# Trends in Kitchens -- Your Opinion on Next Big Thing **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 16, 2009, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021 "2009-10-16T13:45:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/21 "2009-10-16T18:02:57Z")
> [@davekhps](#): > > Wood, stone, stainless are timeless, IMO am I the only one who _hates_ stainless steel? It looks like an institutional kitchen-- cold, and impersonal. I want to live in a house with a warm, happy, colorful kitchen…not one that looks like a hospital cafeteria. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/22 "2009-10-16T18:05:23Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > am I the only one who _hates_ stainless steel? It looks like an institutional kitchen-- cold, and impersonal. > I want to live in a house with a warm, happy, colorful kitchen…not one that looks like a hospital cafeteria. Oh, among other things, I just think this got popular with the rise of cooking shows. Makes you feel like [you might one day could theoretically be as good as] Morimoto or whoever. The people who like it **like** that it looks industrial. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/23 "2009-10-16T18:07:29Z")
> [@LiveOnAPlane](#): > > Oh, any recommendations or experiences with kitchen flooring? Wood versus tile, for instance? Can’t seem to decide what we might want there. I have a wood floor in my kitchen, and I don’t like it. The problem is, you can’t let spilled water sit on it without possibly damaging it. IMO, that makes wood an incredibly stupid choice for a kitchen floor. I want a kitchen floor that I can let spills sit on, without any possibility of damage to the floor, until I feel like dealing with them, whether that’s one nanosecond or two weeks after the spill happens. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/24 "2009-10-16T18:12:15Z")
I’m wondering what parts of the country people live in where kitchens are updated every 10 years, and everything absolutely, positively must be kept up to date in order to sell the house; that even a hint of the previous decade in a kitchen will send a prospective homebuyer into shock. I’ve been looking at houses in suburban Buffalo and Rochester lately, with a rturn to upstate New York being likely. In desirable, established middle- and upper-middle-class neighborhoods, it’s hard to find a house with a kitchen that was updated after the 1980s, and about half have intact 1940s, 1950s and 1960s kitchens. My parents’ house was built in 1967, and has the original kitchen. The house was built by an Italian-American homebuilder, and the kitchen has a gaudy, rococo look; white faux wood Formica cabinet doors with gold trim and scrolly details, Formica countertops, green vinyl flooring, and decorative meal railings. Dad’s thinking about selling the house, and I thought the kitchen would be a huge liability. Real estate agents have generally told him “nope”. Even in a move-up middle- to upper-middle class neighborhood, the 1960s kitchen won’t be a liability. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/25 "2009-10-16T18:15:12Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > am I the only one who _hates_ stainless steel? It looks like an institutional kitchen-- cold, and impersonal. I hate my stainless appliances. They pick up fingerprints easily, the area under the water/ice dispenser gets messy if the water drips aren’t wiped up immediately, and contrary to the name “stainless”, mine did stain. Barkeeper’s Friend finally removed the stains, but it was driving me mad. I’d much rather spend less $$ and get appliances that wipe clean easily. I’d never buy them again. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/26 "2009-10-16T18:25:13Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > Don’t buy a side-by-side or top-mount (freezer on top, refrigerator on bottom) refrigerator. Those are considered obsolescent, all the “nice” custom kitchens now have a form of “French door bottom mount” (two doors on top, to a double-wide refrigerator, with a pull-out freezer drawer on the bottom.). > > Dunno why, just the trend. I must be a trendsetter! When I was remodeling my kitchen several years ago, I saw one of these in Home Depot, and just knew that I had to have one. They were (to me) a unique, novel design that made absolute sense. Half the door openening means less cold air gets out. The common refrigerator stuff at human-being height, and the uncommon, frozen stuff out of the way at the bottom. You can bet that I bought one. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/27 "2009-10-16T18:32:03Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > am I the only one who _hates_ stainless steel? It looks like an institutional kitchen-- cold, and impersonal. > I want to live in a house with a warm, happy, colorful kitchen…not one that looks like a hospital cafeteria. I hate the look for the reason you listed. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/28 "2009-10-16T22:01:52Z")
I don’t know what’s up-and-coming in kitchen floors. But I know what I like. What I like is _one piece_ flooring. Yes, it has to be installed by someone who knows how to cut/install it. _But_ the plus of _not_ having to worry about anything dropped/spilled seep into the cracks is definitely worth it! Not to mention: the apartment we just moved into has wood parquet-type 12"X12" tiles, and a few of them have warped a little (duh; it’s a kitchen; moisture, sudden temp changes, etc.) and that makes them harder to sweep/damp mop. I also know that, be it counter tops or flooring, it should either be: A, bleachable (mostly white/very light in color) or B, stain-disguising. Take your pick. But don’t choose something that’s going to stain, and then the stain is going to stand out forever and ever! ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/29 "2009-10-17T02:51:33Z")
I just had a black quartz countertop installed and I love it. It never needs sealing or treating. I clean it with some natural stone cleaner once in a while. My cabinets are natural maple shaker. My sink is a white porcelain apron front. The floor tile is a faux Italian stone. The dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator are stainless steel. My range is glass top. I always wanted a gas cooktop, but now that I know how difficult my friends’ gas cooktops are to clean, and how easy mine is to clean…I’ll never have anything but. It produces a wonderfully even heat, too. And it heats things FAST. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/30 "2009-10-17T04:01:19Z")
