Nearly two-thirds of homeowners spend more than three hours a day in their kitchens, nearly 60 percent of more than 2400 surveyed recently according to Houzz. The kitchen as we know it is becoming the most utilized space in the home, serving multiple purposes, incorporating numerous features and high-tech appliances that serve this ‘living space’ well.

No longer a purely task oriented functional place for food prep and storage the new super kitchen is being designed and renovated to accommodate dining, entertaining, work space, reading and television viewing. A true social interior space that openly flows into the other living spaces within the house and flowing seamlessly to the exterior space.

The new super kitchen is being equipped with design elements that once only graced more formal spaces in the home. From chandeliers, upscaled furnishings, custom-made cabinetry, wood flooring, built-in stations for coffee and tea, refrigerator drawers and components that allow you to customize the placement that suit your lifestyle and season of life.

Many of those surveyed (21 percent) also took the opportunity to choose a new transitional style for their kitchen with contemporary style a close third.

The most popular layout for those updating their kitchens is the U-shaped followed by the L-shaped, both of which lend themselves to open floor plans that can incorporate accessible design.

Understandably, neutral colors remain popular for kitchens. Houzz found that shades of beige, gray and white were top choices for updated walls, white and medium-light wood are still trending for cabinets. Multiple colors for counter tops or single color white or black are still popular choices for updating counters.

Super kitchens are equipped with high-tech features such as color touchscreen displays, appliances with built-in apps and wireless controls.

There are so many kitchen options available today, more homeowners hired professionals in 2015 and I expect to see an increase in this trend for 2016. It’s been found in previous surveys that we live with our kitchens for 15 – 20 years and until we get to the point that we can no longer stand the old one, we are not motivated to renovate, according to Houzz. So, hiring a professional could end up being the wisest choice of your kitchen update!

Please visit Houzz to view the full Emergence of the Super Kitchen survey or the Classic Kitchen update tailored for entertaining.