You often hear that 'trend' is a bad word, and whenever you talk about trends you may get strong reactions from people. There are some people who instantly assume trends should be avoided, while others can't wait to see what's up and coming in the design world. A lot of people never plan their renovations around specific trends because you never know if they will last or not, however there are definitely some that make their way into a lot of projects in subtle ways.

Regardless of whether or not you're a trend hunter, it's always interesting to see what's popular and what direction the renovation design industries are heading in. Here are 3 kitchen trends that a currently hot!

Quartz Counters -  This trend has been embraced in a big way, and often in almost every room in the house.  In the kitchen, Quartz is a great idea for a few reasons - it looks great, it's incredibly durable and it won't scratch or stain. So while it may be considered trendy at the moment, it is fully expected to stick around for the long haul.

Universal Design - Elements of Universal design have been creeping into interiors for a while now.  As our population ages, it's becoming more and more important to ensure we keep our loved ones safe in the home. Things like home automation, barrier free bathrooms, open shelving and wider doorways can make our homes function better for the elderly and those with accessibility issues. As the design and renovation communities begin to explore these principles further, even more great looking options are become available.

Two Tone Cabinets -  When this idea was first tried a few years ago people thought it to be a little strange, but suddenly it's gaining traction. It's a great way to breathe life into a plain kitchen and it can work with pretty much any style. The look may or may not be here to stay, but as long as you stick with neutral colours and a simple design, you should be safe.