There comes a time when every kitchen needs an upgrade – but when it arrives, why should you choose a modern kitchen design?
After all, some people prefer a traditional kitchen style over stark and sleek, thinking ‘modern’ means your kitchen will look like something from a sci-fi movie.But this doesn’t have to be the case. Modern kitchen ideas can use natural materials.
And, actually, a modern kitchen decor doesn’t have to be about stainless steel across the board. Any interior designer worth their salt will tell you that modern kitchen ideas are as much about making the most off the dining room or dining space, clever storage solutions, and clean lines as they are about making things look like the inside of a space ship!
Indeed, modern kitchen ideas are much more than minimalism and shades of white and grey.
There are many ways to create a modern look without ripping everything out and installing characterless new cupboards, and that’s what we’ll be exploring throughout this blog: the dream kitchen.
So, how do you take an outdated kitchen and bring it into the present day? As experts in kitchen makeovers, we’ve assembled everything you should know about modern kitchen ideas below…
What are the benefits of modern kitchen design?
Of course, before you commit to a modern kitchen makeover, you might be wondering what the advantages would be. Here’s a quick rundown on why this type of kitchen is endlessly popular:
CUSTOMISATION – modern kitchen ideas allow you to tailor the layout and look to suit your lifestyle needs. Even when working with a tight budget, you can create a bespoke design.
FUNCTIONALITY – From smart storage to integrated appliances, contemporary style means creating kitchens that are far more practical for daily life than those of the past, utilising every inch of space to make tasks easier.
TECHNOLOGY – Kitchen appliances have come a long way since the middle of the 20th century, with cutting-edge appliances and fixtures available, which have advanced digital features built in.
EFFICIENCY – Thanks to the functional design and developing technologies, every process that happens is finely tuned to promote cost-effective work and minimise waste. This is what modern kitchen trends are all about.
RESALE VALUE – Should you decide to sell your property in the future, a recently fitted kitchen is sure to appeal to potential buyers; a contemporary kitchen offer a longevity that’s hard to come by these days. To put it simply, these are clean and tidy spaces that are unlikely to go out of style, promising long-term value.
How to achieve a modern kitchen style
A modern kitchen should be a pragmatic space that’s not only convenient but also comfortable to use. You don’t have to stick to shiny white and cold stainless steel if it doesn’t appeal to you.
A great kitchen should meet your individual needs while fitting in with your overall property style. That could be with a breakfast bar, a kitchen island, or both.
But it can mean all sorts of things. Contemporary kitchen design and modern kitchen designs can incorporate glass-fronted cabinets, frameless cabinets, or an island unit. Modern kitchen styles usually feature clean lines and open-plan living solutions, but modern kitchen designs.
Everyone’s needs are different, so you should put your own preferences first when you choose a modern look for your home. That said, there are several principles you should follow if you want to create a productive and visually pleasing kitchen – so here are 7 ways to achieve this.
Neutral shades and accent colours
It might sound boring at first, but neutral shades are key for modern kitchens. From the flooring to the paint on the walls and the finish of your cabinets, you should be creating a smooth, blank slate. This will make any accent feature truly pop, whether it’s an appliance, backsplash, or furniture.
The typical mental image of a modern kitchen tends to be gleaming white units as far as the eye can see, but that’s only one of many possible design choices. Another popular choice is to contrast black and white elements in a monochrome kitchen – or you can soften it with greys and creams.
When it comes to the countertops, natural wood always looks beautiful against white cupboards. It creates natural beauty in a kitchen space. Meanwhile, a pale marble or granite effect worktop would really stand out against dark cabinets.
The statement features you choose should be subtle and sophisticated, not too visually distracting.
What if you want to be a bit more daring?
However, if you feel that this route is playing it too safe and would prefer something more daring, you could choose one bold colour to pair with a neutral one in a balanced monochrome design. As long as the overall palette and colour distribution is consistent, the room shouldn’t look too busy. In a small space, this is especially important.
