While the look of marble countertops is still a top kitchen trend, quartz counters are an increasingly popular alternative. Why? They offer a contemporary, upscale look (as Jonathan and Drew Scott demonstrated with the white quartz countertops in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers-forever-home/photos/southwestern-vintage-vibes-1928569/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this <em>Property Brothers: Forever Home</em> kitchen</a>), while also being super durable and easy to care for. And, as Scott McGillivray explains, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/blog/scott-mcgillivray-roi-kitchen-renovation-1922244/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">quartz countertops give you a great return on your investment</a> in a renovation.

On the opposite end of spectrum, dark kitchen countertops are also trending. From dark, glossy options to deep-toned wood counters, dark countertops contrast well with kitchen cabinets in lighter woods, whites or painted designs. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/kitchen-cabinet-trends-2020-1933926/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The 17 Hottest Kitchen Cabinet Trends for 2020</a>

Let’s face it: your kitchen is full of stuff. From pantry items to <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/kitchen-basics/photos/kitchen-essentials-you-deserve/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">kitchen gadgets</a>, more lived-in kitchens face storage issues. With that in mind, it’s becoming increasingly popular to totally eschew the open shelving or no-uppers trends of years past, in favour of wall-to-wall cabinetry (as Jonathan and Drew Scott showed with a wall of top-to-bottom white kitchen cabinets in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers-forever-home/photos/the-property-brothers-transport-a-1950s-family-home-into-modern-times-1940364/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this <em>Property Brothers: Forever Home</em> kitchen remodel</a>). <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/most-popular-kitchen-design-ideas-pinterest-1935742/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Our 12 Most Popular Kitchen Design Ideas on Pinterest</a>

The trend towards minimalist kitchen cabinets — clean-lined and nearly seamless with minimal hardware or touch-release designs — <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/backsplash-tile-cabinetry-top-kitchen-trends-2020-1931289/#currentSlide=8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">continues</a> to be one of the most popular aesthetics for kitchens. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/stylish-ways-hide-kitchen-appliances-1939485/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Stylish, Subtle Ways to Hide Your Kitchen Appliances</a>

Islands will always be a popular kitchen trend — if you’ve got the space, a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/show-stopping-kitchen-islands-1049625/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">kitchen island</a> increases your prep and storage space will adding extra character to the room — but more and more kitchen designs are including islands with multiple levels. Whether it’s a cantilevered design or an island with different heights on opposing sides, playing with different levels gives you more options for prep space and comfortable seating — and multi-functional spaces are always a big win. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/small-kitchen-layout-ideas-1941265/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Small Kitchen Ideas: 15 Apartment Kitchen Layouts That'll Inspire You to Makeover Your Cooking Space</a>

As much as we love a clean, cool kitchen, warm colour palettes are definitely making a comeback in the kitchen. From walls to cabinets to backsplashes, wine reds, deep greens and rich browns are heating up in popularity for the kitchen. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/6872/shaw.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/surprising-colour-palettes-1941038" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">14 Colour Palettes That Go Surprisingly Well Together</a>

With many of us becoming more conscious of our carbon footprint, one of the biggest 2021 kitchen trends is making your kitchen more <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/easy-ways-to-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient-1907310/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">energy efficient </a>and <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/tags/eco-friendly/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">environmentally friendly</a>. One clear way to achieve this goal? Installing shiny new, energy-efficient windows — like Scott McGillivray did in this <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/scotts-vacation-house-rules/photos/scott-mcgillivray-gives-a-family-cottage-a-luxe-muskoka-makeover-1939361/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Scott’s Vacation House Rules</em> kitchen</a> — enhances the view from your kitchen window while also saving energy in the long run.

If you’re looking to add a bit of a breezy, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/zen-home-decor-items-that-will-bring-tranquility-stillness-1942354/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">relaxed feel</a> to your kitchen, woven-style light factors are the trend to shine a light on. Made from materials like bamboo and rattan, light-hued woven pendant lights add a contemporary, natural vibes to the space — as shown in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/photos/how-save-my-reno-mixes-old-and-new-updates-to-brighten-a-family-space-1937225/#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this <em>Save My Reno</em> kitchen update</a> by Sebastian Clovis and Samantha Pynn. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/bamboo-home-decor-ideas-1937066/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Bamboo Home Decor Ideas That Celebrate Sustainable Design</a>

The culmination of a few kitchen trends (like the movement towards warmer colour palettes and heightened eco-awareness in kitchen design), more and more people are finding ways to use reclaimed wood in the kitchen. Reclaimed wood adds a rustic touch, but it can also be quite contemporary if it’s used in modern <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/tags/kitchen-cabinets/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">kitchen cabinet</a> designs. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/use-reclaimed-wood-kitchen-design-1938970/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Ways to Use Reclaimed Wood in Your Kitchen Design</a>

If tiny tiles aren’t your taste, the slab backsplash trend is a solid choice for your kitchen. One-piece backsplashes in materials like marble or metal adds a clean, seamless look with a lot of stylish drama. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/blog/how-to-redo-kitchen-backsplash-1919509/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Update Your Kitchen Backsplash: Bryan Baeumler’s 8 Must-Know Tips</a>

Another emerging kitchen trend is all about bring some personality to your prep space via patterned or textured backsplash tiles. As Jonathan and Drew Scott showed with <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers-forever-home/photos/how-the-property-brothers-transformed-this-fixer-upper-into-a-dream-home-1940714/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this <em>Property Brothers: Forever Home</em></a>, choosing a backsplash with colour and personality lends instant character to an otherwise neutral space.

If you want to incorporate a little gloss into your kitchen design this year, a high-shine backsplash is the way to go. From glossy finishes to glass or mirrors, backsplashes are the perfect place to play with shine. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/glass-tile-comeback-ideas-to-steal-1932962/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Is Glass Tile Making a Comeback? 8 Ideas to Steal</a>

From checking out the wares at a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/canadian-vintage-and-antique-shops-1941840/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">neighbourhood vintage or antique store</a> to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/best-online-plant-stores-canada-1939786/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">supporting local plant stores</a>, 2020 has made many of us think about where we source things for our home. With that in mind, a 2021 kitchen trend to consider is looking to local retailers, suppliers and designers when renovating the room.

Small changes can make a big impact when it comes to your cooking space, and kitchen faucets that go beyond functional — from contemporary, colorblocked designs to unusual metallics to art-inspired pieces — can change up the look and flow of your kitchen. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/10-small-things-that-make-the-biggest-impact-in-a-new-kitchen-1922746/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Small Things That Make the Biggest Impact in a New Kitchen</a>

Modern and minimalist? Clean-lined kitchen designs are embracing the sleek, futuristic vibes of hanging bar-style pendant lights — which work especially well over a kitchen island. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/top-kitchen-design-styles-1939335/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">From Modern to Minimalist: Top Kitchen Design Styles</a>