Revitalizing Urban Spaces: NYC Kitchen Remodeling Trends

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New York City is always at the cutting edge of design and lifestyle. Therefore, when it comes to NYC kitchen remodeling, keeping up with the trends is key. This guide explores ten current trends, offering some great ideas for kitchen renovations to help you transform it into a stylish, highly functional space.

No. 1 Open Plan Living: Creating Spacious Kitchens

Before you choose the best kitchen layout for your home, you should know that open-plan living is one of the top trends in NYC. This trend involves merging the kitchen with adjacent living areas to create a spacious, multi-functional environment. For instance, removing a non-load-bearing wall can easily integrate your kitchen with the living room. This design encourages family interaction and is perfect for those who love entertaining guests. In addition, an open plan enhances natural light flow, making your kitchen appear brighter and more welcoming.

No. 2 Smart Storage Solutions: Maximizing Efficiency

In the city’s compact living spaces, efficient storage solutions are a must. Thus, creative, space-saving ideas like vertical shelving or magnetic knife strips can be life savers. You should also consider installing cabinets that reach the ceiling to make the most of vertical space. At the same time, pull-out pantries and corner drawers maximize storage in tight corners. Plus, under-sink drawer organizers and toe-kick drawers use often-overlooked spaces, offering additional storage solutions without cluttering your kitchen.

While on the topic of storage, you should also think about what to do with all your stuff during the remodel. After all, working around furniture and large appliances will make the entire process much harder. Thus, you should use short-term storage until you finish your project.

No. 3 Eco-Friendly Materials: A Sustainable Choice

Sustainability is increasingly important in kitchen remodeling. Many New Yorkers are opting for eco-friendly materials like bamboo flooring, which is both renewable and durable. Recycled glass countertops offer a stylish and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional materials. In addition, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints are becoming popular for their minimal environmental impact and improved indoor air quality.

No. 4 Bold Colors and Patterns: Making a Statement

Daring to be different with bold colors and patterns is a growing trend. A kitchen in deep navy or emerald green can make a striking statement. Similarly, patterned wallpapers, especially those with botanical or geometric designs, add a touch of personality. For example, a vibrant backsplash with Moroccan tiles can be a focal point, infusing life and color into the space.

No. 5 High-Tech Appliances: The Future is Here

The integration of technology in NYC kitchens is on the rise. For instance, smart refrigerators that can help manage grocery lists or WiFi-enabled ovens for remote control are highly sought after. At the same time, a smart fridge from Samsung or LG can offer personalized recipe suggestions based on the ingredients available inside. You should also consider investing in energy-efficient dishwashers and induction cooktops that save time and reduce utility bills. 

No. 6 Industrial Aesthetics: Chic and Functional

Industrial design elements are becoming increasingly popular. This trend includes stainless steel surfaces, exposed brick walls, and concrete countertops. While these elements are very stylish, they are also incredibly durable and easy to maintain. For example, a stainless steel countertop paired with exposed brick can create a chic, loft-like feel in your kitchen.

No. 7 Integrated Living Spaces: Blurring Boundaries

The trend of integrating the kitchen with other living spaces goes beyond just physical space. It’s about creating a cohesive design that flows from the kitchen to the living room and beyond. You can achieve this through consistent flooring materials, complementary color schemes, or similar lighting fixtures. For instance, using the same hardwood flooring throughout your apartment can create a seamless transition between the kitchen and the living area.

No. 8 Multi-functional Islands: Beyond Food Prep

Kitchen islands have evolved into multi-functional centers. Specifically, a well-designed island can serve as a food preparation area, a dining spot, a workstation, or a casual socializing area. A mobile island can be a practical addition to a compact NYC kitchen, offering extra counter space when needed and tucking away when not in use. Some islands even come with built-in appliances or additional storage options, making them a practical and stylish choice. However, make sure you choose the right bar stools to complement the look of your multi-functional island.

No. 9 Natural Light: Bringing the Outdoors In

Maximizing natural light is vital in kitchen designs. For example, you can achieve this through larger windows or skylights. Note that natural light makes a kitchen feel more spacious and helps reduce energy consumption. For instance, installing a large bay window floods your space with sunlight and provides a cozy nook for a breakfast spot. Unfortunately, this is not possible in all the homes in the Big Apple, particularly in small apartments. Thus, in such cases, you should play with artificial lights.

No. 10 Personalized Backsplashes: Expressing Individuality

Customized backsplashes allow you to express your unique style. Materials like hand-painted ceramic tiles, reflective glass, or brushed metal can add a personal touch. For instance, a backsplash with a colorful mosaic pattern can serve as an artistic centerpiece in your kitchen, reflecting your taste and style.

Don’t Do It All on Your Own

Engaging professionals for your NYC kitchen remodeling project ensures expertise and efficiency. Expert designers can offer tailored solutions, optimizing aesthetics and functionality. With innovative designs, they adeptly tackle space constraints, a common issue in New York City kitchens. Plus, their technical know-how in plumbing, electrical work, and appliance installation guarantees safety, code adherence, and high-quality results. This professional insight helps avoid costly mistakes and brings peace of mind.

In addition, professional services extend beyond mere construction. For instance, heartmoving.us recommends employing packing services to simplify the process. These experts carefully pack and store your kitchen items, protecting them from potential renovation damage. That will safeguard your belongings and keep the workspace clear, allowing the remodel to proceed smoothly and efficiently. Overall, hiring professionals transforms a complex renovation into a more manageable project.

Conclusion: Crafting Your Dream Kitchen with NYC Kitchen Remodeling Trends

Incorporating these NYC kitchen remodeling trends can transform your space into a blend of style, functionality, and personal expression. Whether through innovative storage solutions, eco-friendly materials, or cutting-edge technology, each trend offers a unique strategy to elevate your kitchen. However, keep in mind that a successful remodel is about tailoring these trends to suit your individual needs and style. 

