Modern kitchens come in a variety of forms these days. And, it’s a popular renovation project, too — kitchens remained the top renovation project in 2020, according to the Houzz & Home 2021 report. For homeowners who are thinking of renovating their space, deciding the theme or ways to make your kitchen feel more modern can be tough. You don’t want to blow your budget, but you want your space to be convenient and have a few new gadgets that bring it into the new decade. Here are some simple tips you can use when designing a modern kitchen!
1. Go frameless for your cabinets. European Style Cabinets are trending in popularity these days. There isn’t much difference between these cabinets and “American” cabinets, except in the framing. Instead of the doors and drawers of your cabinets looking like they’re sticking out from the front, with frameless cabinets, they’ll appear flush against the base. These will make your kitchen cabinets look modern and transform your space into something straight out of a magazine. Want to make your space feel futuristic? Go for a high gloss finish! It will look like you have an acrylic overlay on your cabinets, transforming them into a truly unique design feature.
2. Fix your eyes upwards. An upward trajectory for your eyes is important when you’re designing a modern kitchen, especially in a small space. Not every home has a huge kitchen area, and if you’re the kind of homeowner who doesn’t have the budget to knock down walls, then you will want to focus on ways you can add cabinets or design points upwards in your kitchen. For many homeowners, this looks like adding cabinets in the space between your ceiling and your tallest appliances. Of course, while you’ll only be able to access these cabinets with a ladder (or if you’re really tall), the benefit is that you’ve now got extra storage space to hide away all the kitchen gadgets or items that you hardly ever use. It’s also great for party or seasonal kitchen storage!
3. Go bold with lighting. Since the open concept kitchen is still a huge design choice for many homeowners, it’s important you put in the right lighting. Many homeowners enjoy recessed lighting because it gives a huge coverage area with a smaller number of lights. But, that doesn’t mean you should avoid a set of bold lights anywhere else in your kitchen! Black pendant lights, wicker basket lighting or even a starburst light fixture over your kitchen island are all great options for a bold lighting choice in a modern kitchen. You’d be amazed at just how much a unique lighting fixture can make your kitchen space feel modern and upgraded.
4. The furnishings and hardware make a real difference. Sometimes, it’s the little details. In a modern kitchen, that statement is 100 percent true. The hardware and furnishings you use in your kitchen can really go a long way in making it feel modern — or not. Brass cup handles, stainless steel or even brushed nickel are all great options for furnishings and hardware in a modern kitchen. You’d be surprised by just how much a fresh set of handles on your cabinet doors can make your kitchen feel like it’s entered the 21st century!
5. Keep appliances functional. While it might be tempting to get a whole new set of appliances in your kitchen that feature the latest innovations, take some time to think about their functionality. Will you actually use the digital screen on the fridge, or is it just convenient? Modern kitchens aren’t just futuristic — they’re practical. Besides, if you’re going for a modern farmhouse look in your kitchen, a state-of-the-art fridge with all the bells and whistles probably won’t mesh well with the rest of your decor. Instead, staying classic with stainless steel or even a charcoal gray for your kitchen appliances is always a good choice. Some other functional features for appliances include a retractable sprayer for your faucet, installing the microwave above the stove and getting a fridge that features an automatic ice maker. These features are fun and convenient, but they’re also functional.
6. Install durable floors. In a kitchen, durable floors are a must. And, in modern kitchens where everyone tends to gather at any time of the day, this is even more essential. Older kitchens tended to feature tile as the flooring of choice and, while it is generally easy to clean, it’s not waterproof, cracks easily when something is dropped on it and can also cause people to slip and fall if they aren’t careful. Instead, consider installing some luxury vinyl flooring into your modern kitchen so that you can ensure everyone stays safe and sound in your kitchen space — and your floors don’t ever need repairs.
7. Don’t forget the countertops. Countertops can make or break a modern kitchen. And, while you might be tempted to go for a marble countertop (they’re definitely swoon-worthy in all those Pinterest posts!), consider another counter option. Marble counters are expensive, and they aren’t very durable. However, quartz, granite and even butcher block are all great countertop alternatives that will look great in your modern kitchen. Going for a modern farmhouse look? Butcher block countertops look great with matte white cabinets. To round the whole design out, go for iron cup handles and an iron chandelier.
8. Make sure you choose things you like. While it might seem like a no-brainer, one of the most important things you can do to ensure you have a modern kitchen is to choose things you like! Many homeowners often get so caught up in choosing items that match a certain design aesthetic or stay within budget that they forget to choose things they know they’ll use and will like to see in their space. Focus on including items you like in your kitchen design and you’ll be sure to have a space that’s uniquely you.
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