The Best Kitchen Trends for 2018

There's nothing better than walking into a gorgeous kitchen.  It really is the heart of the home and at almost every party you attend everyone always ends up in the kitchen.  If you're planning to make some updates to your kitchen in 2018 scroll down to check out my favorite kitchen trends to try in the New Year.

#1. Green Cabinets
Deep Emeralds to Hunter Greens have been showing up on kitchen cabinets in 2017 and I don't see them going away anytime soon.

 by Studio McGee

This Large Kitchen by Studio McGee for their Vineyard Parade Home keeps the rest of the space simple with white walls, backsplash and countertops to brighten the space. 

by Studio McGee

Studio McGee does the Green Trend fabulously in this version as well. Using it on just the lower cabinets and pairing it with White upper cabinets to keep this smaller kitchen light and bright.  Pairing it with on trend black and white patterned tile keeps the vintage feeling.  

#2. Brass Hardware

At first I wasn't really on board with the brass hardware trend.  I thought it may look dated very quickly, perhaps because my own home is currently filled with old shiny brass looking door knobs that were in style in the nineties.  The more I have seen brass hardware used correctly and used it a bit myself  I've quickly grown very fond of the look.  I think it upgrades a space to look very elegant while keeping a modern feel.  It also looks good with so many different colors of cabinetry.  

by Rejuvenation

The Warm Brass tones pair beautifully with so may color cabinets from deep blue tones to warm whites and almost everything in between.   

by 29DesignStudio 

This kitchen designed by yours truly features brass cup pulls and knobs and continues the brass look into the light fixtures and counter stools.

by rejuvenation

Campaign style pulls like these ones from Rejuvenation add a refined style to any kitchen.

by schoolhouse electric

This set of brass hardware from Schoolhouse electric shows the many different profiles you can find for any style kitchen.  And if you are like me and are wary of brass hardware looking dated try a brushed or antiqued brass rather than a glossy brass,  It is much more forgiving.  

#3. Thick Square Edge Countertops

A few years ago if you had asked me what I wanted in a kitchen I would have said ogee edge marble countertops.  Now the modern profile is a square edge, and the thicker the better.  

by Atlanta Homes Magazine

This Navy Island featured in Atlanta Homes Magazine has a thicker profile countertop than the other areas of the kitchen, another trend I have seen quite a bit recently.  

by Atlanta Homes Magazine

This kitchen featured in Atlanta Homes Magazine features thick marble counter tops on modern gray wood cabinetry.  

#4. Wood and Metal Saddle Stools

 These Farmhouse style stools look great tucked under an island and add a natural element to a glossy kitchen.  

by Elements of Style

These saddle stools add variety in color and texture to this gray kitchen by Elements of Style.

by West Elm

The Alden Stool by West Elm features a natural wood finish and a 4 leg metal base perfect for a farmhouse kitchen or a glam modern space.

by AllModern

This version of the Saddle back stool by AllModern also features a natural wood finish but with U shaped legs to glide easier on any floor type. 

#5. Vintage Style Ranges

The final kitchen trend to continue into 2018 is my absolute favorite, Vintage Style Ranges.  These classic looking appliances blend into a traditional or modern home and can be found in a huge selection of colors.  

by Atlanta Homes Magazine

This Black and Gold range becomes the highlight of the kitchen against simple white cabinetry, countertops and a white herringbone backsplash. 

by Boxwood Avenue

This white version of the Vintage Style Range gives subtle detail to a monochromatic farmhouse kitchen by Boxwood Avenue. 

Are you loving these trends for 2018?  Which ones will you be trying in your renovation?

Material Maintenance Considerations

If you are anything like a lot of people when browsing the gorgeous images on Pinterest you aren't always thinking about the maintenance that goes into those materials.  Do you crave Gorgeous white cabinets, dark floors, Cararra marble countertops, white trim?  I love all of those things but you don't always realize or think about the amount of time you will end up spending cleaning.  

Lets start with the entry.  Doors are constantly being touched or kicked.  If you're not much for constantly wiping them down, choose a dark paint or stain for you exterior and interior doors.  I think the black painted doors look so sharp. 

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On to walls...I know how my house goes.  With 3 dogs (yes I said 3, and not 3 lap dogs, but 3 labs!! I know, crazy right?) its a battle to keep our light colored walls looking fresh, especially during the muddy spring season. If you have dogs or kids in the house you may want to lean toward mid-tone paint colors.  If you are really into the light paint colors (which I am) just be prepared to wash your walls frequently, (I just use a wet wipe or magic eraser) and prepare to freshen up the paint every few years.  

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Furniture:  If you like the all white look you may want to consider slipcovered pieces.  These are easier to clean since you can remove the covers and throw them in the washing machine. Also keep in mind that over time slipcovers can stretch out and look saggy and a bit sloppy.  If this is something that you would annoy you, there are stain resistant fabrics you can consider as well for upholstered sofas.  These are a great alternative to the slipcovered look.  

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Flooring:  I personally love dark, dark, dark flooring.  The darker the better!  If you are like me with this, just be prepared to sweep, mop, or vacuum constantly.  I think its worth it for the look of the dark floors but if you don't want every dog hair, kid dropped crumb, or winter salt stain to show you should choose a mid-toned flooring color.  

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As with the walls, a lot of people like white trim.  Over the years dark trim has gotten a bad rap.  Doing it in a modern fresh way can save you from constantly re-painting and washing your baseboards as well.  How fresh do these darker trimmed rooms look?

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Hardware & Fixtures.  Hardware and fixtures are made to be handled everyday so there aren't many maintenance concerns as far as wear, however if you live in an area with hard water, you may want to think about the finish of your faucets and tub hardware.  Hard water droplet marks show up very easily on chrome faucets.  A faucet in a satin nickel will be much more forgiving to these kinds of marks.  

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I hope this article has helped you consider the options when choosing your home's finishes and has helped you consider whether you are willing to put up with the extra maintenance to have some of these beautiful options or made you look into the also wonderful alternatives.

Back in Motion Chiropractic Renovation

A few weeks ago I met with some friends of mine who have recently started a Chiropractic business in our hometown.  Their space was a little drab so we came up with a paint plan to make it a relaxing and soothing space for the patients and the Doctor.  

Here is the treatment room before.  It needed a little fixing and some color. 

 And now... the After

The Restroom:

The Hallway:

The Waiting Room:

The Reception Area:

The Back Office Area:

Reception Area Coffee:

The Entry:

Almost all of the flooring throughout the space is the same, with the exception of the waiting room, as well as the cabinets and countertops.  Just goes to show you what a difference a little paint can make!