> [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](#): > > I just had a black quartz countertop installed and I love it. > > It never needs sealing or treating. I clean it with some natural stone cleaner once in a while. > > … Question for you: Is the quartz hard and shiny like the granite I have seen? Harder maybe? I love the never needs sealing idea. Don’t mind using a special cleaner once in a while, but absolutely don’t want to have to worry about staining, which is one reason I’m not too sure about the granite. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/31 "2009-10-17T07:21:58Z")
Concrete counter tops that are continuous pour with 3 sinks (3rd sink is a food prep sink with disposal unit). The counter top area on either side of the sinks are angled so water runs into the sink. If I were building a kitchen it would have central vacuuming with a sweeper port so you can just sweep dirt into a slot in the wall. It would have a walk-in pantry and a wide island for cooking with a 2nd range built into it. I would have doublewide lower cupboards with no divider and slide out bins for pots. The new slide-out corner carousel would be a must as would a separate tall pullout shelf for cutting boards and baking pans. The pantry would have a chest freezer to free up space and save money on expensive refrigerators which really don’t offer that much more room. Even a small chest freezer adds a lot to a kitchen. Cupboards would be high off the counter and extend to the ceiling. This is to allow counter space for mixers and other common appliances so they aren’t shuffled around. If the kitchen is in an “L” shape then I would put in a corner cabinet with curved glass doors for dishes. The floor would be whatever is easiest to clean. Haven’t really kept up on the new stuff but I like things as functional as possible. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/32 "2009-10-17T18:36:04Z")
Good ideas, **Magiver**! Now, if I could only find a fridge with a tiny freezer part, and all the rest for the fridge part… We have a separate freezer, and it sure does help a tremendous lot not having to cram everything into the fridge’s freezer compartment. If only there was an inexpensive refrigerator-only unit available. (Yes, I know about the very expensive Sub Zero types, I’m talking about a regular, under $1500-type fridge) ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/33 "2009-10-19T00:48:37Z")
> [@LiveOnAPlane](#): > > … If only there was an inexpensive refrigerator-only unit available. (Yes, I know about the very expensive Sub Zero types, I’m talking about a regular, under $1500-type fridge) Ya mean like the [one](http://www.frigidaire.com/products/kitchen-appliances/refrigerators/fprh17d7kf) (w matching freezer and four extra shelves, for less than $2,000 including a 300 mile trip from purchase point to delivery site) I have in my kitchen? CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/34 "2009-10-19T01:46:22Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I can’t believe they made [this baddass fridge](http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/appliances/ces-2009-samsung-rfg299aars-french-door-refrigerator-does-the-math-073779) with out the ability to make a grocery list. > > I still want it tho’. If you buy anything too high-end, be prepared for the initial sticker shock at the time of sale, then again later on when you need to buy some special gizmo that broke and is only made by the manufacturer at some unbelievable price. I have the [Sub Zerio 611G](http://homeappliances.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/xl611g.jpg) (see-thru glass door) and the night light burnt out a few weeks ago. I popped the cover off and unplugged the bulb and went surfing for a replacement. Here is the part: a [7.5 watt light strip for $52.60!](http://www.repairclinic.com/SSPartDetail.aspx?s=t-611-G-%3d%3dc253i1029557&PartID=1029557)_And the damn thing take three of them!_ Yes; $159.00 for a replacement night light. We’re probably talking close to $200 with shipping charges. Lucky for me, I had an LED light strip on hand that worked well as a reasonably close replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/35 "2009-10-19T01:59:07Z")
I forgot to actually respond to the OP. I think Europeanisms will become more and more popular. I installed point-of-use water heaters and a dish drawer. I also have a condensing washer/dryer (very energy efficient). And I went for soapstone counter top instead of granite, mainly because I wanted something impervious to stains and heat. The down side is that soapstone is softer than granite so it can be scratched if you drag something hard and heavy across it. If you buy something nice, you need to take care of it. If you want a counter top that you can slam down your pots and pans on, then better stick with synthetic materials. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/36 "2009-10-19T21:18:22Z")
Nobody answered my question about these real estate markets where houses with kitchens that are more than five years old are shunned by homebuyers. ☹ Anyhow, from what I’m reading, it seems like kitchens tend to get dated fast in the eyes of homeowners and homebuyers. If I wanted to build a timeless kitchen, something that wouldn’t seem dated or scream “OH MY GOD THAT IS SO LATE 2000s” in 2040, how should it be appointed? Or … is it even possible? ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/37 "2009-10-20T04:49:55Z")
It’s probably not trendy, but my favourite kitchen flooring is sealed cork. Easy to clean, and you can drop a glass on it without it breaking. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/38 "2009-10-20T04:56:55Z")
> [@LiveOnAPlane](#): > > Oh, any recommendations or experiences with kitchen flooring? Wood versus tile, for instance? Can’t seem to decide what we might want there. I find tile much easier to keep clean than wood, it’s the reason most Spanish homes have wood (or parquet) in the bedrooms and living room but tile in the bathrooms, kitchen and hallway. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/39 "2009-10-20T05:12:31Z")
I had hard wood floors in a kitchen - hated it, for the reasons listed above (couldn’t get wet). I currently have tile countertops and I loathe them. I hate scrubbing grout and they never seem clean. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021/40 "2009-10-20T17:34:42Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Ya mean like the [one](http://www.frigidaire.com/products/kitchen-appliances/refrigerators/fprh17d7kf) (w matching freezer and four extra shelves, for less than $2,000 including a 300 mile trip from purchase point to delivery site) I have in my kitchen? > > CMC fnord! Yeah! That’s exactly what I mean. Thank you so much, I didn’t know they made them; it’s certainly worth looking at/thinking about. Appeciated. And um…looks like hardwood floors are not what I want. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trends-in-kitchens-your-opinion-on-next-big-thing/514021.md?page=3)