From sensor-activated lights that illuminate the kitchen just when it is in use to meat thermometers that alert your smartphone when dinner is completed, kitchen technologies is here to make your life easier.

Gray is the New White Wondering what colour to paint your cabinets? The kitchen industry's leading producers state that while white cupboards continue to be tops, gray is your shade they're gambling to break white's top spot. This kitchen by Wellborn pairs soft grey cabinets with richly stained wood showcasing yet another kitchen trend -- combining cupboard colors is a stylish look that is holding solid. Image courtesy of Wellborn Cabinets

Elect for New Functionality Not only is the color of kitchen cabinets changing -- hardware manufacturers, such as Blum, are altering the way cupboard drawers and doors function. These hydraulic, easy-close doors fold up and out of their way with the touch of a button making them ideal for kitchens where space is an issue. Picture courtesy of Blum

Vintage Black and White Palette The look may change as styles evolve, but the allure of a black-and-white kitchen never expires. It is all about high contrast — this layout from IKEA juxtaposes white lacquer cabinets (out of IKEA's LIDINGÖ line) and Absolute Black granite countertops office partition walls used . but in addition, it benefits in the tension between country and contemporary. Warm rustic hardwood flooring are a great counterpoint to sleek cabinet substances. Picture courtesy of IKEA

Fresh Hues for Sinks Like kitchen cabinets, sinks are trending away from basic white or stainless steel. This eye-catching green apron-front sink by Kohler was created by tastemaker Jonathan Adler. A vibrant sink is a superb way to pop up in a tiny quantity of color in a neutral kitchen or help it become more of a focus by utilizing exactly the same hue in the backsplash. Image courtesy of Kohler

Choose Bold Fixtures Bold color is not the only way to create enthusiasm. Kitchen designer Vasi Ypsilantis used these oversized light fixtures with black cloth shades from Tech Lighting to add some wow: "They are approximately 2 feet in diameter and are marginally bigger than you would expect for the space," she says. "But they provide a fantastic sense of depth perception and make drama in a room with a normal low ceiling" The lavish cabinets are Poggenpohl's Marsh Oak Veneer using a wealthy near-black stain. Picture courtesy of Poggenpohl

Contrast Light and Shadow At the exact same kitchen, Vasi chose Caesarstone "Blizzard" to your countertops and utilized a glass mosaic backsplash from Mixed-Up Mosaics that unites milky white and eggplant colors with a mirrored tile. "Maintaining the cabinets such a dark end in a little space concerns many homeowners because they believe that it can make the kitchen look smaller," she says. "However, it really creates play, so long as the countertops and backsplashes are retained white or light to balance dark and light in the area." Layout by Vasi Ypsilantis

Maximize Kitchen Storage Kitchen storage is always an issue, especially for apartment dwellers or any homeowner whose kitchen is short on space. To remedy this, producers like Hafele are doubling up storage in new, custom kitchens with smart multi-tiered drawers. Picture courtesy of Hafele

Insert In Automation The kitchen of the future is here now. From sensor-activated lights that illuminate the kitchen just when it is in use to meat thermometers that alert your smartphone when dinner is completed, kitchen technologies is here to make your life easier. If you're new to automation, a great introductory merchandise is a hands-free tap, like this one by Moen. Great for homes with small kids who can't yet reach the manage or any kitchen in which busy cooks often have sticky hands. Image courtesy of Moen

Go Commercial-Grade This residential kitchen with commercial flair was designed by Poggenpohl staff Tedd McKee and Rosemary Porto in cooperation with design company CUBE 3 Studio. Functionally, the area was set out to optimize prep room for cooking; visually, the sense of immense space has been heightened by utilizing three different kinds of engineered rock to get the backsplash, the countertop and the island topper. The neutral backdrop is broken with a dash of bright orange at the light fixtures — an easily changeable feature when you are in the mood for a different colour. Image courtesy of Poggenpohl

Save Money With a Look-Alike Countertops continue to define a kitchen's style -- but they don't need to become a budget-buster. This granite countertop from Wilsonart is laminate but unlike previous laminate countertops includes a more realistic, bigger stone pattern and curved edge to get a luxury granite appearance in a fraction of the purchase price. Picture courtesy of Wilsonart

New Colors for Quartz Together with natural rock, quartz countertops are still tops. Caesarstone recently introduced a line of six neutral colors for its granite countertops that were durable. Shown is your grayish-beige "Linen," whose subtle colour gradation lends itself well to sleek contemporary designs. Nonporous and are resistant to heat, quartz countertops are resistant to scratches and rains, making them a wise choice for households or busy cooks. Picture courtesy of Caesarstone

Mix Countertop Materials If you're in the market for a counter tops countertop granite, quartz and laminate are no longer your only options. Wood countertops are coming on strong. This kitchen by EnGrain combines the warmth of wood with cool Calacatta marble for the best of both worlds. Image courtesy of EnGrain

Timeless Farmhouse Flair Kohler's apron-front cast-iron countertops come in a number of colours, including new neutral tones Dune, a gentle sandy shade, and Suede, a dark color that pairs nicely with granite counter tops. "Apron-front sinks have not gone out of style," says interior designer Christine Baumann. "They add a classic focal point to any kitchen. From a practical standpoint, they are deep enough to hold huge pots and platters for easier cleanup — a shorter person can benefit from better access into the sink" Christine notes that due to their visual weight, apron-front countertops are best suited to medium-size or large kitchens. Image courtesy of Kohler

Marry the Kitchen to Your Home's Design "Gone will be the days when kitchens were only flats — now they are so pretty they are any room of the home, says designer Jo Ann Alston of her French Normandy-style layout. Jo Ann incorporated the appliances to get a smooth appearance and combined light fixtures with different styles and finishes to give the look of having been obtained over time rather than purchased all at once. The mixed grey and brown tones in the Chinese slate and oak flooring complement the island's Jerusalem gold granite counter tops, offering a rich look which never strays far from a neutral color midpoint.

Contemporary Combo Designer Mark Donnell and architect Michael Cook picked the finishes in this open kitchen to coordinate with all the existing tile floor. The Poggenpohl cabinetry in Curit (a warm reddish brown), Titan Gray and Light Yellow makes a cozy mix. Plus, using flat-front timber veneer cabinets like these and a traditional wood-plank table gives this midcentury home a modern vibe. Picture courtesy of Poggenpohl

Adaptive Palette "Maintaining a kitchen neutral permits you to customize it to reflect your personality," states IKEA spokesperson Mary Ann Barroso. "This RAMSJÖ kitchen red-brown can be matched to be on trend with lavenders, purples and mauves — we've got a kitchen at our showroom accessorized that way at this time." The real treat in this otherwise traditional kitchen is the sudden light fixtures: IKEA's industrial-chic OTTAVA pendant lamps in aluminum, with shades made from mouth-blown glass. Image courtesy of IKEA

Opt for Architectural Lines Sometimes a bit of modern architecture is all you need to update your look. Kohler's Purist faucet line includes a minimalist profile, a 360-degree swivel spout, lever handles, and higher clearance for pots and pans. All endings are complementary to a neutral palette: Polished Chrome (shown), Vibrant Polished Nickel, Matte Black and Vibrant Stainless. Image courtesy of Kohler