The National Association of the Remodeling Industry expects general remodeling expenditures in 2004 to increase five percent over last year, from $214 billion to $224 billion, according to NARI spokeswoman Gwen Biasi.

"Interest rates are projected to be stable, which is a good thing for the remodeling industry, since refinancing is often a source of funds for a homeowner's remodeling needs," said Biasi.

In a recent study, Home Depot found that 30 percent of American women between 25 and 54 find their kitchens cramped or out of date. The telephone poll, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation International on behalf of Home Depot, said the thing they'd most like to change is their appliances.

Kate Schwartz, editor of kitchens.com, a consumer website devoted to kitchen design and remodeling, said the boundaries of the kitchen will continue to break down in 2004 with it serving as a multipurpose room for cooking, dining, relaxing, doing homework, and paying bills. All the while, it will open up and flow more into the dining and living areas.

"Having a couch in your kitchen won't seem too strange," she said.

Jason Feldman, director of style, innovation and design for Home Depot, says the growing trend toward versatility in the kitchen is the basis for many kitchen remodeling and renovation projects in homes more than 10 years old. "Most homes constructed in the past decade have an open, expansive kitchen that is more conducive to the way we live and use the space," said Feldman. "Older homes tend to have smaller kitchens that are closed off to the living spaces. For many people, this type of layout doesn't work."

Cook-friendly features, additional workspace unrelated to meal preparation or dining, and a nearby laundry room top the list of must-have features when designing a new kitchen for both men and women, Home Depot's survey found.

Some 49 percent of the survey takers say double ovens, a gas range and stainless steel appliances are must-have features for their newly designed kitchen.

Also appealing: additional workspace for homework, crafts and projects, and an adjacent laundry room.

Biasi said natural materials for countertops - granite, quartz, slate - will continue to grow in popularity. Maple and light finishes will be more prevalent in some parts of the country and cherry will dominate in others.

"A new trend is marrying appliances to cabinetry - cabinet manufacturers have given the homeowner the option to hide dishwashers, refrigerators and other appliances behind panels that match adjacent cabinet doors," Biasi said. "More and more homeowners are opting for this option in their kitchens, although stainless steel appliances remain strong sellers, as well."

Meanwhile, Schwartz expects to see a lot of the following in 2004:

* A rise in zone design with the work triangle becoming less important. In large kitchens, it's not always practical to stick with the work triangle floor plan. Instead, design zones - areas where the appliances, cabinets, and countertop space service a particular task - will take over.

* The hood as a status symbol. Interest in sleek or custom hoods is still on the rise.

* Attention to detail - backsplashes in interesting tile or mosaics, and lighting.

* A shift in color preferences. Blues and greens - especially hues reminiscent of the sea - were huge in late 2003 and will continue to be popular in 2004.

* More universal design touches incorporated for an all-ages, all-abilities kitchen - pull-down shelving, custom countertop heights and pull-out pantries.

* The introduction of more high-tech appliances. "While I think the purchase of these won't necessarily be a huge craze, manufacturers are certainly introducing bigger and better appliances that cook faster and more specifically," Schwartz said.

Home Depot's Feldman said the cost to remodel a 200 square-foot kitchen with new wood cabinets, solid-surface countertops, energy-saving appliances and ceramic tile flooring purchased there is about $15,000.

And homeowners can expect to recover 75 to 90 percent of the cost of a kitchen remodel when they sell their homes, he said.