The following five trends have been deemed as the most likely to succeed in 2019 by a group of experts in interior design. In this report, they took to showcase what the hottest trends are for 2019 kitchen remodeling, and which ones are most likely to add function and value to a home.

Smart Lighting

Smart technology is one of the fastest growing fields. Actually, according to Vivint, approximately half of renovators are introducing smart devices as they make upgrades to their homes. With so many smart devices available, homeowners have a lot to choose from.

According to experts, when it comes to the kitchen, smart lighting is the top trend within this category. Lighting within the kitchen is crucial to the design and the function of the space. Using smart lights, which can vary in color and brightness, and can be controlled via a tablet, can enhance the use of the room whether you’re cooking or entertaining. This makes smart lighting a good choice for homeowners looking for a first step into the smart home market.

Shaker or Slab Cabinets

^{Photo by Jose Soriano on Unsplash}

Cabinetry is an integral part of any kitchen design. It provides the necessary storage the kitchen needs, but it also sets the tone for the style of the room.

Experts felt that both the Shaker and the Slab cabinet door styles are hands down the most popular for 2019. Both of these styles fit in well with clean, minimal design, which is also rising in popularity. Shaker cabinets can also be more transitional, fitting in well with some Cottage styles as well.

Anyone looking to update their cabinets should also be aware that solid wood is the preferred material - outstripping all other options by a wide margin. Fresh, updated designs with real wood are sure to hold their value better long term, making this an investment that can pay off now or in the future.

Pendant Lights

All kitchens ideally need three types of lighting - ambient, accent, and task - to look and function at their best. Pendant lights were chosen as the most popular fixture to include in the kitchen, and with good reason; they can technically fit all three roles depending on how they are used and where they are placed.

Groups of pendants can provide ambient light for large areas, while single pendants centered over a peninsula or table can be an accent. Hang a pendant directly over a workstation, and now you have task lighting as well. With this versatility, it’s no wonder that pendant lights make the most sense for inclusion in the design.

Kitchen Island Layout

^{Photo by Rustic Vegan on Unsplash}

There are many ways to plan and layout a kitchen. When asked what was the most popular layout, a staggering 91% of experts agreed it’s the island kitchen. Islands aid in the function of the room, with most reporting that its main function is to bring additional counter space.

Islands also improve the working triangle of the kitchen, and add additional storage as well, making this one of the best additions that can be made to a space.

Natural Stone or Quartz Countertops

^{Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash}

Homeowners have more choices for countertop materials today than ever before. When it comes to the style of a countertop, most experts agree that the slab style is the most popular for kitchens. Slabs are a single piece of material, and of those available, granite takes first place, followed very closely by quartz. When questioned about their own choices, experts nearly unanimously agreed that they would install quartz in their own homes, making this one of the best choices for adding style and value to a home.

Pay Attention to What’s Popular

It’s important to track trends as they emerge and change, because these will show the direction of the industry and what most homebuyers are looking for in a home. If a homeowner needs to choose strategically when it comes to picking which features to include in their kitchens this year, these 5 top the list. Be sure to read the full report to know more about what’s popular in kitchen remodeling this 2019.