Remodeling your kitchen typically yields one of the highest returns on investment for home improvement projects. This is great news if your kitchen is ready for a facelift or a major overhaul. If you’re ready to update your kitchen but aren’t quite sure where to start, here are some current kitchen trends.

Open design – As the kitchen has evolved into the heart of the home and become a room for socializing, more homeowners are opting to remove the walls between the kitchen and the living room to create one open space for entertaining. In many cases, the removed wall is replaced with an island to provide a sense of separation between the two rooms.

Commercial-grade range – This is at the top of the wish list for many cooking enthusiasts. These stove tops can handle everything from woks, griddles, gas burners, grills, and more to have you cooking like a pro.

Stainless steel appliances – The majority of homeowners are still opting to incorporate stainless steel appliances into their kitchens over colored appliances. In addition to resisting stains and corrosion, stainless steel appliances also offer a sleek, elegant look for a modern kitchen.

Painted cabinets – Painted cabinets in white, off whites and even glossy gray cabinets have become a hot trend as more homeowners want a clean, classic design. White cabinets can be customized with hardware and design to complement any kitchen style.

Specialty cabinets – Rather than install cookie cutter cabinets that may not meet all of their specific needs, many homeowners are choosing to install specialty cabinets in their kitchen. These specialty cabinets offer built-in features like spice racks, pullout shelving, inserts for pots and pans to make the most of your storage.

Granite or quartz countertops – When it comes to kitchen countertops, granite continues to top the list, followed closely by quartz. While granite is a more expensive option, it offers great durability, easy maintenance, and natural beauty.

Automated faucets – Automated faucets not only help you save water, but also allow you to wash messy hands without touching the faucet handle, thereby reducing the transmission of germs and bacteria.

Wood floors – More and more homeowners are choosing wood floors for their kitchens, especially if they are looking to provide continuity between the kitchen and living room in an open design. Not only do wood floors provide natural beauty, they are also eco-friendly.

Green kitchen design – In addition to wood flooring, homeowners are looking for ways to make their homes, and their kitchens, more eco-friendly. Recycled materials are being used in everything from countertops to flooring to backsplash. Other ways to make your kitchen more eco-friendly include installing water-saving faucets, energy-saving appliances, and LED and compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Open shelving – This a great way to incorporate your kitchenware into your décor and show off beautiful items, including glassware, dishes, and accessories. Open shelving also makes it easy to find what you need quickly.

USB wall sockets – As the list of electronic devices we rely on grows, so does the need for access to USB ports. In response, USB wall sockets have become a popular addition. These wall sockets feature two USB ports along with two traditional wall plugs. No more hunting for USB adapters and no more having to unplug the toaster or the coffee maker every time you need to charge your smart phone or tablet.