Viewing the kitchen as the hub of the home continues to be a strong trend for 2010, leading to a push for elegant designs and attractive appliances. Here are 10 trendy ways to update your kitchen this year.



1 Island sink
Form meets function in this elegant workspace from Kohler. The sleek one-piece, cast iron surface and integrated basin are not only a convenient spot for storage and food prep, they’re also sustainably made from recycled and reclaimed material.

 

2 Eco-friendly cabinetry
Environmentally friendly cabinetry has a less woodsy, more contemporary feel in 2010. These cabinets from Aya Kitchens’ green EVO line are made with reclaimed materials and contain no added urea-formaldehyde.

 

3 Cloth caddy
Keep your kitchen cloth out of sight with this chic little gadget from Magisso. A double magnet system makes the stainless steel kitchen cloth holder easy to install with magnets discreetly hidden inside your kitchen cabinet.

 

4 Water purifier
Purify your water in style with the new Ovopur water filtration unit from Montreal-based Aquaovo. The water trickles down through four layers of filtration into an elegant, egg-shaped reservoir made from ceramic, glass and natural materials that keep it cool and pure. It's so eco-friendly that even the filter cartridge is recyclable.

 

5 Undercover warming drawers
These stainless steel warming drawers from Wolf combine two trends for 2010: they’re an increasingly popular way to make entertaining easy by providing a handy spot to keep meals hot, but they can also be cleverly camouflaged to blend seamlessly with surrounding cabinetry.

 

6 Sleek hood vent
Ventilation systems are losing their bulky, industrial feel with sophisticated new designs guaranteed to complement any kitchen decor. Jenn-Air’s new perimetric hood quietly vents steam, smoke and cooking odours by pulling air through thin channels on a glass-finished panel that can be hung from the wall like a picture frame.
 

 

7 Electric skillet
The eco-friendly nonstick coating on this Green Gourmet electric skillet from Cuisinart is petroleum-free with a ceramic-based surface that also conserves oil consumption during manufacturing. It has a modern, stainless steel exterior, a tempered glass lid and 1,800 watts of power to ensure it heats up fast.
 

 

8 Steam cleaning dishwasher
New technologies are making appliances ultra efficient for 2010. Dishwashers from GE now have a steam pre-wash option (so there’s no need to rinse dishes beforehand), and soap dispensers that automatically dispense the right amount of detergent based on a load’s size, soil level, cycle and water hardness.

 

9 Glass countertops
Durable, recyclable glass countertops are getting an update with the illuminating effects of LED. ThinkGlass countertops can be designed with lighting that lets you alter the colours to suit any occasion, making them ideal for entertaining. The lighting is also programmable by remote control.

 

10 Professional hand mixer
Stainless steel has staying power when it comes to kitchen trends in 2010. KitchenAid is offering a selection of new stainless steel electronics worthy of display on any countertop, including this professional-looking hand mixer with a powerful nine-speed motor and stainless steel beaters, dough hook and wire whisk.