Your kitchen is the heart of your home. Families come together for meals, celebrations and daily bonding time. You want your kitchen to be a warm and inviting space.There was a time when upgraded countertops and appliances were perks, but they have become the norm in kitchen design. So how do you make your kitchen stand out, when most kitchens look a little like gourmet kitchens? Here are some design trends that are breaking out as we head into 2016.

· White, grey or mixed color palate cabinets – White cabinets have been pretty popular over the past few years, and they continue to be, as the highest selling cabinets of today. But according to HGTV, kitchen manufacturers contest that grey is the new breakout shade in kitchen cabinet design. Paint your cabinets a soft grey to give your kitchen a modern feel. Another trend that’s emerging in kitchen cabinets is combining cabinet colors, where some cabinets are white or grey while others are traditional stained wood.

· New functionality in cabinets – Hardware manufacturers, like Blum, are changing the look and the way cabinet doors and drawers function. In kitchens where space is an issue, hydraulic, easy close doors that fold up and out of the way at the touch of a button are game changers.

· Brightly colored sinks – Gone are the days of boring old stainless steel or white sinks. With the neutral color palates of today’s kitchens, you can add in a pop of color with your sink and capture the same element of color in your backsplash to offer some visual interest.

· Black and white design palette – Black and white design has been seen in many iterations over the years, making it both classic and contemporary. You can juxtapose white cabinetry and walls with black appliances and granite countertops for great visual contrast.

· Bold light fixtures – Adding large, bold light fixtures is a budget-friendly way to spice up your space. Choose fixtures that really speak to your personal sense of style, and don’t be afraid if they look a little large for the space. Much like adding a pop of color, adding one or two oversized fixtures will add visual interest to the trendy, muted palates of kitchen design today.

· Leverage technology – Today you can even automate your kitchen. You can install a hands-free faucet, motion sensor lights or even a meat thermometer that alerts your smartphone when your dinner is fully cooked. Don’t rely purely on design and count functionality out when you’re designing your dream kitchen. Think about what will make your life easier, and you can almost guarantee there’s a gadget out there to help.

· Maximize storage – If you have stacks of plastic storage containers (that never seem to have just the right lid), you need freshly designed storage solutions. You can get great additions, from designers like Hafele, like multi-tiered drawers to help maximize your storage space.

If you’re confused by all the options out there and are trying to sell your home, it’s best to consult with a professional stager. Jacobson Realty and Home Staging is here to help you decide what will really stand out. If you’re buying a home, we can talk about kitchen and other options that could really affect your decisions. Call us at (703) 338-9678 or (703) 753-0125.

We at Jacobson Realty and Home Staging have our finger on the pulse of the community! Join us when The Manassas Chorale presents the “Princesses and Pirates” Fall Concert. Hear your favorite Disney princess tunes and rollicking songs of the sea performed by the Chorale, Ensemble and soloists, and meet special guests in the lobby after the show! The performance will take place Friday, October 2, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. See you there!