NKBA’s Growing Trends for 2011
Kitchen and bath trends shift like the tides: one year, nature-inspired themes are in demand, the next, sleek, contemporary industrial designs are hot. More than 100 designer/members of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recently participated in a survey to reveal design trends that are expected to take hold this year. These trends were then compared with the dominant trends reported in a similar survey conducted in 2009 by the NKBA. The results show a shift in tastes in everything from cabinet wood species to color palettes.
Color & Style
The way designers are thinking about the big three design categories – Traditional, Transitional, Contemporary – may be seeing a shift toward a more specific way of looking at kitchen styles, according to surveyed designers. Shaker styles began to experience gains in 2009 and gained momentum in 2010. At year’s end, Shaker had supplanted Contemporary as the second most popular style used by NKBA member designers. The percentage of respondents who designed Contemporary kitchens fell to 48%, while Shaker rose to 55%. The only other style to see a rise in 2010 was Cottage, which registered 21% of designers surveyed.
Traditional remains strong: the style was used by 76% of designers in the fourth quarter of 2010, although that number represents a drop from the same period in 2009.
There is projected to be a shift in the materials used to compose these styles, as well. At the beginning of 2010, cherry wood was specified by more NKBA member designers for use in kitchen cabinetry than any other wood. NKBA research showed that 78% of designers has used cherry in the final three months of the year compared to 64% who used maple. The trend is projected to turn upside down, with maple surpassing cherry.
Granite and quartz are projected to retain their number one and two spots in the countertop materials category, with solid surfaces emerging as the clear number three. However, while laminate dropped from 21% to 17%, solid surfaces rose from 14% to 25%. Butcher block has seen a rise from a niche inclusion into regular use, with 12% of respondents reporting specifying it. Use of marble also doubled in the final months of 2010 to 14% from 7% of designers the year before.
Dark finishes have overtaken medium natural, glazed and white painted cabinetry finishes to become to the most specified finish at the end of 2010, a position designers anticipate will continue throughout 2011. Medium natural fell to 48% from 53% at the end of 2009; glazed fell to 42% from 53%, and white painted was specified by 47% of designers surveyed, a two-percentage-point drop from the year prior.
Light natural and colored painted finishes remained steady, with about one-quarter of surveyed respondents reporting that they have specified these finishes. Distressed finishes were the big loser in 2010, used by just 5% of designers.
The shying away from distressed and other “daring” finishes toward darker, more safe tones mirrors what the NKBA is reporting for the overall color palettes of the 2010 kitchen remodel.
“Homeowners seemed to be afraid of color as 2010 drew to a close,” according to NKBA officials. “The use of every color except beige and gray was either flat or down across the board from a year earlier. Even neutral browns have been deemed too bold by many clients.”
While brown tones were used by 50% of designers in the final quarter of 2009, that figure dropped to just 42% in the last three months of 2010. Whites and off-whites dropped only slightly, from 62% to 59%, while grays increased from 10% to 16% and beiges and bones rose from 46% to 55%. The only other colors to be used by at least 20% of designers were bronzes and terracottas, which remained flat, used by just one-quarter of the designers surveyed.
A Place for Everything
While wine refrigeration, once a hot item, appears to be on the decline, places in the kitchen for unchilled wine storage is seeing a surge. While only 39% of surveyed designers incorporated wine storage areas into their kitchens at the end of 2009, that number climbed to 51% as 2010 came to a close.
While other types of cabinetry options remain more common, most are on the decline, including tall pantries (89% to 84%), lazy susans (90% to 78%), and pull-out racks (81% to 71%). Appliance garages seem to be falling out of favor, as their use declined from 36% at the end of 2009 to 29% a year later.
Refrigeration is seeing realignment for 2011. Among full-size units, designers have reported an increase in French door refrigerators that amounts to an 11 point gain, up to 78% from 67% in 2009. The specification of freezer-top units has shrunk to just 8% of those surveyed. Freezer-bottom models fell very slightly from 60% to 59% for the end of 2010, while side-by-side units rose slightly to 49% from 46% in 2009. Refrigerator/freezer drawers remained flat at 31% of designers.
Induction cooktops have begun to close the gap with gas and electric models. Approximately 70% of those surveyed had recently specified a gas cooktop in the final three months of 2010; 41% have incorporated an electric cooktop, which represents an increase of three percentage points, while induction has risen to 34% of designers. Meanwhile, single wall ovens are down from 46% to 42%, although double wall ovens are up from 68% to 74%. In addition, warming drawers are down from 49% to 42%, and ranges are down sharply from 81% to 68%.
