by Marian McPherson
Tuxedo cabinets. Hidden appliances. Sleek wood paneling. It reads like a scene ripped out of the latest James Bond movie, but they’re actually the stars of Zillow Digs‘ latest Home Trends Forecast for 2017.
“Homeowners today want an open and thoughtfully designed kitchen that blends seamlessly with the rest of the home’s design aesthetic,” said Kerrie Kelly, Zillow Digs home design expert, in a press release.
“From hidden appliances to beautifully painted cabinets in complementing colours, homeowners want their kitchen to be stylish enough for entertaining, yet welcoming and functional for everyday use.”
Pay close attention to these trends, as small upgrades in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom can help a home sell faster.
Top trends
• Tuxedo kitchen cabinets: Mix up a kitchen’s colour palette with Tuxedo cabinets. Homeowners can do a literal interpretation with black and white, but Zillow Digs’ design expert Kerrie Kelly suggests using other complementary colours, such as navy blue and soft gray, for a softer contrast.
• Hidden appliances: Ditch stainless steel appliances, which can feel cold and industrial, and switch them for hidden appliances that easily meld into the design scheme. Also, they provide an unexpected touch for potential buyers who plan on spending plenty of time in the kitchen.
• Wood paneling: Transport your buyers back to grandma’s kitchen with wood paneling, also known as shiplap. Kelly suggests using white shiplap, which gives a clean, modern finish.
• Mixed hardware finishes: Instead of going for a monochromatic stainless steel look, homeowners are choosing appliances and accessories with various finishes, such as gold, copper or pewter. The final result is an eclectic, one-of-a-kind space.
Fads to forget
• Speckled granite: Homeowners are no longer limited to granite countertops. Instead, they’re going for quartz, marble and butcher block countertops that are easier to stain and maintain.
• Short cabinets: Ditch the short cabinets and install taller ones. According to Kelly, tall cabinets make a small kitchen look bigger and brighter.
• Dark brown wood and paint colours: According to Kelly, “bigger and brighter” will be the name of the game for 2017. With that, dark paint, accessories and wood finishes will go out of style.
— Inman News