Experts are saying that kitchens are becoming the heart of the home, and the style of the kitchen is now being used to define the house as a whole.

Award-winning lifestyle host and bestselling author Christopher Lowell has said: “More than ever,homeowners are realizing that the kitchen is truly the hub of the house even beyond simply food prep.”

Multifunctional Kitchens

As various family members congregate in the kitchen, the area has become more popular with everyone for reasons other than preparing and eating food. The room is used commonly now for work, crafts, and socialization, as well as replacing the role of the formal dining room for a social, relaxed eating atmosphere.

By creating an open-spaced, multifunctional kitchen, all the family is able to stay together rather than being forced into separate rooms. This trend has been growing slowly as the washing machine has been added as a staple to a kitchen rather than within a separate wash room, and continues to grow in a more social way.

Kitchen islands have grown in popularity in recent years, and are set to become an even bigger trend in 2013. These allow for an open layout which feels spacious and inviting, and offers a range of practical features which allow food preparation to occur while other activities are taking place.

In-Home Entertaining

Lowell says: “The advent of growing (if not booming) interest in food, food culture and cooking as a pastime by both sexes rises at the same time that the economic environment forced a return to in- home entertaining. So the size of center islands increase as not only prep areas but buffet and eat-at stations and bars as well.”

The rise of smart phones is said to have influenced the changing trends in appliances and color schemes (if you’re in the market for a new appliance, check out Appliances Direct). Two-tone colors and contrasting colors on cabinets and storage appliances have become increasingly popular, meaning fridges and freezers are becoming a huge part in the kitchen decor as the range in design of products available becomes ever more varied.

Social Dining

Social dining is firmly with us now, and has been influenced by people’s positive experiences in public cafes and bistros which have used this style for years. As many families must return to the home for entertainment due to financial constraints, bringing in the success of experiences outside of the home allows the family to feel as though they are socializing within an outside environment, but with the comfort of home.

 

Does your kitchen share more than one purpose?

 

Photo Credit: Lori J Stalteri