Contemporary kitchens are in high demand among homeowners because they reflect the current trend. They are eco-friendly, technologically advanced, and clean-looking.
This kitchen style mixes modern design with minimalism, featuring flat-front cabinetry, sleek fixtures, and wood accents to create a bright and airy kitchen. With homeowners spending more time at home than ever, these kitchens are great for everyday life and entertaining.
What is a Contemporary-style Kitchen
The contemporary design follows trends and incorporates modern architecture, which started in the 1970s and has evolved over time.
The contemporary kitchen style is often open to other rooms in the house, such as the living and dining rooms. Large windows allow a lot of natural light into the space.
A contemporary home can borrow aspects from a variety of styles, making it hard to pinpoint. However, a minimalistic approach is common.
Contemporary kitchen ideas encompass sleek cabinetry, sophisticated color schemes, and minimalistic aesthetics.
Pamela Durkin, owner of Pamela Durkin Designs, states that minimalism is the key, “A contemporary home has a less is more approach. Each piece or element has a reason for being there; it’s not just to fill space…
There is more focus on them, and they must stand out to be interesting on their own merits.” This also carries to the kitchen, which looks more spacious because there are no distractions from the room.
Clean and Sleek Design
While the contemporary kitchen borrows flat surfaces and streamlined designs from the modern design movement, it is often cozier and more livable.
Contemporary is not a design movement but rather a term that describes ‘in the now.’ Clean lines and simple design are the underlying themes of the contemporary kitchen.
The contemporary style uses glass, smooth finishes, and light wood within the space. Natural materials like stone are also used. Containers are used to store gadgets or other small kitchen appliances so that there is no visible clutter.
Contemporary design includes horizontal lines in the layout of the cabinets and counters, the flooring, and the backsplash. Some contemporary kitchens use geometric forms to create interest.
Angles, curves, squares, diamonds, globes, and rectangles are accents that can be used in furniture, wall décor, windows, counters, and lighting.
How Do Classic Kitchens Differ from Contemporary Kitchens?
When considering kitchen aesthetics, understanding the differences between classic and contemporary styles is key. These two styles offer distinct looks and vibes, each appealing to different taste preferences.
Classic Kitchens
Classic kitchens are known for their intricate details and timeless appeal. They often feature:
- Decorative Cabinetry: Expect cabinets adorned with beading, decorative moldings, or paneling that add character and depth.
- Warm and Inviting Finishes: Materials like wood are frequently used for backsplashes and accents, providing a cozy and welcoming environment.
- Traditional Elements: This style often includes traditional fixtures and elaborate hardware, giving these kitchens an elegant, timeless feel.
Contemporary Kitchens
On the other hand, contemporary kitchens embrace minimalism and a streamlined aesthetic:
- Sleek and Simple Design: Key characteristics include clean lines, smooth surfaces, and often bold color contrasts or monochromatic palettes.
- Modern Materials: You might see more glass, stainless steel, or polished stone to enhance the sleek look.
- Minimal Ornamental Details: These kitchens focus on functionality and simplicity, with hidden storage solutions and a clutter-free appearance.
In sum, while classic kitchens lean towards ornamental and traditional charm, contemporary kitchens offer a modern, sleek presentation combining function and style seamlessly. By understanding these elements, you can choose the kitchen style that best suits your tastes and lifestyle.
Elements of a Contemporary Kitchen
Making the most of the available kitchen space is essential for creating an enjoyable and uncluttered area for cooking and entertaining. Homeowners who are drawn to a contemporary kitchen should incorporate the following into their plans:
Contemporary Cabinets
In general, contemporary kitchen cabinetry has a sleek, more angular design with little ornamentation. It is functional and streamlined.
Two types of cabinet doors are typically used in contemporary kitchens: Shaker and flat-panel or slab doors. Both have simple lines.
Shaker cabinets have five flat panels that create a frame. The type of wood used for Shaker cabinets in contemporary kitchens is maple, hickory, or oak.
Flat-front doors, also dubbed slab doors, are solid without any framing and are another option for this kitchen style. They are made from a single piece of wood, which is either painted or covered with wood veneer. The minimalist look of these cabinets works well with contemporary design.
Custom cabinetry can create a chic and inviting kitchen by combining a cozy dining space with personalized, tailor-made cabinets to hide appliances and provide ample storage.
