As an increasing number of homeowners now become more adept and comfortable working from home, the kitchen continues to grow in importance as the most significant, functional and enjoyable room in the home. Today’s kitchens are multifunctional, serving as classrooms, offices, studies and break rooms, as well as the main room in the home to gather, spend quality time, prepare meals and dine.

With the continuous evolution of the kitchen’s role, here is what we expect to trend this year:

Design responding to the new roles that kitchens serve. 2025 kitchen designs will incorporate artwork, decorative pottery, cookbooks, collectibles and other items that reflect the owner’s personality and design preferences. That is one reason why we expect open shelving to continue growing in popularity because it allows homeowners to display ceramics, sculptures, plates, cookware, and other important items.

Walnut cabinets are expected to come to the forefront in 2025 as well as darker-toned kitchens. Walnut is soothing, offers warmth and connotes luxury. Don’t be surprised if you see black walls, cabinets and countertops in design publications and social media sites. Black also connotes luxury, and in cabinetry, it can provide either a modern or rustic vibe.

Marble is making a big comeback as a countertop and backsplash material. We are also seeing an increase in wood finishes, such as lighter-toned wood to complement the warmer tones of stone countertops.

Storage is becoming a necessity as working and schooling from home persists. Demand for pantries in kitchens will increase for several reasons. They serve as a central storage area for food stuffs, and that can free up wall space for open shelving, artwork, or be left bare.

Ease of use will also trend in 2025. Everything from touch-open cabinets and drawers that eliminate the need for cabinet hardware to voice-activated faucets, and digital kitchen assistants that help homeowners plan meals, order groceries and inventory supplies, will make using a kitchen much easier and more enjoyable.

Sinks are becoming design statements in addition to the functionality they provide. Sink workstations help improve the efficiency and space in a kitchen, providing additional countertop space and making it easier for homeowners to prepare meals.

Because of the need for private areas to work, attend school or simply relax, open floor plan spaces will be repurposed to provide distinct zones. Use of screens, interior windows, freestanding furniture, cabinets and plants will break up space to provide separate zones for cooking, entertaining and working.

Smart appliances, faucets, lighting, thermostats, locks, doorbells and the convenience features in your cabinetry will continue to advance and gain popularity.

What trends for 2025 make the most sense for your dream kitchen? Let’s talk about it! Give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 935 N Orange Ave in Winter Park, suite 102. Happy New Year!

Color plays an important role in your kitchen design! Our team of designers can help you identify the color scheme that’s best suited for you and your space. White cabinets continue to dominate remodeling, accounting for more than 40% of all kitchen remodeling projects. Blue and green tones are trending in new-kitchen design and mixing these into your new kitchen either as base or upper cabinets, as appliance colors or as accents provides a monochromatic effect that can be electric. 

If you are drawn to white, you can offset its potential to feel cold and clinical by mixing in different colors and materials. You can accomplish this with wood floors, countertops or a butcher block either as standalone or incorporating a wood cutting board into a countertop. Another option to consider is white upper cabinets with black or darker lower cabinets. Imagine a white onyx countertop contrasting against black lower cabinets. Classic and gorgeous.

If you want to incorporate different colors beyond a black and white palate into your new kitchen, look to mother nature for inspiration. We often are drawn to colors found in food, ranging from olives and champagne to blood oranges and eggplants to make a dramatic statement and focal point when used as a backsplash or wall color.

Mixing off white with white is another option if you want to break up the stark feel of an all-white kitchen. The end result is a calm feel to the room.

Red, white and blue as a color combination can be perfect for a kitchen to generate a vibe that combines cleanliness, softness and vibrancy. This color combination typically works best when red and blue are used as accent colors that can really pop when used next to one another.

What colors would work best, and where they should be incorporated into your new kitchen? Find out by giving us a call at (407)629-9366, or plan a day to come out to our showroom at 935 N Orange Ave Ste 102 in Winter Park. One of our designers would be delighted to show you around. For additional inspiration at home, visit our website at www.centralkitchen.com.

