Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson

Latest Trends in Kitchen Pantries

New homes are being built with pantries once again and existing homes are being renovated to include one. Why? As open floor plans merge living rooms with kitchen spaces, kitchen counters must be kept clean and minimal, yet food still needs to be stored and prepped somewhere. For the budget conscious, a wall of cabinets tucked away in a corner nook with a fold-out work surface is a better storage solution than a walk-in pantry. Also consider a pull-out pantry to replace a broom closet. The key is to use all available floor-to-ceiling space. Designers prefer to hide small kitchen appliances like kettles and mixers. If you can afford a butler’s pantry, make pantry cupboards deep for all appliances. If you’re stuck on what appliances to get for your pantry, looking at online review pages can help in your decision, allgreatappliances can be one of the places to look. Cover beverage coolers with wooden panels. Trade old pantry cabinet doors for doors that hold jars, pans or utensils. Store your canisters or containers with the same shape and design on open shelving to look more organized. Install cubbies to house water cooler bottles or items bought in bulk. Labeled baskets and bins are a great way to contain your housewares with a touch of style while keeping your investment to a minimum. Customize the cabinetry of the pantry space to create a dedicated work zone that keeps all items related to a specific task (like a breakfast station or a baking center) in one contained area. LED task lighting affixed to cabinets is essential. Pantries with vintage-inspired features soften...

Blend Kitchen Styles

The kitchen is often the connecting space between the dining room and the living room. Even with an open floor plan, you don’t have to limit yourself to one style. Mixing elements in the kitchen can create a cohesive flow in the entire home while incorporating every style that you love. In fact, the current trend is to mix rather than match. Add traditional touches by copying moulding details from other rooms in the kitchen (like on an island leg or around the windows) or showcasing antique glassware and china in a custom hutch with glass cabinetry. To incorporate modern elements, choose sleek, flat cabinets in neutral colors. Use handles and pulls that are not too fussy. Bring in traditional granite for the countertops, but choose a matte finish instead of polished, and have the granite honed. Look for new and unusual colors like blue and burgundy to contemporize your décor. Go for green or beige to make it more traditional. Black appliances can update a country kitchen without clashing. Just be sure to add a farmhouse sink and use plenty of wood accents around the appliances. Switch out the faucet to update the look of your kitchen without a big investment. Feel free to go for a terrifically traditional faucet in your contemporary kitchen but opt for an understated finish to keep the visual peace. Make your kitchen more masculine by adding bulkier elements such as a bronze range hood or a stone backsplash. Period lighting fixtures and vibrant Persian rugs bring some vintage flair to the mix. Choose the unexpected, like a chalkboard for one of your...