Another growing trend for 2011 involves the end-point of the cooking process: the trash. According to the NKBA: “A greater emphasis is being made to address trash considerations in the kitchen. Some 89% of kitchens designed by NKBA members in the final quarter of 2010 include a trash or recycling pull-outs.”
In addition, garbage disposals were incorporated by 86% of designers, up from 75% the previous year. Trash compactors have also become more common. Entering 2010, they were recently used in designs by 11% of designers, but a year later, that figure had climbed to 18%. “These changes may be due to an increase in sustainability awareness, but they certainly indicate an increase in concern toward trash generated in the kitchen,” reports the NKBA.
Finally, lighting up the trends in these new kitchens is continuing its march away from incandescent lighting. While 50% of NKBA member designers incorporated incandescent bulbs into their designs at the end of 2009, only 35% had done so a year later, owing to regulation in some states mandating compact fluorescent lighting and other energy-efficient technology in place of incandescent. While the use of halogen lighting is down from 46% to 40% over the past year, LED lighting has increased from 47% to 54%. Many prefer it to CFLs because of limited, cold color temperatures, according to the NKBA. CFL use remained flat at 35% of designers surveyed.
The 2011 Bath
The 2011 bath will be green. No, not that kind of green, the green kind of green. One year ago, green color palettes were used by only 14% of NKBA designers, but at the end of 2010, that figure had risen to 24%.
Still, as in the kitchen, whites, off-whites, beiges and browns dominate the new bath landscape. Whites and off-whites are up slightly from 57% to 60%, while beiges are down sharply from 66% to 57%; browns have dropped 10 percentage points from 2009, with 38% of designers surveyed.
Quartz continues to take away market share from granite with regard to bathroom vanity tops. While granite dropped just two percentage points from 2009 to 83%, quartz gained six percentage points to garner 54% of designers surveyed. Unlike in the kitchen, solid surfaces haven’t gained much popularity in the bathroom, increasing only from 23% to 25% over the past year.
Undermount sinks are king; however, vessel sinks have become the clear second choice among designers, as 51% of NKBA member designers have specified them in the final quarter of 2010, up from 39% a year ago. Integrated sink tops were also up from 34% to 38%, pedestal sinks were up from 21% to 29%, and drop-in sinks were up from 23% to 27%. “This trend suggests that bathroom designers have been specifying more lavatory sinks across the board,” according to NKBA officials.
Finally, finishes are seeing a shift for both the kitchen and bath. From the end of 2009 to the end of 2010, the percent of NKBA designers who specified a satin nickel faucet rose from 41% to 63% in the kitchen and from 45% to 57% in the bathroom, while the percent who specified a brushed nickel faucet fell from 61% to 48% in the kitchen and from 66% to 38% in the bathroom. While stainless steel is popular in the kitchen, specified recently by 44% of designers, that figure drops to just 16% in the bathroom.
Source: Kitchen & Bath Design News Magazine. http://www.kitchenbathdesign.com/print/Kitchen-and-Bath-Design-News/NKBA-Identifies-Growing-Trends-for-2011/2$5739
How To Choose The Right Contractor
In today’s world where construction work is lacking and people are desperate to put food on the table and money in their pockets, there is even more of an influx of people performing handyman services. Some of these people do great work. Most will get it done but it will never be quite right. And then others will simply turn it into a nightmare. Here are some helpful tips to use when hiring ANY contractor or repair man.
Instructions
- The first thing to do is to invite three contractors to separate meetings to go over your project. If it is a new project, you should have blueprints available for them to take so they can make a proper bid. If it is an existing project, this meeting will serve as a walk through and interview.
- After the walk through or blueprint overview of the project, sit down with the contractor and ask a series of questions about their methods especially payment and permit use on their jobs. If they tell you do not need a permit, they are probably lying and should not be hired.
The 3 big questions that you MUST ask during the interview is:
1) Can you give me 5 references? They should be able to give you 5 references pretty easily. If they squawk and squabble about it or say they cannot, they are inexperienced and you do not want them doing your job anyways. Then call the references right in front of them. You will weed out more bad people this way than any other method there is.2) Are you a licensed contractor in this state? This is important because if they are not licensed contractors, in many states, they are not able to be insured as a contractor and are not able to get permits as the general contractor for a job.
3) How many years of experience in the type of work they are performing on your property do they have? Anything less than 5 years in probably too little and they should be discarded.
- After you get the bids from the contractors, take a sheet of paper and put their names in a row with a column under each one. Then write qualities that you likes about each one under their names in column format. Then write some things you didn’t like about them. Then write the quoted project price under each one’s column.
Everything you need to make a decision is now there. Remember, it is not all about price. You get one chance to do this right and if it isn’t done right, it will cost you far more down the road to fix.
- After you have made your decision, invite the contractor over to go over contract information especially payment information. Go over the details of the project before signing anything to make sure that both of you understand what the project entails.
