Kitchen Remodeling Trends For 2011

The kitchen is the heart of any home; and if yours is in need of a serious makeover or just a little facelift the smart move is to hire a kitchen remodeling contractor you trust who will do the job right and who can help you get the look you want while staying within a budget. When deciding on styles and features for your new kitchen, it is important to consider: changes that will provide more convenience for your family, and also whether or not those changes will add to your home's eventual resale value. Here are some kitchen remodeling ideas for 2011.

More Livable Space

The kitchen as gathering place has been the mantra in remodeling trends for the last several years, and it shows no signs of slowing. The idea is to create a space where kids can do homework, families can eat together, and Mom can organize recipes on her computer or watch the news while she gets things together for dinner. If you have blank space in a corner that's not being used, why not have a desk built in to give you and family members more working room? Extending a kitchen counter to create an eating bar is a must: putting drawers underneath will create more much-needed storage space.

Stone is Still King

Countertop replacement is nearly always on the menu when it comes to kitchen remodeling. Granite continues to enjoy popularity, but look for other types of natural stone such as Travertine to make their move. The main factor in countertops for today's thriftier homeowner is cost. The good news is that there are plenty of natural stone products that provide the kind of long-term functionality you insist on that are still affordable. Many homeowners will be opting for concrete countertops as well: they are low-cost, durable and versatile; but keep in mind that they are also extremely heavy.

Warm Palette

If cabinet refacing or all-new kitchen cabinets are on your list, the stark white minimalist look and light maple shades of recent years are giving way to homey, cozy earth tones. If your kitchen has little natural light, this can present a challenge. You may only want to use 2011's popular rich shades of chocolate as accent colors. Natural wood floors in warm tones will still be the flooring of choice. The great thing about a warm palette is that the look is virtually timeless and won't look dated any time soon: this is especially important if you plan on selling your home in the next 10 years or so.

Over-the-top gourmet kitchens are no longer the be-all, end-all. Today's post-recession consumer is looking for value, functionality and a classic look that will last for years.