What is the best kitchen splashback colour?

Photo by Edgar Castrejon on Unsplash

When designing any interior space, the colour scheme is undoubtedly one of the most important choices – and with the kitchen being the heart of most homes, it’s important to get the palette right.

One essential element that can have a significant impact on the visual effect of your kitchen is a splashback. It may be a practical piece that shields the walls behind the cooker or sink from unsightly splatters and stains, but a kitchen splashback also offers an opportunity to make a style statement.

There are plenty of different splashback styles available, of course, so the key is choosing a colour and design that suits your kitchen and the statement you want to make – whether that’s complementing the rest of your décor or contrasting against it to create a cool focal feature.

So, the question is: what is the best colour for a kitchen splashback? Here are some of the things you should consider when deciding on the right colour scheme for your new splashback.

What kind of ambience do you prefer?

Colours are one of the most important visual aspects, so it’s no wonder that they can have such a strong impact on our mood. Many interior designers rely on ‘colour psychology’ to set a specific aesthetic and emotional tone in a room, depending on its purpose and the people who will use it.

This isn’t necessarily a fixed science, but there are universal associations that lead to certain shades being implemented in particular places – such as soothing blues in spas and stimulating reds in fast food restaurants. 

That said, colour associations can have different effects on different people, as everyone has individual personality traits that affect how we perceive our surroundings. 

This is why it’s necessary to consider the personal tastes of everyone who will use the kitchen, which is typically the central hub of the household, before committing to a colour scheme that doesn’t align with the preferred atmosphere.

Some prefer sleek and simple, others rustic and restful, or eye-catching and energising. If you aren’t sure which you like best, here’s a quick guide to several popular options to help you choose the most suitable kitchen splashback colour.

Serene and relaxing

While kitchens are often considered social spaces, lots of people like to use cooking as a chance to unwind after a long day or ease into the morning after waking up. 

In these cases, bold colours screaming at you as soon as you step in the room aren’t ideal. If you would prefer a calmer environment for solo gastronomy or quiet get-togethers to catch up with family members or housemates, you should look into cool colours.

Pale shades of blue, green, and even lilac that can be found in nature can evoke a peaceful feeling while still bringing some colour into the room. Desaturated pastels can also add more of a pop without overwhelming the senses.

The best way to achieve this with a kitchen splashback is to go for a plain, solid, back-painted colour or a print featuring these tranquil hues that isn’t too visually cluttered. 

Bright and cheerful

Bold and bright colours like yellow, orange, and red are considered to boost energy. These vibrant colours are ideal for brightening up smaller rooms and creating a dynamic visual contrast with otherwise neutral kitchen cabinets and counters.

Yellow, especially, is supposed to be a very cheerful, positive, and creative colour, which is why it’s commonly found in social spaces for entertaining.

For those who want to balance the boldness with something a little moodier, jewel tones are deeper colours that are still dramatic. Shades such as emerald green, amethyst purple, and sapphire blue can look exciting while feeling elegant.

Of course, too many of these colours in a room can oversaturate the senses, which is why using the splashback as a pop of colour is a great solution.

Cosy and welcoming

If you want your kitchen to feel homey and comforting, you should avoid zesty bright yellows and reds and look for more neutral warm tones, like autumnal oranges and browns. 

The depth of these earthier hues can make a room feel much cosier, which is why many farmhouse-style kitchens go for colour schemes featuring shades often seen in nature, such as khaki or moss green, taupe, terracotta, or umber brown. 

While these deeper tones are more nurturing and can make the space feel snug and protected when applied to kitchen units and furniture, stronger pigments like rust orange or yellow ochre in a printed splashback can also help to set the scene.

These rich colours are sure to generate an inviting glow under your kitchen lights, creating a lovely setting for spending time with friends or family around the table.

Neutral and classy

If your idea of a culinary haven is a contemporary kitchen with a minimalist style, then classic neutral tones should be your go-to choice for your colour scheme.

Monochrome palettes of pristine white and timeless black are key in modern kitchens aiming for a simple yet sophisticated vibe. Understated hues like these can effortlessly contrast or complement not just each other, but a variety of others you might choose for accents.

Even if these crisp colours are a little too harsh to the eye, lightening the look is easy with softer shades like charcoal, dark grey, off-white, or cream. 

Your neutral kitchen could be mellow or futuristic, depending on whether you go for colder grey and blue undertones or warmer yellow or green undertones. Whichever you go for, the gleaming and streamlined surface of a monochromatic glass splashback panel is sure to elevate it.

How to incorporate colour with a kitchen splashback

When it comes to the way colours make a room feel, it’s not just the specific shades themselves, but also how they work with the other hues and textures in the space. 

You have the option of coordinating existing elements so they blend in with each other, using varying shades of the same type of colour, or going for a bold contrast rather than cohesion with an accent that draws everything together. 

Splashbacks are the perfect piece to do this, serving as a kind of ‘feature wall’ that expresses the core personality of your kitchen and the people who use it – whether that’s cool and collected, bright and creative, or warm and nurturing. 

One of the best things about going to a supplier of made-to-order kitchen splashbacks is that even if you can’t find a print with the colours you’re looking for, you can request a specific standardised colour for a back-painted panel, or even provide your own custom photo to be digitally printed onto the back of the glass.

Don’t forget that splashbacks can also offer an opportunity to introduce some texture, such as sparkly glitter glass or crackle-effect glass. Or, for smaller kitchens, a mirror splashback can reflect light and make the room feel larger and more opulent.

In the end, it all comes down to your personal preference – but a made-to-measure kitchen splashback is sure to help you express yourself, inspiring your culinary adventures while keeping your walls well-protected for years to come.