Out with the new, in with the old? When it comes to kitchen and bath trends, Valley folks renovating their homes are selecting a mix of traditional and contemporary features. The result is equal parts nostalgic and modern — old-time charm that requires little to no cleaning or maintenance.
Quartz countertops are popular among those looking to renovate their kitchens, according to Daniel Davis of RK Miles in West Hatfield.
“Quartz is most popular,” Davis said. “Because of the society we live in, people are looking for something that requires no care. Its easy to clean.”
Davis said quartz countertops cost about the same as granite countertops, or even cost a bit more. Quartz is a man-made material. The advantage is that quartz countertops do not need to be sealed the way granite countertops do. Even then, granite remains susceptible to stains from things like red wine and grape juice.
Color-wise, consumers are opting for light-colored countertops, Davis said. Many like the look of Correia marble, but want to invest in something more durable, Davis said. To fill that need, distributors have created a white quartz countertop with a gray vein running through it to give it that sought-after marble look.
Bathroom renovations
There are two ways to renovate a bathroom, according to Frank Webb’s Bath Center Showroom Manager Wendy Zepke. To completely gut and renovate a master bathroom, the cost is around $8,000 to $10,000, Zepke said. That includes a walk-in shower, a free-standing bathtub, a new vanity and all the necessary fixtures.
But for $2,000 to $3,000, homeowners can still make a drastic change in their bathrooms, according to Zepke. A quick renovation, with a new toilet, vanity and some fresh fixtures, can really make a difference, Zepke said. It’s all about the accessories, she added.
“Accessories are like jewelry, they really spruce things up,” Zepke said.
And those free-standing bathtubs are all the rage, Zepke said. Instead of installing a traditional shower and bathtub unit, homeowners are opting for a free-standing tub and a walk-in shower for their master bathrooms. As long as the homeowner has enough room in their bathroom, the installation is simple, Zepke said. Free-standing tubs do not weigh more than traditional tubs. The tubs cost around $1,200.
For the shower, Zepke recommends the Grohe Eurporia shower system. The product features two shower heads and control valves connected in one sleek unit, rather than a separate piece of hardware to control water temperature and pressure. The system costs $929, she said. She recommends every homeowner get a detachable shower head to make cleaning the shower easier.
To make cleaning a breeze, Zepke recommends the new Utile by Maax for shower walls. The ceramic tile patterns come in an array of colors and are easy to maintain, she said.
Homeowners are using websites like Pinterest and Houzz to find renovation inspiration. Houzz allows users to log in with their email address or Facebook profile to browse photos, products and even contractors in their area. Users can discover design ideas or even shop on the website. Both are popular among Valley folks, Davis said.
Homeowners are choosing under-mount stainless steel sinks for their kitchens. The traditional sink is easy to install and fits nicely in smaller kitchens, which are prevalent around the Valley, Davis said.
For those who have the space, farmhouse sinks are another option. The big-basin design often features an apron-front. It requires more work, Zepke said, because the front-mount sinks weigh more and entail a different installation process. A farmhouse sink costs around $1,800, Davis said, while an under-mount stainless steel sink costs around $450.
Zepke added that single-handle pull down faucets are popular for kitchen sinks. Delta offers a faucet with touch technology that costs around $400. The faucet is sensor-activated and allows users to turn it on and off with the back of their hand.
“Its good for when you’re cooking or cleaning, your hands are dirty, maybe you have chicken,” Zepke said, demonstrating how a simple tap of the faucet can turn the water on and off. The sink is controlled by a small pack of batteries stored in the cabinet below.
Bathroom sinks with retro-inspired cross handles are popular, Zepke said, especially with chrome and nickel finishes.
“Chrome is classic. It never goes out of style,” Zepke said.
Styles for kitchen cabinets are trending on the simple side, Davis said. Folks are looking for classic door styles that are easy to clean because they do not have much molding.
“They’re looking for clean and simple. No nooks and crannies,” Davis said. “They’re looking for a Shaker-style door.”
As far as colors go, Davis said soft grays, earth tones are popular paint choices. White is always in, he added.
There seems to be a departure from traditional cabinetry, Davis said. Homeowners are opting to install drawers under their counters instead of traditional cabinets for ease of access. Additionally, open shelving above countertops in place of cabinets is also popular.
“It’s that open look,” Davis said.
In the bathroom, vanities with cabinetry and drawers are popular, Zepke said. Homeowners are opting for styles that reach all the way to the floor so they do not have to clean underneath them, she said.
Kitchen flooring is trending away from tile, Davis said, and toward hardwood. Calling it “the old standby,” Davis said hardwood is becoming big again. Tile was big for a while, and still is, but people are choosing hardwood and worrying less about the way it can look worn after a while. The kitchen floor will get some scuff marks over the years no matter what, Davis said.
Stephanie Murray can be reached at stephaniemur@umass.edu