The sink-stove-refrigerator "triangle" is still the basis for many kitchen designs, experts say. But some designers say they plan multiple triangles.
"Because of the way people use the space, it's almost as if there's a cooking triangle, a prep triangle and a clean-up triangle," Gately says.
Brand-new homes and recently remodeled homes are also changing the placement of kitchens to be more centrally located and open. In some models, kitchens face family rooms or informal dining areas or incorporate kitchens into "great room" designs.
"That way you can talk to everyone from the kitchen," says Frederick, who got his start as a designer by rehabbing Canton rowhouses, where he would frequently move the kitchen to the center of the first floor.
Many new and remodeled kitchens in the area are starting to incorporate green - or environmentally sensitive - materials, according to local real estate agents, designers and remodelers.
Green features range from bamboo flooring to nontoxic paint. Other options include energy-efficient appliances, engineered-wood cabinets and recycled glass counters.
Best of all, Gately says, "These things are becoming more affordable." Some energy-efficient appliances may also provide tax credits.
But, says Anita Carrington, president of The Dovian Group, a Laurel-based real estate staging company, "be aware of how the materials are constructed."
If the bamboo flooring has to be replaced in a few years, for example, Carrington says, "it may not be as sustainable as you were hoping."
In general, the quality of the newer materials has improved in recent years. Some of the main cabinet and countertop manufacturers, for example, are offering green lines. Experts say it may make sense to incorporate one or two environmentally sensitive elements, rather than a total "green" overhaul.
If you're selling a house or aren't in a position to begin a major renovation, there are other simple updates you can make.
A portable kitchen island provides storage and additional work space at a fraction of the cost of a custom, built-in island. Just be sure there's enough room for the piece, because crowding furniture into a small kitchen will negate any of the positives, Carrington says.
Replacing an older, laminate countertop with a newer laminate that resembles granite or another stone is another inexpensive project that can have impressive results.
