The Latest Kitchen Design Trends...

The kitchen is often one of the most important rooms in the house that people consider when shopping for a home. Most likely because we spend so much time there.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), founded in 1963 as The American Institute of Kitchen Dealers, has nearly 40,000 members. Earlier this year it released its top trends for kitchens and bathrooms for 2010.

Here is a look at some of the top trends from NKBA:

Concealed Kitchens. This means the kitchen area blends with other areas of the home. Items such as commonly used appliances may be concealed, refrigerators and dishwashers may have facades to blend in with the cupboards. Ultimately, the harmonious blending of color, design, and functionality make kitchens aesthetically pleasing and useful.

Thirst-Quenching Stations. Beverage stations are becomming quite popular, complete with under-counter refrigerators that hold beverages and wine. Many of these beverage stations include a coffee station due to our great love of "joe" in this country. The design typically includes space for stemware, beverage mugs and glasses, and condiments. This setup allows people to gather to quench their thirst while being out of the way of the chefs.

Rounding Out the Edges. Countertops, islands, archways, and even light fixtures, are being designed with soft, round edges.

Varied Heights. No more monotony. Kitchen countertops, islands, and even walls are being designed for specific purposes and that means their heights are varied.

Asian influence. The impact of Japanese design is showing up in subtle ways such as "clean lines, open spaces, and neutral color palettes with bold splashes of color in select areas," according to NKBA. The association says oftentimes there will be "one strong anchor piece of Japanese origin" that designs are built around.

Whether you're shopping for a new home or thinking of remodeling your current home, remember that trends do change. However, those that tend to stick are the ones that combine pleasing looks with highly functional features. But in contrast, you can never go wrong with the classics. Most importantly, make your home comfortable for you.