Step aside, family room! The kitchen is emerging as the most important room in the house. Next to the front entranceway, it receives the highest volume of foot traffic and is quickly becoming the place where families spend the most time together.

If your kitchen is destined for a remodel this year, here are some of the new and emerging trends you’ll want to keep an eye on.

DESIGN

• Multi function. Today’s kitchens are increasingly designed to serve as multi-function areas with dedicated space incorporated for TVs, computers and workstations.

• Island paradise. Islands maximize kitchen workspace while simultaneously offering more storage room. Cooking is increasingly becoming a family activity, and an island (especially one with an integrated sink), makes it easier to share that space.

• Green space. Increasing consumer demand for environmental responsibility and energy conservation has produced a wealth of energy-conscious appliance options. Natural gas-burning stoves, low-flow dishwashers and improved waste disposal devices are becoming increasingly popular and add to your home’s resale value.

• Custom finishes. Many of today’s countertops, cabinetry, flooring and appliances are available in a galaxy of colors and finishes to enable kitchen components to complement one another. If your contractor says what you want can’t be done, scout around. Chances are you can get it your way.

CABINETRY

• Easy access. With more people choosing to eat healthy and cook their own meals, ease of movement within the kitchen is at a premium. Counter-level cupboards that reduce bending and stretching are on the rise, as are space-saving cabinets with adjustable dividers and sliding trays.

• Furniture design. One of today’s hottest trends in kitchen design is to give cabinetry the look and feel of furniture. Decorative molding and textured hardware are big, as are painted or glazed finishes and combinations of organic textures like wood, glass, metal and stone.

• Bright and white. White or light-colored cabinets are a good choice for a small or under-lit kitchen as they give the illusion of more space. Darker shades can be used as accent colors for area rugs and kitchen accessories. The latest cabinet hardware is satin-finish nickel.

• Open shelving. Replacing some solid cabinet doors with translucent ones is a great way to help break up the monotony of a long bank of cupboards. Some doors may be removed altogether to showcase attractive chinaware.

• The great outdoors. Natural, outdoorsy colors that create a warm, homey feel are big these days, with the palette dominated by shades of taupe, camel and sage.

• Continental flavor. Styles that borrow elements from other cultures are also on the rise, with Asian- and Italian-inspired ideas taking the lead. Their streamlined, uncluttered looks create a clean, modern design with links to the past. Paneled, dark-stained cabinets with crown or dentil molding and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures are popular with those looking for a more traditional western European look.

LIGHTING

• Brighten up. The current trend in kitchen lighting is more lights in more places -- especially over workstations, islands and the kitchen table.

• Be discrete. Halogen puck or pin lights, built into the ceiling, are popular in that they’re powerful enough to illuminate the entire room without obtrusive light fixtures.

COUNTERTOPS

• Mix it up. Countertops arranged at varying heights at different workstations can reduce back strain. Also, offsetting one surface material with another -- such as a stainless-steel counter and a granite-topped island -- is a popular way of breaking up the color and design.

• Rock stardom. Stone countertops continue to dominate due to their durability (they’re usually heat- and acid-resistant), uniqueness and wide array of color and pattern options. Granite is the most popular stone, with grey-swirl Carrara marble, slate and soapstone also scoring high.

• A touch of glass. Stainless steel countertops remain popular. If your kitchen already has a significant amount of stainless steel, consider tempering it with a softer (yet still modern-looking) glass countertop. Engineered stones like Silestone, Zodiac and Corian are also popular because they look and feel like real stone but come in a wider variety of colors.

APPLIANCES

• Power to the people. America’s changing eating habits have prompted a shift in refrigerator design. Increased user control of temperature and moisture is a leading trend these days as consumers seek to maximize the life span of their organic and natural foods.

• Home on the range. The greatest shift in kitchen appliances is in stoves and ovens. Gas ovens are starting to overtake convection ovens due in part to their more efficient use of energy and faster cooking speeds. Wood-burning ovens are also coming into demand as the current trend towards professional-grade kitchen appliances continues. Even the utilitarian stove hood is getting a makeover with many new sculptured designs.

• Now you see it, now you don’t. The size and visibility of appliances seems to be going down two separate paths. For some, the trend is toward inconspicuous appliances that integrate seamlessly with the cabinetry or can be hidden altogether. For others, large, stand-alone stainless steel appliances continue to be popular.

FLOORING

• Walk on wood. Enviro-friendly surfaces are very in. Bamboo and hardwood (especially wide planks salvaged from old buildings) are leading the charge, with cork and Marmoleum (made from wood flour, linseed oil, jute and limestone) projected to be big performers.

• Fit to be tiled. Oversized ceramic, slate and limestone tiles are also popular, as is linoleum, both for its eco-friendliness and retro vibe.

With so many new kitchen design options, there’s something to fit every budget. Just put your imagination to work and you can create the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of owning.