Those of you who spend a considerable amount of time in the kitchen would know what kind of impact the environment in the kitchen has on you. The pleasure of cooking aside, the kind of colors that have been used in there, the design, and the comfort of working within its confines are as important. All this of course should be in conjunction with your taste and choice, so that you can whip up only the best and truly enjoy every second you spend in there. Among the different elements of kitchen design, color plays a vital role, and here, we discuss the most popular kitchen colors for 2012 so that you can revamp your kitchen as per your style, as well as keep up with the latest trends. When you look at some of colors showcased in the images below, you may find them to be a little different from your usual taste. So what you are expected to do is look at them with an open mind and approach. After that, whether or not you embrace any idea is your personal choice. However, don't give up without at least considering a color if nothing else. • The Red Family • The Orange Family • The Green Family • The Classic Wooden Look • The Yellow Family • The Classic Black Look Red has been and will always be a color that is popular for kitchens, irrespective of changing trends. This is because it is a color that is known to enhance a person's appetite. If your kitchen overlooks your dining area, or it is where you enjoy most of your meals, red is probably one of the finest colors you can use in the kitchen. It has a modern appeal, yet it is a timeless color that can be merged into any design style it is used in. Combine it with black, gray, white for a modern look, or combine it with wooden cabinetry to tend a little more towards the rustic style. Either way, you will definitely not be disappointed. Before you get intimidated by the thought of the green color in your kitchen, just look at the images here. Even though used throughout the kitchen, it is not too overpowering and in fact, is quite wonderfully refreshing. If it is too much for you, use green as a backsplash and combine it with simple wooden, black or white cabinetry. This look gets toned down considerably. Green mosaic is dramatic yet toned down further for a simpler look. If you are a little more adventurous, go ahead and get those lime green cabinets in your kitchen, and combine them with white or a darker green for a truly bright kitchen! Orange is another color that is known to be an appetite stimulant. It is also considerably modern when used as shown in the first image of this section. This color, though safely combined with white and black, can be combined with others too. For instance, you could go for a yellow and orange or an orange and blue combination if you have it in you to take the beautiful burst of color. If you prefer orange but don't want to use it in its flat form, try wooden finishes that have an orange color. Finally, orange shelves in a completely black and white kitchen offer a beautiful spark of color without being overpowering. A lot of people associate the wooden look with a traditional kitchen. But one look at the images presented here, and you know that wood can be beautifully molded to suit any design style. So if you are tending towards a modern look, combine wood with white and stainless steel. If you want the classic look, use wood all over, yet keep it sleek and functional. If you are looking to keep with the classic look yet add a spark of contemporary design to your kitchen, add a dash of any of the aforementioned colors to your kitchen, and you will be pleasantly surprised! Bright and vibrant, yellow is the perfect color to use in a kitchen with plenty of sunlight. On the other hand, if your kitchen does not have enough sunlight, use it to bring in the burst of light that it needs. If nothing else, use a tinge of yellow to break the monotony of a single, dark color, such as gray. It looks absolutely charming and radiant. If this yellow seems too bright for you, try a lighter yellow in combination with a lighter neutral gray or even a lime green. If you have an open kitchen that you want in yellow, ensure that the overlooking areas are neutral. Too much color can ruin the look of your overall space. Trends come and trends go but black is elegant will eternally remain in style. Too dark for you? Combine it with white, gray, and a dash of red or orange. Ensure that the kitchen you use black in gets a good amount of natural light. Also, black usually works for larger, more spacious kitchens. If you still want to use it, use it in smaller amounts in a smaller kitchen, so that you don't feel too cramped when working in there. As the images represent, black can be used to create a rustic kitchen as well as a sleek, modern kitchen. You can definitely consider this color as a choice for your kitchen for a timeless look. Now, keep in mind that any of the aforementioned colors will look great in your kitchen with the right kind of lighting. If you have a kitchen where you do not get sufficient natural light, avoid going for dark colors. Instead, use lighter colors to make it appear brighter. Also, ensure that the kind of artificial light you use is good for your work, as well as good enough to bring out the charm of the colors you have used in your kitchen. You definitely should consider these color ideas for your kitchen; they are just going to make the whole cooking and dining experience so much more pleasurable.