Congratulations! You have just hired a great contractor for you project.
Source Of Information: http://www.ehow.com/how_5885087_choose-right-contractor.html#ixzz1FURRZmhw
Bathroom Remodeling Guide
You probably know the difference between traditional and modern, but a cohesive look is all in the details. Use these tips to refine your bathroom remodeling style.
Traditional
Generally formal in style with classic architectural details. Heavy use of natural stone, carved or embellished cabinetry and vintage-look fixtures. In traditional style, balance is key. When in doubt, buy a pair. Marble and granite are best bets for countertops. Other options are concrete, pewter or hammered copper. Dark wood finishes are favored; select cabinets with timeless flair. Incorporate classic shapes, such as urns, columns, curves and scrolling leaves or flowers. A traditional-style bathroom best fits a traditional-style home but, truly, will work in any style home. Colors can be bold or subtle with classic patterns in wallpaper, shower curtains and linens adding extra oomph.
Modern
Sleek, streamlined and clutter-free, this style makes liberal use of reflective materials such as glass, chrome and solid-surface countertops. Clean lines and simple, geometric shapes are key. Mid-Century Modern style, a ’50s take on Modern style, continues to grow in popularity. Choose sleek materials such as stainless steel and glass tile. Keep cabinetry free of fussy details. Popular wood choices are also eco-friendly, such as bamboo and cork. Modern style is clutter-free; ample concealed storage for toiletries is a necessity. All-white is a popular palette especially when paired with pops of energizing colors such as turquoise, red, orange and yellow.
Eclectic
Creative mix of varying design styles with inventive color, pattern and material combinations. Mix different styles, periods and looks. Design by instinct: If you love it, it will work. Shop at flea markets and specialty stores. Create cohesion with repetition of color, shape or texture. Don’t forget the details: Accessories like wall sconces, glassware and linens make a big difference in a room’s design. Create a one-of-a-kind look with bold pattern choices, such as stripes, geometrics or prints.
Cottage
Casual, warm and reminiscent of country style, cottage continues to gain popularity. Commonly used architectural features are hardwood floors and beadboard or wainscot paneling. Cabinets resemble antique furniture and are often painted or distressed. Fabric patterns are traditional such as florals, checks, damask, toile or stripes. Vintage or hand-me-down accessories are part of the decor and add personality. Color choices are often feminine and softer in tone. Shop for vintage accessories and cottage-style furniture at estate sales, antique auctions, flea markets and thrift stores.
Small Bathroom Remodeling
Every person that has a small bathroom is interested in ways of making their bathroom appear larger. Remodeling the bathroom is not always an option and in many cases, remodeling the bathroom would be very expensive. There are a number of ways that a person can use to make their small bathroom seem larger without having to undertake any heavy construction.
Soft Color for Walls
One of the easiest ways that a person can alter their small bathroom remodeling to make it appear larger is to choose light soft colors for the décor of the bathroom.
Accent with Color
Bright, bold colors can be used in small bathrooms, assuming you reserve them for accents only. Going overboard with bold or dark colorstend to make the bathroom appear tighter and more intimate.
Visual Accents
If your bathroom has wallpaper, avoid using large prints or busy pattern. Instead, choose very subtle wallpaper patterns. Better yet, keep one wall free from any pattern at all. Consider making the largest wall in the small bathroom into a mural of an open space.
Light Tones of Bathroom Flooring
Just like light colors on the walls, light colors on the flooring of the small bathroom will help make the bathroom appear roomier and more open. The most popular colors for a light bathroom floor are tans, light grays, and light blues. By incorporating these colors into the flooring of your small bathroom design, you will have the basis for a light colored decorating scheme that will make your bathroom appear more open.
Pedestal Sink
Another small bathroom remodeling that can be used to make a bathroom appear larger is to replace a large vanity or countertop with a slimmer, pedestal sink. A pedestal sink can be found in many different styles, colors, and materials, allowing them to be matched to any décor. By placing a pedestal sink in the small bathroom, you can open up the bathroom space by another ten percent.
Classic Fixtures
When selecting fixtures for your bathroom, keep in mind they are going into a small space. Choose simple designs made from smooth surfaces, such as ceramic and marble, and opt for light, neutral tones.
Additional Lighting Fixtures
Additional lighting in a small bathroom can make a world of difference in the way the space in the bathroom is perceived. Consider adding additional light fixtures or using higher wattage bulbs, as appropriate. By making the bathroom brighter and more inviting, it seems that the space has opened up and the walls are farther apart.
Increase Natural Light
There are a variety of ways that additional lighting can be added to the small bathroom without taking up more space than is already used, including installing a new window, or even putting in a skylight.
