Kitchens. With all the options, what is "IN" right now?

Not all kitchens were created equal, some are larger, smaller, square, triangle, ‘l’ shaped and all sorts in between. Not all budgets were created equal either. However, there is a way for everyone to include current trends in their kitchen without breaking the bank. Here are four of the hottest trends right now.

1 Blue.

Sapphire, navy, baby, teal, azure, cobalt, royal, with so many different shades of blue around there really is a blue for everyone. If you want a modern, retro or period look there is a blue for you. With so many blue cabinets on the market right now, it is an easy trend to adopt, however to completely change your units to navy is a commitment. You need to be prepared to live with it for the next twenty plus years. Instead think about wall colour. Blue walls are easier to change and look amazing with neutral units. You can tie in the colour with accents of blue all around the kitchen, from kettles to crockery meaning for a low cost you are embracing the blue.

2, Warm neutrals and metals.

Brass, copper, gold. Rich warm metals are the choice for accessories right now. From taps to lightshades to handles, the warm look complements most schemes, and is great for a ‘dip your toe in’ trend. Start with a copper kettle, and see where it takes you. With patina, metal that has been oxydised, more available you can embrace this trend with rich green purple tones in your metal accessories. Think warmth and luxury, as with most trends though, less is always more!!

3, Open Shelving.

Gone are the days of the open corner units to fill gaps nothing else will fit. This trend is about openness. Not using units all the way round the kitchen is a way to make the wall look bigger. To embrace this trend, you need to be able to display items not just dump them. That not saying the items can’t be functional or useful, but a certain amount of tidiness is needed. You don’t need to have a lot of shelving, and a mix of wall units and shelving does give the best of both worlds. Shelving is also an easier way to fit and use odd and small spaces.

4, Plants.

Bringing the outside in has been a big part of design for a long time, so it makes sense that plants inside are now more popular than ever. Using useful plants in the kitchen such as herbs and salads gives you access to fresh ingredients whatever the weather. From a pot on the window ledge to hanging baskets, to a living wall, this trend is really the one that keeps on growing! If you really cant grow a plant, fake it!