Whether you’re tackling a kitchen remodel with the help of a kitchen designer, an architect or a contractor, being able to pin down your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you love an uncluttered, of-the-moment look with clean lines and minimal adornment, contemporary style may hit your decorating sweet spot. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular kitchen style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
Contemporary-Style Kitchens at a Glance
Contemporary kitchens embrace negative space, strong shapes and clean lines, while leaving plenty of room for experimentation. Fully embracing the latest in technology, materials and trends, they are flexible and creative. Here are some common elements to look for:
Contemporary kitchens embrace negative space, strong shapes and clean lines, while leaving plenty of room for experimentation. Fully embracing the latest in technology, materials and trends, they are flexible and creative. Here are some common elements to look for:
- Cutting-edge appliances
- Dramatic lighting
- Mixed materials
- A unique island
- A creative backsplash
What You Won’t Find in Contemporary Kitchens
Contemporary kitchens stay away from heavy embellishments and traditional shapes. Here’s what you won’t see:
Contemporary kitchens stay away from heavy embellishments and traditional shapes. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Cluttered surfaces
- Elaborate edge treatments on countertops
- Heavy, traditional furnishings
- Highly embellished millwork
High-Contrast Color
While it’s true that white is a popular choice for contemporary kitchens, it’s certainly not the only option. Color in a contemporary kitchen can be bright and bold or soft and subtle. Consider using crisp white walls as a jumping-off point for colorful cabinetry or an eye-catching backsplash.
Colors for contemporary kitchens:
While it’s true that white is a popular choice for contemporary kitchens, it’s certainly not the only option. Color in a contemporary kitchen can be bright and bold or soft and subtle. Consider using crisp white walls as a jumping-off point for colorful cabinetry or an eye-catching backsplash.
Colors for contemporary kitchens:
- High-contrast. White, black, charcoal
- Sophisticated neutrals. Dove gray, taupe, mushroom, ivory
- Bold. Teal, navy, fire engine red, yellow, Kelly green
Flat-Panel Cabinetry
Flat-panel or slab-door cabinets have a minimalist, understated look that is well-suited to contemporary kitchens. A flourish-free design lets the beauty of natural wood grain or supersleek cabinet pulls take center stage.
Flat-panel or slab-door cabinets have a minimalist, understated look that is well-suited to contemporary kitchens. A flourish-free design lets the beauty of natural wood grain or supersleek cabinet pulls take center stage.
An Innovative Island
Waterfall counters, bilevel surfaces, hidden storage and mixed-material designs keep things interesting in a contemporary-style kitchen. Whether made from marble, concrete, quartz, wood or engineered stone, the countertop or island top tends to be a focal point. Island innovation continues right down to the last detail, so also look for hidden outlets, charging stations and built-in home tech.
Waterfall counters, bilevel surfaces, hidden storage and mixed-material designs keep things interesting in a contemporary-style kitchen. Whether made from marble, concrete, quartz, wood or engineered stone, the countertop or island top tends to be a focal point. Island innovation continues right down to the last detail, so also look for hidden outlets, charging stations and built-in home tech.
Cutting-Edge Appliances
Contemporary kitchens harness cutting-edge tech and trends to create a unique (and highly functional) space. Look for a custom or concealed range hood, a sleek induction cooktop and smart kitchen technology, including smart refrigerators, ovens and ranges.
Contemporary kitchens harness cutting-edge tech and trends to create a unique (and highly functional) space. Look for a custom or concealed range hood, a sleek induction cooktop and smart kitchen technology, including smart refrigerators, ovens and ranges.
Design Detail: Undermount Sink
A simple stainless steel undermount sink draws the eye to a beautiful countertop, increases countertop space and makes for an easier-to-clean kitchen. Anything goes in a contemporary kitchen when it comes to metal finishes — matte black, white, brushed gold and polished chrome are all good options. Mixing and matching finishes is definitely allowed, but the shapes of the elements do tend to be streamlined and minimal no matter the finish.
A simple stainless steel undermount sink draws the eye to a beautiful countertop, increases countertop space and makes for an easier-to-clean kitchen. Anything goes in a contemporary kitchen when it comes to metal finishes — matte black, white, brushed gold and polished chrome are all good options. Mixing and matching finishes is definitely allowed, but the shapes of the elements do tend to be streamlined and minimal no matter the finish.
A Creative Backsplash
Bold-pattern ceramic tile, subtle glass tile, minimalist sheets of glass, stone slabs, intricate mosaic patterns — in a contemporary kitchen, backsplash options are limited only by your (or your designer’s) imagination.
Bold-pattern ceramic tile, subtle glass tile, minimalist sheets of glass, stone slabs, intricate mosaic patterns — in a contemporary kitchen, backsplash options are limited only by your (or your designer’s) imagination.
Dramatic Lighting
Lighting in contemporary kitchens makes a statement — due to both the design of the lighting fixtures and the light itself. Look for integrated smart lighting features, sleek undercabinet lighting for task illumination and island lighting that plays with scale.
Lighting in contemporary kitchens makes a statement — due to both the design of the lighting fixtures and the light itself. Look for integrated smart lighting features, sleek undercabinet lighting for task illumination and island lighting that plays with scale.
Finishing Touches
Clean-looking contemporary kitchens need little in the way of decor. A few carefully considered finishing touches — such as modern bar stools, sleek canisters and a gleaming teakettle or coffee maker — will strike the right note.
Your turn: Are you a fan of contemporary style? Describe or show us your favorite contemporary-style kitchen in the Comments!
Content provided by Laura Gaskill at Houzz.com
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