Contrasting cabinet colors with countertops, backsplashes, and flooring makes for an interesting kitchen. Opposite colors, such as gray wall cabinets and white base cabinets, are often used in contemporary kitchens.
How to Incorporate Dark Wood Cabinets into a Contemporary Kitchen
Dark wood cabinets can transform your kitchen into a sophisticated and modern space reminiscent of elegant living room furniture. Here’s how to achieve this contemporary aesthetic:
- Combine with Unique Accents: Pair dark wood cabinetry with a striking 3D backsplash to add texture and visual interest. The contrast between the smooth wood and an intricate backsplash can create a stunning focal point.
- Choose Statement Lighting: Opt for pendant lights with unique designs not commonly seen in kitchens. These fixtures can enhance the luxurious ambiance and serve as conversation starters.
- Introduce Bold Colors: Choose bold chair choices, such as rich teal or any other vibrant hue, to add a pop of color. This can serve as a refreshing contrast to the dark wood, preventing the space from feeling too heavy.
- Balance with Light Elements: Incorporate lighter countertops or wall colors to balance the darkness of the wood. This helps maintain an open and airy feel, which is essential for contemporary spaces.
By carefully selecting complementary elements, you can successfully incorporate dark wood cabinets and achieve a tasteful and modern kitchen design.
Hardware
Long brass handles are popular in different kitchens, including contemporary ones, because they work well with varying styles and color schemes. Homeowners looking for a little more pizazz might consider brass V-shaped pulls.
While dark kitchen hardware is not new, a flat or matte black finish is new for 2021. This finish gives a dramatic look when paired with white or light cabinets.
For flat-panel cabinets where the wood or finish itself makes a statement, subtle hardware picks that do not detract from the cabinet style are a great complement.
Color Palette
A contemporary kitchen uses neutral colors and fabrics but adds bold accents or accessories. The bold color should complement the neutral colors. Typical colors include white, beige, black, and gray. About sixty percent of the contemporary kitchen should be one of these dominant colors, 30 percent a secondary color, and only 10 percent a complimentary accent color.
When it comes to cabinets, contemporary designs often favor neutral tones, with white being perennially popular for its clean and versatile appeal. However, don’t shy away from exploring other trendy options like sage green, which provides a refreshing touch, or gray, which offers a sleek and modern look. Wood tones are also a fantastic choice, adding warmth and texture to the space.
By carefully selecting and balancing these colors, you can create a harmonious and stylish kitchen that feels both modern and inviting.
The kitchen walls are often unadorned so they do not clutter the room. Clutter in the form of patterns and textures is also kept to a minimum.
Homeowners often choose all-white kitchens, which complement different materials such as wood, granite, tile, and other accent colors.
Choosing a white palette with beige details for smaller kitchens helps the space feel larger. Bold accent colors are only used in small doses.
Sage green has become a hallmark of modern kitchen design, and it’s no wonder why. This soothing hue embodies a sense of calm and tranquility, making it an ideal choice for creating a peaceful environment in your home. As a versatile shade, sage green can function like a neutral, seamlessly complementing a variety of styles and colors.
The Appeal of Sage Green in Modern Kitchens
- Neutral and Versatile: Sage green‘s subtle tone allows it to act as a neutral, pairing well with both bold and understated colors. Whether your kitchen features vibrant accents or more subdued elements, this color integrates effortlessly.
- Natural and Relaxing Atmosphere: The connection of sage green to nature adds calm and earthy warmth, perfect for the heart of the home. This association with the outdoors brings a fresh, organic touch to interior settings.
- Elegant Yet Understated: This color manages to be both chic and inviting. It offers elegance without overpowering the space, ensuring your kitchen feels welcoming and refined.
- Perfect for Accents: Whether as a soothing backdrop on walls or an eye-catching splash on tiles and cabinetry, sage green adapts well to various applications, including tile backsplashes, where it can truly shine.
When designers choose sage green for contemporary kitchens, they’re opting for a color that offers both aesthetic appeal and practical versatility, allowing homeowners to enjoy a balanced, harmonious space.
Furniture
If the kitchen has an eat-in area, the furniture has clean lines but with soft, rounded edges to match the rest of the house. Patterns are often not used in the fabric but rather neutral linens or pieces of cotton that can be textured. Sometimes, the furniture is a combination of shapes.
The stools at the kitchen island are sleek and uncomplicated. They can be made of metal or fabric. A stool with an X-back or bent wood complements any other furniture in the kitchen, such as an eat-in area.
