New Jersey Kitchen Remodeling Trends for 2010

When it comes to kitchen remodeling in New Jersey, there is an increasing demand for smaller, more budget-conscious kitchens with a heavy emphasis on style and universal designs.  Baby Boomers hitting retirement age, tightened lending standards, consumer frugality, and increase in single households are all factors.

1. Consolidated Activity.   A major kitchen remodeling trend is coordinating multiple functions into the kitchen area.  Laundry rooms, dining rooms, and home office space are increasingly being absorbed into the kitchen/great room realm.  Space-saving solutions include banquette seating, hideaway laundry appliances and small, built-in workspaces with kitchen-side desks.
2. Universal Design.  The kitchen design should be accessible to everyone, older homeowners, kids, tall or short adults, and individuals with limited mobility.  This means easy to reach appliances and kitchen work surfaces and storage areas of varying heights.  The microwave should be put in an easily accessible position for kids rather than the microwave/hood combo configuration.
3. Focused Luxury.  Pick and choose luxuries strategically; every kitchen remodeling project should have at least one special design feature without breaking the bank such as eye-catching backsplashes, plate racks, or glass cabinet doors.
4. Maximize space.  With high home prices per foot in New Jersey, especially in Red Bank, Rumson, West Long Branch and other prime Northern Jersey Shore areas , New Jersey kitchen remodeling contractors uniformly agree that  kitchens have to work smarter and harder to get the most functionality out of its square footage.  Volume space should be maximized with skinny, vertical pantries, pull-out cabinets, and wine cubbies that fill odd cavities.  Horizontal lines, lighter finishes, and mirrored backsplashes help “grow the space.”
5. Think Green.  Have a professional New Jersey contractor perform a home energy audit.  You will be amazed at the efficiencies from installing Energy Star appliances and Water Sense-rated plumbing fittings.  Countertops from recycled materials and other eco-friendly products in their raw state tend to cost less and do not produce off-gassing (evaporation of volatile chemicals found in new products).
6. Traditional Style.  Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and hardwood floors are tried and true favorites.
7. Good Lighting.  Layered lighting for practical usage and visual effect including a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting.  Decorative light fixtures also supplement a room’s overall brightness and help carry forth a theme.
8. Attention to Detail.  In a smaller kitchen, attention to detail is more important.  Smaller spaces are less forgiving.  Refrigerators and other appliances should run flush with cabinet faces to maintain clean lines.  Outlets and endings are also important in a small space.  Concealing and pop-up outlets should be considered to not interrupt the kitchen patterns.