2 Kitchen Layout Trends That Are On Their Way Out
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At first glance, features like open shelving may seem more like a design choice than a layout-related one. But today’s trendiest kitchens conceal a lot of their components for a clean and continuous appearance, explains Brandy Aguirre, a licensed real estate agent in the metro Phoenix area. Think: Floor-to-ceiling cabinets, or breaking away from the popular format of putting the microwave above the stove and instead stashing it away in a built-in cabinet — but that’s just the start, Aguirre says.
“One of the biggest kitchen layout trends I see over and over again on new-build homes, luxury homes, and freshly remodeled homes are hidden features such as built-in refrigerators and dishwashers that blend in with the cabinetry,” Aguirre says.
Other hidden features include cabinets meant to hide trash cans and electrical outlets added under the cabinets and inside of drawers, she says.
And while the open shelving has enjoyed a good run, it’s tough to manage IRL.
“A few years ago, open shelving made its way back to kitchen design. When displayed in a model home, or one that’s not lived in, open shelving can look stunning,” she says. “However, unless you are Marie Kondo and keep your home ‘show ready’ all the time, these open shelves can be stress inducing. With open shelving, there’s no way to hide the faded Ninja Turtle cups your kid won’t let you toss.”