Kitchens have evolved significantly from being a simple service area in our homes. More homeowners and property developers are now looking at ways to create contemporary and inviting kitchen spaces that feel like a natural part of the overall home decor, rather than an isolated space that serves a specific purpose. In today’s homes, kitchen spaces need to be equal parts stylish and functional.

As autumn draws us back indoors many will wonder whether it’s a good time to consider vital home improvements and make their homes more functional. A great place to start is by bringing your kitchen into the modern era.

Modern Kitchens: Equal Parts Practical and Stylish

The days of traditional cottage-style kitchens are fading fast, making way for minimalist, sleek, modern designs. While functionality should not take a backseat when planning and installing a new kitchen, design is no less important. Modern, contemporary styles are much more malleable than you might expect – there’s no single trend that defines how you want your kitchen to look. 

Whether you want to break down walls that separate cordoned-off kitchens from your living spaces or extend your prep areas to accommodate more storage, the aesthetic you choose should complement how functional you want your kitchen to be. Well-designed contemporary kitchens don’t just look fantastic, but they can add value to homes, which can help you sell yours for a healthy price down the line. Get the layout, configurations, and styling right and you could end up creating an eye-catching space that gives your home that proverbial ‘wow factor’, impressing prospective buyers and tenants alike. 

Creating a sophisticated, contemporary kitchen does not have to be a gargantuan task, nor does it have to cost the earth. It starts with getting some of the fundamental basics right and the rest is easy. If you’re stuck for inspiration or contemporary kitchen design ideas, these tips below should help you get off to a promising start. 

1. Choose Monochromatic Colours

Limited colour palettes help to nail the contemporary kitchen aesthetic, with mild variations helping to create a consistent space. 

Using neutral tones like whites, greys, blacks and blends of the three as a backdrop, with pops of accent colour for interest can be a good way to start. Keeping the overall scheme clean and seamless will help to reduce ‌noise and prevent cabinets or appliances from sticking out unnecessarily and creating ‘eyesores’. 

Popular contemporary colour combinations include:

• Black and white
• Grey and blue
• White and green
• White and neutral wood tones

Remember – less is more when it comes to contemporary colour schemes. Start by defining the colour scheme you want and work out the rest from there. 

2. Select Sleek Finishes

Your kitchen look is often defined by the materials and finishes that you choose for your worktops, cabinetry, handles, units, and appliances. Your kitchen materials can often make or break the contemporary look, with smooth, reflective and glossy surfaces bouncing natural light around, enhancing the feeling of space.

Marble or limestone kitchen worktops introduce plenty of character and charm without overpowering the room. The natural patterns and textures are subtle and work in tandem to create a uniform, seamless look. Pair these with high-gloss lacquered units to provide sheen and depth, rather than flat matt finishes. Why not consider glass-fronted cabinet doors to bounce more light and give the impression of spaciousness?

Modern kitchens are largely rooted in how much space you can create, so consider ways that you can enhance the sensation of room and breathability beyond the dimensions of the room itself.

3. Choose Handleless Design

Many modern kitchens are so elegant and timeless that cabinets have little – if any – handles. Handleless or integrated handle designs on kitchen units can create uninterrupted lines of colour occupying the perimeter of your room, drawing the eye across the full length of the cabinetry. There are several reasons why this type of kitchen feature is so popular in recent years.

The almost futuristic feel of a modern handleless kitchen brings a kitchen into the 21st Century and beyond. Those wanting a softer aesthetic can find comfort in using discreet and non-invasive horizontal bar handles that match the cabinet and unit colours. Luckily, with the help of expert kitchen designers working with you, you can achieve almost any design you want, whether that involves handles or none.

4. Build in Ample Storage

Some homeowners express concerns about whether sparse, minimalist kitchen designs allow for sufficient storage. When redesigning your kitchen, think about ways that you can incorporate smart storage that utilises every millimetre of available space possible.

For instance, consider:

• Optimum use of corner units and deep drawers
• Pull-out larder units and base units
• Integrated bin storage
• Extending carousels in corner cupboards
• Wall-height panelling that conceals shelving
• Under-counter drawer inserts

With smart storage solutions, you can still create the impression of a sleek, clutter-free space. Kitchens are known for requiring ample space to house utensils, tabletop appliances, and plenty of decorative ornaments, and they can quickly feel cluttered if there is insufficient cabinet space. Consider this in the planning stage to make your design and practical kitchen work for you. 

5. Choose Multifunctional Island Units

While smaller kitchens may not have all the bells and whistles you want, that doesn’t mean you can’t create a kitchen island. If you find you can take a wall out to make way for a focal point island in an open-plan modern kitchen, your kitchen will begin to immediately feel more integrated with the rest of your home.

Kitchen islands can serve multiple purposes, with one side serving as a food preparation area and another as a place to casually dine. Breakfasts and lunches can be more social being served on an island with stool seating rather than in a separate dining room, for example. Positioning the island cleverly in your home creates a natural zone between the cooking and dining areas.

Your island could also function ‌as a place to house the sink and dishwasher, as well as other kitchen appliances, provided there is an integrated power supply. If this is possible, this is a place where your kitchen’s aesthetic and functionality goals can be ticked off, and then some.

6. Select Statement Lighting

Kitchen worktop lighting serves a practical purpose, but you can elevate your design even further by choosing the right overhead lighting fixture.

Pendant lights, spotlights and track lighting all fit with the modern aesthetic, acting as a focal point, an ambient solution or subtle ways to illuminate your kitchen’s essential components. Take the time to layer lighting for both function and aesthetic value, as this can bring your contemporary kitchen scheme and look together stylishly.

Bringing Your Kitchen to Life With Final Touches

Once you have taken the above steps, consider the finishing touches that will take your contemporary kitchen design to the next level. 

Consider built-in appliances like ovens, fridges, and microwaves to give your kitchen a more streamlined appearance. Minimise clutter and conceal waste by integrating waste disposal and bins directly into your cabinetry. Avoid the need for kettles by installing boiling water taps for even more convenience and energy saving, and eliminate any grout lines between tiles to create a truly sleek and uniform look.

By paying attention to details like these, you can achieve a contemporary kitchen design that’s high-end in both form and function. Keep the overall look minimalist yet functional. Source the best materials you can afford and pay attention to hidden design details. 

With thoughtful planning, your new modern kitchen will be a timeless showpiece before long, leaving you with something that you can enjoy for years to come.