Kitchen Trends 2013: Floor Plans and Lighting

Our kitchen is the most-used room in our own house.  Renovating kitchens is my favorite part of rehabbing houses.  And judging by the statistics, it’s also one of the most popular topics on the “Beyond Back Creek” blog. So I need very little prompting to share some of my thoughts on what the next year will bring in kitchen design.  Here’s three  of my predictions for 2013…and I can’t wait to put them into practice in our next project!

1) The Great Room:  whether it’s the economy or the weather, or just a need to hunker down, there seems to be a growing desire to stay home when entertaining friends and family. Continuing last year’s theme of kitchen-as-gathering-spot, open floor plans will continue to be popular.  As walls come down and sight lines increase, the use of mixed materials will grow.  Kitchen style will be integrated into the decor of the main level of the house.

Even a small galley-style kitchen feels open with walls removed. Carrying similar decor and artwork into the cooking area integrates the main-floor design. (Lexington Project by Back Creek Design)

2) Multiple Light Sources:  once the kitchen is part of a multi-functional room,  task-focused lighting will not be sufficient to create a cohesieve style. Recessed ceiling fixtures will gain popularity as non-obtrusive general lighting.  Eye-catching pendants, and even chandeliers, will help marry the utilitarian kitchen to the decor in the rest of the great room. Accent lamps on countertops and islands will help to blur the line between kitchen and living room.  The biggest trend, and a simple DIY upgrade, will be undercabinet LED lights. These not only light the work surface, but provide high-style mood lighting as well.

This great room floor plan uses recessed cans throughout the vaulted ceiling for overall lighting. Accent lighting is provided by an amber pendant over the sink, and a mixed-material chandelier over the table. Under-cabinet LEDs function as both task and mood lighting. (Shelly Project by Back Creek Design)

3) Expanded Territory: with more people involved in cooking, eating, and spending time together, kitchen activities will creep out from the traditional floor plan. Look for peninsulas where walls were removed, which will multi-task as prep space, breakfast bars, and serving buffets. Islands will get more than one level of countertop, so the cook can work while friends sit nearby enjoying a glass of wine or some tapas. Discreet bar and storage areas can be tucked into built-in cabinetry in the living room area.  Meanwhile the TV,  sound system, and computer will all be accessible from the kitchen.

Taking down part of two walls between the kitchen and the rest of the main floor greatly improves flow without drastic changes to the floor plan. Capping the remaining knee wall with granite lets it function as a bar, serving buffet, or staging area for the chef. (Edge Creek Project by Back Creek Design)