As savvy homeowners know, not only do these makeovers typically yield higher returns on home improvement dollars, they also offer a deep sense of satisfaction and personal comfort. And it’s easy to see why. While the kitchen is fast becoming the heart and central nervous system of just about any busy home, the bathroom is evolving into a place for pampering and relaxation.

Experts agree—next to a home’s location, upscale kitchen and baths are the first two things discerning home buyers look for when considering a new home. So not only can a kitchen or bathroom makeover be deeply satisfying to us personally, they can also be financially beneficial in the long term.

The best advise for anyone considering a kitchen or bathroom overhaul? Plan carefully, take your time and consider getting advice from a professional (see “When to Call in the Pros” later in this article). In the meantime, sit back and get comfortable with our Annual Kitchen and Bath Design Guide. We hope it will serve as a source of inspiration or encouragement for your own kitchen or bath remodeling project.

The Kitchen as THE Focal Point

According to The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) most recent survey of home design trends, the kitchen remains the focal point of most American homes and it’s easy to see why. As the hub of most busy homes, the kitchen is where we prepare meals, entertain friends and family, help finish homework or complete our own projects.

In fact, residential architects and interior designers report an increased demand by clients for additional pantry space, high-end appliances, extra features and greater integration of family space. In short, when it comes to the kitchen, bigger apparently is better.

What’s more, not only are kitchens increasing in size but according to the AIA survey, kitchen functions are spreading to other parts of the home as well. Clever homeowners are equipping in-law or au pair suites with additional mini-cooking facilities and are designating secondary areas in the home as places for food storage. Kitchen functions are even spreading into the yard as the old-fashioned grill or backyard barbecue gives way to fully operational “cooking centers” complete with built-in cook tops, outdoor food storage and professional grade ranges with greater BTU output.

Kitchens are also becoming more integrated into living areas and living areas more integrated with kitchens as these areas of the home continue to serve double duty. Case in point: many homeowners have already opted for open floor plans or have incorporated living room design schemes in with food preparation and dining areas. But kitchen plans are now including built-in or more sophisticated work stations complete with made-to-order home office systems, custom shelving and Internet access. Other family support areas include mudrooms with ample storage for shoes and coats and built-in cubbies for children’s backpacks and sporting equipment. As our experts tell us, this trend of greater integration of family spaces is being driven by a desire for increased function and efficiency in our daily lives as well as a need for greater accessibility to other areas of the home.

High-End, Time-Saving Appliances

When it comes to what homeowners want and desire, just about everyone wants nice appliances. In the AIA survey for example, while both men and women said they would include high-end cook tops on their wish lists (number one when cost was not a consideration), men in particular wanted upscale, commercial-grade appliances.

In fact, many of today’s cook tops, traditional ranges, wall ovens and microwaves are now sold side-by-side with products that offer a wider range of cooking options, including steam and speed cooking. Some cook tops even offer induction cooking where only the pan heats up! And traditional products are getting made over too, with the introduction of microwave drawers and ranges that do everything from keeping food warm to defrosting the family dinner.

Refrigeration has also evolved and now offers something for everyone from beverage centers to wine chillers. Traditional refrigerator–freezer combos even come equipped now with separate chill zones, defrost drawers and three-door configurations.

Other appliances that topped survey participants’ wish lists included time-saving or energy efficient innovations such as faucets with built-in water filters, ovens that reduce cooking time and central island cook tops that make cooking more accessible. And while they may not be time-saving innovations so much as a way of entertaining or multitasking, computers and televisions also ranked high on participant wish lists.

Clean Lines, Streamlined Spaces

As we’ve already mentioned, today’s homeowners are gravitating toward the streamlined so it’s no surprise that when it comes to cabinets, clean lines with classic styling remain popular design trends. Simply put, homeowners want innovative storage designs that keep kitchens free of clutter but without sacrificing style. Designers are responding with all sorts of clever storage solutions with great looks from dishwashers or refrigerators that “disappear” behind cabinetry to dead spaces fitted with hidden pantries or corner shelves.

