It's hard to talk about kitchen and bathroom trends without acknowledging what the pandemic did to change homeowners' wants and needs. Spending so much more time at home left occupants craving a new, fresh look in their most used spaces.
Founded in 1968 by Louis Kuretzky, Kurtis Kitchen & Bath, a third-generation family-owned business, offers services including kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, cabinet refacing, cabinet refinishing and countertops, plus expansive showrooms in Ann Arbor, Clarkston, Livonia, Royal Oak and Utica. During and since the pandemic, the experts at Kurtis noticed an increase in business as homeowners sought updates to their kitchens and bathrooms. Projects range from changing the color of the cabinetry — white being the most popular — to doing an entire remodel.
"Not only does it feel good to have a new and refreshed look, but it helps with resales on homes down the road because kitchens and bathrooms are the things that sell homes,” says Renee Colohan, director of marketing for Kurtis Kitchen & Bath. “So even just a little upgrade can make it feel new and add life to the space.”
The company, which has completed more than 400,000 kitchen and bathroom remodels, stays on top of the latest trends through contact with its professional trade organization, vendors and the company's experiences working with a high volume of homeowners over the last five decades. It also is happy to give back to the community by donating old cabinets in good shape to Habitat for Humanity.
Here are some of the biggest trends in kitchen and bathroom remodeling, according to Colohan.
Walk-in-pantries became one of the most requested features of 2022. The pandemic changed people's shopping and cooking habits, creating a greater demand for more storage space. Designers have also gotten clever with walk-in-pantry layouts, dedicating a working space for small appliances which would otherwise take up precious counter space.
Quartz countertops in kitchens and bathrooms are a hot item right now. Its durability, extensive range of colors available, and uniqueness make the material suitable for almost any remodeling project.
Customized backsplashes have been around for a long time, most commonly behind a cooktop and the space between the countertop and cabinetry. Trends range from classic white subway tiles to bold patterns.
Bathroom trends, in general, include glass shower doors and double sinks, with popular finishes being satin, polished or brushed nickel. Homeowners want anything to give the space more functionality and an updated look.
Get rid of the bathtub. Colohan says some homeowners are opting to remove the tub from the master bath and install a stand-up shower. People have become especially fond of showers with seats, she says.
Because planning a kitchen or bath remodel, or even a reface or refinish, can be overwhelming, Colohan advises homeowners to work with a creative design consultant. A designer can recommend materials that complement each other and make the process of redoing a kitchen or bath much more manageable.
“We help our customers update their kitchens and bathrooms in a way that best suits their taste and budget,” Colohan says, “using the highest quality product and an incredible design team.”
