Keep storage out of sight: this island's back panels pop open to reveal maximum storage capacity that stays hidden from guests[/caption]
Gone are the days when the kitchen island was a glorified bar cart. With the domination of open concept homes, islands have shifted from cute accessory to major kitchen workhorse. Traditional kitchens, typically U-shaped or galley-style, provide ample wall space for sinks, appliances, and storage. But open-concept homes often work with as little as a single wall, so the kitchen island has evolved into something much more complex than a butcher block centerpiece with flowers.
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This island includes a warming drawer, apron-front sink, dishwasher, ample storage, and seating for five![/caption]
Think storage on all sides, prep and full sinks, dishwashers, and more. This trend is hot for its statement value (who doesn’t love an island the size of a small bus?), but its practicality and function are what we predict will propel it even further in 2016.
Mixed Materials in Kitchen [caption id="attachment_2344" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Go bold: try this combo of high-gloss acrylic and textured melamine in a blend of mushroom gray and eggplant[/caption] Punctuating a kitchen with a colorful island has long been a way to jazz up your space. But 2016 is the year to experiment with everything from mixing countertop materials to two-tone upper and lower cabinets. We are obsessed with the European staple of blending glossy acrylic with textured melamine. [caption id="attachment_2345" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Try sampling a new color by accenting a spot of cabinetry in your kitchen[/caption] If you’re not ready to plunge into such drastic change, consider highlighting your range with a different stain/paint/glaze. Outdoor Living [caption id="attachment_2373" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Frame a beautiful view by adding a pergola or open porch over your patio[/caption] One upon a time, ‘outdoor living’ was a term that applied only to extravagant homes. Think three-tiered decks over Olympic-sized pools and rows of rattan lounging chairs. Not anymore. Outdoor living is something even the tiniest postage-stamp yard can take advantage of, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Consider sprucing up a simple fire pit by adding a stamped concrete patio around it. 
Abandon awkward crowding around the TV at parties—string outdoor lights under a tree and invest in some comfortable indoor/outdoor seating underneath. Get away from your screens and enjoy the entertaining space you forgot you had! Return of the Formal Dining Room 
Maybe it’s a revolt against our constant digital connection, but we are seeing formal dining spaces come back in a huge way. Spaces that were once remodeled into offices and guest rooms are returning to their roots of a place for family to gather over the table. This doesn’t necessarily mean the dining room is cut off from the home – open concept is going nowhere for now – but a popular hybrid is emerging that brings the dining space out of the kitchen and into its own area. Sunrooms 
We work all over the globe, but our hub of activity is nestled firmly in the heart of the Midwest. And here, we get every season in the extreme. The summers are scorching, the winters bone-cold. Because of this, we have learned the all-encompassing goodness of the sunroom. And it appears that in 2016, sunrooms will be even hotter (or cooler?) than ever before. 
Need extra inspiration? Hope over to our Houzz and see more![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]