If you look at a modern-day kitchen it has many of the same appliances that our parents and grandparents had in their kitchens several decades ago. But if you look back at photos of kitchens from even a handful of years ago, it’s doubtful you’ll see very many European style cabinets or French country tables. 

“Design trends change as the relationship with the home changes, but it is also largely influenced by architecture and the overall layout of homes,” notes Diana Viera, Managing Partner from Miami-based kitchen, bath and closet design firm ITALKRAFT. In other words, as architecture trends shift and change, so do kitchen designs in nearly every aspect. In recent years, one of the biggest trends in the United States is the modern style kitchen — a cleaner, less cluttered and overall brighter look. “In addition to more sleek cabinets, we’re seeing an integrated look where the kitchen flows naturally into the living room as well as other areas of the home,” says Viera.

This open layout has created more opportunities for family life around meal prep—the family hanging out while someone is preparing meals and allowing for interaction, notes Robert Kaner of Robert Kaner Interior Design of New York. “To accommodate this, certain features have been added to modern-day kitchens, including homework/charging stations, televisions, music speakers, etc. “The addition of stools at a countertop has been a function of the development of the quick bite, breakfast, coffee to accommodate our increasingly busy lifestyles,” he says. “Increasing consumer awareness of design has led to an elevation of design and aesthetics—more sophisticated finishes, millwork forms, countertop materials, etc.”

If you are working with a contractor [1] to build the kitchen of your dreams, whether it be a modern style kitchen, a traditional style kitchen, or anything in between, here are the latest kitchen designs experts say you should keep in mind. 

Gray tones

While white hues reigned supreme in recent years, greys are starting to take their place. “The use of a subdued gray pallet has become the new neutral because it appeals to most aesthetics, plays well with stainless steel as well as colored appliances, and most countertops,” says Sunny Berle, an interior designer and realtor based in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and co-owner of MASO Design Build. In her opinion, gray cabinetry works best in a two-tone scheme: white uppers with gray lowers. “I see this trend staying popular as we head into 2023 and likely the next 5 or so years,” she adds.

The contrast of black and white

According to Berle, these two non-colors are some of the chicest of all pallets, both in fashion and interior design. “They can be classic and timeless when used properly,” she says. “Rich, caviar black kitchen cabinets and the center island look fabulous combined with white uppers.” If you choose to go the black-and-white route, however, she recommends being mindful of keeping the counters and backsplash tile light to maintain a proper balance of positive and negative. Also, she says bright lighting and modern brushed gold fixtures and accents are key to keeping this aesthetic from looking dull. 

Metal materials as accents

Bringing in metal materials, such as brass hardware, as an accent has been a trend in kitchen and bathroom design for a few years and is a trend that Viera believes will continue to stay popular well into 2023. We’ve seen this trend take root in design styles like white shaker and rustic style kitchens, where pops of metal can add warmth and dimension. “Minimalism is still a top trend in the design world but when designing a more minimal space it is easy for it to become dull or flat if all aspects of the design are a single color,” she says. “Bringing in a metal like bronze or gold is the perfect way to keep that minimalist look while bringing in an accent material to create a more dynamic look.” 

Multiple finishes throughout the kitchen

This is a kitchen trend that has been picking up over the better part of the last decade. “There is no longer a single ‘cabinet’ finish and a single ‘countertop’ selection,” says Kaner. “Upper cabinets can be a different finish (e.g. painted white vs. a natural wood base cabinet) to visually expand a space, or maybe an island will be a different finish with a different countertop to read more like a furniture-like element that differentiates it from the perimeter cabinetry.” When it comes to successfully pulling off this kitchen trend, Kaner says that creating a beautiful layered composition is key.

Multiple appliance stations

Especially in kitchens that will host large families, there’s been an increasing trend to incorporate multiple sinks, dishwashers and other functional stations such as coffee centers and beverage bars. “With multiple sinks—e.g. one in a prep area, another in a clean-up area—multiple people can work together,” says Kaner. “Similarly, two dishwashers can be a lifesaver when entertaining—it’s all about understanding the client’s lifestyle and needs and designing the optimal kitchen for the client.” Creating other kitchen-like zones throughout the dining area and taking advantage of split level kitchen floor plans is also becoming popular, including such features as wine and bar service, storage for glasses and coffee mugs, beverage refrigerator, ice machine, bar sink and mini dishwasher.