Many homeowners gravitate to classic materials. They want their new dream kitchen to look and function as good as it does the day it is delivered far into the future. We help homeowners make timeless product and design choices that will provide tremendous functionality and aesthetic beauty for many years to come.

Start with cabinets. First rule – don’t be pennywise and dollar foolish. Cabinets are one of the most significant investments you make in a new kitchen. To help ensure your new kitchen’s long-term performance, select styles that won’t have to change, be painted or upgraded for years. White cabinets remain the most popular choice, selected in about half of all kitchen renovations. If you are looking for something a little different, we often will recommend linen colors versus white. The style of the home and the look and feel you want to achieve also influence cabinet selection. More traditional motifs gravitate to framed cabinets stained in walnut or cherry.

More modern or contemporary designs opt for flat panel cabinets in white, gray and lighter shades of blue and green. When it comes to cabinet selection, you truly do get what you pay for, so invest wisely if you want performance and longevity from your investment.

Similar to cabinets, countertops also should be selected for the long term. Quartz has replaced granite as the most popular countertop material because of its strength and nearly maintenance-free qualities. Marble and granite are timeless materials; however, they need to be resealed regularly while quartz does not.

Lighting can make or break how your kitchen looks, feels and functions. Lighting is equally as important as cabinets and countertops. Simply placing flush-mounted or recessed fixtures in the center of your kitchen ceiling can provide functional light, but that type of lighting may do little to beautify the space, create a mood or evoke favorable emotional responses. Effective lighting illuminates a space in layers using different components and strategies to paint the final picture. That involves layering fixtures, sconces, pendants, undercabinet and in-drawer lighting, and using lamps that complement other materials in the kitchen.

Backsplashes are another element where homeowners should select color schemes and materials that can withstand the test of time. White subway tile has been a standard-bearer for some time. We often suggest larger tiles or different orientations such as vertical or chevron patterns for customers who want a twist on that look. You can also use different grout colors to make a distinctive design statement with subway tile.

What elements of your dream kitchen need to withstand the test of time? Give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 935 N Orange Ave Ste 102 in Winter Park, and we can help you select the products and designs that can result in your own timeless kitchen.

• Material quality
• Airflow
• Effective lighting
• Thermal comfort
• Comfortable movement throughout the space
• Acoustical comfort

Cabinets, paints, hardware, countertops, floor and wall coverings and other materials you select for your new kitchen can contribute to a healthier space and lifestyle. We specify paints, glues, cabinets, and other materials with low to no volatile organic compounds for clients who want a more environmentally friendly and sustainable space. VOCs are chemicals found in many products used to build and maintain homes. Once the chemicals are in the home, they are released into the indoor air we breathe. Natural wood cabinets, stone countertops and glass backsplashes are all environmentally favorable.

A healthy kitchen needs adequate airflow and ventilation. The ability to provide fresh air and create cross-breezes from open windows or doors contributes to a healthier kitchen as does a properly sized vent hood or fan that meets your range and cooking style needs. Clients that want to be on the cutting edge may be intrigued by an interior garden that grows vertically, also known as a living wall. Another healthy kitchen option is to create indoor herb gardens or strategically locate herb planters. Living walls and interior plants help reduce stress, improve air quality, enhance creativity and absorb sound, among other benefits.

Healthy kitchen design also accounts for the way you and your family cook and eat. A healthier kitchen should contribute to a healthier lifestyle that includes the use and consumption of fresh ingredients from an outdoor garden, living wall, indoor plants and herbs. Refrigerated drawers near the stove can help to keep foodstuffs fresher for longer periods. Open shelving, glass containers, glass-front refrigerators and glass-front cabinets showcase foodstuffs and can encourage you and your family to consume more wholesome foods than processed packaged goods.

Lighting can make or break how your kitchen looks, feels and functions. Natural light from windows, doors, skylights and other sources contributes to health and well-being. The use of lighting controls, dimmers, switches and motion sensors can help boost your productivity and energy and enhance your sleep quality.

