Picking the right units is a balance between what's going to work in your room, what captures the latest trend, what will appeal to future buyers and what you like. Keep thoughts of resale at the back of your mind, as anything too personal or cutting edge may deter future buyers. If you want to add your own bold, individual touches, use wall paint and accessories that are easy to change.
'Individuality has been the clearest trend over the past few years,' says Mark Wilkinson. 'Rather than a specific colour, a mixture of colours that makes a scheme unique to the homeowner is prevalent. Also, it's popular to use different paint colours on the same kitchen, with a focus piece in maple or walnut.'
Using darker floor cupboards and paler doors for wall units will help open out a room and add contemporary detail. Dark wood is great for creating maximum impact in large rooms or knocked-through spaces. Gloss finishes are all the rage too, and reflective surfaces are great for maximising the light, but children's sticky finger marks can be a problem.
Coloured units are readily available – high street suppliers offer a limited range of colours, so if you have a very specific shade in mind, try a supplier such as Miele, which has literally hundreds to choose from. When it comes to construction materials, coloured and high-gloss options tend to be laminated board or MDF, while the wood options will either be veneered or solid wood.
High style is now affordable. Ikea is offering ultra-modern and inexpensive designs, such as Abstrakt in glossy red or sleek brown Hallarum. Tiko from Magnet's contemporary range combines a dark wenge-coloured look with recessed handles - key trends in kitchens right now. Italian and German homeowners love this look, so manufacturers such as Comprex, Poggenpohl and Rational have it honed to a T.
Find a trusted kitchen fitter in your area using MyBuilder.
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