Current Kitchen Design Trends to Love or to Leave

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and creating a functional space for you and your family is essential to a harmonious life. To do this, you need a well-designed kitchen that meets your family’s needs. Good design is more important than ever in areas where you spend lots of time. It’s important to remember, not all kitchen design trends are going make for a long-lasting, good design. Thoughtful planning of every aspect of your kitchen design can help to create a space that’s functional and where your family will enjoy spending time together.

When planning a remodel, it’s important to understand the difference between design and decor. Design involves creating a space that takes your family’s behaviors, needs, and routines into consideration to create a kitchen that works for you. On the other hand, decor is the cosmetic element of creating a beautiful space. Everything from cabinet colors to wall hangings falls under the umbrella of home decor. Beautiful decor elements can take a well-designed space to the next level, but they won’t fix a kitchen that’s dysfunctional.

Creating easy access to your appliances and food, maximizing storage space, and prioritizing safety are all important factors that can make the difference between a dysfunctional kitchen and one that meets your needs. Kitchen trends come and go, but a well-designed space will serve your family for years to come.

What Makes for a Great Kitchen Remodel Design?

A great kitchen remodel starts with understanding what makes a great kitchen design. Two kitchens side by side can have totally different decor aesthetics with nothing in common except they both stay true to superior kitchen design. What superior comes down to is an overall excellent use of space, thoughtful storage, lighting, and long-lasting materials. As you begin your kitchen remodel, start by prioritizing the things your current kitchen design lacks. 

Look at Your Storage and Organization

Do you constantly find yourself wishing you had more storage for small appliances and food? Adequate storage is essential to creating a kitchen that isn’t cluttered and that’s always ready for your next culinary experiment. Using your kitchen space efficiently and strategically can help even the smallest kitchens create spaces for eating, cooking, and entertaining, all while maintaining an easy flow.

Consider Your Lighting

Lighting is an important element of kitchen design that’s often overlooked. However, having good lighting is essential for preparing food, especially in the early mornings and at dinner time. Looking at your kitchen now, you might ask yourself if it feels dark or dim. Because natural light fluctuates throughout the day and season, having a variety of different lighting options is a great idea. Main sources of overhead lighting and additional support lighting over your island, sink, stovetop, and workspaces can help you create a comfortable amount of illumination at any time.

Your Material Choices Make a Difference

Finally, the materials you use in your kitchen are just as important as what you use them to create. Countertop materials, in particular, have become more diverse in recent years, ranging from eco-friendly options to handmade tiles. Think about where you and your family are hardest on in your kitchen or what it’s like cleaning and maintaining your current space. You’ll find many materials don’t hold up to kitchen wear and tear regardless if they’re on trend or not. Soapstone countertops, for instance, have a beautiful appearance but scratch easily, unlike granite or concrete. Easy maintenance and longevity are important elements to prioritize when choosing kitchen materials.

Kitchen Design Trends to Fade Away or Stay Forever

In the 1960s, kitchens looked very different than they do today. They were often fitted with colorful appliances and cabinets. Which is quite unlike the stainless steel and natural tones more common in 21st-century homes. Also, 1960’s kitchens didn’t have kitchen islands, and instead, a dining table was the gathering place of the room. However, one sixties trend has remained the basis of good kitchen design ever since: the work triangle. The work triangle makes the kitchen functional. It’s the method of creating easy paths between the stove, sink, and refrigerator–the three areas where primary cooking tasks are carried out.

Other trends haven’t had the longevity of the work triangle. For example, metal cabinets were all the rage after World War II, when the nation had a surplus of steel. But metal cabinets tend to become scratched and dented over time in such a high-use area as the kitchen. Thus, they’ve fallen out of fashion to make room for new trends. When you know what makes a good kitchen design, you can evaluate current trends and see if they’ll withstand the test of time.

Will These Current Kitchen Design Trends Work for You?

