3) Integrating Kitchen and Dining Spaces.  A kitchen is the most active room of a home. A dining room is often the most under-utilized room of the house and is located just off the kitchen. It makes sense to integrate these two areas for family gathering and entertaining. Many remodeling projects join these two spaces together by removing walls or creating half walls. Half walls can provide a pass through area or a buffet to serve both rooms. Think about how you use these spaces when planning to remodel. 

 

4)  Stainless Steel Appliances.  Stainless steel appliances continue to be the top choice among consumers. Stainless steel is versatile and can be mixed and matched with other appliances - black, white and bisque. Stainless steel also blends well with a variety of wood and laminate cabinets, counter surfaces, back splash materials and flooring products. While harvest gold, avocado and burnt orange have come and gone, stainless steel appliances endure and continue to add style and value.

 

5) Pendant Lights. Pendant lights are lights with shades that are suspended from the ceiling by either a chain or a rod. They are decorative and address task illumination in counter, island, corner or dining spaces. Pendant lights are ideal in food prep area and over sinks. They work well in homes with high ceilings. Pendant lights can be multi-light fixtures or they can be individual units. Kitchen designers often use individual units in groups of two or three. If you are thinking about installing pendant lights, consider a dimmer switch to adjust the illumination. There are many styles and colors of pendant lights. They're chic, functional and provide a finishing touch to a kitchen.