The kitchen is the heart of the home. Designing the space where family and friends gather to refuel, reconnect and make memories is one of the most crucial aspects of any home design or renovation. Today’s top designers and decorators are putting an emphasis on creating a relaxing atmosphere while using quality materials, efficient design and state-of-the-art technology. “Modern design trends have turned kitchens from merely functional spaces to places for all family members to use and relax in,” says Michelle Wipperfurth, interior designer at Vertical Arts Architecture in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, who believes that planning your color scheme is the most important stop. “This will help you decide on the designs and materials you wish to use. It’s becoming fashionable to use neutral colors, textures and organic materials.”

Higher Quality, Better Efficiency High-end kitchen design once went hand-in-hand with extravagant details, but the tide has turned. “Clients today are focusing less on ornamental decoration and more on higher quality materials for kitchen designs for efficiency, durability and functionality,” says Wendy Raizin of Raizin Design. “For example, I prefer to opt for open, industrial shelving when designing a modern kitchen with a relaxed feel. Why open doors when you can have everything in front of you to see and reach easily? Also, the design must consider ideal distances from appliance to counter for optimal functionality. The old school of thought in kitchen design was to create a cooking triangle. The new school: cooking stations (think foodie culture). This is ideal when more than one person is working in the kitchen at a time, which is usually the case.” Once considered taboo in luxury kitchens, man-made materials are now gaining traction, according to Jamie Gold, Certified  Kitchen Designer and the author of New Kitchen Ideas That Work. “Years ago, you would  expect to only find marble or granite topping luxury cabinets or underfoot,” she says. “Today it's not uncommon to find engineered stone tops and rectified  porcelain on the floor.   This is particularly true for kitchens that extend  into outdoor living spaces, where tile provides for easier living.”

The New Pantry Storage space remains a top priority, but the latest designs are shifting away from the traditional kitchen pantry. “The days of walk-in pantries are all but gone unless they can be created in a very sophisticated/clean way,” says Tampa, Florida architect David Balber. “I have done kitchens that when you look at them all you see are cabinets, but then you pull on one cabinet and it is actually a door that leads to a secret walk-in pantry -- something like Batman would have!” he explains.   Balber’s latest designs have included the cabinet pantry, where the kitchen “looks like a bunch of cabinets, and then you pull on some of the cabinets and the entire wall pulls out exposing shelving for cereals, bread, cans, etc. - very sleek and easy to see all the food.”

Technology Rules “Technology is always at the forefront of luxury kitchen design,” adds Darlene Molnar, a Washington, D.C.-based interior designer. “From  super-quiet dishwashers to ovens you can operate with your phone,  convenience is key.” Molnar is also reporting an increase in requests for hot water dispensers, much like the pot-fillers that have been a staple in luxury kitchens for years. “Homeowners what anything that puts what you  need at your fingertips more quickly!”