​Once an area used strictly by the people who prepared food, the kitchen has become a focal point in peoples homes. With so many shows on TV and pictures in magazines that show the “perfect” kitchen, it is hard to know where to start when thinking about what you want your kitchen to look like. Everything from colors to appliance choice can be daunting to most anyone. We have compiled some of the most popular trends happening in the kitchen to help make your decision making process a little easier. 

Colors
Neutrals are by far the most popular color in the kitchen and, as of now, white takes the cake. Other colors, however, are starting to show up more frequently, for instance, gray is on an upward trend. Like white, gray provides an elegant and clean look and is easy to pair with other colors. On the other end of the spectrum are the bold colors such as blue which makes a kitchen a true focal point in any house. Similar to a feature wall, pops of color are being added in the kitchen by adding in a colorful sink or another accessory to create exciting contrast. 

​Cabinets and Countertops
As mentioned, neutral colors are most popular when it comes to the kitchen, and that applies to cabinets and countertops, too. One big change in the kitchen landscape is a shift from wall cabinetry to deep drawers, making those hard to reach items a thing of the past. Granite was once the king of countertops; however, quartz seems to be taking over as the most popular option in the choice for kitchen countertops.

​Functionality
With work, family, and friends all pulling you in a million directions, it is more important than ever to have a kitchen that helps save you time. For this reason, one of the most popular trends in the kitchen is functionality. From sinks that you tap to turn on to appliances that are all connected via Bluetooth, today's kitchens are all about making it easy for you to get things done in a timely manner. 

​Keep these trends in mind when planning a redesign of your kitchen. If you have questions about which materials are best, do not hesitate to call us. Here at Fort Rock Construction, we want to make sure that you are completely satisfied with your finished project. Making the right design and functionality choices can be difficult, and our contractor’s years of experience will ensure that your kitchen will be the envy of the neighborhood. Please contact us if we can help! We do kitchen remodels in Eugene, Springfield, and other surrounding areas in Oregon.

As a General Contractor, we've seen our share of styles and preferences for house design and interior decorating. In fact, throughout the Eugene-Springfield area, you can see homes exhibiting the best in modern design, homes with the charm of the Victorian period, and everything in between. Each has their place, and it's fun to work on homes from different eras. But, if you find yourself needing some inspiration, here are some home design trends that seem to be on fire.

1. Creative and functional use of space
More often than not homes are being designed to utilize every inch of space to its best use. Think "tiny home" necessity scaled to match your square footage. Examples of this include creative storage solutions, utilizing "dead space" in new ways, and giving areas of the home multiple purposes. Built-ins are a great way to make use of otherwise dead space. Drawers installed under stairs.

2. Warm metals vs. industrial finishes
This is one trend that seems to swing every decade or two. But, right now, warm metals are all the rage. Bring out your copper and gold fixtures, pots and pans, etc. These metals make a space feel welcoming and cozy while still maintaining a sense of elegance.

3. Matte appliance finishes
Up until recent times, the appliances in your home were flashy and somewhat attention grabbing. They were statement pieces in your kitchen, the envy in your laundry room, etc. But now, the goal is to have these appliances blend into your space. Matte finishes allow appliances to do just that — blend in. With this approach, we place the focus on the "life" in the room, not the giant refrigerator.

4. Cerused wood floors and cabinets
The trend lately is based on a technique introduced in the 1500's, whereas wood was 'limed' to expose the texture and grain. Today, people are using cerused wood throughout their homes and with their cabinets to get that old and worn look but with new wood.

5. Jewel tones
Regarding color, beige is out, out, out. Designers are choosing bolder colors for interiors to bring out the drama of each room. In fact, the 2017 Benjamin Moore color of the year is a deep amethyst color called Shadow. Juxtapose these colors with the soft pastels found in nature, and you'll have a winning palette.

6. Subway tiles
Subway tiles have been popular for a few years now, but they haven't lost any ground when it comes to tile selection. They can be bold or subtle, and the patterns you can create are endless. Concerning application, you can use subway tiles in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and even in other spaces like home offices and entertainment rooms.

7. Smart home features
With the tech world in which we live, the ability to integrate "smart" features into homes is appreciated. The trick is to make sure the technology you integrate is universal and long-lasting. For example, create charging stations with standard types of plug-ins vs. creating a solution for which only one type of device can work. You'll want to avoid what car manufacturers did when the iPod was popular — many created iPod specific cradles, so you had a place to set your device while driving. Not too long after, the iPod started changing sizes and connectors, and the cradles were no longer useful.
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To discuss your home remodeling needs and ideas, please give us a call at 541-767-1611.