As we continue to change and adapt during the pandemic, so do our kitchens and bathrooms. From classic favorites to high-tech luxury, there’s a place for everyone. R • Home asked three kitchen and bathroom designers in Richmond to share their observations and forecasts for emerging trends in 2022.
R • Home: Do you think an all-white kitchen will continue, or will we see more colours?
Grace Sheehan, Kitchen Doctors: We’re seeing a shift from a classic, cool, and all-white kitchen to a warmer, earthier one. We use white or dark gray as a neutral tone or base and pair it with nature-inspired colors, like green and blue.
Sarah Pearce, Lynn Homes and Reconstruction: I definitely think we’ll see more colors on their own or in combination with a white kitchen. I’ve seen a lot of green. I feel blue takes more of a back seat, but it’s still a very timeless color. Camel or brown leather colors are back, as well as plenty of woody tones.
Peyton Edwards, KDW The all-white kitchen is classic and has a timeless appeal. I don’t see this going anywhere; However, we’ve seen some color creep in. Mostly gray and blue. This year, we’re starting to see more greens, mostly in the mossy green family.
R • Home: How can homeowners bring the outdoors into their kitchens?
Sheehan: Add more natural light whenever possible. It can be skylights or windows along worktops or a backsplash window.
Pierce: I think we’ll see more specific areas that are either for houseplants or indoor gardens like herb gardens.
Edwards: In new construction and extensive renovations, we see a lot of folded glass walls, one of the brands known as NanaWalls. These are truly a mixture of the inside and the outside.
R • Home: We live in a highly digital world. Will this extend to kitchens with smart appliances?
Sheehan: I believe smarter, healthier devices, such as Wi-Fi-enabled app-controlled products, induction hobs and stoves, steam and convection ovens, connected hubs that connect devices together, voice-activated lighting, and non-touch features will continue. in height.
Pierce: I also think it would be very common to buy devices that can have more than just one use. For example, a wall oven with a steam function, an air frying function or a heating function.
Edwards: Most high-end devices are now equipped with Wi-Fi technology. For example, your refrigerator can notify you when filters need to be replaced, and you can preheat the oven from your car.
R • Home: Many homeowners seek to make their space an oasis. How does this play into the design of the bathroom?
Sheehan: We’re seeing another shift in bathrooms from clean, cool, and almost sterile grays and whites to a warmer, organic color palette. We’re also seeing more comprehensive design features, including large, edge-less showers, wet rooms, and smart technology.
Pierce: People are trying to bring it closer to backtracking. For example, having a washer and dryer inside your base suite, a wet tea and coffee bar, or a sitting area for you to enjoy this space.
Edwards: Many clients want their bathrooms to mimic those of a luxury hotel or resort. We see customers splurge on extras like heated floors and heated towel rails.