Limit Items in Bathroom
Many people choose to open up the amount of space available in their small bathroom by greatly reducing the amount of items that they place into the bathroom. Items such as storage shelves, hampers, and decorative items all take up valuable space in a small bathroom and the bathroom will appear much larger if these items are removed and the things that they hold are stored somewhere else.
Consider Storage Outside the Bathroom
Some people choose to place a small storage cabinet in their hallway near the bathroom as a place to put all of the things that they would normally keep in their bathrooms. It’s also a good idea to consider putting laundry hampers in the bedrooms instead of in the bathroom. Extra supplies and paper products can even be stored in the pantry.
Adding Mirrors
Adding additional mirrors to the bathroom will also help the bathroom appear bigger than it really is. Placing additional mirrors in the bathroom will help to capture all of the available light and reflect it back into the room to make it brighter. Adding extra mirrors to the room will also add depth to the room, as the mirrors reflect each other and make the walls appear farther away.
De-Clutter
Other ways you can use to make a small bathroom design appear larger include removing clutter and extra items. Instead of storing all of your beauty items on the counter, place them in a cabinet or in the medicine chest when not in use. The more items are visible in a small bathroom, the more cramped the space will look and feel.
Using these subtle design changes to modify the look of your small bathroom is easy, inexpensive, and most of these design changes can be completed in a few hours. By changing your small bathroom design, you can make your small bathroom appear larger within the space of a day.
Bath Remodeling Tips
Bathrooms are the number one place that homeowners love to remodel, even more than kitchens. One reason why bathrooms get remodeling more often than kitchens is simply because the space is smaller and you will typically spend less for a bathroom renovation project for less money than a kitchen project.
Following are some basic bathroom renovation tips to aid you with your remodel:
Recess It – For an older look, consider built-ins as such as recessed soap dishes, medicine cabinets, and even toilet roll holders.
Flooring – Wood floors are not the best type of flooring material for bathrooms, from a practical standpoint, but they do infuse bathrooms with great character. Properly sealed and stained wood floors are durable enough for normal bathroom use.
Sizing with Color – To make a small bathroom look bigger, make sure that your color palette stays in the white-to-cream color spectrum.
Think Lighting – It is ironic that, in a room where people need to visually inspect their hair and faces, lighting is usually very dim and concentrated only in one spot—namely, from a ceiling fixture. At the very least, consider having added lighting around the bathroom mirror in the form of sconces.
Fixtures and Color – Use white or cream colored fixtures (i.e., toilet and bathtub) is that colored fixtures tend to look very dated after only a few years. And while it is possible to switch out the toilet with very little effort, you will have a considerable demolition and cost issues involved with switching out a shower or bathtub.
Dim Lighting for Mood – A very simple device that can add mood to your bathroom is a dimmer switch. The dimmer switch is perfect for late night relaxing baths.
Extra Pieces – If space permits, many home decorators recommend having one freestanding piece such as a decorative chair or cupboard as a design element. To compensate for that space, you can recess other practical elements such as close hampers or simply move the hamper to another room. This “decorative” piece, of course, can also serve a practical use as a place to store towels, soaps, or other small items.
More Places to Hang Things – Hooks are the easiest way to add “surface area” to a bathroom without actually adding real countertop surface area. Hooks can be used for everything from clothes to bathrobes to towels.
Toilet Position – One feng shui tip: never have a toilet positioned so that it is facing the door. Even though I have not found this to ever be an issue, I repeatedly hear experts recommend that the toilet be positioned ninety degrees to the door or at least several feet away from the door.
Mirrors – Most people think of mirrors in bathrooms only for the purpose of checking makeup or primping hair. But it’s also important to think of mirrors in bathrooms as design elements which expand the room visually and add light to the room. Many homeowners like to add a second mirror, in addition to the primary near located above the bathroom sink.
Wall Protection and Beautification – Beadboard has two great functions. First, it creates an antique look and it is so easy to install. Secondly, beadboard performs the very valuable function of protecting the lower section of the walls from inevitable splashes of water that occur in bathrooms from the tub or shower. A good coat of oil-based paint ensures that the beadboard will be practically impervious to moisture.
Kitchen Remodeling, Bay Area, CA
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Bath Remodeling, Bay Area, CA
Are you planning on remodeling your bathroom? We are offering a renovation project, including interior design, materials and quality build work. We can build a new Bath or transform your current look into the Bath of your dreams. We can design any look to fit your lifestyle and taste and will create a floor plan that includes every detail you desire and waste no space. With our contractor’s license we can handle every aspect of your project including vanities, countertops, electric, plumbing, tile, construction and more. Please click on recent bath remodeling projects to browse some Bath Remodeling work.
