We’ve all heard the saying that the kitchen is the heart of the home – this means it’s naturally the spot where friends and family gather. Whether you love entertaining, are a keen foodie or have a busy family life, you’ll want to ensure that your kitchen is modern and functional. Gone are the days when the kitchen was just a space to prepare food – now it’s a multi-use space which really sets the tone for the entire home.

If you’re thinking of breathing new life into your kitchen with a renovation or redecorating project this year, read on for our top trend picks…

Colour

Colour is a great weapon in your décor arsenal as it can really stamp your own unique feel and taste on a room. While we often think of splashes of colour in the context of other areas of the house, such as a feature wall in the lounge or bedroom, this year sees colour making a come back in the kitchen. If you’re brave enough, paint the entire room in a striking new shade, such as the Pantone colour of the year, violet. If that sounds a bit too much, go for a bright back splash or a colourful central island to complement more neutral tones elsewhere. Jewel brights are very in this season so be bold!

Wood

The rustic look is very much a trend in 2018 and looks set to carry into 2019 and beyond. If you have marble work surfaces and want a shake up, look to wood instead. One of the great things about investing in wood counters is that they are versatile and functional. You can also get painted wooden counters so there’s the potential to strip back and have a total change of colour in a few years’ time.

Because wood lends itself perfectly to the natural look, it’s a timeless aesthetic. It can also be mixed and matched with lots of other textures, such as glossy white tiles, rough hessian rugs and if you have the space, bold marble double sinks and chrome or bronze fixtures.

Contrasting Cabinetry

Previous kitchen styles would have you believe that you could really only opt for fairly neutral cabinets, such as glossy cream or wood effect. That’s no longer true in modern kitchens and more and more style-conscious home owners are installing contrasting cabinetry. Darker shades such as moss green and ocean blue are incredibly popular and make for a real statement space.