From countertops and cabinets, to appliances to islands, here are some of today's hottest kitchen design trends that will have long-lasting appeal.

Many kitchens today are designed around the refrigerator. Trends are now pointing to modern fridges that balance style, technology and capacity.

Designing an accessible and efficient kitchen layout for the whole family to enjoy

The next generation of kitchen appliances is redefining the the home chef experience through high design and cutting-edge technology.

The winners of the 2013 National Kitchen & Bath Association design competition were revealed April 18, during this year's Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. Of the honourees, Canadian designer Anastasia Rentzos of Andros Kitchen & Bath Designs came out on top in the green design category.

This year's overarching theme will focus on clean vertical and horizontal lines, using shades of grey and touches of vibrant colour.

The most significant trend is the kitchen that creates a seamless transition between indoors and out. Today’s kitchen contains all the desired accoutrements that can adapt to serve both spaces in a cohesive way.

The outdoor kitchen has become the new indoor kitchen, encompassing all the conveniences of an indoor kitchen so delicious culinary creations can be executed from start to finish outside.

Steam oven cooking is a strong emerging trend in kitchens and steam-convection combinations offer the best of both worlds.

The new kitchen revolves around changing where traditional work centres are placed within an expanded roomscape still labelled the kitchen.