Thermal comfort is another crucial component of designing a healthy and environmentally friendly space. The use of smart thermostats, heated countertops and floors and a tight building envelope around a new kitchen keep the area toasty in winter and cool in the summer in an environmentally responsible way.

A new kitchen should allow all users to effectively and safely navigate the space. The three main areas of a kitchen referred to as the golden triangle comprises storage areas, including the refrigerator; the cleanup area, including the sink; and the cooking area, including the stove.  The sink should ideally be located between the refrigerator and the stove to ensure a comfortable and unencumbered traffic flow and efficient use of the space. Each leg of the triangle should be between four and nine feet, and the total distance of the triangle should be between 13 and 26 feet to promote safe and easy navigation throughout the space.

Comfort also is derived from clean lines and a sense of calm that results from uncluttered countertops and islands.

Acoustics are the final element of a well-designed healthy kitchen. Noisy dishwashers, appliance motors, sink bottoms and surfaces that enhance sound disturb what otherwise is a peaceful kitchen. Eliminating unnecessary noises is part of a healthy design that homeowners welcome and deserve.

If you want to learn more about additional design elements and strategies to promote a healthier and more environmentally efficient space in your home, give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or come to visit our showroom at 935 N Orange Ave, Suite 102.

Health and Wellness Take Center Stage

More than 40% of renovating homeowners converted their master bath into a space for relaxation. 55% of Houzz study respondents reported that soaking in a tub helps them relax. Conversely, 54% of respondents enjoy taking long showers.

Shower appeal is growing. Nearly 50% of homeowners removed the tub during the remodel, opting for larger and multifunctional showers.

High Tech Fixtures

Nearly 50% of faucets and more than a third of toilets in renovated baths feature advanced technology that includes increased water efficiency and finger-proof finishes on faucets and self-cleaning toilet systems with heated seats.

Accentuated Spaces

Accent walls are hot in bath remodels. Nearly 40% of remodels cited in the Houzz study featured accent walls in the master bath. 19% of homeowners opt for an accent wall inside the shower; 18% placed an accent wall outside the shower. Using different surface materials, such as tile or stone, was the most popular method to create an accent wall in the master bath, followed by colors, patterns or textures that differ from the rest of the bath. The most popular accent wall color was blue.

Light Up Your World

80% of homeowners renovating a master bath improved their lighting, and that makes sense because lighting affects how a room looks and feels.

If you would like to create a personal haven in your home where you and your family can go to relax and rejuvenate, give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or make an appointment to visit our showroom either in person at 935 N. Orange Ave in Winter Park or virtually.

We’ve received numerous calls from homeowners interested in updating what currently exists. Certain elements of a dream kitchen should be at the top of everyone’s priority list regardless of space and budget. At the top of the list should be a combination of beauty, aesthetics and superb functionality. You should smile every time you cross the threshold, and every time you use your kitchen to prepare meals, eat, help with homework, chat with friends and neighbors or simply spend a few minutes for yourself.

The key priorities for any new kitchen should include:

• Adequate storage
• The right light
• Appliances that cater to the families’ desires and lifestyle
• Proper ventilation
• Island or peninsula
• Everything else, including the kitchen sink

A superbly designed kitchen is an organized kitchen. There is a direct connection between storage capabilities and functionality. That’s why when we design a new kitchen, we ask our clients to inventory everything that they currently store in their kitchen, curate duplicative items and identify items they use rarely as opposed to those that are employed daily. Knowing the utensils, dishes, small appliances, glassware, cooking accessories and other items you use in your kitchen enables a kitchen designer to develop a customized storage solution for your unique needs and desires.

Lighting can make or break how your kitchen looks, feels and functions. Effective lighting illuminates a space in layers using different components and strategies to paint the final picture. Layers of light contribute not only to the functionality of the kitchen but also to its design and beauty. A savvy kitchen designer knows how to employ ambient, task and accent lights to enhance a new kitchen’s beauty and functionality.

