Pandemic or Not, You Need a Kitchen Designer to Help

For you to achieve a fully functional kitchen that fits your character and lifestyle, it’s a must to discuss things with professional kitchen designers. Now that you have spent more than a year during a pandemic lockdown, you perhaps recognized areas of your kitchen that you would like to change. Thankfully, virtual and in-person consultation services are both available with most kitchen designers to help you achieve your kitchen goals seamlessly. 

Here’s how these kitchen experts can help you out.

They understand where you’re coming from. Backed by years of experience working with different clients, kitchen professionals — from designers to custom cabinet makers in NJ — can craft plans and products that can match your vision. Part of their job is to know your goals and be keen on what you want. They do this by setting up meetings with you and asking pertinent questions (virtually or physically, depending on your choice). For your part, you have to make sure that your communication line is open and you’re relaying your concept and suggestions clearly. 

Kitchen designers know how to blend aesthetics with functionality. A great kitchen is one that effectively combines form and function. If you are looking for a luxury kitchen design that can be outfitted with a high end Wolf range or modern kitchen cabinetry for a minimalist style, a professional designer has the expertise to bring your ideas to life. They also design with your budget and timeline in mind. 

A kitchen designer will prioritize safety. As the world is ushered into the new normal because of the pandemic, several kitchen trends and technologies that highlight safety have also emerged. Kitchen designers and custom cabinet makers in NJ are updated about these developments. They make sure to incorporate into the project whatever it is that will help create a safe and optimized kitchen. 

They have access to suppliers and industry information. Possibilities abound when you work with reputable and experienced kitchen designers. This is because they have a huge network of suppliers, craftsmen, technicians, and contractors that offer top-quality products and services. Having such critical access will help guarantee that your demands will be met accordingly. 

They render detailed drawings for easier visualization. To facilitate better visualization and assessment of their designs, professional kitchen design consultants are also skilled in rendering detailed drawings of your dream kitchen. These visual materials, which can be presented virtually or in person, also foster a more collaborative environment and make things easier for you and your kitchen design and construction team. 

While hiring kitchen designers in Morris County NJ is definitely advantageous, you also have to play your part in achieving your dream kitchen. As stated, you identify with what you want and establish your goals. Make sure your essential details are relayed clearly — whether you’re doing a virtual or in-person kitchen design consultation. You also have to choose professionals who are prompt, flexible, and strictly follow health protocols. This way, you can guarantee that you can achieve the kitchen of your dreams as stress-free and safe as possible.

Modern Kitchen Ideas for Younger Homeowners

Recent surveys show that the majority of today’s homebuyers belong to the millennial populace which is determined by those who are born between 1981 and 1996. And for them, the kitchen is the heart and soul of their sanctuary. After all, they regard the ability to cook as an essential indicator of successful adulting. From having modern kitchen cabinetry for storage to sprucing things up with personalized accents, these young homeowners have a penchant for a kitchen that’s hip, functional, and reflective of their character. 

Investing in a home you can call your own? In this article, we’re taking you through several modern kitchen ideas for you to consider. 

Airy, open layout. Breaking away from traditional residential floor plans, the millennial home sees the merging of the kitchen to the dining and living areas. When you browse through a modern kitchen photo galley, you’ll notice that many contemporary houses follow this trend — which is accentuated by a cohesive color palette and indoor plants that help distinguish one zone from another. 

A flexible and integrated kitchen experience. Kitchens are an avenue for innovative design and construction solutions. This is especially true for young homeowners who are keen on creating a space that’s tailored to what they need now and what they’d demand in the future. This is why they invest in the so-called "flextension" trend. This is characterized by island units with integrated seating, extended breakfast bars, and countertops that can be used for home office work. 

Built-in appliances and concealed storage. Another signature look of a young homeowner’s kitchen is the modern kitchen cabinetry they gravitate too. Contemporary kitchen designs typically feature full-on concealed storage, open shelving, or a clever combination of the two. And to further maximize kitchen space, built-in appliances are making their comeback and attracting buzz from the younger generation. 