Stepping Away from the Open Layout

Open floor plans were all the rage in the ‘90s and early 2000s. However, recent design trends show a step away from open design in the kitchen. While open spaces are great for entertaining, they’re not so functional for everyday life. Noise carries in open areas. So, unless you need the space for mingling, open floorplans aren’t always the ideal choice. Families especially appreciate the ability to spread out and give each person their own space.

In 2019, 53% of kitchen renovations included opening up the existing space. However, this number has dropped to only 43% in 2021. The move away from open layouts may be stepping back in time when it comes to kitchen trends, but it might be for the better. Open floorplans can create unusable, dead space. Creating a dedicated kitchen area can make the workspace more functional, improving the pathways of the work triangle.

Oversized Pantries are Rising as a Top Priority

Pantries have long been a kitchen staple to store food in an organized and accessible way. Many homeowners are prioritizing having a large pantry space in their kitchen renovations. This can be a great option for those looking to have a clean, sleek appearance, as it lets you tuck away everything you don’t want to have on display. When it comes to designing with a great amount of storage, adding an oversized pantry is a great way to go. With thoughtful storage solutions being a top priority of great kitchen design, the oversized pantry may be a kitchen remodel trend you want to replicate.

What About Open Cabinets and Floating Shelves?

Another popular trend that pairs well with the oversized pantry is the open cabinet trend. The large pantry gives you the freedom to use the space typically full of wall cabinets to display your dishware and other collectibles. It’s true that open cabinets and floating shelves have the possibility of causing storage problems in the kitchen. But when paired with storage space elsewhere, they can be a beautiful addition to the room.

However, they may not be great for families with younger children since the open nature means fragile items are more easily bumped and broken. Also, Items on open shelves become dusty more quickly and need to be cleaned more often than in protected cabinets. Keeping in mind ease of maintenance is an important factor when considering kitchen design. So the open storage trend may or may not work for you, depending on the amount of time you want to dedicate to cleaning.

Implement Fresh Ideas Without Blindly Following Kitchen Design Trends

Kitchen design trends today are diverse and varied. When it comes down to it, creating a space catered to your taste and needs should be your top priority. Good architects and designers will help know if the trends you love will be a good fit for your space. Remember, putting your own spin on popular ideas is always a great idea. With a little creativity and planning, you’ll get a thoughtfully designed space that’ll serve you for years into the future.

Creating an Outdoor Room is a Simple Choice to Maximize Your Home Lifestyle

Living in a location as beautiful as the Bay Area has many benefits. Gorgeous scenery and temperate weather year-round are just a few of the reasons many choose the area for designing their dream home and settling down. Thanks to an outdoor room, you can bring the outdoors in – or perhaps the indoors out – and enjoy resort-style living from the comfort of your home.

Outdoor living rooms and other outdoor spaces have become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to new materials that make indoor-outdoor living more practical. They are a great extension to any home and can provide great spaces for working, entertaining, and raising a family. 

What is an Outdoor Room?

Patios, decks, porches, and outdoor rooms have some features in common and are often mistaken for one another. They all extend your living space outdoors and offer a space to enjoy the wonderful climate of the Bay Area. But outdoor rooms are much more versatile than patios, porches, and decks. Plus, they can be put to use during most weather conditions. Greenhouses, screened-in porches, and sunrooms are all common types of outdoor rooms.

Outdoor rooms have walls and roofs that provide shelter from various weather conditions but typically provide for an easy blending with the outdoors. They can be added to your existing home structure, working in harmony with your home and adding architectural interest. Or, they may be freestanding structures connected to the main home by a walkway. 

Other common features of an outdoor room include: 

• Extensive e windows or sliding panels that open to provide direct access to the outdoors. 
• Screens that keep bugs and debris out while still allowing fresh air to flow into the space. 
• Lighting and electricity to make them useful at all hours of the day, perfect for late-night entertainment.
• Fireplaces, outdoor heaters, and/or ceiling fans. 

