As cooler weather approaches, you might be coming back into your kitchen from summer’s cookouts, thinking, “Wow. I didn’t realize how dated this looked,” or “This setup is really inconvenient.” Here at YOR Construction & Investments Inc. in Los Angeles, we’re excited about the upcoming kitchen remodeling trends. So, if you’re planning a kitchen remodeling project in the coming months, here are 5 trends you’ll want to consider:

1. Cabinets with a Color Pop
Yes, all-white cabinets are still popular because they reflect light and make smaller kitchens look bigger. Colorful cabinets, however, are increasing in popularity. This is partially because cooking and spill stains stand out so obviously on white-but also because homeowners are looking for more color in their kitchens.

2. Appliances: Thinking Outside of the Stainless-Steel Box
Bright, silver stainless steel has been the go-to finish in appliances for several years now, but for all its solid, time-tested stability, people are looking for more color even here. Yes, you can have black, graphite and slate finishes. You can even have white if you want it bright. But this is your kitchen, and if you want to have brightly-colored appliances, your options are growing considerably. If this is the kitchen you will be cooking, eating and working in for years to come, why not try some bold color combinations? If you aren’t sure how long you’re staying or want to have your kitchen ready for resale in a few years, you can still choose colors, but think of timeless combinations that work with the colors of your cabinets and walls. Reds with white, black or gray, blues with white or light gray, earth tones in different shades, etc.

3. Everything in the Kitchen Sink
Kitchen sinks are being created out of different materials and adding new, time-saving accessories that home gourmets are raving about. For example:

• New Kitchen Sink Materials-At least 70% of kitchen sinks are stainless steel. It goes with everything and is durable for years. But kitchen sink designers have been coming up with amazing, functional materials that go beyond what you’ve come to expect in a sink. For example, granite composite sinks (made of crushed stone and resin); they last a long time and are easy to clean and maintain. The timeless cast-iron enameled sink is also making a resurgence because you can choose different glaze colors than just silver or dark gray. It’s also very durable and easy to clean. The new fireclay sinks (often used in farmhouse sink designs) are made of high-heat glazed clay with a hard enamel finish (usually earth-toned). And while they are durable, they are vulnerable to impacts and may chip more than other materials. Natural stone, glass, marble, and copper are also up-and-coming kitchen sink materials you might consider.

• New Kitchen Sink Accessories-Newer kitchen sink designs also tool up the functionality of the ordinary sink to help you save time and effort during meal prep. In fact, you could call them “kitchen sink systems” because they integrate so many tools seamlessly into a larger sink. Consider multiple levels, built-in colanders, removable cutting boards, ice buckets, pot holders, etc. A large, custom sink with these accessories can significantly reduce your prep and post-meal clean-up time; you’ll have more time to enjoy your meal with family and friends.

4. Earth-Toned Rustic Never Goes Away
One look that never really goes out of style is the organic, natural, earth-toned rustic look, from backsplashes and cabinets to floors and farmhouse sinks. Think neutral colors that make custom wood cabinets glow warmth into your kitchen. If you’re going rustic, you’ll likely avoid glossy finishes and opt for rugged, matte, natural finishes instead. Ceramic or cast-iron sinks, wide-plank wooden floors, antique metal fixtures like distressed bronze, wrought iron or rubbed brass look great in a cozy, rustic kitchen. Butcher block or honed granite countertops complete the natural, sturdy look if you’re going this direction.

5. The Mix-it-Up Eclectic Kitchen is Now
And yet, if traditional or rustic kitchens aren’t your thing, variety may be just your style. Good thing too, because mixing up materials, colors and finishes is taking off like crazy. Bold colors on the custom cabinets, floating shelves, polished concrete countertops, stone accent walls and wild mosaic backsplashes with pops of color and shine will turn heads whenever guests arrive and have you feeling like you’re cooking in your dream kitchen every day. And really, if you can dream it, we can make it happen in your kitchen.

If you’re ready to start now, schedule a personal consultation with YOR Construction& Investments’ kitchen design experts today: 1-888-457-7746.