Modern Kitchen Design

Love modern design but not sure how to translate it into a functional, attractive kitchen? Including a few basic modern design elements in your kitchen remodel can help you achieve the sleek modern kitchen of your dreams, even if you are not a professional designer.

Think Sleek

Modern style is all about clean lines. When selecting the basic elements of a kitchen (cabinets, appliances and countertops) remember to look for clean lines and avoid overly decorative treatments. Cabinets are available in a wide variety of styles, and many of these cater to a more detailed design style. Opt for flat fronted cabinets, or those with only basic embellishments. Cabinets in a simple recessed square panel design are a good choice, and though not originally designed for modern style at all, shaker style cabinets also fit beautifully with modern design. When selecting countertops for a modern kitchen the focus is less on material and more on profile. Avoid custom scroll type edges and opt instead for a square or bullnose edge treatment, which can be applied to all types of countertop materials. Appliances are generally sleekly designed as they are a technology good, but be sure to select stainless steel models. While slightly higher in price than white or black appliances, stainless is a must have for any modern kitchen design.

Use Color with Restraint

A successfully designed modern kitchen generally has a fairly straightforward color palette applied to major pieces, which include cabinetry, countertops, flooring and appliances. Grey, silver, black and white are all easily combined and can be accented with whatever color appeals to you. Apply accent color brilliantly with pops of brightness, but don't overdo it. Select a shade and apply it to your backsplash, window treatments, kitchen towels, and visible accessories. If you have maintained a fairly neutral backdrop on your major pieces, a good way to select your pop of color is to find a glass mosaic tile backsplash you love and pull the accent colors from there. Keeping your accent colors to one or two shades is ideal to achieve a modern look.

Accessorize Appropriately

While the rooster printed serving set you inherited may be a family heirloom, it does not fit into a modern kitchen. Unfortunately most kitchen goods available tend to cater towards a more country style, which is not what you are after. Shop carefully for well designed pieces in your selected accent colors, and be sure not to over accessorize. Modern style means displaying a few sleek, carefully chosen accessories well. Keep groups of accessories to three, any more will look cluttered. Shopping online gives you access to the widest selection of modern styled accessories available. A few graphic printed serving plates in a glass front cabinet and some sleek storage containers on the counter are plenty of character for a modern kitchen. The last thing you want is a huge collection of ANYTHING cluttering up the view.

Contemporary and Dynamic Styles - Kraftmaid Cabinets - kraftmaid.com

Your Kitchen Style: Modern - Home and Garden Television - HGTV.com