If you pay attention to current Chicago kitchen design trends, then you’ve noticed the uptake of mixed metal finishes. In the past, mixing metals was shied away from, but these days, eclectic kitchen trends are on the rise. Plus, the streamlined look of more modern designs creates the need for simple details to shine a little brighter – so mixing-and-matching metals is an answer to that.
Custom cabinets are a notable investment in any kitchen design, but there’s a reason for their extra cost. The combination of high-quality materials, expert craftsmanship, the ability to design them exactly how you want them…all add extra $$ to the total price tag.
Retro fixtures and finishes are finding their way into Chicago kitchen designs of all types. They’re such a fun way to add personality and, often, pops of color in any kitchen. Lighting fixtures are no exception and, in our minds, they’re an excellent step toward designing a timeless kitchen remodel – and offer a way to add colors, patterns or textures that are easily swapped out again as general style trends or your personal tastes evolve.
Hardwood floors are beautiful and they complement any Chicago kitchen design. That being said, they aren’t for everyone. Hardwood floors are durable and long-lasting (otherwise you couldn’t “ooh and ah" over the original hardwood flooring in your neighbor’s historic home), but they also require work and all hardwoods are prone to scratching, denting, wear-and-tear without proper treatment and maintenance.
The kaleidoscope of kitchen trends is compelling, but remodeling a kitchen is no walk in the park. That’s one of the reasons we recommend creating a timeless kitchen design – one that remains relevant for years to come. When that’s the case, it becomes easy to embrace current kitchen trends without having to remodel the whole shebang.
Are you interested in designing a self-cleaning, self-maintaining kitchen? Aren’t we all! While product innovations are making kitchens easier and easier to care for (check out, Kitchen Design Ideas for Making Cleaning & Maintaining Easier). In the meantime, those interested in a Chicago kitchen remodel requiring minimal maintenance should pay careful attention to the manufacturer’s instructions for the features that interest you most; this is certainly true if you’re debating between quartz and granite countertops.
Your Chicago kitchen remodeling budget begins with a specific number, but that number can be divvied up in a myriad of ways. In addition to knowing what your budget maximum is, it’s also helpful to have an idea of what is worth splurging larger chunks of money on, and what isn’t.
If you want a quick turnaround on a kitchen remodel, the average “eight to twelve weeks…” it takes to complete a full kitchen remodel seems daunting. The reality is that while speedy and shortcut-targeted Chicago kitchen remodels are possible – and sometimes recommended – they aren’t typically the route for anyone planning to live in the new kitchen design for any length of time.
Sustainability and eco-friendly features are a priority these days, and appliance manufacturer’s are stepping up to the plate. By and large, the refrigerator is the most energy-consumptive appliance in the kitchen line-up. Using roughly 4% of the household’s total energy use, followed by the electric oven and the dishwasher.
Often, when we talk about prioritizing function over form in a Chicago kitchen design, we’re speaking of things like layout and personalized workflow, smart storage options and extra nooks or niches to better serve your family. However, for busy homeowners – as well as those planning to age-in-place – a functional design is one that also considers what it takes to clean and maintain the beautiful new kitchen from day-to-day - and year-to-year.
