2009 Trends in Kitchen And Baths
Kitchen and Bath Designers specializing in universal design and aging-in-place are becoming more and more popular because these types of amenities have appeal to buyers and help your house hold its value for decades after your house is built.
Other trends on the rise:
Indoor/Outdoor kitchens - fewer walls inside and unobstructed views to the outside draw us out of the home.
Formal Living Rooms are out and the merging of the kitchen, living and dining areas as a family gathering space is still in.
The Home Office is not just a guest room any more! A casita (a small separate structure) or separate wing for the home office is growing in popularity.
Outside of New England, the basement is making a come back -- great for mancaves, game rooms for kids or home theaters.
Charging stations have become a must in kitchens and mudrooms.
And finally, "Green" continues to be in.
MY MAMA TOLD ME, YOU BETTER SHOP AROUND
Remember the words to that song "Shop Around" by the Miracles?
"Try to get yourself a bargain son, don't be sold on the very first one. Pretty girls come a dime a dozen. Try to find one whose gonna give you true lovin. Before you take a girl and say I do now, make sure she's in love with you now. Make sure that her love is true now. I hate to see you feeling sad and blue now. My Mama told me, "you better shop around, oh yeah, you better shop around."
Change the word "girls" to "kitchen and bath designers" and you've got a pretty good handle on one of the trends I see emerging in 2009. With the holidays behind us and snow all around us here in the Northeast, I'm seeing antsy clients who want to do something (anything!) with their kitchens or baths but don't want to take a bath (pardon the pun) to do it. In just the first week of January, I've had three clients tell me they would like to obtain a design they can take with them to "shop around."
Word to the wise...be selective when choosing a designer to create the plan you want to shop around with because at the end of the day, that is "the plan" you will need to live with. To pay or not to pay -- what type of designer should I choose? Well, that depends on what they can do for you? Designers vary in expertise and vary in costs for that expertise and services offered.
When selecting a kitchen and bath designer it's important to keep the following in mind. A good design professional can save you money and prevent you from making costly mistakes. They've been through this process a bejillion times and have a wealth of learning experiences to share with you. They know about products, asthetics, functionality and costs. A good designer is also adept at helping you to clarify the vision you want within the budget you have.
How do you find one? Good question. Many of my clients come from referrals from builders, interior designers and previous clients. Talk with the contractors you trust and have worked with before to give you recommendations on experienced kitchen and bath designers they respect. Neighbors and coworkers would be a good resource as well.
Once you've got the list of kitchen and bath designers recommended by trusted sources, ask for and check their references and portfolios. The kitchen and bath designer you choose should not be intimidating, is someone you feel comfortable talking with and one who listens! Communication is key! Don't hire a designer who doesn't listen, showing interest only in pushing their own vision rather than turning your vision into reality. And finally, be open to your kitchen and bath designer's ideas that may help you reach your vision in a way you've never thought of before.
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