What are the best counters in which homeowners should invest?

Over the past few years, I have seen builders and homeowners move away from granite. Marble is a beautiful alternative, but it has a tendency to stain and scratch easily. An alternative to both granite and marble is soapstone or slate—both are nonporous, 100 percent stain-resistant and develop a nice patina over time.

What are some popular kitchen trends that homeowners should consider?

Some trends that homeowners may want to consider when redoing their kitchen would be choosing white. Be it cabinets or counter tops, you can’t go wrong.  Choose quartz over granite for an up-to-date look. Stick with transitional design, which combines contemporary with traditional and gives you the best of both.

1. If going for color, go for a neutral gray color for a sleek, sophisticated look.

2. Embrace smaller appliances to achieve a bigger looking kitchen space.

3. Choose quartz counters over granite countertops.

4. Invest in LED lights on the inside of cabinet doors or in crown moldings.

5. Install a touch-activated faucet.

6. Embrace accessibility by having side-opening ovens at counter height.