Update Your Kitchen for a Modern, Open Feel: Get the Latest Trends in Kitchen Remodeling

You spend hours in your kitchen every week. Why not spend that time in a space you love! Whether you're tired of dated décor, want to upgrade to a better layout, or just want a change, kitchen remodeling is a great way to improve and update your home. Bring modern style and practical function into your house with the latest kitchen remodeling trends!

Stainless Steel Appliances: Unlike colored appliance trends that come and go (think avocado green refrigerators!), stainless steel appliances are here for the long run. Timeless and classic, stainless steel appliances add beautiful style and great value to your kitchen. If you're not ready for a full kitchen renovation, consider just replacing your appliances with stainless models. Even such a small and affordable switch can go a long way toward modernizing your space!

Solid Surface Countertops: Goodbye, Formica! Today's kitchen is all about the solid surface countertop. From high-end natural stones like granite to more budget-friendly engineered stones like quartz, stone countertops offer durable, long-lasting beauty. Other hot solid surface countertop options include recycled materials like glass and even paper as well as concrete. While laminate countertops can date your kitchen, solid surface stone counters are your solution for contemporary looks that will stay in style for years.

Open Floor Plans: In the past, kitchens were relegated to the back of the house, often completely enclosed to keep them out of sight—unfortunately, this leads to small, cramped, claustrophobic spaces. Modern kitchens emphasize open floor plans, connecting the space with the rest of the house and enabling your kitchen to truly be the heart of your home. To achieve an open floor plan for your newly remodeled kitchen, you can knock out walls, create pass-throughs, or even add on a completely new kitchen addition. Kitchen islands and peninsulas help you create that open feeling while still defining the space (and who doesn't need more counter space!). One popular trend is to continue the open flow of the floor plan into the design of cabinets themselves: glass front doors, open shelving, and plate racks are all creative solutions for adding storage without filling the kitchen with bulky-looking cabinets.

Keep in mind that the national return on investment for kitchen remodeling is extremely high. While many home improvement projects only net around 50% of the initial investment, the ROI on kitchen remodels (major and minor) ranges from 76% to nearly 80%. So why not make an investment in your home—you'll be able to enjoy your new, modern kitchen and if you do sell your home later, you'll get a great return! Contact your local home improvement or remodeling contractor to get started creating the kitchen of your dreams.

Matt Gallo is a home improvement hobbyist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a leader in search engine optimization.