| home & garden |
Style Files
The Future of Design by KERRIE L. KELLY, FASID
In my latest trend research with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), several ideas bubbled to the surface. We discovered that form is following function in a whole new way, accommodating not just actual use but serving the way different generations, individuals, and family units design their home space—especially kitchens and baths. Here, we share the four overarching themes that emerged.
want their kitchens to promote human interaction—and the connected devices, appliances, and systems will be in place to serve that end. Open-plan kitchens will be inviting, cozy, and warm—perhaps to take the edge off all the tech—and will need to work for different styles and skill levels of cooks. For 82%, inclusion is important, especially with visibility from the kitchen to other parts of the living space. Other top priorities? Spaces that are conducive to entertaining and the need for strong Wi-Fi and Internet connection to call up recipes, cooking inspiration, and instruction.
Connected Living It’s easy to assume that “connected living” means connected devices, WiFi-enabled products, smart appliances, and home theater. But because the world has become so “connected” in the technology sense, it’s important to emphasize the connection among people, too—something most of us crave now more than ever. Homeowners
38
stylemg.com
| OCTOBER 2020 |
/stylemg /stylemediagroup /stylemediagroup /stylemags
The days of tchotchke-filled rooms are becoming a thing of the past, so appropriate storage becomes key. Some 80% of respondents said minimizing clutter, cleaning, and a sense of organization is a critical design request; 69% want their bathrooms to be an escape; and 61% design spaces for easy meal prep—think plenty of countertops, easy access to tools and ingredients, and non-congested layouts. This includes utilizing cabinetry that organizes more in less space and specifying low-maintenance material choices or commercial finishes and fabrics that are easy to clean and long-wearing.
Photos by Lindsay King Photography.
Simplified Living