Natural and ambient lighting. A kitchen is not complete without proper lighting. And in this frontier, combining natural and ambient lighting continues to charm young homeowners. Task lighting is also essential to make one’s cooking experience more convenient and efficient. All these lighting elements make for a kitchen space that’s fresh with just the right flair for drama — whether it’s night or day. 

The Two-toned kitchen. If you want to add more twist to your kitchen, opting for a two-toned kitchen can do the trick. And this trend can refer to both colors and textures. For instance, you might want to try pairing up dark-colored cabinetry with light wood flooring and lighter colors for the walls. Or, you can combine wood textures with concrete ones. 

Personalized accessories and accents. When you look for pics via a modern kitchen photo gallery you’d also notice that many millennial kitchens are adorned with customized accessories and accents. This is a great way to create a cooking space that’s unique to your needs — and to your personality. 

A smart and sustainable kitchen. With millennials being knowledgeable about the benefits of carbon emissions combined with of the use of smart technology, it doesn’t come as a surprise why more and more younger homeowners now prefer to have a smart and sustainable kitchen. Modern kitchen trends also give the spotlight to energy-efficient appliances and eco-friendly technologies.

Our kitchen design center in NJ shows off several examples of sleek kitchen cabinetry that wows our younger homeowners. Stop into our kitchen design center near Pennington NJ today to see what move them.

Custom Kitchen Cabinet Ideas for The Younger Homeowner

At 25 years old, my daughter and her husband bought their first home knowing there was going to be a little remodeling required in the years to come. The kitchen was one of those areas that needed to be redesigned to their liking. It is not uncommon for younger homeowners to invest in their starter home knowing they were destined to more up within ten years or so.

After taking some measurements of the wall space and appliances currently in their kitchen, they visited Lowes and Home Depot to check out some kitchen cabinetry. What they discovered was that standard sizes of kitchen cabinetry sold in those big box stores was not going to work for their current kitchen arrangement. But they did get a feel for the current trends and got some ideas of what they liked and didn’t like. 

Here are a few of the latest trends in kitchen cabinetry:

1. Open shelving 

They liked the idea of some open shelving. A combination of closed under the counter kitchen cabinets plus 4-6 open shelves strategically placed is not an uncommon arrangement. There are plenty of advantages to having open kitchen shelving. Open shelving allows this couple to display wine glasses, pitchers and plates. They got some nice wedding shower gifts and thought they might as well show these off. The convenience of open kitchen shelves was also very appealing.

Most of the younger homeowners we have met tend to be minimalists and seek out kitchen cabinet styles that are sleek, clean, and without the finer woodwork found in more traditional kitchens.

2. Playful colors 

Customizing the color and surface pattern of your cabinets is an effective way to brighten up a kitchen design for younger couples. You can work with a local kitchen cabinet maker to create the sleek kitchen cabinets that appeal to younger homeowners. Older homeowners often choose neutral colors such as grey, yellow, and various forms of green. The younger homeowners tend to be more courageous with splashes of yellows and read. If you want a light atmosphere in your kitchen, then we recommend a combination of colors that include a few bursts of color. 

3. Honey Oak Kitchen Cabinets

Oak wood has been the staple for kitchen cabinetry for all generations. We has seen a departure to use hickory and pine during the 1990’s but most local kitchen cabinet makers have returned to using oak in recent years. Not all oak cabinets are the same. You can choose a modern simplistic look or a more traditional rustic kitchen look by using lighter color stains and clear urethanes. The great advantage of oak wood for kitchen cabinet design is its durability and availability. The material lasts a long time and is slower to show signs of wear and tear. It is also quite beautiful. If well designed, your oak wood kitchen cabinets can make your kitchen radiate with elegance. 

