Check out the tricks designers use to keep the kitchen from grabbing all the attention in an open plan

With many of us choosing open-plan layouts in our homes, designers are finding ways to help our kitchens blend in. Opting for flat-front cabinets that fade into the walls, units that resemble period furniture, and walls that are lined with texture and artwork are just some of the tricks they use to create a kitchen that feels more like part of the living space than a functional room on its own.

A winning combination of metallic finishes can enhance kitchen styles from historical to contemporary

For those who love a matching look, the thought of mixing metals can be intimidating. But mixing metals is a wonderful way to layer in texture, help create a historical or collected look and make a room more interesting. Here are five reasons to consider mixing metals when choosing finishes for your kitchen.

We visited the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and found that many familiar kitchen features appear to be here to stay

If you’re looking for some insight into the coming kitchen trends for 2018 and beyond, or if you’re just looking for some fresh ideas to give your kitchen style an update, the recent Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Orlando, Florida, might offer some clues. My design team and I spotted plenty of great ideas there, and the following is a collection of some of our favorites. (If you’re looking for bathroom inspiration, check out some favorite bathroom ideas we also spotted at KBIS.)

A designer and his team hit the industry’s biggest show to spot bathroom ideas with lasting appeal

For some people, a winter vacation means relaxing on a beach in Florida. For me, a winter trip to Orlando means one thing: a visit to the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. My design team and I recently attended the show and spotted a number of beautiful home trends, many of which you can expect to last well beyond 2018. Here are some of my favorite bathroom design ideas from KBIS that you can apply to your home for fresh style. (For kitchen inspiration, check out our favorite kitchen ideas from KBIS.)

It’s a good starting point, but the true cost will depend on regional and other factors