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4 NARI Milwaukee Home Connection • Conley Media • May 2021 Kitchens remain among the top picks for home- owners looking to upgrade their homes because their functional contributions to the household can't be overstated and they typical- ly provide a good return on investment. Tracy Grosspietsch, Director of Design and Sales with AB&K Bath & Kitchen and a member of NARI Milwaukee, weighs in on the changes that are "making the grade" these days. Bigger functional space Not only do many kitchen renovations result in added square footage, they also add practical features to make living and entertaining more comfortable and enjoyable. When it comes to physical space, a popular choice is removing or relocating walls to make the room larger. This 'found' space can be instrumental in adding an island or peninsula for seating, which many homeowners view as a necessity when it comes to entertaining. Other features like icemakers, tall wine refrigerators and walk-in pantries are high on the wish list. "We're also removing the old planning desk because it really was just a junk collector," says Grosspietsch. "We're using the space for inter- esting storage solutions or we're adding a wet bar or beverage center." Another growing trend is a kitchen designed for two cooks. This typically entails a second food preparation area with a second full-size or auxiliary sink in an island, microwave drawers, warming ovens and double ovens. "Dual islands are definitely popular these days," says Grosspietsch. "You have a 'hot zone' island where the cooking and food preparation is done and then a second one for entertaining, which often includes a beverage refrigerator and a countertop overhang for seating. It's a way to have everyone in the kitchen without being on top of one another." Clever storage Making the most of storage space has always been a top desire, and homeowners are getting increasingly clever about how to maximize their cabinetry. Drawer organizers are in high demand, along with pull-out waste baskets that hide recycling bins within. Another popular approach is large base cabinets with pivoting shelving mechanisms for storing large items like mixers and other taller countertop appliances. "We've been adding larger cabinets that sit on the countertop to provide both general and specialty storage," says Grosspietsch. "For example, the cabinet can house a baking center with all the appliances and supplies that are regularly needed. The cabinet keeps everything organized, hidden and within easy reach." Making use of every inch of space is common. For some, even the toe-kick area for drawers are proving useful to hold smaller items or put kid-friendly essentials in easy reach. Feature-rich appliances Appliance manufacturers are adding all kinds of bells and whistles, and those features are increasingly attractive to homeowners. Upper-end appliances are becoming more main- stream as homeowners discover features the more expensive models offer for ease of use and comfort. Larger freezer and column-style refrigerators are especially growing in populari- ty. "Appliances that are blue toothed enabled and synched to the homeowners' cell phones are definitely popular," adds Grosspietsch. Kitchen color coming back While an all-white kitchen is still popular, more homeowners are going their own way and choosing colors and finishes that appeal to them. Kitchen designers say they are mixing and matching up to three different colors or finish- es. For example, the base cabinets might be painted grey, the wall cabinets could be white and a tall pantry cupboard could be a stained wood finish. "A white kitchen is a lot of pressure to keep pristine because white shows everything," says Grosspietsch. "We're seeing fun and adventur- ous color combinations like navy, gold and tan. Today's homeowners are more focused on their own style and likes instead of conforming to a pre-set design aesthetic." For more kitchen remodeling ideas and insight, visit the NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show, May 21-23, at State Fair Park. Show information is available at narimilwaukeehomeshow.com or by calling 414-771-4071. On-Trend Kitchen Upgrades Kitchen by AB&K Bath & Kitchen, NARI Milwaukee Remodeler of the Year Residential Kitchen $60,001 to $100,000 Gold Award Winner Kitchen by GMH Construction, NARI Milwaukee Remodeler of the Year Residential Kitchen over $150,000 Silver Award Winner Kitchen by Gabor Design Build, LLC, NARI Milwaukee Remodeler of the Year Residential Kitchen $60,001 to $100,000 Gold Award Winner