Large lighting fixtures

In most modern style kitchens, you will see huge LED pendants being used for lighting instead of the boring recessed lighting of decades past. And this is an area that Kaner predicts will continue to evolve to become increasingly layered and flexible. “LED technology and advanced lighting controls and dimming and color temperature adjustments will provide an ever-increasing capability for food preparation with powerful yet soft and disbursed illumination, a more evening-like warm ambience for food service, eating in and entertaining,” he says. “Overhead lights can be small aperture recessed lights which can illuminate throughout key areas, and under cabinet lighting, already a common addition, can now be concealed, emitting a continuous line of lighting that evenly glows under cabinets and provides a beautiful and practical effect, rather than a series of spots.” 

A stronger emphasis on cleanliness and sanitation

With the COVID-19 pandemic hardly in our rear-view mirrors, Kaner predicts that cleanliness and sanitation will receive priority as never before due to an increased awareness and concern for health and safety. Easy-to-clean features such as flat panel kitchen cabinets and modern kitchen floors are expected to see a rise in popularity. “The approach will vary by client, but potential areas of focus will be a spot where groceries can be received, wiped or sanitized before being put away, locating spots for handwashing and sanitizing prior to coming in contact with kitchen surfaces, knobs and handles etc., contact-free controls and faucets, and strong and safe ventilation, with appropriate filtration for recirculating air,” he says.

More concealed storage options

The pantries of the days of our grandparents are making a comeback, with families needing increased storage with a preference for it to be ideally out of sight. These concealed storage options are especially useful for small kitchen styles where practical use of space is of particularly high priority. “The kitchen is inevitably an area of the home where people have a lot of items like cookware, dishes, utensils and appliances so storage has become more important than ever,” says Viera. “However, the pandemic has increased the desire to have a minimal space and a space where all items can be put away and do not have to be left out or create clutter.” She and her firm have seen an uptick in the demand of custom storage options and believe they will continue to see the trend of completely concealed storage options continue well into 2021. 

Movable islands to maximize space

Also in an effort to enhance living space, more and more kitchen designs are including kitchen islands that can be moved around. “Islands have always been an important part of kitchen design as they offer additional counter space for food preparation as well as a seating area and additional storage,” says Viera.” While movable island space can be incorporated in almost any design, kitchen islands on wheels saw notable popularity among rustic modern farmhouse kitchens. In smaller spaces, stationary kitchen islands can be cumbersome and difficult to navigate, but movable islands can easily be navigated to emphasize available space without sacrificing counter space and storage.”

Now that you’ve decided to remodel your kitchen, master bathroom, or unfinished basement, you’re probably more than ready to get the ball rolling. Whether or not you have experience with home improvement projects, it’s a wise decision to consider hiring a home improvement contractor to take over and oversee the project from its early beginnings to its finishing touches. This not only ensures that your home remodelling project is carried out efficiently, but also that you’re enlisting the help of top-notch professionals each and every step of the way.

What is a home improvement contractor?

Most people are familiar with wedding planners—professionals in the wedding space who specialize in planning and coordinating every single aspect of a bride and groom’s wedding day. A wedding planner works closely with each and every wedding vendor, from the photographer and videographer to the venue and the catering company, to ensure that every detail during the planning stages as well as the day of goes perfectly as planned. A home improvement contractor plays very much the same role—except not for your wedding, of course.

A home improvement contractor is a  professional who works closely with you to understand your design vision and remodeling goals and then coordinates the creation and direction of the construction project with every vendor along the way. “A contractor handles everything, from calling the plumber, drywall people and electrician to coordinating the demolition crew, carpenter and every other trade that’s required to achieve your desired results,” explains Eden Rush, Field Supervisor at Smart Homes Contractors, Inc. in Studio City, California. “As a contractor, I use my years of experience in the industry to gain a greater understanding of the client’s wants and needs and then translate that to the vendors—basically taking all of the hard work off of the homeowner and managing the entire project myself.”

Why you should hire a contractor

Whether you’re building an entirely new home from the ground up or renovating an old kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, hiring a professional renovation company  is one of the smartest decisions you can make. While some states, including California, allow you to do the bulk of the work, this would still include some of the lesser known aspects of a home renovation project, including filing all of the necessary permits and bringing everything up to recent codes. In short, you need the time and knowledge in construction that most people simply don’t have. What’s more, you probably don’t have a digital rolodex of professional, hard working, financially efficient and accountable vendors to call upon to get each and every job done to its best ability. A home remodeling  contractor does.

By hiring a renovation contractor you can also expect to save money. “A good contractor has the contacts to buy materials for cheaper and give you advice that will save you a lot of money in the long run,” explains Rush. “A good contractor will also do the job once so that you don’t have to redo and redo and redo, which is not only financially cost-worthy, but also incredibly time-consuming.” In addition to having someone who knows the ins and outs of the industry in your corner, hiring a contractor gives you the assurance that the final product won’t only look just like those pictures you saved to Pinterest, but you will also feel confident that each and every nut and bolt used to hold up your new renovation is of the highest and most durable quality.