When it comes to door styles, hardware and finishes, consumers have an even greater range of styles to choose from as well. The popular Shaker style in maple or oak, for example, remains a strong seller as well as many of the new exotic woods coming on to the market, like Wenge or Zebra. And, many of these details, which were once reserved for custom cabinet offerings, are entering the more mainstream stock and semi-custom cabinet categories.

Countertops are another area where consumers have greater choices in color and style. While old-school pure synthetic solid-surface countertops are on the decline, natural stone such as quartz and granite continues to increase in popularity. Similarly, homeowners are turning to colorful tile for added detailing around countertop surfaces or backsplashes.

Bathrooms – An In-Home Retreat

Once viewed as strictly utilitarian spaces, the bathroom has now joined the ranks of those rooms which cater to our sense of style and comfort and like kitchens, bathrooms are also growing in size.

In fact, according to the AIA survey, more than 40 percent of residential architects reported seeing an increase in not only the size of bathrooms but the number of bathrooms per household as well. While this trend has been developing for some time now, the idea of the bathroom as a place for respite and relaxation has only come into the mainstream in recent years. But as people continue to turn to their homes for a sense of refuge from the stresses of everyday living, the increased demand for spa-quality features will also increase.

More and more bathrooms are being designed with additional room for separate or double vanities and high-end features like state-of-the-art showers. Many of our design professionals agreed citing an increased demand for multi-head showers, hand showers, steam showers, separate (his and her) showers or separate shower–bath combinations.

Walk-in showers without doors are also becoming popular for their accessibility and ultra modern style. A tip: check with your plumber to make sure your water pressure is sufficient to handle the increased volume of water in your shower.

When it comes to soaking or relaxing, tubs are no different. Many garden or whirlpool-like tubs now come equipped with therapeutic massage, ergonomically correct head and arm rests and strategically positioned jets for the ultimate in relaxation.

And while heat lamps aren’t as common, many homeowners want some heat features in the bath such as heated floors, towel racks and towel-warming drawers. Even fireplaces, quite possibly the ultimate in bathroom luxury, make the list of what participants would like to see in their fantasy bathroom.

Textures and Colors

As choices of materials, colors, fixtures and finishes continue to expand and improve, bathroom remodeling seems to be limited only by one’s imagination. As we’ve seen locally, above counter basins and stand-alone vessels in beautiful glazes and jewel tones are turning many bathrooms into works of art while furniture-styled cabinets and storage pieces in rich finishes and exotic woods like Wenge or Brazilian Pine are introducing a sense of opulence and artistic expression to the bath—all signs that the American homeowner is looking to the bath for a more retreat, spa-like experience.

Yes, kitchen and bathroom remodeling has certainly come a long way in just the last decade and with continued improvements in both process and design – especially in terms of products and features— home improvement in general seems to be headed in a much more satisfying and enjoyable direction as well.

So the next time you’re considering a home improvement or remodeling project for your home, consider a kitchen or bath makeover. Not only can these projects add to your sense of comfort and style in the short term, they may just reward you and your family for years to come.

What’s In

- Glossy subway tile
- Brushed granite countertops
- Glass and metal tiles
- Natural mosaic tiles
- Bigger sized floor tiles
- Pantries
- Kitchen and bath furniture
- Warming drawers
- Convection and induction cooking
- Built-in ice machines
- Stainless steel appliances
- Built-in gourmet coffee makers
- Wine refrigeration
- Pastel colored appliances
- Brushed and polished nickel fixtures
- Copper and titanium sinks
- Contemporary fixtures
- Custom shower systems
- Free-standing bath tubs
- Custom range hood cabinetry
- Hand-painted vessel bath sinks
- Programmable shower controls
- Primary color, quartz-based surfacing
- Painted finishes for cabinets
- Dark chocolate-colored cabinets
- Dual fuel ovens

What’s out

- Tumbled travertine and marble
- White and black appliances
- Polished brass fixtures
- Whirlpool tubs
- Bird cage (woven) cabinet hardware
- Oak cabinetry

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Click here for a list of resoures mentioned in this article

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Article provided by and reprinted with permission from Urban Home Magazine (Issue: January/February/March 2007).

For an archive of this and other magazine articles, visit urbanhomemagazine.com.