Redesigning your kitchen is a serious undertaking. If you are a younger homeowner planning for a family, you may want your kitchen to be child friendly and easy to clean. But most younger couples like to entertain in their homes as well. The modern kitchen design photo gallery shows off some sleek cabinetry designs and open shelving is what many younger homeowners appreciate.

Modern Kitchen Ideas for the Young Professional

If you're a young professional who owns a home that needs updating, you may be salivating over some of the images you find on Houzz, This Old House or any of the other photo galleries online. From lighting and flooring to appliances and storage, there are many ways to modernize your kitchen. Here's a closer look at four popular modern kitchen ideas.

1. Flooring

Today's modern kitchens feature flooring that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and durable. Porcelain tile, natural stone, hard wood veneers and ceramic tiles in varying colors and textures provide long-term function and durability while complementing your other design choices, such as countertops and cabinets. If you're more interested in a rustic look, you might want to consider wide-plank wood flooring. If you love to cook and entertain, spending many hours in the kitchen, make sure you choose a flooring that gives you the underfoot support and the comfort you need.

2. Countertops

Countertops provide your all-important workspace where you get your food preparation done. Marble and granite countertops are the popular modern choices, particularly in white, grey and black colors. Their natural beauty, durability and easy-to-maintain surfaces make them well-suited to the rigors of food prep but also wowing your guests. As with flooring, you have a world of colors and styles to choose from. Consider pairing white marble countertops with white and glass cabinets for an ultra-modern monochromatic look.

3. Cabinets

Whether you plan on replacing or updating your cabinets, sleek kitchen cabinet styles immediately modernize your space. Clean, crisp lines and neutral colors are the hallmarks of a modern kitchen, and they translate well to cabinets. Consider white cabinets with shaker style doors for form and function, for example. Also, think about minimal or hidden handles and hardware that promote clean, sleek lines. If you're interested in updating your cabinets but would rather hire out the job to a professional, search online for a reputable kitchen remodeling contractor that does refurbishing of cabinets in your area. For example, search for "kitchen cabinet painting in NJ."

4. Storage

Proper storage allows you to modernize your kitchen by keeping non-essentials and clutter off your counters. Kitchen islands are a great way to create both work and storage spaces. For example, kitchen islands can incorporate some or all of the following features: deep sliding drawers for nesting pots and pans, built-in wine racks, open shelving for cookbooks, storage for smart appliances, bar-type seating, and cutting boards. If your kitchen layout doesn't support an island, perhaps there is an off kitchen pantry area that can be reconfigured for more storage.

If these ideas appeal to you, search online for "modern kitchen photo gallery." You'll find some additional ideas and details to help you transform your kitchen.

Young People Prefer Kitchen Designs With Clean Lines

What is chic in one part of the country will be different than what is fashionable in another part of the country. Trendy urban kitchen designs for young professionals in New York City will differ from younger trendsetters in Miami or Houston. The minimalist movement is sweeping the country but geography and what your local friends are doing in their kitchens has a big influence on the decisions younger homeowners are making. Young adults are gravitating toward living by the “less is more” principle. We are seeing evidence of the minimalistic preferences by the popularity of cabinetry with sharp clean lines, lacquered finishes and an industrial appearance found in kitchen magazines and Pinterest boards.

Why Clean Lines?

Clean lines are popular with young people because of a rebellious spirit to move from traditional styles. First, they stand out sharply with their geometric edges and simplicity. Clean lines in cabinetry are an easy way to make a bold statement that moves away from the ornateness a parent’s kitchen design preferences. On the other hand, they can also easily fall into the background and allow another part of the kitchen to shine through, such as a new stainless-steel chef-style cooking range or an elaborate backsplash. At one point not to long ago, custom crafted kitchen cabinetry was the star of a new kitchen.

The creation of more open space continues to be on the rise too. Stark neutrals such as glossy black, matte finishes for whites, and dark gray are common color choices due to their contrast with stainless steel and bold accent colors.

