Contemporary kitchen designs rely heavily on new features and advanced facilities. As such, this type of renovation will often approach the upper average cost of $40k. When handled correctly, though, the upgrades can significantly improve your daily life while also providing the platform for years of success.
Here at CopperSmith, we suggest that putting a personal spin on any proposed kitchen transformation is essential. Nevertheless, inspiration can come from many sources. Here are some of the best tips that will enable you to achieve the desired results:
#1. Focus on flat cabinet doors
Cabinetry choices are a fundamental part of any kitchen design. While you will subsequently want to think about their influence on other features like the kitchen sink, the first job is to ensure that the cabinets themselves are right for the contemporary style.
Contemporary kitchen cabinets should set out to achieve a simple yet sophisticated style through flat panels. The combination of clean horizontal lines, created thanks to the rows of cabinets, and clean panels often featuring cut-out handles will work well. It creates a more futuristic vibe than the hardware choices often seen in rustic or traditional kitchens.
White color schemes are a popular choice, but glossy acrylic cabinet doors are available in an extensive range of colors. It’s a clean and ultra-modern style that also brings a luxury vibe and could be teamed with glossed flooring solutions.
For the best results, you must also show a considered approach to layouts. Built-in appliances create an even clean and consistent look. It also overcomes the issues linked to having appliances from different brands or in different colors. Fridges, freezers, wine coolers, and dishwashers are just some of the appliances that can be carefully hidden. It is a particularly effective way to promote a minimalist vibe too.
#2. Use laminate countertops
In addition to selecting the right cabinets, choosing the perfect countertops for your modern contemporary kitchen design is essential. Laminate countertops make the perfect choice because they are hygienic, affordable, and perfectly paired with the aforementioned cabinets.
Light gray laminate countertops can deliver a calming touch, particularly if you have a fridge freezer, or other large appliance on show. Alternatively, a laminate countertop featuring a concrete appearance perfectly fits in with an industrial vibe. Otherwise, white laminate countertops can reflect light to make the kitchen appear bigger. It will also draw extra attention to any accentuating features.
Laminate countertop technology has evolved at a rapid rate in recent years. This has opened the door to ideas like pairing it with an undermount sink without concerns over water damage and warping. This makes them a practical choice for daily life while additionally bringing your kitchen style to life.
Laminate countertops may not last quite as long as some other materials, but their affordability means that this isn’t an issue. Better still, it enables you to update and tweak your contemporary design styles over the years to come.
#3. Embrace metal elements
While cabinets may not feature hardware, there are still plenty of opportunities to introduce metal components into the contemporary kitchen style. Their stand-out attributes will instantly increase the elegance while also giving the room a more cohesive appearance that ultimately translates to the wow factor you deserve.
The most commonly used metals in contemporary kitchen design are stainless steel, copper, and chrome. This could be used for sinks, range hoods, seating, and more. Aside from the visual benefits, the metallic features are hardwearing and require low maintenance. This fits perfectly with the simple sophistication that this type of kitchen renovation seeks.
It’s quite common for taps to feature advanced features like water filters or swivel sprouts that allow you to move the spray in all directions. This added practicality for modern living is something that aligns with the objectives of a contemporary kitchen.
Stainless steel, chrome, and copper accentuating features will also pair well with fridge freezers and other appliances that are on display. The industrial tones and authenticity of durable metal will additionally build a high-end characteristic. It’s modern, stylish, and the type of kitchen that you will want to show off. It also creates consistency with bathrooms and other living spaces that feature metal.
#4. Consider a tiled kitchen island
The kitchen island has become a far more accessible and sought-after feature. In fact, over half of all homeowners completing a kitchen renovation want to add a kitchen island. It makes perfect sense for a contemporary kitchen design too as it combines extra function and practicality with aesthetic intrigue. There are many ways to make the kitchen island stand out, and a tiled approach is perhaps the greatest.
Whether your flat cabinet faces are glossy or wooden, the tiles provide an eye-catching contrast that creates a focal point for your kitchen. You may opt for a plain tile or a bold patterned design. Either way, there are plenty of color schemes that you could use, perhaps matched to a feature wall or the colors of other accentuating features within the room.
A textured tiled kitchen island will also bring added depth to the room, working exceptionally well with the horizontal lines heavily featured in the contemporary design. The same tiled effect may be used on a feature wall but you should take care not to detract from the island itself.
Tiles are protected against scratches, heat damage, and other cosmetic problems. This makes it another practical solution that can deliver years of service. Even when opting for colored tiles, it’s important to choose a scheme that injects a little extra energy without dominating the room.
#5. Embrace the power of paint
Contemporary kitchen designs often use glossy cabinets and laminate countertops, but they do not have to be void of personality. Likewise, contemporary design is more of a philosophy than a specific set of materials. Painted wood cabinets can still create the desired modern appeal as long as you avoid overcrowding them with complex hardware choices.
An increasingly common choice among contemporary homeowners is to paint the ceiling in a bold color too. It can be matched to the color of the cabinets, using a slightly lighter shade. It creates a more dramatic overall vibe and ensures that the kitchen looks complete.
When combined with white and gray cabinet frames or countertops, there will be many suitable color choices. Reds are a great option, with Benjamin Moore’s Raspberry Blush standing out as a very on-trend solution. In fact, it was even named the company’s Color of the Year for 2023, guaranteeing that your kitchen will be the envy of your friends for years to come. Better still, it can pair with both lighter and darker shades for a big statement.