For those sticking to the muted colour scheme for the majority of the kitchen, you can still establish splashes of brighter colour through appliances, furnishings, accessories, or artwork on the walls.
Hidden storage solutions
To maintain the uncluttered lines of contemporary style, you’ll need to optimise your storage. You should already be making effective use of every shelf and drawer, with inserts to keep everything organised. Aside from necessary appliances, your equipment should be out of sight, not crowding every flat surface. This helps to make the room feel more spacious and creates a calm atmosphere.
On top of your standard kitchen units, you should try to make innovative choices when it comes to storage. Gone are the days when you could only use conventional storage units.A star feature of forward-thinking contemporary kitchen ideas are pull-out storage mechanisms. These allow you to hide your kitchen items while still being able to access them easily, whether it’s spices in a slide-out larder, pots and pans on a swing-out shelf, or crockery on a corner carousel.
How about some modern kitchen inspiration?
If you want some modern kitchen inspiration, open shelving is an alternative option. Rather than tucking things away where you can forget about them, select your favourite bits and pieces and arrange them artfully to form a curated display. Cookbooks, mugs, decorative china or earthenware, glass jars of pasta or coffee, vases or planters – the list goes on.
Similarly, you can make use of vertical space by hanging items from S-hooks on pegboards, racks, or rails. While your utensils and/or pots and pans will be on display this way, they’ll be within easy reach of the cooker, freeing up some space in your drawers and cupboards for other equipment.
Another option is a magnetic knife rack on the wall, rather than a knife block out on the counter. The industrial edge can be a real head-turner.A modern kitchen should be a pragmatic space that’s not only convenient but also comfortable to use. You don’t have to stick to shiny white and cold stainless steel if it doesn’t appeal to you. A great kitchen should meet your individual needs whilst fitting in with your overall property style.
Everyone’s needs are different, so you should put your own preferences first when you choose a modern kitchen design for your home. That said, there are several principles you should follow if you want to create a productive and visually pleasing kitchen – so here are 7 ways to achieve this.
Neutral shades and accent colours
It might sound boring at first, but neutral shades are key for modern kitchens. From the flooring to the paint on the walls and the finish of your cabinets, you should be creating a smooth blank slate. This will make any accent features truly pop, whether it’s an appliance, backsplash, or furniture.
The typical mental image of a modern kitchen tends to be gleaming white units as far as the eye can see, but that’s only one of many possible design choices. Another popular choice is to contrast black and white elements in a monochrome kitchen – or you can soften it with greys and creams.
When it comes to the countertops, natural wood always looks beautiful against white cupboards, while a pale marble or granite-effect worktop would really stand out against dark cabinets. The statement features you choose should be subtle and sophisticated, and not too visually distracting.
However, if you feel that this route is playing it too safe and would prefer something more daring, you could choose one bold colour to pair with a neutral one in a balanced monochrome design. As long as the overall palette and colour distribution is consistent, the room shouldn’t look too busy.
For those sticking to the muted colour scheme for the majority of the kitchen, you can still establish splashes of brighter colour through appliances, furnishings, accessories, or artwork on the walls.
Smart multi-purpose appliances
A contemporary kitchen isn’t complete without up-to-date appliances. Digitalisation across all areas of life has made day-to-day activities easier than ever, with convenient features that can do most of the work for you.
For example, a smart fridge can monitor its contents and let you know when food is past its use-by date or you need to order more groceries, helping you to cut down on food waste.
More colour options
Purple Kitchen Units
Purple is not usually the first colour we think of for modern . Often seen as a ‘royal colour’ – it was used by Roman Emperors – it is a great choice for creating a majestic look.
Far from being a colour that will make people gasp in horror, purple kitchen units create a sleek and sophisticated design. It can be easy to dismiss purple as being ‘too bright’ or a ‘stand out colour’ however the reality is that it makes a statement. It says that you are not afraid to try something different or to take a chance with the style of your home.
You might not have the lifestyle of Augustus or Marcus Aurelius but you will have a distinctive and quirky kitchen!
