Kitchen trends for 2010

Make mine vanilla, with a cherry on top.

That's the word on kitchens for 2010 -- white and off-white paint, with cherry as the most popular cabinetry wood.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association recently surveyed designers around the country about trends for the new year.

Designers reported that homeowners, influenced by the challenging economy, are playing it conservative with traditional flooring, cabinetry and colors.

"I think what we know is what makes us feel safest," said Marvin Daniel, president of Kitchen Designworks in Henrico County. "Contemporary has always meant going out on a limb a little bit."

White and off-white walls or cabinets "are where everybody goes to feel safe and secure," he said. "Cherry wood is as warm as it gets in America."

Wood flooring has overtaken tile. "You can't give anything cold away right now," Daniel said.

David Raber, senior designer and project manager for Classic Kitchens of Virginia in Goochland County, said the projections largely represent the status quo in Richmond-area tastes, although there is more diversity in the market than in past decades.

Clients have become more knowledgeable through the Internet, home TV shows and shelter magazines.

"They want to have it be unique," Raber said. "There is a huge emphasis on a high level of personalization."

Following are some kitchen trends designers expect to see in 2010:

•Traditional will continue as the most popular design style, with contemporary second and Shaker style experiencing a strong resurgence. Shades of white and off-white will be the most common colors along with brown, beige and bone hues.

•Cherry will remain the most popular cabinetry wood followed closely by maple, walnut and mahogany. Medium natural, dark natural, glazed and white painted finishes will be common. Other colors and distressed finishes are out of vogue.

•Ceramic, porcelain tile and natural-stone tile will lag behind hardwood flooring.

•Granite countertops will continue to be most popular, but quartz is catching up. For backsplashes, ceramic tile, porcelain tile and glass will be hot materials.

•Pull-out faucets, although not new, continue to increase their market dominance. Pot-filler faucets are becoming more prevalent. Brushed-nickel faucets, knobs, pulls and hinges continue to be popular, although Daniel said brass is making a comeback. "We couldn't give brass away for years," he said.

•French door and freezer-bottom refrigerators will be the best-selling models with side-by-sides still popular. Under-counter refrigerator drawers and wine chillers will show up in high-end designs.

•The range will continue as the cooking workhorse, although the combination of cooktop and wall oven is beginning to overtake it. Gas will maintain its dominance over electric, although induction cooking continues to gain in popularity for its energy efficiency. An increasing number of dishwasher drawers will be installed this year for their convenience and ability to wash small loads, thereby saving water and electricity.