Jim and I are still fine-tuning our kitchen and bath choices. And we probably will continue to do so, right up until the day the appliances, countertops, backsplashes, and fixtures are installed.
There is so much variety in the products available to us today, that it is difficult to stay abreast of all the latest changes in bathroom and kitchen design, as well as the trends that are shaping the future of kitchens and baths.
Here, I've summarized a number of kitchen and bath trends that I've noticed while reading through home magazines, newspapers, and online reports in recent months.
The average bathroom remodeling project costs $15,800 and results in an increase in home value of about $12,400
-- Remodeling Magazine, November 2007
In bathrooms...
These are in: larger bathrooms, separate shower and bath tub, bathroom furniture, above-counter sinks that serve as a sink as well as art, combining different materials including glass & chrome.
In showers...
All-in-one tub & shower combos are out; giant glass & tile shower stalls are in (with no doors). Also hot in today's showers: at least one seat and dual shower heads.
In bathtubs...
Whirlpool tubs are out; soaking tubs are in (shorter, deeper tubs with no jets).
In kitchen design...
Faucets located near cooking appliances (like one mounted on the wall behind the range, or placed beside an island cooktop) are in. Also popular are pivoting spouts so it's not necessary to go to the sink to fill a pot.
In kitchen countertops...
Mixing surfaces and materials (like granite on the island and a different surface on the surrounding countertops), or a special edge only on the island countertop, but a regular edge on the rest of the kitchen countertops. Softer, matte surfaces are in; high-polished shiny surfaces are out. Granite and limestone are among the hottest countertop surfaces these days.
In backsplashes...
Glass tiles in kitchens (as well as baths) are hot, hot, hot.
In flooring...
Bamboo and cork flooring in kitchens are in. Limestone and matte-finish ceramic tile in bathrooms are in.
-- American Standard Bathroom Habits Survey
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