Of all the rooms in your home the beloved kitchen is set apart in that it requires attention everyday from a very practical level from providing service to our dietary needs to satisfying our relational and emotional need for interaction, work and entertainment. This trend-happy portion of the house is consistently subjected to examination and study for ways to plan and equip it better every year by the experts in kitchen design.

Have you noticed that great design always makes sense because it takes into account the practical application and common-sense execution of function. The top trends presented in this article hopefully will have you nodding your head in agreement; these trends move beyond beauty and the latest technological advances to common sense and investment worthy kitchen add-ons.

Kitchen Styles  Good design makes sense when it complements our personal style and the three leading kitchen styles are transitional, farmhouse and contemporary according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

Kitchen Lay-out Homeowners and new home construction are moving away from the more traditional U-shaped kitchen layout toward an L-shape.

Kitchen Built-In Storage Cleaner lines with less countertop clutter are driving the trend for built-in cabinet storage and organizers according to the U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Kitchen cabinet manufacturers and are answering the call with personalized drawer and cabinet systems that can be specified to meet your every need. I love this trend.

Kitchen Countertops Surpassing granite, engineered quartz is now the most popular material for countertops according homeowners surveyed who recently planned or completed a kitchen renovation project according to Houzz. Upgrading countertops is the most common update in kitchen renovations.

Kitchen Technology Electronic integration is no stranger to modern kitchen appliances with high-tech features. Ever evolving smart features force us to investigate the best combination that complement our season of life while taking into account the efficiencies that enhance our in-home experience.

Kitchen Color Trends The popular desire for clean, simple and de-cluttered lines in kitchens favor a white color palette for back splashes, countertops and wall finishes. Up from 30 percent last year to 36 percent this year, white is in, just find your white.

Kitchen Floor Hardwood is still the most popular flooring material with engineered wood and laminate growing in popularity.

Kitchen Cabinet We see them everywhere because their transitional style is so appealing; the Shaker style cabinetry with its recessed center panel offers a clean, crisp look that simply works. Preferred by 57 percent of homeowners surveyed keeps it on the preferred list. Also, soft-close cabinetry features are becoming standard.

Kitchen Fixture and Facet Easy to clean deep sinks with pull down kitchen faucets with high arcs are still number one in demand according to Kitchen and Bath Design News. Hands-free and motion sensor faucets are also becoming a more practical upgrade for those concerned about maintaining a germ-free kitchen. For workstations or task zones in the kitchen a second sink is also a strong trend. Speaking of kitchen sinks, the top styles are under-mount sinks (92%), single bowl (81%) and stainless steel as the most popular sink material (84%).

Kitchen Lighting Although under-cabinet lighting has been a popular trend for years, a growing interest for lighting inside the cabinetry to improve visibility and access for those not-to-often used appliances and serving pieces will continue to rise in popularity.

Larger kitchens offering multiple task, work and entertainment zones are here to stay and technology will continue to improve its offerings for the most popular room in the house!