In addition to improving the kitchen’s look, the sleek style also offers more practical use of cooking space. Clean lines provide a better fit, maximizing available space and allowing for more functional countertop space. This layout encourages you to keep the area tidy so that you’ll want to show off your modern kitchen instead of keeping it hidden due to clutter.

Where Should Clean Lines Be?

The easiest and most effective way to establish clean lines is through sleek kitchen cabinet styles. Cabinetry takes up the most surface area of any kitchen. Even if the kitchen island designs has stools around curved countertops, the clean lines of the cabinets will still make the minimalizing statement.

You can match the minimalist cabinets with other décor that will complete the clean design, such as counter-depth refrigerators that don’t stick out as far as traditional fridges do and polished countertops made of elegant granite.

On the other hand, you can mix modern kitchen cabinetry for minimalists pendant lighting accents and décor to create a transitional feel. Here is a modern kitchen photo gallery that shares several styles of kitchen cabinetry blended with pops of color. This entails combining traditional and modern styles for a truly unique appearance.

Kitchen Designs That Bring Families Together

Sometimes it seems that the world is conspiring to draw the members of your family away in all different directions just as you're trying to bring them together. One way that you can help encourage your family to gather together without resorting to nagging and cajoling them is with a redesign of your kitchen. The more comfortable and inviting it is, the more likely your family will be to want to hang around rather than disappearing off into their own corners of the house.

1. Comfortable Seating

Kitchen chairs have traditionally been wooden, straight-backed and not very inviting. It is understandable that your family may not want to linger long in the kitchen when there is more comfortable seating available elsewhere in the home. You can change that with the addition of cushioned bar stools, comfy seating around the kitchen table, or even a interactive video corner with seating.

2. Counter Space

The more counter space you have available, the more room there is for your family members to gather together and spread out, and the more room you have to perform your meal preparations. There are a number of ways that you can increase and maximize counter space in your kitchen, even if it is small:

• Increase the depth of your work spaces, if possible.

• Extend cabinet height to the ceiling for more storage space.

• Incorporate a kitchen island.

Kitchen islands are an increasingly common feature of contemporary kitchens because they can accomplish so much for you. Not only do you increase your available work space, but kitchen island designs with stools also provide additional spots to sit. If your kitchen is particularly large, an island can help break up the space, and the extra seating provides a place for the kids to gather even when they're involved in their own separate activities, like homework or screen time.

3. Natural Elements

Natural elements like plants, butterflies in a cool habitat just outside, grapevines, or landscape art not only make your kitchen more inviting, they help to encourage creativity in your children. Keep in mind that natural elements can be functional as well as merely decorative. For example, one of the most organic open kitchen shelving ideas involves using reclaimed wood, giving your kitchen an attractively rustic feel. Without sacrificing usefulness or efficiency, natural elements can transform your kitchen from a utilitarian space into a family room.

On your own, it can be difficult to come up with kitchen design ideas that will work with your space. Taking a look at a modern kitchen photo gallery online may help to spark your imagination.

A Smarter Kitchen for a Better Life

The kitchen is becoming the hub for the smart home. Makes sense due to all the advances in smart home appliances that are leading the parade of IoT devices for a home. Modern kitchen designs are blazing the trails for more connected kitchens. The aesthetics, architecture, and accessories in your kitchen affect many facets for your life, not just food preparation and therefore inspires product development engineers. Check out the following kitchen design ideas to discover ways to healthfully live in your home.

Aesthetics

Color matters. The all white kitchen that is impossible to clean is likely to increase your stress and your frustration. Instead, seek out colors and patterns that provide beauty and peace when you enter the space. Semi-opaque creams and light grays promote serenity in their soft tones. Black is used as a leading color for cabinets or as a supporting color for smart home appliances. Oak is used to add subtle sophistication to your kitchen. Lastly, grid motifs round out the aesthetics with a moderate industrial look.

