Tips For Designing A Modern Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s no wonder that homeowners are constantly looking for ways to update and modernize their space. If you are planning a kitchen renovation, chances are you have thought about what design style you would like your new kitchen to emulate. Popular design styles include Farmhouse, Industrial, Cottage, Coastal, Mediterranean, and Modern. Some of these you may recognize. In addition to Farmhouse, Modern is a very popular design style in today’s homes. But what does it mean to have a modern kitchen design?

Contemporary Vs. Modern Kitchen Design

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they can mean different things. The word contemporary is defined as “marked by characteristics of the present period”. Contemporary design does not refer to a particular style, color, or time period. Whatever styles, colors, patterns are currently trending in today’s kitchen design would be considered “contemporary”.

Modern design, however, is rooted in a particular style, popular from the early to mid-twentieth century and inspired by Scandinavian and German designs. Modern kitchens are all about simple form & function. Crisp, clean lines, simple color palettes, minimalist features and wide-open spaces are all popular elements of a modern kitchen design. Since many of these features are also trending in today’s kitchens, a Modern kitchen design may also be considered Contemporary. When we say modern kitchen design, we are referring to sleek and contemporary.

Here is what Nicole in our Nashua, NH showroom advises her clients to consider when designing a modern kitchen:

 

If you are looking for a truly Modern kitchen design, here are a few tips on how to achieve your desired look.

Emphasis on Clean, Horizontal Lines

When you hear a designer talk about modern kitchens, you may hear them use the term “clean lines” when referring to its appearance. But what are clean lines in a kitchen?

In the above photo, you can see how the designer made sure that all of the kitchen cabinet doors align to form uniform, horizontal lines across the island. The grain pattern and cabinet hardware are also oriented horizontally. If you are looking for a true modern design, horizontal lines should be an important focus in your new kitchen.

Open, Uncluttered Layout

Typically, modern kitchens have an open concept feel with tall ceilings, lots of natural light, and creative storage solutions that help minimize clutter on the countertops.

Above, this kitchen design boasts a massive, 12-foot window that gives off tons of natural light. The design features little to no wall cabinets, which make the space feel more open.

Driven by simplicity, modern kitchens tend to maximize functionality and storage within the cabinetry, to keep the exterior of the cabinets and countertops clean and organized.

Lack of Ornamentation

A staple of a true modern kitchen design is its complete lack of ornamentation. In many of today’s kitchen designs you may see detailed crown moldings, patterned tile, or decorative hardware. A modern kitchen, however, will be simple and sleek. The beauty of a modern kitchen will come from natural characteristics of the materials, such us wood grain or countertop detailing.

This modern kitchen design features almost no ornamentation, with black flat-panel cabinetry, no crown molding, sleek & simple hardware, and a solid slab backsplash. Instead, the focal point becomes the cabinetry itself, with the warm woodgrain starkly contrasted against the black cabinetry.

Modern Kitchen Cabinets

Also known as European-style or frameless, full-access cabinetry is constructed without a face-frame and is found in many of today’s modern kitchens. The lack of a face frame allows for greater space within the cabinet itself, as well as smaller gaps between each cabinet, making the “clean lines” look more pronounced.

In these cabinet drawings, you can see how many traditional, full overlay cabinets will feature a gap between the cabinet doors and drawers, and on the sides of the cabinet. While full-overlay cabinets can still be used in a modern kitchen design, the full-access construction allows for a simpler, cleaner look.

Slab or Slim Shaker Door Styles

Slab door styles are the most used cabinet doors found in a modern kitchen. A slab door style is exactly how it sounds – one flat panel without any contours or borders. They are simple, without any ornamentation, which follows the rules of modern design.

What slab doors lack in detailing; they make up for in options. Slab door styles come in a variety of colors & finishes to choose from, including high-gloss acrylic, wood veneer, paints, stains and more.

Cabinet manufacturers have also begun to make what we refer to as a “slim” shaker door style, which takes the popular shaker cabinet door found in many of today’s kitchens and gives it a modern twist.

This modern kitchen design uses a custom slim shaker door style, which offers the simplicity of a slab door with a more custom, upscale appearance.

Technology in the Modern Kitchen

Although today’s technology was not present during the modern design era, technology is a common theme in many of today’s modern kitchens. Device charging storage, motorized lift doors, smart appliances, retractable ventilation are among some of the popular upgrades available and can help keep your kitchen sleek and clutter-free. Talk with your expert kitchen designer to see what options may be right for your kitchen!

Design Your Modern Kitchen with Norfolk Kitchen & Bath

Fallen in love with modern design? Make your dream kitchen a reality at Norfolk Kitchen & Bath.

Norfolk Kitchen & Bath is New England’s largest family-owned kitchen showroom, with 6 locations offering free expert kitchen design, and custom remodeling services for all budgets. We have hundreds of cabinet style and finish combinations to choose from, including many styles of modern kitchen cabinets. Stop by one of our showrooms to browse or schedule your free design consultation online today to get started.