Countertops
Countertops are also streamlined and are often made of granite or quartz. Granite is often chosen because it is low maintenance but looks luxurious. Quartz, unlike granite, is non-porous, so it does not need to be resealed.
More homeowners gravitate toward quartz in this type of kitchen because of its clean look. Concrete countertops are becoming trendy and functional choices in contemporary kitchen designs.
Both granite and quartz come in many colors and patterns to match any color scheme. For an upscale contemporary kitchen, lava stone can be installed for a super-smooth, glossy addition.
Marble countertops add a sleek and modern look to the spaces, lending polish and creating a cohesive feel in urban and trendy kitchen designs.
Kitchen Flooring
Flooring in a contemporary kitchen uses light wood. For example, the Birch or Maple wooden materials are good options. Engineered wood with a plywood core is a way to use wood economically and sustainably. Currently, oak and ash are the on-trend finishes.
Another option is porcelain tiles that look like wood. The new porcelain is so convincing that it looks real. This is a perfect match for homeowners who prefer tile but want the look of wood.
Plus, tiles are easier to maintain in a kitchen than wood. Vinyl flooring is a less expensive and waterproof option, which is great for families with young children.
Stainless Steel Appliances
Contemporary kitchens boast the latest and greatest appliances, including stainless steel appliances. They are often high-end and energy-efficient. Black appliances are not currently found in contemporary kitchens.
Homeowners who want a ‘smart’ home will enjoy a contemporary kitchen with all its amenities, including water and energy-saving appliances and faucets.
Some appliances also give a geometric aspect to the room.
For example, an angled vent hood will add interest. Ariana Lovato, owner and designer at Honeycomb Home Design, states: “Kitchen hoods in a square shape with slab materials facing them will be very popular due to the minimalistic style but also for ease of cleaning.”
Stoves, ovens, and cooktops are often modern and increase the kitchen’s functionality. As more homeowners spend time cooking at home, a convection speed oven combines both traditional and microwave ovens in a single product.
Tile
In the contemporary kitchen, a small area of handmade tile can make an impact. For example, a black tile backsplash over a white marble countertop can be a focal point.
Tile above the cooktop or the wall over the kitchen desk, if there is one, can become the kitchen accent, but the edges remain sharp and clean.
Some homeowners choose to keep the tile in a neutral color that does not compete with the rest of the space. A white tile with a neutral-colored grain is popular in this kind of kitchen.
Backsplash
A slab backsplash that covers the wall and ceiling is becoming popular in this type of kitchen. It has clean lines and adds a little luxe to the space. A colorful backsplash is often used against the neutral tones for a pop of color.
For example, a white kitchen with a bold tile backsplash looks clean and fresh. Glass tiles, mosaics, stone, and ceramic are used to express the homeowner’s personality.
Modern cabinets complement these backsplashes perfectly with their contemporary design, quality, and customization options. They are easy to install and can be tailored to specific ergonomic needs, adding versatility and value to modern kitchens.
Lighting
An abundance of light is important in this kitchen style. Often, large windows are interspersed throughout the area to let in as much natural light as possible. White cabinets contribute to contemporary kitchens’ bright and airy look, enhancing the overall lighting effect.
There are many lighting options that will work in a contemporary kitchen. Modern kitchen lighting across the island is stylish and has clean, uncluttered lines.
Recessed lighting and pendants over the island are two options that fit the style here. The lighting’s size, shape, and texture are both functional and decorative.
Sink
A new design idea in contemporary kitchens is the integrated sink. This type of sink is made from the same material as the countertops, so there is no transition between them.
Oversized sinks are also popular with homeowners. They offer functionality for those who cook a lot. Just like with hardware, matte black for kitchen faucets is trending.
Wood cabinets add contrast and a luxurious feel to contemporary kitchen designs, setting the tone for a personalized and modern space.
Many homeowners also prefer hands-free, touchless kitchen faucets that add to the ‘smart’ kitchen. For those who want to elevate technology usage, voice-activated faucets can turn on and dispense the amount of water needed for pasta or soup.
The Contemporary Kitchen Popularity
Contemporary kitchens will remain popular in 2024, and the technological advances will only enhance them to become more energy efficient. Homeowners will want to choose cabinets early in the design process as they are important to the overall style of the contemporary kitchen.
