Kitchens are the heart of every home and without appliances; a kitchen is simply not a kitchen. From durability to energy efficiency and aesthetics, appliances are one of the most important elements of the kitchen. Our Fort Collins clients have a lot to consider before choosing the appliances for their custom home or remodeling project. Below are just a few popular trends we are noticing throughout the area.

Paneled Appliances

Homes in Fort Collins are seeing a resurgence of both hidden and covered paneled appliances. Paneled appliances are when you can attach a panel that matches the rest of your cabinetry to the front of the unit to create a more seamless look in your kitchen. Integrating paneled appliances into your kitchen design allows you to “hide” those large units, such as refrigerators and dishwashers. “Our clients always face the dilemma of whether to incorporate paneled appliances or stick with stainless steel,” stated Heather Schreiner, General Manager and Interior Designer for ABD.

The advantages of paneled appliances vary based on client preferences. Blended to match custom cabinetry, your kitchen will be more visually appealing as well as traditional with paneled appliances. Panels also allow for less smudging and open the room up to make extra space.

Retro Design

Vintage styles are making a big comeback with the help of companies like Big Chill, which developed its Retro appliance line as a fresh take on the hot colors of the 1950s. In Fort Collins, we have worked with one client who chose to use a retro design in their kitchen. They worked with our local Big Chill Company to create a 1940s home with yellow appliances. You can currently buy retro fridges, ranges, microwaves and dishwashers in eight standard colors: Beach Blue, Pink Lemonade, Cherry Red, Buttercup Yellow, Jadite Green, Black, White and Orange.

Steam Ovens

“Our team is starting to see a little push with steam ovens,” Schreiner stated. Steam ovens cook food much faster than conventional ovens and help food retain its nutrients and flavor. Products like Wolf ovens combine steam and convection modes with a series of pre-set programmed recipes so that all you have to do is put the food in and the oven does the work of figuring out which modes to apply to get the best results. You can even tell the oven what time you want your dish to be ready, and it will turn on and adjust the cooking process as necessary to finish at exactly on time.

Tailored Appliances

Our clients range between wanting a modern remodel to wanting a complete custom home. It’s no surprise that most of the kitchens we build are tailored to specific wants and needs of our clients. Anything from countertop beer brewing to specialized refrigerators, our clients know what they want! One client in Shallow Pond wants to modernize their kitchen so the home was remodeled to have a 48-inch SubZero, transparent refrigerator. Another client requested to have a warming drawer in their kitchen. We love customizing kitchens for clients; the only limit is their budget!

There are tons of new trends making their way to Fort Collins. For more information on up-to-date trends and how we can help you remodel or customize your new home, contact us at abd-ltd.com.