Red Kitchen Units
Much like purple, red is not a colour that is found in many kitchens around the country. For some people it is too striking and too rich but for us and for modern kitchen units it represents a fantastic choice.
Red kitchen units can be blended in subtlety with whites and creams to create an all-round contemporary design. In fact, red works wonders with smaller kitchens.
As it is quite a rich colour and can overwhelm a room when used in small doses and in kitchens that are not blessed with a lot of space red can be an inspired choice.
You can use red to design a kitchen that will not only stand out among the more traditional designs but which will also fill the room with romance and intimacy.
Latte Kitchen Units
Finally, we have latte. It might sound like one of those colours that closely resembles something else and is just used for marketing purposes but latte is a legitimate shade in its own right and for kitchens that want to ooze sophistication then it is a fabulous choice. Brown kitchen units have always been popular but latte brings something new to the table.
The great thing about using latte kitchen units is that they keep the whole room looking fresh. This subtle shade works really well with white and cream modern kitchen units – just think about a Starbucks coffee! – and even though it is not as striking as red or purple it is unique in its own way.
For a kitchen that is in tune with contemporary style and design than opting for a latte shade will turn that kitchen into an understated but effective room. Latte might be our most subtle option on this list but it is just as good at creating a modern kitchen.
These three colours are all recommended by the Kitchen Warehouse for use with any modern kitchen ideas due to their uniqueness and also how they transform an otherwise plain kitchen into one with personality.
Incorporate smart appliances into your complete remodel
Most smart appliances can connect to a smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing you to control them remotely through an app. Imagine being able to start and stop the dishwasher from another room, or boil the kettle and preheat the oven just in time for you to get home from work?
Even when you don’t control them directly, smart appliances often have energy-efficient systems and safety settings that allow them to switch themselves off when they’re not being used.
Most also allow you to programme activities on a timer, ideal for fast-paced and busy modern lives.
The appearance of the appliances matters too
While things like this help to streamline the functionality of the kitchen, the appearance of the appliances matters, too. Modern appliances tend to come in stainless steel or aluminium models, with painted or coated colours available – though the standard versions are simply black and white.
It’s best to choose appliances that are as understated as possible, such as a neat induction hob rather than a prominent gas hob. You can also choose to hide appliances behind specially fitted doors, or use them as a statement feature by choosing an bold colour or style.
If you take the latter route, remember that you’ll still need to co-ordinate your appliances with the rest of the kitchen.
Clean lines and smooth surfaces
Thanks to the advanced technology of soft-closing drawers and soft-closing door hinges, the latest version of a modern kitchen doesn’t need handles at all.
One such type of handleless kitchen uses hidden J-shaped grooves instead of handles, ensuring uniformly flat frontages. If you do have handles, be sure to choose minimalist modern handles that won’t protrude too much.
How to sustain a seamless look
To sustain the seamless look, you should opt for integrated appliances. Bulky appliances sticking out disrupts the visual flow of the room, when they should sit flush with your cabinetry. In addition to matching panels and plinths, you can also buy appliance doors in the same finish as your kitchen cabinet doors, disguising them completely in a smooth run of units.
To keep this theme going, why not disguise electrical outlets? Instead of allowing visible sockets to disrupt your design when nothing is plugged in, incorporate pop-up power points wherever you need them.
Pop-up sockets can be set into the worktop either vertically or horizontally, so you can pull them out when you’re actually using them and hide them again when you’re done. Another option is to set your outlets into the wall and cover them with a barely noticeable hinged flap.
Industrial style for your dream kitchen
For example, if you wanted to include warm tones of wood in your kitchen, solid wood can get expensive. Modern alternatives like MDF (medium density fibreboard) and MFC (melamine faced chipboard) enable homeowners at all budget levels to achieve an upmarket look without sacrificing durability.
We offer lots of complete units and replacement doors like this at Kitchen Warehouse.
When it comes to engineered materials, acrylic gloss kitchens and lacquered high gloss kitchens are among the most popular choices for affordable modern kitchen ideas.