Appliance selection should match your lifestyle. For homeowners who like to cook, the cooktop and oven are the two most used and hardest working appliances. Make those two appliances priorities.

Range hoods serve two valuable roles. Functionally, they remove smoke, grease and odors from the kitchen. Aesthetically, they can provide a focal point that sets the tone for the entire space.

Islands or peninsulas are requested by 99% of homeowners and for good reason. Islands provide extra countertop space and storage. Islands can double as dining tables, homework desks or a place for an additional sink, cooktop or dishwasher.

Sinks and sink areas are often an afterthought or minimize their importance. Too often the choice of the sink is left to the countertop fabricator that often agrees to provide a sink at “no charge.” Typically, the fabricator’s selection is the least expensive option available. Why would you want to put a $25 sink into a $50,000 kitchen? Plus, doing so misses multiple opportunities to enhance the functionality of your sink area. Today, manufacturers offer workstations that convert the sink into another space to prepare meals. These workstations include colanders, cutting boards, drying racks, bowls and other meal prep tools and utensils.

How can you identify the top priorities for your dream kitchen? Give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 935 N. Orange Ave in Winter Park.

Kitchen and bath renovations are booming. Many homeowners realize that working from home is not a passing fad. Many will be working from home for the near-term future and most likely longer than that. That’s one reason why homeowners are wanting to increase their home’s functionality and appeal. If we are spending most of our time at home, then the home should be where you want to be.

The kitchen remains the heart of the home; it’s where meals are prepared, families and friends gather and children do homework. The average American spends more than one week out of every year in the kitchen. And that number is expected to climb as work from home remains a force.

A recent study of more than 500,000 Instagram posts identified the top kitchen trends. Modern design exemplified by clean, simple lines was the number one design style followed by:

• farmhouse kitchens
• country motifs
• traditional design
• rustic
• cottage
• shaker
• industrial
• minimalist
• transitional

Top trends among kitchen features:

• granite countertops
• pantry cabinets
• quartz countertops
• kitchen islands
• eco-friendly
• brass faucets
• copper hardware
• mosaic backsplash tile
• induction cooktops
• farmhouse sinks

Color trends:

• White
• Black
• Green
• Blue
• Cream
• Pink
• Gray
• Yellow
• Peach
• Floral

Are you looking to create a dream, trend-setting kitchen in your home? Give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or come out and visit us at 935 Orange Ave in Winter Park.

Islands are among the most requested features in the dream kitchens we design. Islands serve multiple purposes: providing a palate for meal preparation, dining, working, a place to do homework and a storage facility. When homeowners request an island, we determine if there is sufficient space, and if not, we recommend alternatives that can provide similar functionality.

In smaller spaces, we can custom design an island to fit the space. Common features may include shallower depths, custom cabinetry and custom height. There is no standard specification that is required to custom design an island. Islands in a kitchen must provide enough space for families to maneuver effortlessly and safely throughout the space. The size, shape and location of the island depend first and foremost on the size of the room and who will use the kitchen and for what purposes. The space between the island and cabinetry is called the clearance zone. The National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests a clearance zone of 42 to 48 inches. If that is not possible, we have designed kitchens with clearance zones of 39 inches. The key is to ensure that base cabinets and appliance doors can open unencumbered. There should be a least three feet between an open door and the island to provide safe travel throughout the kitchen.

The clearance zone and size of the island are also affected by the number of users. If there are only two family members who live in the home, smaller islands and clearances are possible. The rule of thumb in sizing and configuring islands is to factor the homeowners’ functionality and aesthetic dreams into the space’s potential clearance. The bottom line is that islands need to be proportionate to the space.  

Island Alternatives

Some kitchens may not be able to accommodate an island. That does not mean you need to compromise the functionality that an island can offer. Reconfiguring a kitchen space to allow for an open floor plan or physically extending the kitchen space are viable options. Rolling islands are another alternative. We partner with wonderful manufacturers who can custom create a butcher block on wheels.

