In light of the holiday season and the dawning of a brand-new year, the team here at Amber Valley Construction would like to invite you to give yourself and your loved ones one of the best gifts out there: a brand-new kitchen that works hard and that will keep looking fresh for years and decades to come.
But successful, timeless kitchens don’t just happen by accident. You have to know what you’re doing and what kitchen features of the past have stood the test of time and, therefore, will keep looking great long into the future. And that’s what we’re here for!
We offer experienced and professional West Michigan bathroom, kitchen, and basement remodeling and renovation services to give you the space you’ve been dreaming of and help you fall even deeper in love with your home, at a fair price, with outstanding communication throughout your project, and with the best available construction.
So, in our experience, what sets a timeless kitchen apart and how can you make yours stand out this coming year?
Take A Look at The Trends, But Don’t Go All In
Trendy kitchen designs focus on the colors, materials, and design flavor of the moment. But moments pass, often quicker than we’d prefer.
So, if you’re considering a modern trend every bit as bold and iconic as the shabby-chic or Tuscan kitchens of the 2000s, excessive use of ‘90s honey oak, or the beige/orange or candy-colored kitchens of decades prior, you should remember that trends come and trends go. And if you lean into any particular design flavor too hard, time will leave your space behind.
Instead, consider using trendy modern elements as accents or building blocks, but keep the core of your design simple (if not minimalistic) and rooted in timeless choices like shaker cabinets, classic stone or quartz countertops, neutral backsplashes, and white or stainless-steel appliances.
Favor Natural Materials Where Possible
Instead of opting for designs of the moment, let’s consider elements that have passed the test of time, featuring well in kitchens built not only decades ago, but centuries ago.
Of course, this means materials taken from nature and included in the home to highlight real, authentic natural beauty. Marble and hardwood are some of the best and almost literally timeless examples, but you could also consider butcher block, masonry, tile, and brick for your countertops, backsplashes, cabinets, flooring, and other hard-working features.
Gravitate To Neutral Colors
The trick choosing colors for a timeless space is to avoid stark or sterile combinations, like an over-use of dark blues or blacks, or a top to bottom monochrome white. Instead, keeping things light, breezy, clean, and classy will allow your kitchen to ride out the years with grace and elegance.
White, cream, pale grey, or even earthy light green, pale blue, or beige are all good options for cabinetry that don’t age quickly and can give your kitchen a softer, more comforting overall aesthetic. And they pair equally well with other white, black, brown, and gray accents that are all frequently used to inject some drama and contrast into both traditional and contemporary designs in various ways.
Natural tones can also be handy when it comes to eventually selling your home, as potential buyers are much less likely to take issue with neutral pallets than with bolder choices.
Optimize Your Work Triangle
The kitchen work triangle is the space between your refrigerator, your main sink, and your stove. And this space is, in no uncertain terms, the most important space in your entire home, because it is also the busiest and most trafficked space in your home.
Every meal, snack, and cleanup that happens for each family member will involve this core space and if these lines are blocked by an island or wall, or if these three features are set up too far apart or too crammed together, it will make the simple daily act of using your kitchen amount to more work and effort than needed. And, over the years, this will most certainly build up as a lingering, pervasive sense of frustration.
So, if you are remodeling and really want a design that stands the test of time, make sure that you have a good, functional work triangle that offers access to these destinations as well as your pantry, place settings, silverware, trash, and primary work surfaces.
Decorate and Make It Your Own
A timeless kitchen doesn’t have to be boring or bland. There are still plenty of ways to add interest, drama, and trendiness to your space while leaving a timeless base foundation to build upon.
You can experiment with interesting lighting, textiles, décor, rugs, or even paint colors that can easily be swapped in and out. And there are certain devices like toasters and mixers that can also be color-coordinated to provide a bit of that trendy but non-permanent impact.
Ultimately, your kitchen needs to be your kitchen. So, get in touch with us today and let Amber Valley Construction help you explore, design, and install the remodeled kitchen space you’ve been dreaming of!