Shades of gray: Grays are coming on strong, according to the survey and designers. "In kitchens, shades of gray have noticeably jumped in use over the past three years," the association said in its summary, noting an increase from 9 percent in 2010 to 55 percent in the last three months of 2012. Sometimes we aren't in a place to have everything nailed down and locked in place. That's not how we roll at all of life's turns.There are times when it makes sense to keep some adaptability. Keep that in mind when it comes to devising a workspace for the void in the middle of your kitchen.If you've got at least 9 square feet idling, this much-fussed-over province is a prime for adding a counter top with storage underneath – drawers, shelves and other configurations.
While the practicality of kitchen carts on wheels and moveable islands is appealing for those in wee spaces, these are also a formula for kitchen charisma."I think it's a great idea, especially if someone is renting," said Charlotte kitchen designer Keri Henley, owner of Artisan Cabinetry. "This is a great way to add a little more storage and create another serving counter."Adding storage and counter tops doesn't have to be a custom job or a big investment. You can find carts and freestanding islands in just about any design: large or small,12 ideas for your kitchen that are useful
with open shelves or cabinet doors, and in wood, metal or painted finishes.
You need at least 3 feet of space on all sides of a cart or island. That leaves an area for you to move around the room. Take your room measurements, and figure out how much space is left once you've subtracted for traffic areas. The space that's left is the maximum size for any furniture within that space. You might want to choose a slightly smaller piece if several people share kitchen time.A cart or butcher-block table is a good choice when the space for furniture is 3 feet or smaller, Henley said. "If you do it as an island that's permanently mounted., it looks a little small and out of place."Don't worry about making everything match. Choose a finish that wakes up the room or a darker color to anchor it, Henley said."Anything goes," Henley said. "It's whatever you like. There are no hard rules for selecting a color for an island."