On average, renovations are getting bigger, and people are tending to want high-end, quality products. A continuous upgrade approach is popular with fewer people waiting several years between projects.

With children staying home longer and an increased desire to care for the aging parents within our homes, there is a subtle upswing in requests for multi-generational suites. Similarly, wider doorways and entrances, non-skid floors, lever handles and safety rails are more frequently requested.

Retrofitting to improve air quality and energy efficiency is important, particularly during major renovations.

A popular home addition coming out of Europe is a scullery, or as it is sometimes called, a 'dirty kitchen'. A scullery is typically about half the size of the home's eat-in kitchen, and allows the host to hide the messier aspects of cooking from guests while entertaining. It features a big sink for cleaning, a large cutting/preparation area and storage for appliances and oversized items.

Other European trends include appliances in vibrant hues. And, rather than traditional large refrigerators, ultra-modern kitchens are now featuring smaller units, such as under-the-counter pullout freezers and cooler drawers for fruits and vegetables.

If you are seeking the best return for your renovation dollar, your top three renovation choices remain unchanged: kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations and interior painting. According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada's 2004 Home Renovation Survey, these upgrades will net you a return in the range of 70 percent to100 percent of your investment.