Tour highlights what's cooking in kitchens and baths

The housing market isn't generating a lot of excitement, but there's plenty of buzz about kitchens and bathrooms, the two most remodeled rooms in the house. This weekend, the ASID Kitchen and Bath Tour will showcase the latest designs, new materials and fresh colors in 15 remodeling projects around the Twin Cities. This year, the annual tour will offer ideas on how to make those spaces one-of-a-kind.

"More people are into personalizing their kitchens and bathrooms," said designer Lisa Peck, owner of Lilu Interiors in Minneapolis. "They're combining unique materials, products and looks for something unexpected."

Here are some of the trends you'll see at the show:

Beyond granite. Quartz countertops and islands, available in an array of calming colors and patterns, are gaining ground on granite. Other up-and-coming alternatives include soapstone and recycled glass.

Built-ins are back. Space-saving, built-in wood banquettes, a staple of the 1950s, are staging a comeback. "They add charm and kids love them," said Rita Larson, co-owner of Larson Design Build in Edina.

Backsplash fever. "People are being more creative with backsplashes," said designer Jackie Millea of Shelter Architecture. "We're seeing colorful mosaic glass tiles to handmade stone."

Smart storage. Roll-out shelves, pull-out drawers, tip-out trays and classic Lazy Susans put everything from kitchen gadgets to pots and pans within easy reach. "I won't design a kitchen without a pull-out recycling bin," said Larson.

Single sinks. Instead of sinks with divided compartments, "people are choosing deep single-bowl sinks," said Millea. "It's a cleaner, more modern look and you can fit a chopping board on top of it."

Cooking green. More kitchens are being outfitted with low-flow faucets, LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, recycling centers and zero-VOC paint.

Hardwood rules. "It's the most popular flooring because it adds warmth and creates a unified feeling throughout the main level," said Millea.

Home spas. "Spa-like master bathrooms are still strong," said Peck of Lilu Interiors. "People want a calming retreat from the world." Must-have amenities include showers with multiple body sprays, deep-soaking tubs and heated towel racks and floors.

Streamlined furniture. Freestanding vanities with furniture-like looks have been around for a while. Now, they're losing some embellishments and becoming more streamlined.

Going for gold. Gold is back in bathroom fashion, but not in the shiny finishes of the 1980s and '90s. Think lustrous matte gold instead.

Water savers. Once considered upgrades, low-flow faucets, shower heads and toilets have become standard in most remodeled bathrooms.

Powder rooms that pop. Look for more "statement" decor in the powder room, including hammered metal sinks, concrete countertops and illuminated floating vanities. "Think outside the box in terms of materials," said Michelle Byers, co-owner of Structural Dimensions in Minnetonka.

Lynn Underwood • 612-673-7619