Why Build an Outdoor Room?

There is nearly an endless list of reasons why outdoor rooms are a good idea. But, what it comes down to is outdoor rooms take advantage of the benefits of your outdoor environment. In her book, Your Brain on Nature, physician Eva M. Selhub, says that nature effectively “turns off the stress response which means you have lower cortisol levels, lower heart rate, and blood pressure and improved immune response”. Imagine those benefits being part of your workday in your new outdoor office. Or think of what that would mean for an outdoor yoga or art studio. Even entertainment spaces gain a relaxed atmosphere simply by being connected with the outdoors. So why should you consider building an outdoor room? Because it will be good for you and your family’s lifestyle. 

Popular and Unique Uses for Outdoor Rooms

Outdoor rooms come in all shapes and styles. Some of the most popular examples you’ll see for outdoor rooms are outdoor living rooms, office spaces, art studios, garden rooms, his and hers spaces, and gym studios. Because outdoor rooms aren’t limited to any particular use, all you need to decide is what type of space want. 

Do you want a place to bring people together? Or one to find solitude? Are you looking for a better way to make room for your hobbies? Or are you trying to find your footing on the best environment to work from home in? Whatever you’re looking for, there is a way to make your outdoor room a perfect oasis for your needs.

The Outdoor Living Room

Outdoor living rooms are probably the most popular choice and a great choice for families. They can function as a place to relax, spending time outdoors with indoor comforts right at your fingertips. Sofas, sectionals, sound systems, and even televisions can all be part of your outdoor living room. They can be a great place for game nights, kids’ sleepovers, and for watching movies with the stars as your backdrop. Alternatively, outdoor living rooms can become a great place for parents to spend time together after the kids are asleep without the worry of being too loud. If you like to entertain, you need an outdoor living room. 

Outdoor Office Spaces Make for Improved Productivity

Many people once tethered to their computers or offices have recently been granted freedom to work wherever they’d like. Take advantage of this opportunity with an outdoor room functioning as an office or workspace. Working outdoors and connected to nature can help to reduce stress and actually improve your productivity and ability to focus. Outdoor rooms offer the best of both worlds with wi-fi, shade, and anything else you need to work comfortably.

Garden Rooms Blur the Line Between Any Indoor and Outdoor Space

Garden rooms are one of the most beautiful and unique types of outdoor rooms. They provide a serene sanctuary for your houseplants and allow plenty of natural light to flow into your home. They’re a perfect addition to add off living rooms or kitchens, and can even be home to an indoor vegetable garden or herb garden. Garden rooms are great for adding water features and relaxing nooks, like a hammock. Their window-filled design makes them perfect for soaking up the rays all year long.

Outdoor Rooms Foster Creativity

Between the natural light and the calming effect of nature, an outdoor studio makes sense for artists and crafters alike. Nature is a great source of inspiration, and having the outdoors right at your fingertips is sure to positively influence your work. You can set up an easel with the perfect view just ahead, or add a large workbench for painting and drawing.

The She-shed or a Man Cave Outdoor Room

Depending on your lifestyle, you might consider his or her spaces. When sharing the same space throughout your entire home, compromises are always made. Giving one another spaces without compromise can actually foster togetherness as it acknowledges your individuality. A man cave outdoor room makes for a fun space to house poker games or to watch the big game. A she-shed, known for its goal to create an atmosphere of calm, is a clear example of a great outdoor room. Dartboards, wilderness-inspired decor, or places for mom to wind down with a great book and a glass of wine can all find homes in an outdoor room.

Get Moving in an Outdoor Room

You could also consider creating a home gym or yoga studio in an indoor-outdoor room, creating a beautiful place to enjoy your daily workouts. Even if you don’t have running trails or a park within an easily accessible distance from your home, you can use an outdoor room to create the next best thing. Pull-up bars, mats for stretching, or even special features like climbing walls can be enough to persuade you to cancel your gym membership altogether.

