The easiest way to give your kitchen a completely new look is with a good paint job. The trend for 2017 is monochrome tones. Black, white and grey are timeless and incredibly versatile. Unless you really love a specific colour, your kitchen is one room where it’s best to go simple and timeless. There are so many elements in a kitchen (tiles, appliances, hardware) that will tie into the colour you choose, unlike a bedroom, where it’s much easier to swap a colour if you get bored.

Instead of replacing all your cabinetry, a bit of paint can do wonders for your kitchen. Opting for solid colours rather than stained wood will let you enjoy your kitchen for years to come.

To complement the sleek look of monochrome colours for kitchen cabinetry, the move is away from knobs and towards handles in copper or brushed gold. Even more popular is to forego the handles completely and choose push-to-open cabinetry.

To reduce clutter, many people are now opting for innovative storage solutions. These include adjustable hanging hooks in corner cabinets for storing pots and pans. Cabinets that run flush with countertops hide appliances such as microwaves.

Built-in appliances such as fridges, ovens and microwaves help create a sleek look. If you don’t want the commitment of built-in appliances, an alternative is flush-mounted appliances, where there aren’t any protruding edges.

Kitchen technology is becoming smarter, from pop-up sockets for charging your phone to appliances that you can control from another room. The focus is also on energy-saving and eco-friendly appliances.

Because carpets or rugs are impractical in a kitchen, it’s a room where you need to let the floor make a statement. Dark floors form a nice contrast to monochrome whites or greys. Alternatively, quality tiles with a striking pattern can add some colour.

An island is a popular way to maximize work and storage space while giving the kitchen a roomy, friendly feel. The perfect island is square or rectangular in shape and is of one height, without raised sections.

The most popular materials for countertops are quartz and granite. They’re easy to clean, look great with a monochrome colour scheme and can last a long time. They’re also perfect for both the industrial and modern rustic looks that are trendy in kitchen design right now. Best of all, quartz is non porous, making it much easier to clean and maintain than natural stone like granite or marble.

Good lighting is essential in a dream kitchen and you’ll love the difference it makes even inside cabinetry. LED lighting can be easy to install and energy efficient, making it the most popular lighting option for kitchens.

With the right budgeting and planning covered, you can build the kitchen of your dreams. All you’ll have to worry about is deciding between quartz or granite! <em> <br><br>Brought to you by Scotiabank®. ® Registered trademarks of the Bank of Nova Scotia. The opinions expressed in this article regarding home renovations are those of the author and not The Bank of Nova Scotia.