Home Kitchen Design Trends

The home kitchen is no longer just a place to cook and eat, but has become a focal point of the home, where families gather, entertain, and create memories. As such, kitchen design trends are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs and tastes of homeowners. Here are the top trends in home kitchen design for 2023:

1. Open-Concept Layouts: Open-concept kitchens are becoming increasingly popular, as they allow for easy interaction with other areas of the home and create a sense of spaciousness. This trend includes the removal of walls between the kitchen and other living spaces, such as the living room or dining room.

2. Minimalist Design: Minimalism is a key trend in kitchen design, characterized by clean lines, simple shapes, and a lack of ornamentation. This style is perfect for those who want a sleek and modern look, without the clutter.

3. Textured Finishes: Textured finishes, such as concrete, wood, and stone, are becoming increasingly popular in kitchen design. These finishes add depth and interest to the space, and can be used to create a natural, rustic feel, or a modern, industrial look.

4. Smart Technology: Smart technology is rapidly advancing and making its way into the kitchen. Homeowners are now able to control their appliances, lighting, and even their kitchen's temperature through their smartphones or voice commands.

5. Sustainable Materials: Homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their choices and are choosing kitchen materials and appliances that are more sustainable. This includes the use of reclaimed wood, low-VOC paint, and energy-efficient appliances.

6. Multi-functional spaces: Multi-functional spaces are becoming more popular in kitchens. This includes the incorporation of a home office, a coffee bar, or a wine bar, into the kitchen design.

In conclusion, the kitchen is no longer just a functional space, but a place where design and functionality meet. The above trends are just a few of the ways that homeowners are choosing to personalize and upgrade their kitchens in 2023. As always, it's important to choose a design that aligns with your personal style, and meets your functional needs.

Don’t miss this hidden gem: The Chesapeake Arboretum.

Chesapeake is a realatively new area that has been developed a lot over the past few decades. Now it is one of Hampton Roads quietest and most sought out areas to live in. New commercial and residential areas are popping all over the city resulting in a rich job and housing market today. Chesapeake offers new homeowners the gifts of a quiet suburban life with plenty of local market places as well as plenty of lovely scenic parks.

One of Chesapeakes hidden gems is the Chesapeake Arboretum that’s located in the heart of the city of Chesapeake and spans across 48-acres. The Arboretum is one of Virginia’s finest trail systems that takes visitors through a mature hardwood forest with a vast variety of tress and plants. It is often referred to as “Nature’s Classroom” because it promotes horticultural and environmental awareness through its displays, education and research. The initiative of the park is to highlight important ecological, historic, scenic and recreational lands across the state.  Thought the efforts of many volunteers the park is continuously updated to instruct, promote and embody a “green mindset.”

The park has many amenities that visitors can freely enjoy within the roughly 3 miles of hiking and walking trails such as; 11 bridges, gazebos and picnic areas. One attraction to look out for is the Caleb Williams Farm House which was first occupied by the Williamson family around 1844, but was built much earlier – probably the 1700’s, and most likely belonged to other branches of the Williamson family, namely the McCoys and Carsons. Another popular attraction is Camellia Cove which is a flower nursery which showcases many varieties of camellia flowers within an easy to follow walk-through trail. 

The Arboretum relies on local volunteer groups to keep the trails pristine and refurbish the amenities. Local urban forestry groups use the Arboretum as a training ground to show how green infrastructure can enhance the quality of life by offsetting the ecological effects of land development. Scouts, civic leagues, church groups and many others volunteer thousands of hours each year to keep the facility maintained for public use.