This is because reflective surfaces are better at bouncing light around the room. This can make even small kitchens feel big and bright. Metallic and mirror finishes won’t appeal to everyone, but they aren’t the only options.
How do you achieve a softer look?
Handleless matt kitchen units make for a softer version of a stereotypical modern kitchen, as do matt textured units, which give more depth to otherwise plain slab doors with imitation stone or wood-effect surfaces.
You could even bridge the gap between traditional and modern with a handleless painted wood kitchen or simplified Shaker painted kitchen in a contemporary colour.
Natural and feature lighting
The reason that modern looks tend to feature pale tones and reflective finishes is to make the most of the room’s lighting. A functional and beautiful kitchen shouldn’t be a dark, dingy, and disorganised room. It should be bright and clean with a refreshingly open and airy atmosphere.
If you exploit opportunities to reflect light, you should.To achieve this, a kitchen should enhance natural light levels as much as possible. This could be through the kitchen windows or French doors to the garden.
Modern design also works well with open-plan layouts, because the light can spread through the entire living space.
Artificial lighting for when the sun goes down
Of course, every kitchen also needs sufficient artificial lighting for when the sun goes down. Don’t think you have to go with basic LED strip lights on the ceiling to stay within the modern theme.
This kind of harsh lighting doesn’t work very well for glossy kitchens, in any case. The best thing to do, regardless of your kitchen finish, is to try out task lighting and feature lighting.
Why is task lighting so important?
Task lighting could be spotlights or downlights above a food preparation or cooking area, creating functional working zones. Also known as accent lighting, feature lighting helps to highlight focal points around the kitchen. For example, open shelves, a patterned splashback, or a dining area.
In addition to practical lighting that lets you cook and clean safely, a kitchen should also have ambient lighting. Sometimes known as mood lighting, this softer type creates a comfortable ambience in the room. Examples include under-cabinet lighting, plinth lights, and dimmer switches.
And don’t forget accent lighting
Last but not least is accent lighting, which turns the light fixture into a decorative feature in itself. Many contemporary light fixtures look like works of modern art, bringing further sophistication to your kitchen.
A popular accent lighting choice is to hang an odd number of pendant lights. Whether it’s over a kitchen island or above a dining table, it can become a conversation-starting showpiece.
Open-plan kitchen layout
We touched upon the topic earlier, but open-plan kitchens are a staple of many modern homes. These floor plans divide one whole living space into separate zones. One half is typically a kitchen and dining area, with a lounge area in the other.
These multifunctional spaces are more sociable. They allow multiple people to cook, dine, and relax at once while enjoying each other’s company.
How about an open plan design?
Open-plan homes tend to use furniture placement to subtly divide the zones. For modern kitchens, this usually means separating the kitchen from the main living area with an island or breakfast bar.
This should ideally have some form of seating for casual dining. You can chat while you prepare and eat food, or watch TV from across the room as you cook. Multi-tasking has never been easier!
The issue with open-plan kitchens is that they need to be in careful proportion to the rest of the living space – both in scale and style. The design, colour scheme, size, and layout can make or break the practicality and attractiveness of an open-plan modern kitchen.
You must ensure that there is a visual balance throughout, especially if you opt for open shelving to display décor.
Ready to design the modern kitchen of your dreams?
There you have it. A selection of our best advice on modern kitchen design to help you achieve the style you’ve been dreaming of. With a new modern kitchen, your home can be a more pleasant place to live, your everyday life can become more efficient, and your property value can increase.
You’ll be enjoying your luxury modern kitchen for years to come. If you ever decide to sell, it’s likely to be much easier to attract buyers with this marketing point. It’s definitely a worthwhile investment.
Even if a modern kitchen fit-out isn’t on the cards financially, you can still recreate the look on a budget. All you have to do is replace the doors and drawer fronts instead of the units.
Browse the Kitchen Warehouse online store today to find the perfect modern kitchen for your home. We also have a kitchen showroom in Yorkshire if you would prefer to view our modern kitchens in person. Got any questions about the products we stock or the information on our blog?
This blog was updated on 27/06/2023.
