HOME IMPROVEMENT | TRENDS

Colored kitchen cabinets are back, and here are the hottest ways to embrace the trend.

GO BOLD, GO HOME

Big, bold colors like turquoise, Kelly green and deep oranges are having a heyday in the kitchen. Designers are also going for turning the color wheel, picking opposites like deep greens and shell pinks for maximum contrast. Unexpected shades are all the rage, but you do what makes you feel good. Mark Wilkinson, founder of Mark Wilkinson furniture, tells Homes and Gardens that's what's most important in a color is not that it's on-trend or on magazine covers, it's what makes you feel good.

"The color in a kitchen — be it on walls or fittings — should last for at least five years, minimum, so try to look beyond immediate trends and choose a kitchen color scheme that will keep you feeling good long term," he said.

TAKE BABY STEPS

Not brave enough to deck all the walls? Then choose one part of your cabinetry to color, such as a kitchen island or cabinets above or below a bar. That way, you get a pop of color without a huge commitment.

Yellow, a classic sunny kitchen color, can bring new life and vibrancy to an island, and looks especially chic with dark countertops.

If you want to keep the space light but don't want white, try cool minty or light blue colors. Add darker hardware for some drama. Gray is always a classic color and looks great in contemporary or more rustic spaces.

LITTLE CHANGES, BIG STATEMENT

While you're painting and have the cabinet hardware off anyway, consider changing it out to breathe a whole new life into your space. First, pick a finish that accentuates that new color. Start with one that matches your kitchen faucet and go from there. Don't be afraid to mix and match metals, but remember you want everything to coordinate, even if it doesn't match perfectly.