Ready to hire a home improvement contractor? Here are five steps to get the job done right.

1) Reach out to your network for recommendations

One of the best ways to find any type of assistance is to seek out recommendations of those whom you trust most. Reach out to friends, family, co-workers, neighbors whose home you admire, etc. and see if they know of any local remodeling contractors in the area who you should consider. If you have an online forum in your area or a social media page for your town or district, consider posting on there for recommendations. You never know who may have just finished a home renovation or remodeling project of their own and may have just the recommendation you’re looking for.

Another great reason to seek out recommendations is so that you cast a wide net and hopefully get a hearty list of contractors to then research and choose from. This way you can narrow down your list to only the contractors you believe are most capable of doing the job well.

2) Investigate and scout out each contractor

Once you have a solid list of contractors who have been recommended to you by your network, vet each one as best you can. This means scouting out their website to make sure that they run a professional, reputable renovation company and that they seem approachable. It’s most ideal if you can find a contractor who specializes in the type of home renovation or remodeling project that you’re looking to do. For example, someone who specializes in kitchen remodeling might not be the best contractor to hire for a master bathroom renovation. Some remodeling contractors, however, don’t have an exact speciality and are more of a jack of all trades.

While you’re doing your research and vetting each contractor, find out whether or not they hold the necessary certifications and licenses required by the state and local municipalities. Also, see if they have any degrees or have taken any courses that further credit their abilities. If this information is not readily available on their website, make a note to ask them when you’re in contact at a later date.

Each renovation contractor should have a contact section that allows you to send them a message directly or contact them at their headquarters via phone and/or email.

3) Contact and meet with home improvement contractors

Consider this next step like an interview process, where you contact each contractor. It’s important, however, not to reach out to too many—two to three is ideal, according to Rush, as any more than that will prevent you from giving each the attention they deserve. It’s important that you feel a positive connection with each contractor upon speaking to them. “You want to find someone with a great energy, connection, someone who can listen to you and someone you click with,” says Rush. “Especially with more complicated projects like bathroom or kitchen remodeling, there is usually a lot of preparation required in addition to the time it will take them to accomplish the goal, so you want to hire someone who you can effectively communicate with throughout the process.”

4) Ask for references

Having vetted clients who you can contact for references before hiring a remodel contractor is invaluable—and this should be in addition to any friends or family members who’ve sent you in the direction of said contractor. References not only give you a thumbs up, but they can tell you specifics that can help steer your decision. Show up to the call with questions prepared, including whether or not the contractor was able to complete the project in a timely manner, if they were able to stay within budget throughout the project, if they were easy to communicate with and if there were any obstacles along the way that they were able to work through.

5) Compare quotes

Budget is important and should not be treated as insignificant in the slightest. That being said, it’s important to be realistic with your budget and compare the pricing of the remodeling contractors to whom you’ve spoken. “At the end of the day, the prices won’t vary too much if you’re taking the same level of skilled contractors,” notes Rush. “If there is a huge difference in prices, there is going to be a huge difference in the quality of the experience.” In other words, if the prices are similar between contractors, they are likely of the same caliber.

Rush and his team are very budget-oriented, but their pricing does not stray too far from the average for each type of remodeling project. “Budget is very important for the customer so if we’re not in their budget we will do everything we can to help them stay in budget,” he says. “If it means they have the budget for the work, but are limited when it comes to the materials, we will do everything we can to keep them in the budget for both.”

If there’s certain areas of your home that you’re looking to update or improve, there’s far more incentive to do so than your ability to enjoy it. When done properly, home renovations can fairly quickly enhance the monetary value of your home quite significantly, whether you’re looking to sell now, in the near future or potentially years down the line. “To maximize potential gains on a home sale, it is imperative to keep the residence up with the times,” notes Cason Wright, of Manorly, a  home concierge management company. “If you fail to do so, it will very likely be reflected in the sale price.” He recommends performing one small home renovation every year and a large home renovation every three years to keep from falling out of date.

The top renovations that seem to be most desirable right now in the post-pandemic housing market are kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovations, more robust outdoor living spaces, home offices, living room enhancements and the creation of multi-functional flex spaces, according to Nelvia Bullock, Costello REI realtor. No matter which area of your home you intend on renovating, Bullock says that the most important place to start is by sourcing the appropriate home improvement contractor or custom home remodeler  who can deliver top-notch craftsmanship. “If done appropriately proper home renovations can really make your home shine amongst the other competition when it’s time to sell,” she adds.

Here are the home renovations that will actually help you sell your home for more, whenever you choose to sell it.

