The kitchen truly is the heart of the home and our favorite spot to gather. As world-renowned Chef Mario Batali says, “The Kitchen really is the castle itself. This is where we spend our happiest moments and where we find the joy of being family.”  For these reasons, the kitchen is the last place you want to become outdated. But, a New Year is the perfect excuse to finally spring for a new kitchen that is both beautiful and highly functional. If you've decided that next year, it will be time for an update, here are some of the top kitchen design trends for 2013 that can provide wonderful inspiration for kitchen remodels in the coming year. 

Part of creating a more aesthetically pleasing kitchen and functional work area is the new trend of concealing appliances. Homeowners and designers now have a wide range of options when it comes to choosing appliances that are specifically designed to blend in perfectly with the rest of the kitchen. Summit, for example, offers several options for integrating appliances seamlessly, from custom finishes to match cabinetry to specific sizes and shapes that allow appliances to be built-in to kitchen islands or other unusual, yet more practical, locations. 

Another one of the hottest kitchen trends for 2013 concerns the kitchen island. With the kitchen now well established as the main gathering space in the home, the kitchen island is becoming the most important kitchen feature for accommodating cooking, socializing and eating. Hence, larger kitchen islands will be a top trend in 2013 kitchens as they replace the need for formal dining rooms and dining room tables and chairs. 

Finally, sustainability will continue to thrive as a top trend for kitchen designs in 2013. The top ways to achieve sustainable kitchen designs include LED lighting, Energy Star appliances and natural materials. Undercabinet LED lighting is particularly becoming popular for achieving eco-friendly kitchen designs that are beautiful and functional. This type of lighting not only provides the proper task lighting for work areas, but it also adds ambiance lighting that creates a comfortable glow and highlights design focal points such as countertops. 

In addition to LED lighting and Energy Star appliances, cabinetry and countertops made of natural materials will continue to reign as top choices for sustainable kitchen designs in 2013. Homeowners and designers are seeking cabinetry made of reclaimed wood, for instance, and natural stone countertops or other engineered surfaces made of renewable resources or recycled content. 

Marble and Granite, Inc. in New England can help homeowners and designers incorporate these trends into 2013 kitchen designs with our extensive selection of quality stone products. Start browsing our marble, granite, Neolith, Caesarstone, Curava and other natural stone and eco-friendly surfaces in our product listings online. Or come shop our stone products in person at one of our showrooms in Westwood, Massachusetts or Milford, Connecticut. 

Photo via Houzz