Creating a Comfortable All-Weather Outdoor Room

Even though the Bay Area is fortunate to have a relatively temperate climate, fluctuations in temperature can make spending time outdoors uncomfortable at times. This is the beauty of an outdoor room. Outdoor rooms provide shade from the afternoon sun. Then, ceiling fans are an option many homeowners consider to create a cross breeze from open windows. Also, in cooler weather, heating units or even outdoor fireplaces can help to warm the space and add rustic charm.

Get Started With Designing Your Own Outdoor Room

Creating the perfect outdoor room for you and your family is a great investment that will serve you for years to come. Make use of additional outdoor space and create a functional area that allows you to spread out and spend time doing the things you love. With so many creative choices at your fingertips, you’re sure to be inspired to create a great outdoor room that works for you and the lifestyle you dream of.

How To Turn An ADU Into A Short Term Rental In The Bay Area

As short-term rentals have become more and more popular, you may be wondering how you can create your own. You know it can be time-consuming and a big investment. However, turning an ADU into a short-term rental is an exciting opportunity to generate substantial extra income. Plus it has the potential to significantly increase your property value. 

However, using spaces for anything beyond their original purpose means you need to keep laws and regulations for short-term rentals in mind. These are usually local laws, specific to the city or county your rental unit is located in. Then, regulations can differ even between cities in the same county. Not following the laws governing short-term rentals can lead to legal trouble and hefty fines. Avoiding these issues, however, is simply a matter of a little research and good planning.

Types of Additional Dwelling Units

Accessory dwelling units usually come in three different forms: interior conversions, attached, and detached. While the laws regulating these different situations are usually similar, not noting the differences can lead you to a headache later.

First, Interior ADUs are most commonly found in previously unused attic or basement spaces. Homes with interior conversions usually have two entrances. This is done to avoid tenants accessing keys for your main home. Interior ADUs must be inspected and meet current standards, which could include a sprinkler system or separate electrical service. You should check with your local guidelines to make sure that your interior ADU is up to code.

Next, Attached ADUs are attached to the same structure of the main dwelling. These have an entrance separate from your main home but connect with a hallway or door. As with interior ADUs, there are specific regulations to be followed. For example, they may need separate heating and cooling systems to prevent air exchange between the main dwelling and ADU.

Finally, Detached ADUs are often the most lucrative short-term rentals. They are separate from the main dwelling on your property, meaning they offer greater privacy to the tenants. For instance, a detached ADU may be located over an attached garage, in a guest house, or another standalone structure. Then, Detached ADUs often have regulations involving sewer or water service and if it’s allowed to be connected to the service of the main dwelling.

Short-Term Rental Laws in the Bay Area

Cities in the Bay Area have various sets of regulations for short-term vacation rentals. It’s important to make sure your rental meets all of the requirements for your area before listing the unit.

In San Francisco, for example, local laws require people operating short-term rentals to be permanent residents of the city. Furthermore, the city also differentiates between “hosted” and “unhosted” rental units. First of all, hosted units are defined as rentals where the owner is in the unit as it’s being rented. Then, unhosted units are rentals where the owner is elsewhere. Unhosted rentals are less common with ADUs. But, it’s important to note these rentals often have a cap on the number of days they can be rented per year.

Short-term vacation rentals usually have various other legal requirements. These may include:

• Obtaining a business license
• Reporting the number of days the unit is occupied per year
• Registering the unit as a short-term rental
• Collecting hotel tax
• Securing proper liability insurance coverage

Some Bay Area cities may have more requirements than what’s been stipulated by the county. For instance, Oakland allows short-term rentals with the requirement that stays be longer than one week despite its county more generally allowing short-term rentals.

How to Find Short-Term Rental Regulations for Your Area

The Bay Area regulates short-term ADU rentals independently by county. Keeping up with and understanding current regulations in your area will ensure your plans are following all requirements for your property. 

