1. Color is in. Gone are the days of the all white kitchen. Brown is particularly a la mode right now, but grays, blues and greens are also fashionable. Refacing your cabinets in a colored laminate is one way to incorporate this trend. Vivid mosaic backsplashes and cork flooring are also drawing rave attention from kitchen designers.

2. Dramatic impact makes its mark. Unique and strategically placed windows, multi-leveled center islands, open kitchen designs with cozy adjacent sitting nooks, built-in seating areas, and kitchens that are kid friendly are all the rage right now in kitchen trends.

3. Pantries are made to be seen. That's right, what was formerly a kitchen storage eyesore is now becoming a feature attraction of the room. If you need lots of storage space, try a walk-in pantry. If space is at a premium in your kitchen, a built-in pantry may be a better option. Whichever you choose, make this latest trend a focal point of your kitchen design.

4. Sophisticated touches are making a comeback. Beamed ceilings, antique decorative items, impact-adding molding, dramatic lighting, and porcelain and ceramic backsplashes can all add some major trendy wow to your kitchen.

5. Redecorate around a theme. Keep things believable by designing your kitchen around a feature that's authentic to your home's age. Or, bring back the hottest centuries-old trend with a feng shui friendly kitchen that revolves around the energy-enhancing arrangement of its furniture pieces.

These kitchen trends will not only help you update your kitchen, but a kitchen remodel is also one of the best ways to add value to your home.