1. Look Up with Eye-Catching Ceilings

A ceiling that makes a statement is right on trend, plus will add immediate drama. You can go bold, unique, or classic and still get the desired effect.

A coffered ceiling is one way to catch the eye. Go with the classic square shapes or do something a little different and try rectangles or triangles instead.

A tin ceiling also adds instant drama and elegance. Shiny metal tin doesn't just invite you to look up, it demands it. Try a colored or distressed tin ceiling tile and make the ceiling even more stunning.

A mural on the ceiling can also make a statement, whether it's simple, a curly pattern, a full-fledged scene, or any style in between. Be sure to limit more dramatic murals to just one area (like over the island) so it's not overwhelming. For murals that are more understated, go ahead and cover the whole ceiling.

2. Add Sizzle & Spice with Popping Colors

Kitchens tend to be neutral and this is generally a good thing. But all those neutrals can become a little one note. Why not liven up the main bustling room of the house with color? You can add a few accents of color here and there, or you can go for a bit more dramatic (and permanent) applications of color.

The backsplash is an excellent place to add color. It's a permanent change but is easily changable if you decide to go a different direction in the future. A solid color or mosaic with color draws the eye and makes the backsplash the center of your design. Try a tin tile backsplash to add metallic flair to the backsplash.

Another great place to add color is on the island. Cabinets of a different color than the perimeter cabinets take the kitchen drama up a notch. A dramatic countertop on the island lets you add something heavier in design without weighing down the kitchen.

Colored appliances (like a bright oven, fridge, and beyond) are also a fun way to add an on-trend pop that will set the kitchen apart. Colored appliances are also easy to switch out if you decide to do something different later.

3. Go Kitschy & Eclectic

Eclectic design used to mean a mish-mash of styles that may or may not make sense. But that isn't how contemporary eclectic design works anymore. The new eclectic-ism blends a few elements into a motif that carries itself throughout the design. Mixing modern with Moroccan or contemporary with rustic is a popular way to gain an eclectic vibe.

Just like pops of color bring a little life to your kitchen, pops of quirky flair do the same. Bring in heavily patterned bar stools or incorporate an off-beat shaped island. Anything out of the ordinary draws attention and ups the drama factor.

If you're a collector, don't be afraid to bring your found items into the kitchen. Antiques, art, or whatever you like to collect can be arranged in little vignettes in your kitchen. These knick knacks tell a story and makes your kitchen more personable and unique to you.

4. Unleash a Divalicious Design Side

There's nothing that brings the kitchen to life more than letting the space show its diva side. You can do this with any part of the kitchen design—as long as it steals the spotlight, it's doing its job.

Do something totally unexpected with the floor. Go for a notable pattern like chevron, herringbone, or checked. Having a dramatic floor is enough to set your kitchen apart.

Unique countertops can also make an undeniable statement and become the centerpiece of your kitchen. You can achieve countertop drama with a dark color, richly veined stone, or a vibrant color.

Fabulous and detail-rich statement lighting can also take your kitchen from plain to posh in a flash. With so many options of lighting shapes, colors, groupings of lights, and more, you'll easily be able to find a creative lighting fixture that looks like a work of art, or that you can display in a unique way.

5. Introduce Black As a Bold

You're well aware of the popularity of white kitchens, but if you want the drama, nothing beats black. The dark shade is sophisticated and demanding of attention, yet also classic and elegant. The addition of black in the kitchen (even in small splashes) is a guarantee way to enhance drama.

Change the entire vibe of a neutral kitchen with the addition of black cabinets. Ensure that there's plenty of light in the space so you can ward off the feeling of it being dark and bask in the drama of black.

Every bit of black you add to your kitchen amps up the drama. Even black-framed windows are enough to take full advantage of the effects of black. Black and white patterns in textiles do the same.

A healthy dose of metallic alongside black both balances the dark color and adds more drama. No matter which metallic you choose, the contrast and added shine takes the kitchen from 'meh' to mesmerizing.

You spend so much time in the kitchen . . . it's okay to add pizazz and celebrate its personality with eye-catching colors, patterns, and fun features. No matter how much you dial the design temperature up, dramatic kitchens are a haute idea you can maximize (and alternate) as you please. Enjoy!

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