The New Year is often the time when home owners decide to give their kitchens a revamp. If you are looking for kitchen design ideas, here are a few for you to consider. Unusually, Transitional or Soft contemporary designs have taken over in popularity from more traditional styles. Transitional is a cross between traditional and contemporary and involves less formality, simplified lines and warm colours. Less obvious appliances will be big in 2013. Stainless steel appliances are still popular but they are likely to be hidden this year, blending with cabinets and some with panels to match. This year will also see more built-in appliances under counters, secondary refrigerators and sinks, wine coolers, rubbish compactors and microwaves. All these appliances are ideal for islands which are continuing to increase in popularity. If you want your kitchen to be right on trend, consider a more layered approach to lighting, with LED lighting in the forefront. Add lighting under the cabinets and within the cabinets. The look of your kitchen will benefit if you opt for lighting that is both functional but beautiful, providing the right sort of atmosphere for the hub of the home. It is rare now to find a kitchen that is large enough without the addition of a kitchen island. Island trends are for counter eating spaces with attractive stools especially in open kitchens. Islands are also being used as a means to separate the kitchen from the family living area. Natural colour schemes are in, with the trend particularly for grays, greens and neutrals. Painted cabinets are still very popular as is black and white and bright colours such as red for the finishing touches. If you can make only one change this year, the recommendation is for a stylish kitchen sink. This year will see a continued move towards stone, copper and fireclay farmhouse sinks. Companies such as Kohler are introducing farmhouse sinks in styles to compliment even the most contemporary of kitchens from materials such as brushed nickel and stainless steel. Glass backsplashes are an interesting option that will enhance the modern kitchen. Although the glass mosaic tile will remain popular, this year will see the rise of a single sheet of glass which is seamless, slightly reflective and easy to clean.