We at CSI are seeing some very interesting and innovative developments in our industry that makes us very excited about kitchen and bath design possibilities for the coming year.
One trend we love is the use of textured woods for cabinets. Yes, oak is back, and in a big way; but not your grandpa's oak! today's oak utilizes different sawing techniques like quarter-sawn and rift-cut to change the appearance of the graining pattern. We are seeing rougher textures that include the natural knots and blemishes in wood to create an interesting surface. The wood may also be wire-brushed to give it a weathered, old barn wood look, and combined with stains and glazes to further enhance the texture.
The other big trend we see in cabinets is in painted finishes. Grays, whites, and creams are hot, and the combinations of painted finishes with the textured woods are very appealing. We also see a surge in other colors, like blues and greens, to put a personal stamp on a kitchen or bath.
Lighting is the other major trend we see in kitchens now. Lighted cabinet interiors are being requested more and more. Glass-fronted cabinets can be lit traditionally with halogens in the ceiling, but advances in LED technology also allows unobtrusive narrow strip lighting down the sides. There are even glass shelves that can include LED lighting. And how about lighted drawers and base cabinets to make it easier to find items? Pendants, chandeliers, and ceiling fixtures have also become major design statements in the kitchen with the bold new designs that are available now.
So, we are very excited about about the new looks and trends that are coming on the market, and we invite you to visit our showroom to see what the future has in store for your next project!