Peninsulas are another popular alternative to islands. The difference between an island and a peninsula is an island has four sides, and a peninsula is fixed to a wall and only offers three sides. Peninsulas offer an extra yard of space.

Can an island or peninsula work in your dream kitchen? We have templates that you can use to measure your space. Give us a call at (407)629-9366 or make an appointment to visit us at 935 Orange Ave in Winter Park, and help make your dream kitchen a reality.

Contemporary kitchens celebrate natural materials whether they are stone, quartz or solid wood cabinetry. Contemporary motifs often feature frameless cabinets that offer smooth surfaces. The tile we specify for a contemporary kitchen also is straightforward. The edges are sharp and clean. The same approach is taken when we specify countertops for a contemporary kitchen. Quartz is extremely popular because of its clean look.

A well-designed kitchen is an organized kitchen. We often specify special storage compartments for drawers and cabinets so that countertops can remain clutter free. Contrasting cabinets colors and materials with countertops, backsplashes and floor and wall coverings can add a wow factor to a contemporary kitchen. Imagine gray wall cabinets with white base cabinets. In contemporary kitchens, opposites attract. That’s why we don’t subscribe to limiting color palettes for our clients who want a contemporary look. What’s more important is how the color selected will contrast and complement with other materials in the kitchen.

Lighting fixtures tend to be minimalist and offer clean, uncluttered lines.

Less is typically more in contemporary kitchen design. Open floor plans, expansive floor and countertop space and natural light when possible are hallmarks of contemporary kitchen design.

For faucets, cabinet and door hardware and other fixtures, we recommend polished chrome finishes. Chrome is timeless and easy to clean.

If you are interested in exploring a contemporary design for your new kitchen or bath, please call us at (407)629-9366 or visit our showroom at 935 Orange Ave in Winter Park.

Split finishes are in vogue in everything from plumbing fixtures and appliances to door and cabinet hardware. We’ve seen ear-to-ear smiles when we present combination black and gold finishes to our clients. Specifying gold refrigerator pulls on a matte black refrigerator creates a dramatic and refined focal point in any kitchen. We also have had an extremely positive reception pairing black and silver tones in all design motifs – traditional, transitional and contemporary.

Mixed materials is another trend in new kitchens and baths. Combining metal, stone, wood and glass are on point for many homeowners and builders. Imagine an island that features an engineered stone top contrasted with two-tone wood paneling and a matte black sink with gold-finished faucet. Simply gorgeous.

Similar to mixing materials is specifying contrasting colors. Different colored upper and lower cabinets continue to gain in popularity.

Functional furniture is also making a new home in kitchens and baths. Homeowners warmly respond to suggestions for desk space, separate storage cabinetry and pantries, open shelving and other solutions that are more reminiscent of furniture found in other places in the home than traditional kitchen cabinetry.

White kitchen cabinetry continues to rank as the number one preference. However, we see white trending in other materials and fixtures beyond cabinetry. White finished appliances, split chrome and white faucetry and split white toned lighting make for a dramatic statement in any kitchen. Other trending colors for finishes in kitchens and baths include champagne, bronze, gray, gold and black.

Smart appliances and fixtures also continue to gain in popularity. Many homeowners like having the ability to preheat their ovens from a smartphone app. Smart technology for the kitchen helps make homeowners’ lives easier and more enjoyable. Smart technology also enables homeowners to react to potential maintenance and malfunction issues immediately. For example, a smartphone alert can notify a homeowner that a refrigerator door may have been left open or that the dishwasher is leaking.

The kitchen plays a critical role in connecting it as the most important room in the home with other spaces. That helps to explain the popularity of open floor plan kitchens. Your new kitchen has to look out-of-this-world and serve multiple purposes and functions, spanning from the space where meals are prepared to a central gathering place for family and friends. A well-designed kitchen combines stylish aesthetics with durable and functional finishes and materials.

How can you capitalize on new trends and technology to create the kitchen or bath of your dreams? Give us a call at (407)629-9366 or stop in to our showroom at 935 Orange Ave in Winter Park.