Modern kitchen designs have existed for ages. Before the impact of the Industrial Revolution, modern design had already successfully distanced itself from the common traditional styles.
There is a difference between modern and contemporary interior design styles. One is often confused with the other, and the inherent terms are used interchangeably.
The modern style kitchen reflects a very particular design framework that was developed over the early to mid-20th century.
The contemporary design, however, reflects what’s happening up to the minute. The contemporary style is cutting-edge.
It’s no wonder these terms can become confusing, as “modern” can mean the opposite of something that was traditional for a certain time and is not necessarily a reflection of the present day.
So, just as something that was considered traditional a hundred years ago is certainly dated today, will its so-called “modern” counterpart.
What Characterizes The Modern Kitchen
In the cabinetry industry, modern typically refers to characteristics: basic yet sleek hardware, no carved frills, dominant horizontal lines, and, most effectively, a frameless cabinet.
Modern means the natural allure of the materials used that commands attention. And that’s exactly the intent of the design.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the characteristics that identify the modern kitchen.
Slab Cabinet Door
The Slab door style is the centerpiece of any modern kitchen, also known as a flat-panel door style.
If by chance you happen to see an otherwise Modern kitchen hosting a Shaker door style, you have what is considered a “transitional” style, and certainly not a completely modern one.
Frameless Cabinets
Products of full overlay cabinet construction, there’s confusion in terminology here, too.
That’s because several phrases mean the same thing: Euro-style, frameless, full-overlay, etc. All signify a door overlaying the cabinet box, AKA “frameless.”
This design is found in modern kitchens rather than its flush-inset cabinet counterpart, which is essentially inherent to traditional kitchen, cabinet, and furniture motifs.
True frameless Euro-style cabinets are sleek. There is no visible face frame, and the spacing between the doors and drawers is uniform.
The face frame is partially visible in the variation called a “framed overlay,” and the space between doors and cabinets differs.
Unlike the frameless cabinet, when it’s closed, you may only be able to see about eight inches of the face frame between the cabinet doors.
Smooth, Basic Hardware
Another mainstay characteristic of the modern kitchen (or any room, for that matter) is the sleek and simple hardware it employs.
There are tubular or flat linear pulls (among many others available) that integrate seamlessly into the cabinet.
The hardware often runs the full length of the cabinets’ drawers and doors, accentuating horizontal lines to great effect.
No Frills
This is one of the primary differences between modern and contemporary styles.
You will likely see various patterns, shapes, materials, and patina in a contemporary kitchen cabinet and overall design.
There’s none of that in a modern style. It’s sort of like the strong, silent type of cabinets.
It doesn’t need to dress cool. It just is.
Natural Elegance
There are rare cases of ornamentation on modern cabinets, but they usually serve to exploit the materials natural characteristics.
This could be the case when dealing with gorgeous finishes that accentuate beautiful wood grains or the spectacular and unique veining of marble.
Uniform Accents
Accents like lighting, tables, and even chairs will stay consistent in the modern kitchen. While you expect kitchen styles to vary, modern is all about uniform simplicity, no frills, and clean lines.
Any one of these kitchen upgrades is a good modern element to keep in mind.
An Industrial Touch
Plain elements of certain industrial details can be claimed as modern. It could be something as powerful as a concrete wall or cabinets, which are so free of ornamentation that they feature no hardware and are completely smooth.
It’s the one design that can be incorporated that will least likely compromise the integrity of the great modern kitchen, a classic design that has survived years of changing tastes and stands to continue for years to come.
