We all know that dropping money into your kitchens and baths is a no-brainer when it comes to recouping costs -- from your home's resale value or enticing and driving buyers to purchase. These are sound investment areas, so what does the current trends follow in these heavily plumbed rooms?

Kitchens

1. More appliances: Many kitchens are outfitted with two ovens, two work islands, two dishwashers or dishwasher drawers and two refrigerators. Upscale homes will have additional features, including wine storage and built-in appliances like coffee makers. Also, features may include double laundry rooms. One for the master bedroom and one for the guest wing.

2. More kitchens. Some high-end homes boast double, triple or quadruple kitchens. A home might have a regular kitchen, a catering kitchen, a wine grotto with a sink, refrigerator and microwave, as well as a kitchen in the media room and an outdoor kitchen.

3. Clever storage. As the kitchen space opens up, there is less wall space for upper cabinets, so we will see an increased pantry size, and use of smart storage.

4. The cyber cafe. More outlets, as well as more wall- installed internet connections throughout the kitchen is called for in today's connected families.

Bathrooms

5. Separation of his/her space. The master bathroom is divided in two, with more demand for not just two sinks, but for two separate vanities, along with his-and-her dressing rooms. In very high-end homes, there are his-and-her master baths, and we are beginning to see that affect displayed in the lower-end homes and production homes in some form.

6. The toilet closet. What used to be known as the water closet is becoming the toilet closet. Toilets will be increasingly compartmentalized, meaning they will have their own room. Don't be surprised to see his-and-her toilets as a design feature of dual master baths.

7. Hardware. One of the most economical redos for either the kitchen or bath is to replace outdated hardware with new fixtures. The most popular hardware finishes are rubbed bronze, oil-rubbed bronze, and brushed stainless. None of these is highly reflective, and oil-rubbed bronze has a dark, almost black matte finish.

8. Water towers. Showers with multiple heads that pulsate, rain, or beat you into submission are the newest bath luxury. Too bad they come at a time when water conservation is a serious consideration. No problem. The plumbers outfit them with low-flow heads.

9. Cabinetry. No buyer has ever asked for less storage, and the bathroom is one place people seem to want more. Builders are accommodating with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and more drawers than doors.