As a new year begins, resolutions have given rise to home renovation projects in a number of households. These plans often include remodeling an existing kitchen or building out a new one from scratch. Since this is generally a major undertaking, it’s well worth the trouble to make sure you’re adequately prepared. When you are, the return on investment, as well as the satisfaction of having created something beautiful and durable, couldn’t be more rewarding. To this end, Cuisines Verdun is pleased to present an overview of the kitchen trends for 2023.
After an absence of several years, the butler pantry has made a comeback. For 2023, it’s the undisputed star of many a kitchen project. But what exactly is a butler pantry?
A butler pantry (which some designers also call a “scullery”) is a small transitional area. It’s a custom-built room that serves as a bridge between the kitchen and the dining room. In any case, a butler pantry always aims to be functional, practical and esthetically pleasing. It’s a service and storage area, a sideboard and a place to prepare side dishes. In this sense, it differs from a traditional walk-in pantry.
A butler pantry is fully furnished in keeping with the style and color scheme of the kitchen. It even features the same finishing materials. Discreet and set back, this passageway is, nevertheless, classy. You can say goodbye to the old corner pantry, where the unsightly contents, foods and small appliances are all in plain view. In 2023, while the kitchen is more streamlined, the storage space is now warm and inviting.
However, thanks to countertops, drawers, cabinets and pullout shelving, the butler pantry is also functional and ergonomic. It’s a great place to prepare tea, toast and snacks, as everything is within easy reach. Even so, you can conceal everything (the microwave, the toaster, etc.), except for your splendid espresso machine and a few decorative items.
If your kitchen is too small to accommodate a proper butler pantry, one appealing alternative is to install a system of sliding or folding doors in order to create a new, attractive coffee bar and storage area.
It’s already a well-established fact that families and all those who enjoy preparing tasty little dishes appreciate modern kitchen technology. And in 2023, manufacturers will continue offering high-performance products and appliances. The kitchen designers at Cuisines Verdun are current with all the latest innovations in the field and can integrate them into their designs in order to make your kitchen hyper-functional.
You won’t have to sacrifice your personal tastes, either, as these high-tech gadgets are more compatible than ever with numerous different styles and types of kitchens. For example, we’re talking about things like cooktops, built-in or retractable hoods, smart refrigerators with touchscreens, drawer dishwashers, integrated USB ports, double ovens (built-in and connected) and super automatic espresso machines.
These days, creating or renovating a kitchen brings with it the ability to choose advanced equipment, storage solutions and accessories that make the room more suitable than ever for its purpose.
In Quebec, as in other lands where the winters are long and harsh, it’s important to have an interior layout that’s warm and welcoming, with rooms that are pleasant places to spend your time. In this regard, kitchens with Scandinavian- and Japanese-inspired designs have come a long way and continue to distinguish themselves in 2023. Cuisines Verdun has built a solid reputation for creating kitchens in which the decoration expresses and promotes peace and quiet.
We can sum up Scandinavian style as understated and comfortable, without excess. The furnishings are sleek and the colors are soothing. This esthetic, which comes from Sweden, Denmark and Norway, isn’t stark or cold; it’s simplified. It focuses heavily on natural light, which is enhanced by the presence of pale wood. The walls are white, and the appliances are unobtrusive.
This “Scandi” style is particularly suitable for small homes whose rooms, including the kitchen, must be as ergonomic as possible without venturing into the realm of Spartan functionality. The Scandinavians have a word to describe this type of cozy ambience they’re so fond of: hygge. This cocoon-like atmosphere is reflected in spaces that are beautiful, familiar and simple, where they love to take refuge. Despite the emphasis on practical aspects, these cozy arrangements bring about a sense of peaceful contentment. In short, there’s nothing overpowering, overwhelming or overstimulating in these kitchens. Instead, they allow one to live at a more leisurely pace, with a positive attitude.Contact with nature, a view of the city and abundant daylight… These features are the bread and butter of Scandinavian designers. This explains their preference for large windows that are optimized in accordance with the room. In Quebec, door and window manufacturers have gained extensive experience on this front. Doors and windows no longer mean significant heat loss. The renovation consultants and experts at Portes et Fenêtres Verdun can guide you toward the best solutions when it comes to your Scandinavian-style kitchen project.
Another type of décor that creates a relaxing ambience in a kitchen is “Japandi” style, in which Scandi style meets Japan! While there’s an emphasis on simple functionality, the spaces feature contrasting elements (cabinets and furnishings). However, everything remains streamlined (or even minimalist) and balanced, reflecting a discreet rustic Japanese esthetic.
This style favors illumination (especially natural light), with wide, unadorned bay windows, while the overall atmosphere is airy, though somewhat more subdued. Japandi style shuns excess and weightiness, focusing instead on quality, authenticity and artisanship. As a result, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Every kitchen is like a unique work of art. The blend of colors and choice of materials work together to create a look that’s understated yet distinctive.
A Japandi-style kitchen leaves nothing to chance. You have to know how to mete out the materials: the wood should demarcate and round off the features, rather than covering everything. You can use a smattering of rattan, wicker or linen to add a touch of warmth. The forthright colors and hues (e.g. terracotta, pine and charcoal) highlight or underscore the forms with a hint of boldness, but nothing that assaults the eye. A Japandi design should ideally elicit a sense of calm and continuity.