Updating the kitchen

In a pandemic world, the kitchen has never played a more important role. With families dining out less and staying in more, kitchens are being utilized more than ever. But even before the pandemic, kitchens were considered to be the most valuable aspect of the home to have up-to-date. “Most buyers will determine if they are going to purchase the home based on this one room, so having updated tops and backsplashes, modern cabinetry and pulls and retrofitted lighting systems are a must,” says Wright.

While the look of the kitchen is important, the appliances and points of convenience should not be overlooked. For example, modern industrial kitchens, white shaker kitchens, and even french country kitchens have been in favor in part because of their ability to be cleaned easily.  “Having the newest stainless steel appliances speak to one’s dedication to maintaining not only an aesthetically pleasing home, but a quality one as well,” Wright says. “Kitchen renovations typically add a 30 percent increase in value when coupled with the master en suite.” With that kind of return on investment in mind, it may be time to scout out your next kitchen remodeling contractors. 

Creating multi-functional spaces

If your home has a separate kitchen, dining area and living room, consider joining two or all three if possible so that there’s one single space to serve the needs of your family. The more open your downstairs layout, the more appealing to buyers in 2023, according to Bullock. “Examples of the most common uses for this flex space include but not limited to: in-law suites, home gyms (peloton bikes/equipment, etc.), kids playroom,virtual learning spaces, second home office, and so forth,” she says. While the typical ROI (return on investment) in a resale will vary based on the size of the hom as well as the norm for that particular community, she says you can expect an average of 7 percent more in your pocket.

Redoing your floors

The moment a potential buyer steps foot in your home, one of the very first things they notice is the flooring. If your floors are scratched up or stained an out-of-date color, your prospective buyer will notice. “Done right, the price point that complements the interior is an easy 5 percent return on your investment,” notes Jarret Yoshida, Principal Designer and owner of Jarret Yoshida, Inc., in New York City.

While hardwood is far more in-demand than carpets, carpets that are well-kept (dust- and dirt-free) are also appreciated by potential buyers, according to Courtney Poulos, of ACME Real Estate, who also suggests layering on-trend area rugs on top of the carpet, both to preserve the cleanliness of the carpet and to distract the eye from the fact that it is carpet. “Carpets are inexpensive to replace, generally,with a value estimate of about $15,000 when you spend $5,000.”

Adding a master bath

If your current master bedroom doesn’t have a master bath, consider whether or not it’s possible to add one. If so, this will significantly improve the sale value of your house. “If there is a one-story sunroom off the main living area in a colonial, that can be built on top of to create a master bath and closet situation,” says Joshua Levitt, licensed realtor at Donovan Realty & Development in Jersey City, New Jersey. “Or, if there are 5 bedrooms and the smallest one is adjacent to the master bedroom, it can be converted to a bathroom and closet to accommodate a master suite.”

When going this route, he reminds his clients not to leave less than three bedrooms on the second floor. “Folks with small children will not buy that home if they have to go up and down the stairs for a baby,” he says. “It’s OK to go from five bedrooms to four but going from 4 to 3 would decrease the value too much in most cases.”

While you’re at it, don’t forget about the half baths. “Nobody wants a guest to use a restroom with ugly wallpaper, discolored plumbing fixtures, and poor lighting,” says Wright. “This is a great small project to increase the value of your home without spending an exorbitant sum.” He estimates that a guest bath can add a 5 percent increase in value, so considering a small bathroom remodel may be in store.

Creating a desirable outdoor space

Outdoor spaces are increasingly in demand, especially in light of the pandemic, when people are spending more time in their homes than ever before. At the very least, Poulos recommends hiring a gardener to bring in fresh sod or plant new seeds, getting rid of dead bushes and replacing them with colorful, regionally responsible plants. “Add dirt, add chips, add river rocks and trim trees and branches from the roof, especially if they are touching or close to touching power lines,” she says. “Make the outdoor space look cared for and curated!” With a cost of about $3,000, you may be able to enhance the value of your home as much as $25,000. 

Carving out a home office

With the increased amount of companies shifting to work-from-home policies, there’s never been a more important time to have a home office set-up. “With the increased amount of virtual meetings people are opting for that dreamy backdrop work setting,” says Bullock. Popular trends she is seeing include detailed accent walls, built-in shelving, addition of french doors, custom light fixtures, wall-paper, ship-lap and so forth.

Repainting the exterior

If the outside of your house is chipping with paint or the color is out of date, consider repainting it to give a more wow-worthy first impression. And while you’re at it, Poulos recommends creating a new palette for the window trim and front door. “Buyers will forgive some outdatedness on the inside if the outside makes their heart flutter,” she says. “If you need to hire someone to help, try an exterior design company.” Though you may spend about $3,500 on these improvements, she says you can expect to gain a value estimate of $25,000.