The kitchen is generally the busiest room of the house and sees the most traffic on any given day. This room is usually reserved for major renovations every 10 or so years; but a quick makeover can be done with a quick kitchen painting project. Interior design in today’s modern kitchen has been changing over the last couple of years and today’s kitchen has many new features and possibilities it’s almost overwhelming just to think about. But there are a few interior design trends in today’s kitchens that have everyone talking. Here are a few of the 2012 interior design trends.
Mixing up Finishes
Right now it seems that an eclectic, collected look is the main trend in kitchen’s interior design in 2012. This taste in décor brings with it a mixing of different finishes to achieve this look. A high-gloss white cabinet and stainless steel appliances may be used with a natural wood island or a black leather-like countertop. The traditional black and white décor can be very sleek and end up being impersonal unless it has the other elements to bring some balance. Trends are leaning toward finished wooded surfaces on the cabinet area with kitchen islands which are painted surfaces. Mixing finishes is an economical way to gradually upgrade the interior design of the kitchen without having to do a complete renovation.
Paint Colors
Kitchen painting is a whole new world today. No one seemed to anticipate that tangerine tango would be the color of the year for 2012. This and other unexpected colors are being incorporated into what used to be a place for a rather muted color scheme. Accessories are citrus colors and appliances are adopting some of the newer colors as well. Since wallpaper is making a comeback it is easier to draw out some of the colors that can match and bring a unified sense to the kitchen décor.
Modernizing Neutrals
Neutrals, especially for kitchen painting, used to be limited to beige and off white. But over the last few years color trends have expanded to include several shades of gray into kitchen painting color schemes. Gray is actually a very nice background which works well with many other accent colors and finishes. And one of the latest trends is to use a light green more as a neutral hue. This has been on the rise in kitchen painting color trends for several years.
Backsplashes
Tile used to be one of the most popular materials used for backsplashes in the kitchen. But trends have changed over the last few years and for 2012 many are using more exotic finishes for backsplashes. Porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles are slowly being replaced in popularity by glass, stainless steel and brick. Using bold colors on cabinets can be risky in kitchen décor but using these new styles of backsplashes is a nice expressive touch in kitchen design without the risk.
No More Cherry
It’s the first time in several years that cherry wood has become a less popular item in kitchen’s interior design. Homeowners are turning away from darker woods and using light or medium finishes and veneers. Oak cabinets are on their way back in this year as is woods that previously were not used often such as birch and walnut. And for the “green” options many people are choosing bamboo which is a more eco-friendly option.