The chart below is current to the date of this publication. It should give you a general picture of if ADU’s can be used as a short-term rental in your county. In many cases, your city or local jurisdiction may have more requirements than listed here. 

Alternative Uses for Accessory Dwelling Units

Short-term rentals, depending on the location, have the potential to be extremely popular. However, some ADUs are not suitable for short-term rental use due to restrictions in your area. Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to put your ADU to use.

For example, an alternative option is to consider creating a long-term rental unit. Long-term rentals usually have an annual lease but can also be month-to-month. A great positive is long-term rentals can create more reliable income than short-term rental units. Plus, with long-term renters, management can be simpler for the day-to-day, making the potential load on your family lifestyle much lighter.

Alternatively, some homeowners won’t use the space as a rental unit at all. For instance, guest suites or housing for older family members are other common uses for ADUs, providing value to your property and your lifestyle.

Your Additional Dwelling Unit is Well Worth the Hassle

A good way to ensure that your ADU follows all of the regulations is to work with an architectural firm that is experienced in building ADUs for use as rental units in your area. This will help you comply with local ADU laws and avoid delays or unexpected costs during your project. You’ll also have advice on how to best maximize your property value and start taking advantage of income-generating ADUs.

Even if short-term rental ADU’s aren’t an option in your area, the value of adding an ADU to your property can still be huge. For example, recent studies have shown constructing an ADU increases the resale value of your home by a whopping 51%. Also, building an ADU may also be more affordable than you think. With pre-designed house plans and budgeting calculators, the options are wide open.

Regardless of your goals, building an ADU has enormous payoff benefits worth your investment. 

Why Green Architecture Makes a Better Remodel

The decisions you’ll make as you go through your home renovation project will probably feel endless. But that’s what is so exciting about a home remodel. You finally get to decide what’s important to you and what your space will be down to its very bones. As you dive in, you may find yourself interested in implementing green architecture into your design plans. You have the ability to choose to prioritize design efficiency, lowering energy and water usage, reducing waste, and improving the overall environment of your indoor spaces.

Incorporating environmentally-friendly design into your home isn’t limiting. Rather, it opens doors to create a space that uniquely improves upon the lifestyle and health of your family while lowering environmental impact. When you consider green architecture you’ll walk away with a beautifully finished space that truly works for you.

What is Green Architecture?

Green architecture, also known as sustainable architecture, is an architectural design that keeps the environment in mind. Architects working on green homes use innovative design techniques to reduce the harmful effects construction can have on the environment.

Green architecture prioritizes improving:

• material, water, and energy efficiency.
• structure maintenance.
• quality of indoor environments (such as air and light quality).
• structure and material life-cycles.
• and decreasing the use of natural resources.

As such, sustainable design goes beyond initial construction or renovation. It reduces the impact you have on the environment while living in your home.

What Does Sustainable Architecture Look Like for You?

Sustainable architecture can take a variety of forms and work with just about any style of home. Many people think of green architecture as only ultra-modern and sleek. However, rather than being a specific aesthetic, green architecture emphasizes using natural materials and maximizing the architectural design based on the natural environment and terrain. The goal of green architecture has nothing to do with a modern home versus traditional design or mid-century versus Victorian. This means that no matter your stylistic preferences sustainable design is for you.

Sustainability Starts on the Exterior

A simple example of sustainable architecture in action is in material selections for your exterior. Exterior siding made of sustainably sourced wood is both cheaper and has a considerably reduced carbon footprint compared to man-made materials. Additionally, sealants, paints, stains, and other advances make wood easier to maintain with a longer life cycle. Then, try to use rapidly renewable plant materials (bamboo) or source from sustainably managed lumber forests. By doing so your exterior renovation will hit at least three of the main goals of green architecture.