Bold blues and intense oranges can also work well in the contemporary kitchen space, especially if using wood finishing in a modern fashion. For an ultra-modern and considered aesthetic, the upholstery or covers used on your breakfast bar stools can be matched to the painted walls, ceiling, or fixtures.
#6. Use advanced lighting
Lighting is an essential feature of any contemporary kitchen upgrade. To achieve the desired results, you will need to achieve a versatile setup that delivers plenty of light to celebrate the spacious layout. In most cases, no overhead fixtures will be used, especially in smaller contemporary kitchens.
LED lights are the most popular choice by far. Aside from their improved energy efficiency ratings, they produce an illuminating light that prevents shadows and glare. This is a convenient solution for when you are cooking or completing other daily tasks.
Track lighting is another popular option that may run along the kitchen ceiling while recessed ceiling and surface lights may also be used. Further flexibility can be achieved through the use of blue LED strips, which run horizontally below kitchen cabinets. Some kits allow you to change the color at the touch of a button, enabling you to alter the atmosphere at the click of a button.
Natural lighting should also be highlighted at every chance. Only 30% of homeowners increase the size of their kitchen during a renovation, but those that do often look to install a skylight. Even when this isn’t possible, dressing larger windows in an appropriate style will give the kitchen a modern flavor.
#7. Opt for symmetry
A contemporary kitchen style should provide a sense of everything being in its place. Symmetry is one of the most effective ways to do this, not least because it underlines the organized and calming atmosphere.
Positioning the stove and range hood in the center along one chosen wall is a great starting point. You can then build your cabinet and countertop layouts around this. While the internal configurations can be adapted to suit your needs, the external faces should aim for symmetry. The kitchen island and sink should also occupy central areas in their part of the room. For added symmetry, you may wish to consider a double sink.
Similarly, a double fridge freezer may aid the pursuit of a symmetrical aesthetic. Simple touches like having two plants presented in a symmetrical fashion can work wonders for the room too. Seating and lighting choices should also deliver that calming symmetrical layout.
The kitchen will subsequently look neat, tidy, and free from clutter while you’ll also know where everything has its place. A patterned flooring choice, such as tiles, may work better than natural hardwood in this instance. Where possible, sliding doors that open up to reveal the beautifully organized kitchen will deliver a powerful statement each time you enter.
#8. Opt for organic materials
Modernizing the kitchen space shouldn’t be limited to aesthetic goals. It’s equally crucial to focus on the function, efficiency, and safety of the kitchen. Organic materials are the perfect choice for many reasons, not least because they support the bid for a greener home
Contemporary kitchens can borrow ideas from other styles like rustic or farmhouse kitchens. The main difference is that your new styled kitchen will feature the latest appliances and Smart tech aligned with busy families living in the modern age. Still, organic materials like wood can be incorporated into the fixtures and furniture purchases to bring a calming natural atmosphere that works exceptionally well with bright lighting.
Wooden tables and seating can provide an attention-grabbing solution without detracting from the rest of the room. While the table surface can be used to build a satisfying contrast, the legs can be matched to the color of the cabinetry. Aside from leveling up the sense of structure, it prevents the risk of confusing the design with too many colors.
Stone flooring creates an iconic appearance that finds the right balance between giving the room some extra character without doing too much in the space. Larger floor tiles are usually better than small ones, regardless of the kitchen size. When combined with your energy-efficient appliances, the contemporary kitchen will be far greener.
#9. Match sinks and countertops in stone
Stone offers a timeless aesthetic appeal that suits a variety of kitchen styles. Granite, marble, and other natural stone materials are perfect for contemporary design kitchens due to their striking aesthetic benefits. The fact that they do not rely on additional features prevents the risk of creating a cluttered look. Instead, the focus is on majestic minimalism.
When you want to make an unambiguous statement, it’s best to use the same stone for your sinks, countertops, and backsplashes. This will ensure that a sophisticated style is achieved while it will also be very easy to maintain the stylish appearances for many years.
Using the same stone material for the countertop and the sink also opens the door to all types of kitchen sink installation, thus enabling you to turn the dream kitchen into a reality. When the backsplash is also made from the same stone material, the uniform and structured appearance is even greater. The two-tone contrast between stone elements and wooden cabinets add a comfortable vibe while maintaining practicality and hygiene.
Stone materials are low maintenance, durable, and guaranteed to stay in trend for the long haul. It’s also synonymous with high-end design, which is a key feature of your winning contemporary style kitchen. Polished copper taps can bring added warmth to the kitchen space, making it the place you’ll want to be.
#10. Go big and bold
Despite its minimalistic elements, modern contemporary kitchen design only thrives when it has the wow factor. In many cases, the key to success revolves around the fact that bigger is better. Whether you plan to use the kitchen for preparing meals or entertaining guests, the rewards of this philosophy are clear to see from the moment that your project gets started.
A bigger kitchen island, breakfast far, or dining table will provide a more comfortable setting for family meals or afternoons with friends. Moreover, you will find that it gives the room an aesthetic focal point that connects different parts of the kitchen. It is a particularly useful way to overcome the challenges presented by L-shaped kitchens.
More spacious stoves and stove tops can be perfectly suited to modern cooking needs. Meanwhile, range hoods can be configured to match the dimensions of a bigger stove. Similarly, a larger sink makes the kitchen more attractive and more practical.
Another option is to go bigger with some of the features seen in the kitchen. A deep countertop, such as a stone countertop, with a larger-than-average overhang brings a greater level of intrigue and interest to the room. It is more practical than a waterfall edge as you still gain storage and avoid keeping pots and pans on display. As it is a less commonly seen feature, it will give the kitchen a more memorable vibe.