Architecture

The organization and layout of your kitchen gives the space character. Consider the modern industrial style for your kitchen. This look is trendy and identifiable. The style accessorizes with industry-themed accents, such as cabinet handles, rather than outfitting the kitchen with commercial grade appliances and countertops. Another architectural kitchen design idea is the modern farmhouse style. Open shelves and oak accents are reminiscent of a simpler time and way of life. Lastly, the minimalist style promotes cleanliness and warmth with its florals and bright patterns. Elements of each of these architectural designs promote peace and serenity in your kitchen.

Accessories

The trend toward wellness calls for open spaces to accommodate plants and countertop herb gardens, comfortable seating, large windows and modern kitchen design features that includes smart home appliances. Countertops are treated as accessories because they have the power to change the feel of the room. For a feeling of wellness, people tend toward marble-inspired or wood countertops. Natural colors and materials bring peace and simplicity.Some modern kitchen designs promote cabinets with a mix of finishes and knobs. Gold accents provide a sophisticated atmosphere.The most significant feature in the kitchen when focusing on wellness might be the sink.Having larger sinks and more than one faucet enables efficient food preparation, more space for cleanliness, and easier access to filtered water.

Creating a smarter kitchen can improve your life. Modern kitchen designs seek to enhance well-being through aesthetics, architecture and accessories. The color, design, and style of your smart home appliances, such as refrigerators,dish washers and waste disposal systems can promote healthy living by influencing how we deal with bacteria control. Check out the many kitchen design ideas that might make your family more efficient and peaceful in the kitchen.

Designing the Perfect Smart Kitchen

For consumers who are excited about the potential of having smart appliances as part of the kitchens in their homes, designing the right space is crucial with the functionality offered by smart appliances in mind. We recommend taking to the internet and checking out trend setting kitchen appliance brands by visiting Samsung’s Virtual Kitchen, LG home appliances to see what these connected devices can do. More and more appliances are being built with IoT features that allow them to be controlled from your tablet or phone.

Connecting Across the Kitchen

There are various options when it comes to kitchen designs with smart appliances but we are seeing the larger appliances using stainless steel and black stainless steel as the two primary colors. So, designers need to blend countertops, cabinets and flooring to offset all those shiny metal finishes. Smaller smart appliances such as coffee pots, blender, and microwaves are now available as smarter devices that take advantage IoT connectivity and digital syncing. These smaller pieces of equipment take on a more traditional look similar to older appliances, although we have seen some very futuristic coffer makers and sleek new dishwashers that show off the new technology contained within.

Modern Design Features

If you appreciate the sophistication of a modern kitchen, you can find many ideas at your local kitchen and bath showroom or swing by the Miele Appliance experience in Princeton. Expect to see lots of reflective surfaces and high-tech materials that truly catch the eye. Bring a pair of sunglasses to reduce the glare. We have found that exotic woods can add extra luxury to a kitchen that is reflecting too brightly. Seating made of polished wood or Lucite is also a popular option. Your modern kitchen designer can make smart appliances look amazing with the right color stain on your custom kitchen cabinets.

 Contemporary Design Options

Those who prefer something more traditional can need only voice your opinion to tone down the shine. Too much connectivity to the internet may lend your home to accessible to unwanted virtual intruders. The kitchen should offer the family comfort and protection from a connected world. In many cases, we design kitchens with modern appliances that function just fine without all that flash.We will feature both polished and casual elements for a beautiful juxtaposition of style. We may disguise your smart oven and hide your refrigerator behind a cabinetry finish, as well as recommend more complementary kitchen appliances. Open space and durable seating works well with a contemporary kitchen.

Smart Appliance Choices

If you want to kit out the room with the best and brightest, you’ll want to splurge on all things connected. To give you some ideas of what might look amazing in your remodeled kitchen, consider visiting with a highly recommended kitchen designer in New Jersey that perhaps a neighbor used.

Putting it All Together

Choosing your favorite design style at a kitchen and bath showroom and then add modern flair by purchasing modern smart appliances. We develop kitchen designs with smart appliances all the time. The secret is in blending and balancing old world with connected world.