The kitchen has long been seen as being the important hub of activity in the home. The kitchen has become both the centerpiece and showplace of the home. So naturally the appliances used in the kitchen have become status symbols.

In an effort to keep up with the latest in cooking trends there continues to be a strong trend toward kitchen appliances that are stylish and flexible. This is why the biggest change to take place in kitchen appliances has been the trend toward high-end appliances. We can see this in the introduction of stainless appliances. These appliances include refrigerators, dishwashers, and in the pro-style ranges with large stainless steel hoods. Pro-style ranges provide a professional look and performance for the gourmet cook.

Another major change in kitchen design has been the trend toward appliances within an integrated look. This is where appliances can be camouflaged within cabinetry. Cabinet fronts or panels are created for refrigerator and dishwasher fronts to create a very custom look and will work well in either a small or a large kitchen. Cabinets can be created to hide other kitchen appliances as well such as trash compactors, and ice makers. The advantage of this paneling is that the kitchen need not be designed around your refrigerator or dishwasher.

The trend in the integrated look for kitchen appliances is expected to get bigger, perhaps extending to warming drawers and microwaves. Manufacturers are already building refrigerators now that can look just like cabinets. At some point homeowner will want ventilation hoods to be concealed with paneling as well.

Appliance garages provide us with another interesting trend in kitchen appliances. The appliance garage is a built in kitchen cupboard that is located on the countertop and they provide a place to store and hide small kitchen appliances such as a toaster, blender, and food processor for easy access. The appliance garage is a must for the modern, efficient kitchen.

Some kitchen appliances such as refrigerators are being designed with a futuristic more modern shape that the typical rectangular box. For instance some manufacturers are adding a rounded top and a pear shape to the bottom, or curves and sculpted edges.

When it comes to cook tops manufacturers of the high-end models have come out with high-temperature cooking features and innovations such as electric induction cook tops. These cook tops use electromagnetic energy that can provide faster heating times, and uses less energy than either gas or conventional electric cook tops.

Chef-style cooking features such as six-burner gas cook tops with front controls represent a trend toward more commercial grade kitchen appliances.

When it comes to dishwashers, sometimes two is better than one. Homeowners are starting to thing about having a second dishwasher in the kitchen. Sometimes the second dishwasher is installed in a kitchen island, along with a second sink. This trend has grown out of the use of additional dishwashers in home entertainment areas or the pool area.

Another popular kitchen appliance item is the hot water dispenser. Besides the need for hot beverages, hot water dispensers can be used for cooking pasta, instant rice and potatoes, and for warming baby bottles.

Other products that homeowners want to see in their kitchens are warming-drawers, built-in steamers, and barbecue grills as part of the cook top.