2013 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends - Should They Influence Your Choices?
Gray hues, quartz countertops, and transitional style. These are some of the top design trends for 2013 according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association member survey.
Gray Kitchen. credit: preppyyogini.tumbler.com
While consumer remodeling budgets have shrunk a little bit, design trends in certain areas have grown significantly. Take color for example. Whites and off-whites occupy the top spot, followed by beiges and bones. Various shades of gray are becoming increasingly popular, taking 3rd place. In fact, grays in the kitchen are up from 9% to 55% since 2010 and for the bathroom from 12% to 56%.
Every kitchen needs a countertop. Granite is still the one to beat in this category, but quartz surfaces are closing in with 80% usage in kitchens and 65% usage in bathrooms.
Glass backsplash, up from 42% in 2010 to 64% this year, is gaining on the ceramic and porcelain tile leader who although having the top spot dropped by 11 percentage points since 2010.
As far as styles go, transitional is becoming more popular. What is transitional style? This is a blend of contemporary and traditional, old world solid woods and natural stone meets high contrast colors and sharp lines.
What does this all mean? Should these trends influence your decisions? Statistics and trends are interesting, but at the same time they mean nothing. To the average homeowner, what is really important is knowing what you like, and then loving what you have. Paying attention to todays trends are a great way to get some ideas and see what options are available, but they should also be taken with a grain of salt. Enjoy your new kitchen and bath ideas and choices because you like them, not just because the industry says they are popular. Besides, these trends can change dramatically next year, but your new kitchen or bathroom may be with you for a long time. Making the right choices for you, will ensure your happiness now and for years to come.
Quartz Countertop. credit: Caesarstone
Glass Backsplash. credit: Griffin Enright Architects
Transitional Kitchen Design. credit: Kitchens.com