with Kimberly Greenwell, My Southern Home

So, you’ve decided to undergo a major renovation of your kitchen. Congratulations! This move will add a huge boost to you and your family’s quality of life, not to mention your home’s resale value. Here’s what’s trending and working for other families:

Two-Toned Cabinetry

There’s a multitude of benefits to having two-toned cabinets in your kitchen. First, it’s visually appealing and eye-popping. Second, it can help your kitchen look larger and allow you to explore your creative side without blowing your budget. Homeowners are brave and bold with their color choices, using periwinkle blue, green, and even hot pink. You can also try playing around with colorful and geometric-shaped cabinet hardware to add an eccentric boost. 

Oversized Islands

If you’re like most families, your kitchen island will play a leading role in your day-to-day life. It’s where you’ll prep dinner every night, it’s where your kids will begin their homework and enjoy a snack as they regale you with tales of the school day, and it’s where your neighbors and friends will gather during your annual holiday party. This is probably why having an oversized kitchen trend is in vogue right now. Most kitchens are able to accommodate islands, and we see the trends integrating islands around nine feet long. 

Custom Pantries

One of the biggest complaints homeowners make is that they don’t have enough storage for their kitchen goodies. A custom pantry with shelves and other storage mechanisms designed by you can fix this issue. Having a clearly defined place for everything with help you more efficiently prepare meals, keep you generally cleaner and more organized, and grant you easier access to your items.

Smart Appliances

How would you like a touch-screen operated toaster that lets you decide how dark you want your bread, with startling accuracy? Do you think a voice-activated kitchen faucet would be a major benefit to your kitchen prep efforts? What about a high-tech refrigerator that tells you when the food you’re storing will expire? Though smart kitchen appliances can be pricey, they’re a great way to prevent food waste and optimize your kitchen routine.