The materials used occupy an important place in any kitchen. They help enhance the style and increase the functionality of each element. At Cuisines Verdun, we always select our materials based on their beauty and quality.
Our designers don’t anticipate the penchant for natural materials to end in 2023. On the contrary! Ceramic tile and slabs of stone (granite and marble) remain very attractive options.
For flooring and backsplashes, ceramic tiles, which can be of varying dimensions and shapes (octagonal, hexagonal, rectangular, etc.), depending on their placement, are an integral part of today’s new kitchens. Featuring pale or contrasting hues and often unfinished, they can easily pass for completely natural materials.
For a chic appearance, marble remains a great choice. Note that, these days, the tendency is to select marble with a greater abundance of bold, predominant veins. The same goes for granite, which we source locally. In a pale, understated, monochromatic kitchen, an island, backsplash and counter featuring well-veined materials can serve as a visually appealing accent.
Current trends call for veining and marbling in shades of green, cream, brown, rust and black. Finding the appropriate stone and design for your kitchen counters is no easy matter. So don’t hesitate to ask the designers at Cuisines Verdun for advice! Our specialists know all the best products on the market, as well as the most reputable Canadian and Quebec-based manufacturers.
For 2023, quartz continues to occupy a privileged place. Why? First, because there’s a trend toward the use of materials related to or directly derived from nature. Next, because quartz offers the distinct advantage of being available in a multitude of colors, finishes, thicknesses and more.
For countertops and work surfaces, this stone offers nothing but advantages. Well-manufactured quartz is antibacterial, solid, durable and easy to maintain. At the same time, it’s beautiful to look at and can harmonize with virtually any style of kitchen.
Quartz also offers you excellent value for your money, making it a great choice for a wide array of projects.
Naturally, the wall surfaces play an important part in defining the desired style of any kitchen. In 2023, kitchens reveal their modernity in subtle ways through the use of natural colors and hues. To ensure maximum luminosity, shades of beige and light grey are the order of the day. If you opt for tone on tone, the result must be soothing, creating a Zen-like atmosphere. However, this doesn’t preclude the use of subtle accent colors. In this regard, olive green can add a beautiful sense of depth to your kitchen.
The same goes for blue, which is a staple in a good number of kitchens. The diversity of shades, including navy, indigo, turquoise and sky blue, are well worth exploring, always with the goal of achieving a natural effect.
When grey gives way little by little to beige, it appears to change and become warmer. Beige doesn’t necessarily have to be bland. Far from it! Colorists predict a good amount of subtlety and natural warmth in kitchens to come, with shades of ecru, sand, chestnut and taupe, in addition to golden and pinkish hues. Mixed greys, as well as brownish, even chocolate brown or caramel elements, can effectively break up the space. Gold-toned hardware is also welcome to join the party.
The trends for 2023 eschew synthetic materials when it comes to flooring. In the Scandi/Japandi movement, restraint is the objective. This type of esthetic minimalism that, nevertheless, reflects good taste, means that the floors should highlight the rest of the décor or at least blend in with it! They should also be resistant, durable and structurally sound. Light colored and uniform, they can be composed of wide tiles with a natural appearance.
When it comes to kitchen design, coherence is the name of the game in 2023. The esthetic is inspired by nature with an emphasis on protecting it, and the selection of materials is adapted to the overall context. The ecological, or at least eco-responsible, kitchen has certainly found its attire!
Whether in the creation of a new kitchen or the renovation of an existing one, going green is always the best option. This is made possible partly through the use of materials that are not only durable but also beautiful. These include wood, stone, metal, glass and even concrete, which will soon be produced more ecologically.
What’s more, thanks to new electronic and digital technologies, it’s now possible to equip your kitchen with appliances that are more efficient, less energy-intensive and even “smart.” Lighting and light bulbs have also benefitted from the latest technological advances. And they’ve done so without negatively affecting their form or style. Quite the opposite!
A well-renovated kitchen will increase the value of any home or condominium. This has been true for years and will still be true in 2023. That’s why it’s important to use high-quality materials and a coherent, harmonious design when remodeling your kitchen. Regardless of the style, an inspiring, practical kitchen will weather the years beautifully and can easily evolve.
Always having a game plan is another basic requirement. Improvisation on the kitchen renovation worksite will almost always lead to worse results from an esthetic viewpoint. Not to mention the extra expenses, which can add up quickly. That’s why it’s recommendable to ask for advice from experts in the field.
Furthermore, you should always set a ceiling when it comes to the cost of your renovations. Generally, you’ll base your maximum budget on the value of your home. A budget that’s between 6 and 15 percent of the value of your property is ideal. Outside of these limits, your renovation project risks being a poor investment from a purely financial standpoint.
At Cuisines Verdun, we offer all-inclusive service. Taking your budget and preferences into account, we’ll develop a high-quality project that’s practical and distinctive. We’ll take care of everything!
However, since more and more people are showing an interest in renovations and want to contribute to the creation of their new kitchens in a meaningful way, Cuisines Verdun also offers an à-la-carte support and guidance option for those who already have a contractor or those who wish to do the work themselves.
Depending on the type of guidance you choose, Cuisines Verdun may do any of the following:
Cuisines Verdun is your project partner!
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