No other area in the home is used more than the kitchen. This includes kids, guests and adults manhandling the cabinets, countertop and appliances more than almost any other features in the home except for the television remote control and front door handle. It is no wonder that kitchen remodeling is one of the most important decisions a home owner will make outside buying a home or vehicle. This where they spend a lot of time!

However, kitchen remodeling is not for the faint of heart. It ranks up there as one of the most expensive purchases you will make, and the time line is more than just a weekend. So besides the money outlay there is the question of what you will do for kitchen facilities while the contractor has your plumbing out of the wall. Therefore, it makes sense to not only get what you want but to make sure that if you sell the place in a few years the prospective buyers will like your choices.

Cabinets

Cabinets are the "curb appeal" of your kitchen. They are the first thing anyone sees when they enter the room and good cabinets can tip the scales for a sale from potential buyer. But besides looking good they also have to serve a purpose as storage is a prime concern in the new kitchen. The newest trend in cabinets is not just exterior looks, but personalized storage which includes wine storage, open shelving, china display racks, cubby holes and stained glass fronts. In addition, roll out conveniences are a big plus: can holders (soup and canned goods), trays, spice racks and pot holders.

The downside to base cabinets has always been the accessibility of the pots and other produce which gets stuffed into the far reaches. Slide out drawers for pots and other cooking utensils eliminate these back-straining experiences.

Cabinet hardware is also going through a transformation. Drawers no longer slam shut but are assisted so that they shut slowly on their own. The gloss of the handles and pulls has been scaled back to subdues, brushed-metallic look.

Countertops

Homeowners are not shying away from laminate countertops but are opting for a higher-end material which will stand up to the high traffic. In addition, they are choosing a wide variety of different colors and designs, some not usually seen in a kitchen but are trendy and cheap in comparison with other materials.

While tile is falling out of favor solid, acrylic-based countertops are still popular because of their classic look. These surfaces can be repaired and won’t chip or suffer cracks if a heavy object is dropped. Granite and marble are still options for the high-end kitchens but are pricey. A rock-acrylic mix countertop is making headway because, unlike solid rock, it is not porous and requires no maintenance.

Sinks

Not too long ago the choice in sinks was acrylic or stainless-steel. Stainless-steel was the best choice because the acrylic sinks cracked and were easily scuffed. The new composite stone-acrylic sinks won't cut, chip or lose their luster. They come in a wide variety of colors and designs and can fit right under the countertop or be dropped in in 2 and 3 bowl models. Some high-end kitchens look at soapstone and other natural products but these are not as welcome as the composite models. However, even the composites are 4 times more than the stainless-steel sinks.

Specialty sinks for food preparation are also popular. This usually fits in an island and includes a garborator.

Fixtures

The big fixture for the future is the pot filler. It may not seem like much but the pot filler is a unique item whereby large pots can be filled with water right on the stove. This makes it easier for adding water to soups and stews, as well. Built-in hot water dispensers are still popular and water filtration systems are now a standard in the kitchen.

Appliances

Believe it or not, bright colors are back, reminiscent of the 1970's. However, colored appliances, although chic, will soon date you kitchen because black and white always come back into style whereas the colored ones will be done. Stainless-steel is also holding its own so this is still not a bad choice.

Large, pantry-sized refrigerators are a pricey item but are very popular with those who can afford them. Panels matching the cabinets can be installed so that the unit blends in with the kitchen. In addition, refrigerators and freezer units in pull-out drawers make food preparation easy as you don't have to go digging through the bottom of a stand-up unit to get a carrot. These are twice the price of regular fridge space but are a good reselling feature.

Backsplash

The trim on any kitchen is like the chrome or detailing on a vehicle. It frames the design. This is why a carefully, thought out backsplash scheme will really set off the kitchen. Many people are using copper and tin tile – usually reserved for the ceiling – to add a classic style. Tile works well and there are thousands of designs and colors you can apply.