2009 -- will also be incorporated into many bathrooms. These faucet finishes will be followed by bronze and stainless steel.
