Image via Pegasus Builders
Wall color is Storm by Benjamin Moore
Over the last few months, I’ve started the process of thinking about renovating our kitchen and looking closely at new kitchen trends. Â It could be potentially next year {master bath is first on the list} when we ultimately start the renovation but I have started the research process.
Cabinet color is Brandon Beige Benjamin Moore
I’m trying to get a better idea of what to do, costs, design, etc.. It will be a major overhaul, so I’ll have to plan carefully to maximize time and expense.  My husband gets really nervous when I start talking kitchen renovation. We’ve already been through a smaller scaled one about 10 years ago that didn’t go so well. Just between you and me, there are two things that my husband and I “struggle” with doing together and that’s canoeing and home renovations. I may be a little controlling when it comes to these two things 😉
via Carolina Design Associates
Island Color is Legendary Gray Dunn Edwards
Today, I thought I would share all of my research with you and some of my favorite trends that I’m seeing that I’m considering incorporating into our renovation. Even if you’re not planning on doing a full renovation, several of these fantastic ideas could be incorporated separately and they would really have a big impact.
**By the way, if I am able to find the paint color, it will be listed below the image.
Island is Hale Navy Benjamin Moore
Here are my favorite trends;
Cabinets to the Ceiling
Probably the number one trend I’m seeing in kitchens over the last few years is taking the cabinets to the ceiling. Â This is also one of the most popular changes being done by kitchen remodelers today because older homes (like mine) have cabinets that stopped about two feet from the ceiling. Â It drives me absolutely crazy when I look at my cabinets and think of all that wasted space. Â I could be seriously dangerous if I had an extra two feet of storage all around the tops of my cabinets in my kitchen!
This is at the top of my list for our renovation!
Cabinet Color is Farrow and Ball Green Smoke
Statement Range Hoods
Many of the older kitchens (like mine) have very small (standard) basic range hoods  over the stove. I love the idea of incorporating a larger range hood for it’s main purpose (of course), but I really love this trend of beautiful dramatic statement range hoods in gorgeous metal or paint finishes.
Another option is to build out the cabinets/range hood to add some contrast and drama to the kitchen and lines of the kitchen cabinets. My cabinets are just flat all the way across.
Incorporating Customized Kitchen Organizing Solutions
I really love all of the creative and customized kitchen organizing solutions that I’m seeing, especially those ideas that create a multi-purpose area. Â I have a smaller kitchen and maximizing space and creating additional ways of better organizing is the number one priority for my kitchen renovation. Â While I want to update my kitchen, creating new additional storage is critical.
I love the idea of converting the faux drawer front under the cooktop into a super convenient spice drawer. Great way to make use of the wasted space.
via Anne Hepfer
Customized Pantry
I’m seeing a lot of nontraditional and highly customized pantries with great solutions for maximizing space. Â I have an area off of my kitchen that I could potentially take into the kitchen and turn into a full walk-in pantry. Â I’m not sure if it’s going to be in the budget but this would make such a big impact for our family because we sure could really use it.
White Marble, Marble Alternative or Silestone CounterTops
White countertops, especially marble or marble alternative is of course another really big trend in kitchens over the last few years. I’m sure you guys have noticed this. Â This is another change that is at the top of our renovation “wish” list. Â Right now we have black granite and it’s so dark and way too dramatic. Â I also think it makes our kitchen look smaller.
White countertops really lighten up a kitchen and just add a lighter feel overall to a kitchen, which is what I’m going for and it’s another way to add a big impact to the overall look.
Walls are Edgecomb Gray Benjamin Moore
I could go on and on with more kitchen trends (statement lighting, banquettes, customized refrigerators, etc..) but I think I’ll stop here for now. Â If you would to see even more kitchen ideas like these, I have several boards on Pinterest here loaded with great ideas, colors and design ideas.
By the way, if you’re looking for some of the best warm gray cabinet colors (another big trend right now in kitchens), this post I did a couple years ago is a great place to look.  These colors are still really popular and trending with home buildings and architects.
Just click on the image below to go to that post and all of the inspiration images I shared.
So I’m really curious, if money was no object (ha!) and you could make just one major change in your kitchen, what would you do? Â If I could just do one, I would take those dang cabinets to the ceiling in a New York heartbeat! Â That will bring me the greatest joy!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Mary Ruth says
Nothing uplifts the whole house as the kitchen.
We have started our kitchen remodel, we had divided spaces and decided to do in phases. We have pantry and stove wall finished, and next is the sink wall to do, then the bar/breakfast eating area.
We LOVE the new parts of the kitchen and the function of the kitchen with its new traffic from use is so worth it!
I hope you will share your plans for your new remodel when the time comes!
Megan says
Great post. We completely reno’d our kitchen 3.5 years ago and took white cabinets to ceiling and surprisingly, I don’t use that last 1-2 foot of storage too often since it’s so hard to access easy. (I do like the look.) We did splurge on the natural white quartzite – White Macabus and it was worth every single penny both in looks and, durability and easy upkeep. My other very favorites over last 4 years is the slide out cutting board with a hole over trash can to easily dispose of trash from cutting. Both my husband and I use every single day. We also agree that the investment of our ice maker was the best for our family of five. We quit using disposable water bottles 4 years ago and we all drink water 24/7 because we all love the ice! Good luck!!
Veronika says
On the subject of your question, of what you would change about your kitchen… I have 9 foot ceilings in my house, and the cabinets go all the way up. I actually would change that so they only go 7 feet high, with shelves on top for decor, because it’s a huge pain getting out our step-stool all the time! And even with the step stool, there are STILL things I can’t reach! So I would put in a big 6″x8″ island in the giant open space in the middle of the kitchen, and put some storage in there… I’ve grown to hate the super tall cabinets!
Christine says
What are your thoughts on white white cabinets? I am completely overwhelmed with the shades of white! Too pink, too yellow, etc! Our cabinet company has 5 shades of white and cream.
And I love your color selections!!
Selene says
Wow, definitely some great ideas! New cabinets, lighting and granite counter tops can make a complete transformation in a kitchen. Thanks for sharing!