DECOR : Kitchen Develops Into Living Space

It takes more than a crystal ball to forecast what the future will bring to our kitchens.

Here are the trends kitchen design manufacturers and experts in the field say will last well into the future:

* Personal style is in. Copycat style is out. Homeowners will be less apt to pick “in” colors and fixtures and be more likely to surround themselves with the things they love. The definition of what should be in the kitchen will also be stretched. Surprising additions, such as overstuffed chairs and prized collections, will change cooking space into living space.

* Materials will also show a penchant for mix and match, with ease of care being the main selection factor. Easy maintenance doesn’t mean sacrifice of style. Technological improvements, such as polyester finishes for wood floors and grout additives for countertops, will enable homeowners to have the look they like without the headache.

* Functional design is in. Glitz is out. It’s back to the basics in making design decisions that determine how a kitchen works. The layout has to be functional for the family, whether it’s one cook making a snack, or a clan of cooks making a weekend meal. Homeowners are looking for more value for their dollar, so kitchens will be sized to offer only what is really needed--and no more. We’ll never go back to the shoe-box kitchens of the ‘50s, but neither will we purchase oversized, overdone ones.

* Most cooks prefer to be a part of the action, so open floor plans--with some attention to noise control--will remain popular.

* Island kitchens are the shape of choice. In most plans, islands separate the kitchen work core from the living area, provide an additional work surface and offer eating room. If space is a constraint, a peninsula often fills in for an island.

* When it comes to major appliances, mix and match are the key words. Look for more mixing of fuel sources, such as gas and electric for cooktops and convection, microwave and conventional capabilities all in one oven.

* Clutter is out. Hectic schedules have encouraged homeowners to clean up and clear out. Lack of time has also encouraged homeowners to store personal collections behind glass to reduce the dust.

* Quality is in. Throwaways are out. We’ve seen the price we pay in overloaded landfills and the depletion of natural resources. The time is right to reuse, renew and rethink--and to wait until we can afford quality products that last.