You can take this same approach as you look to create outdoor spaces and remodel your patio and deck spaces. Choosing sustainable sourced wooden decking over vinyl has the same environmental awareness power as selecting wood siding. Plus, with wooden decking, you won’t have to deal with it overheating like vinyl. As you plan, selecting materials based on their sustainable sourcing, maintenance, and recyclability is what green architecture is all about.

Green Architecture in Kitchens

In a study conducted by Statista, they found 27% of kitchen remodels are done because of the original kitchen breaking down. It’s pretty typical for homeowners to remodel their kitchens every 10 to 15 years due not only to style changes but wear and tear on materials. And as a place your family spends a lot of time in, it uses a lot of resources. With that being said, a green remodel of your kitchen isn’t just a nice idea for the environment, it’s economical.

To reduce the need for vents and fans that can use a substantial amount of electricity, large, energy-efficient windows can be used to control smoke and steam in kitchens. This option also increases light and airflow through your kitchen. A creative green architecture option to consider in kitchen renovations is incorporating outdoor access. Kitchen herb gardens are especially popular. You might also consider an outdoor kitchen or dining space that connects seamlessly to your main kitchen. This improves upon your living environment tenfold by providing greater access to natural light and airflow.

Additionally, a great way to improve upon the overall sustainability of your kitchen is with your appliances. You can consider choosing energy-efficient models. To save money and reduce your environmental impact, look for those that are ENERGY STAR rated.

Creating an Efficient Home Addition

When deciding on the location for your home addition, consider the shape and natural environment of your property. The addition needs to be practically placed with the other rooms in your home. However, if you keep the principles of green architecture in mind, you’ll prevent your addition from noticeably increasing your energy bills.

Placing your renovation in an area that maximizes sunlight reduces the need for electric lights in the space during the day. Alternatively, those living in hot climates may want to choose a shaded area to save money on air conditioning bills.

It’s also important to take the natural terrain into consideration when planning an eco-conscious home addition. Keeping the natural terrain shape and vegetation intact helps to preserve the area you live in. Creative foundation techniques can be used to work with ground that isn’t level or is on an incline. Preserving the landscape also helps with drainage and preventing soil erosion. These are important factors to take into consideration when creating an addition that will stand the test of time.

The Benefits of Green Architecture

Of course, one of the primary benefits of green architecture is the impact it has on the planet. Sustainable design helps to protect the earth, so you can feel proud of the choices you’re making for your renovation. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, energy-efficient architecture leads to lower CO2 emissions, less energy usage, as well as less water consumption. Additionally, green design helps to reduce air pollution in the home, making your home safer for you and your family.

Often overlooked, green design has a huge impact on family life. Living in harmony with nature can have a positive influence on social relationships. Creating a well-designed, sustainable space with good lighting and air quality can provide noticeable benefits for the people living in your home. This includes physical and mental health as stress and anxiety are reduced.

You Gain More Than You Spend

It’s true that using sustainable materials can sometimes be more expensive than less-sustainable alternatives. However, the price difference usually makes up for itself in the years following your project. Green materials often last longer than traditional building supplies. Energy-efficient appliances may have a higher price tag, but they’ll pay for themselves by saving money on your bills each month. 

Plus, your sustainable renovation pays off in other ways, too. Some locations, like the Bay Area, offer incentives for those employing sustainable design or using renewable energy in their homes. Also, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) offers an internationally recognized green home certification. Achieving the certification means not only do you reap the benefits of a green home for yourself, but your certified green home may qualify for insurance discounts and tax breaks. Ultimately, LEED homes have higher property values, rent, and sell faster.

Green Remodels Need Great Architects

Having an accomplished team of professionals behind your renovation project is always essential. This is especially true when it comes to green architecture. Understanding the utility of unconventional materials and knowing how to best construct an efficient space is important. One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to creating a green renovation or addition. Having a great team behind you can help you reach your eco-friendly goals with a design that works for you.