#Incorporate Popular Color Trends into Your Kitchen

If you've been wanting to give your kitchen a new look, you've probably put some thought into which colors and trends are in, and which are out. Whether you're going for a streamlined, subdued look, or want to incorporate vibrancy and pops of colors, there are always ways to incorporate trendy colors and tiles into your kitchen remodel.

Color of the Year: Marsala

Pantone , a leading color authority across numerous industries, identified Marsala as the color of the year. It is a warm hue reminiscent of a glass of red wine toned down with hints of brown. Every year, the company selects a color of the year. In 2014, they chose Radiant Orchid, and the year prior it was Emerald Green. This year, the choice is much earthier and will complement a range of tile colors.

Named after Marsala wine, this year's color will not only be popular in home interiors and furnishings, but also in fashion, beauty, and industrial design.

For a kitchen that feels rustic and cozy, consider making a Marsala-inspired shade part of your overall kitchen remodel design. Alongside deep-toned or dark floors, your kitchen may feel too dark. Instead, opt for tile floors that have a more neutral, natural look. This will help balance the richness of the red-brown walls.

If painting all the walls Marsala feels too intense, consider adding mosaic tiles to an accent wall with a Marsala-like color. Or you can opt for countertop accessories, place mats, and floral arrangements that infuse the color of the year, and instead paint your walls a lighter, neutral tone and opt for a darker floor. The deep, red-brown accents throughout the kitchen would especially complement a dark tile that mimics wood .

Another way to introduce a Marsala-influenced color to the kitchen is by incorporating it into your backsplash. A mosaic of rich red-brown sprinkled among other neutral, earth tones will bring warmth into your kitchen.

Shades of White, Gray, and Green Are Trending

When it comes to choosing colors for your kitchen remodel, white and shades of gray continue to be a dominant theme, according to the National Kitchen Bath Association (NKBA). The not-for-profit trade group conducts a survey each year, and this year's results found that designers and homeowners will be designing their kitchens with an overall contemporary feel.

The survey found that contemporary and transitional-style kitchens have seen a huge swell in popularity over the past several years. If you are designing a white- or ivory-based kitchen, the bulk of the color in your space can come from cabinetry. Taupe-colored porcelain tile floors can also help bring some warmth and dimension to a lighter look, and is appealing to the eye. Then add a light-color granite countertop to complete the look.

After white and gray, shades of green were next on the popularity list. Designers are churning out cabinetry in shades of earthy greens, and more and more homeowners are choosing green tiles for their walls. Green cabinets pair perfectly with a glass mosaic backsplash that incorporates hues of green. Copper fixtures and cabinetry hardware then provide the finishing touches for a meadow-green kitchen.

The use of blue and black within the kitchen was also mentioned in the survey. Black offers a sophisticated look, but when used correctly, can also feel cozy and welcoming. In the past, home buyers have chosen to go with a polished black, but a softer or aged hue is more on point this year. Black can be broken up and accented with natural-colored tile within the backsplash or on the floors. Again, soft shades of gray are often coupled with a black-dominant kitchen.

Dual Color Scheme on the Rise

Kitchens that incorporate a fusion of styles and colors are expected to be in demand in 2015, according to the NKBA.

Designers are seeing kitchens with two dominant blocks of color gain in popularity. For example, think of a kitchen with a perimeter that's predominantly white and has a darker, espresso-colored interior space. Light-colored walls and countertops with contrasting dark islands are popular for this type of kitchen color scheme. Generally, gray walls can be the finishing touch on a kitchen with two other dominant colors. A backsplash that incorporates subtle tones of white and gray can also help blend the stark contrast between the dark and light areas.

Designers surveyed also said that a combination of rustic and contemporary design is the new vogue. On the way out are country, Tuscan, and provincial styles. In terms of colors, the NKBA says that terra-cotta, deep red, and bronze are on the way out.

Other Hot Kitchen Trends

When it comes to other kitchen trends this year, the NKBA predicts that we'll be seeing more:

• Gourmet kitchen amenities, including duplicate appliances. Expect to see two dishwashers, refrigerators, or freezers. Extra drawers and storage space will also be common.
• Furniture in the kitchen. Dry bars will be built sleeker and will resemble furniture, giving the kitchen a more homey feel.
• Cabinets and drawers that provide greater accessibility. More pull-outs and roll-out spaces will be built for and placed in cabinets. Universal design design easily accessible and appealing to the elderly and disabled is also becoming more common.
• Kitchen tables being replaced by counters or tall gathering spots. Islands are becoming the new informal table, and they create another opportunity to add a wall of tile for design and artistic purposes.
• Desks and office areas within kitchen designs. Kitchens continue to be the heart of the home, and you will likely see more televisions and docking stations being included within designs. Expect newer kitchens to sport life's necessities at arm's reach.

As you embark on your kitchen remodel and choose new tile colors for your kitchen space, the most important thing to remember is that you don't always have to follow what's "hot." While these trends can be starting points, Marsala may not be your style, and a black and white color scheme might be just a tad too formal. Instead, go with the colors and materials that make you happy and suit your family's style. If you get creative and seek design guidance and resources, you will be well on your way to the kitchen of your dreams.