Be at the cutting edge; A bold, futuristic look that's full of bright, shiny colours is all the rage for kitchens.

STAR Trek's Captain Kirk would be impressed with the latest fashion for space-age-style kitchens.

In today's smartest homes, the kitchen is more futuristic looking than ever before - and resonant of the Starship Enterprise.

The cutting-edge trend is for floor-to-ceiling streamlined kitchen units in high gloss or lacqueredeffect finishes.

Design consultant Susan Ross has witnessed a move towards the futuristic look across the home this year.

She said: "The future is shiny and sleek in many interior spaces but in particular this is happening more in the kitchen.

"Banks of units look almost seamless in their uniformity and even handles have been minimalised to appear as though they are not there at all.

It's all very space-age." But the latest style is far from one-dimensional as designers throw in eye-catching colours.

Susan said: "While white is still one of the most popular unit colour choices, most kitchens now feature injections of fun, bold colours, too.

"In some cases a row of units will be installed in a primary colour, such as red, yellow or green, or a set of wall units are fitted in alternate shades of vibrant hues.

In some kitchens, I've seen a mix "of six colours of unit doors.

No two kitchens are the same any more as people choose to bring their own colour mixes into influence."

Susan suggests if homeowners can't afford to install a new kitchen, it's possible to make a few trend-setting changes.

She said: "It is perfectly possible to change the doors of your existing units.

"In this way, you could have a mix of white doors as well as introduce a range of brighter coloured doors or shelves.

"Or you might want to change all the doors for one uniformed but brightly coloured look."

An alternative is to replace kitchen wall tiles with a mix of boldly coloured tiles. Another area that has received a children's colour-palette makeover is accessories.

Stylish kitchens now offer displays of domestic gadgets, kettles, toasters, bread bins, pans and crockery in bright hues.

Colourful dishwashers, fridges and even cookers are also making an entrance as stand-alone features in themselves.

According to Susan, the top colours for 2009 and 2010 are reds, oranges, pinks, lime greens, purples and aqua blues.

She said: "Everywhere you look in stores, there are displays of interiors brightly coloured kitchen utensils and gadgets.

"Even coffee makers and food mixers are being sold in stunning colours such as scarlet red and turquoise.

"There is also a greater range of dishwashers and fridges, such as those by Smeg, in more daring hues.

Who could resist a bright red dishwasher or deep blue fridge?" On the other hand, when it comes to floors in the new-look kitchen, there is far more of an emphasis on the subtle.

Out go the rough, darker floor tiles and the natural wood planks and in come sleek "architectural" styles. Susan said: "There is far more of an architectural or commercial look for kitchen floors this year. "This could be a shiny and white marble look, with large, seamless tiles, or a concrete floor painted in bright white or cream.

"For people who have wooden floors, the trend is to paint the bare wood in white, red or black.

"The look is plain but highly effective as a neutral backdrop to the bright units and accessories."

Walls are also heading back to a plainer, one-colour design.

Susan added: "While feature walls with striking wallpaper were in for a while, we're seeing a return to the neutral background.

"White painted walls or lightly tinted creams are popular again.

"These backgrounds for walls and floors allow the rest of the kitchen to shine.

It's a look that is part spaceage and part fun and funky.

"Let the imagination go and style the kitchen as if it was a piece of fun and abstract art."