By Donna Revens, Design Specialist, Silver Lake Cabinetry

Let’s face it: many of us are excited or at least curious about new and emerging design trends. There is a lot of information out there. Social Media is loaded with photos of swoon-worthy kitchens. How do we take these trends and apply them in our own homes? Here are three examples.

Black Painted Cabinets

• Adding black cabinets to your kitchen can create drama and be visually stunning. Paired with gold hardware and the right finishes, black can add beautiful contrast to your kitchen design. If you are considering black cabinets for your kitchen, here are some important things to know.

• A matte black painted finish will attract dirt and show stains easily. Instead, opt for a higher sheen finish, like satin or semi-gloss. 

• As an alternative to a black painted finish, try using a cabinet with a dark ebony or charcoal stain on natural wood. This will lend a little more interest to the appearance while camouflaging imperfections better than a painted finish would.

• Keep in mind that darker colors can absorb light. Instead of having all of your kitchen cabinets black, try adding black as an accent. For example, try adding a black island and black mullioned doors or hood to a natural wood or neutral kitchen. The result can be beautiful and timeless.

Oversized Islands

• Planning a large-scale kitchen remodel? Opening up the space for entertaining? A supersized kitchen island is a popular choice for some, But it does come with certain considerations.

• A huge island needs a huge countertop. Slab sizes for natural stone and quartz can vary. The larger the top you are looking for, the more limited your selection. Also, these large slabs will need to be brought into the house and installed. Make sure that there is proper access to bring it into the space.

• At what point does your island become a small country?  It is important to keep in mind how you will use your kitchen each day. If you have work zones or storage areas that are separated by an island in the middle, making that island extra long can create a long path that you need to walk around many times a day. Also, keeping the center clean will be a challenge if your island is too deep. 

• If you are blessed with a cavernously huge kitchen space, try dividing and conquering. Instead of an awkwardly huge island, try adding multiple islands for multiple purposes. You can create different “zones”  for prepping, entertaining, baking, etc. This is a great opportunity to add a second sink, beverage fridge, etc. By using multiple islands, you can expertly divert traffic flow while having everything accessible.

Tiled Kitchen Islands

• One of the more curious kitchen trends that is on the horizon is the tiled island. I mean, really tiled. Tiled top, tiled back, tiled sides, sometimes the front is tiled too. I am all about embracing your creativity, but this trend can go horribly wrong very easily.

• Do you love to spend your days meticulously cleaning grout lines? The tiled island is for you! Seriously, this has to be considered if you are entertaining the thought of covering your island in tile.

• Do you have small children who love to run into things? Be wary of the sharp corners that can happen with this application. If you opt to tile your island, consider creating a curved island (very chic) or using tile that has rounded corners. 

• Color, shape, pattern, shine. A tiled island opens up a lot of creative opportunities. Tile options are endless. Be careful about your choices. The right tile can be stunning. The wrong tile can be an expensive mistake. Definitely consult a design professional for guidance.

• Instead of covering your entire island in tile, try repeating your backsplash tile on the back of your island or using a complementary tile with a splash of color. This look works very well with waterfall countertops, which frame the tile beautifully.

In conclusion, it’s important to note that I actually love all three of these trends! They just need to be used with discretion and applied with a skillful eye. Used properly, they can all add beauty and function to your kitchen design.