How To Design A Contemporary Kitchen
Sleek, simple and uncluttered; the contemporary kitchen offers a livable space for those of us who value high functionality with a minimal aesthetic.
Advanced hardware, clean lines and a play on form are all considered essential ingredients to create this style of kitchen. Texture too also comes into the mix in the contemporary kitchen design to create intrigue, add softness and bring something other to the minimalist look.
Read on below for our top four tips on how to bring to realise the contemporary kitchen in your home.
Aim For Clean Lines In Your Contemporary Kitchen
Detail makes the design in a contemporary kitchen. Harmony is created by paying attention to where lines meet and cross. Does the splash back sit in line with the cabinetry? Is there repetition in the design? Are the drawers the same dimensions? And is there enough interest to keep it from being too plain? There is no room for error in the detailing of a contemporary kitchen. Below are some examples where harmony is created through structure and geometry.
Above shows a minimal contemporary kitchen. Lines meet and cross elegantly. The splash back sits in-line with the tall cabinetry. The space is bare and uncluttered. Wall cabinets are omitted to create a sense of space.
A large, white island stands solitary in this grand space. The island is geometric in structure with even drawers throughout and is emphasised by the ceiling opening above. A dark kitchen wall runs against the island and into the ceiling space. Sculptural lighting completes this dramatic look.
This dark contemporary kitchen is designed by Leibal architects. Sleek and streamlined, the dark colours are offset by crisp geometry.
Designed by Blue Tea for a house in Coogee, Sydney, this contemporary kitchen has Scandinavian appeal. Clean and minimal the shelves are recessed into the wall for intrigue and space efficiency.
Create A Sense Of Space And Openess
The optimal designed contemporary kitchen should both look and feel spacious. Your designer should pay due focus on the form and function of the kitchen, but also the void and negative space between.
The contemporary kitchen is sleek and uncluttered. In many instances, cabinetry is kept to a minimum to keep the space open. Barely-there wall cabinetry and open plan islands are a constant feature of this contemporary style. Often, the dining and living space are combined so that the kitchen in itself becomes the centrepiece of the floor plan.
Creating space within this kitchen is vital and sometimes storage areas may be sacrificed. For example, islands that have a table incorporated into them means that the space underneath isn’t used for storage. Building voids into the design is visually appealing and optimises harmony within this look. Below are some examples where the space created in the kitchen becomes its defining feature.
The kitchen above is designed by Hans Verstuyft Architects in Belgium. The defining feature of space is integral to this design. Wall cabinets are omitted. Instead, a bulkhead rises to the high ceiling. The simplicity and luxury of the materials brings a sense of elegance. A single light is suspended over the kitchen table further emphasising the vastness of space this kitchen offers.
The kitchen above is designed by Lombard and Jack designers in Melbourne. This kitchen is sleek and spacious. A long but narrow kitchen island fills the length of the kitchen. Half the island is transformed into a dining area with open space underneath. The other half consists of suspended cabinetry. The void spaces in this island creates a contemporary kitchen that is harmonious and spacious. A single shelf replaces wall cabinetry. The varying bench top thickness also add interest to this kitchen.
This German kitchen designed by Eggersmann is truly stunning. Using high technology the kitchen is manufactured in real concrete. Vintage oak contrasts with the concrete cabinetry. Wall and floor cabinetry are suspended and elongated. The results? An extremely spacious and textural kitchen.
This kitchen integrates the dining and kitchen space graciously. The island bench is the key feature of this space. The height and material changes are playful and functional. The island extends out into a super large dining table. This kitchen is spacious, elongated and functional.
Create A Play On Texture
Contemporary kitchens are often minimal in terms of form and function. Texture can be used to create interest in a contemporary kitchen. Texture can be found in cabinetry doors, the bench top, the splash back, flooring etc. Adding texture will increase the visual and tactile appeal of your kitchen.
A minimal kitchen with a big impact! The beauty and depth of the marble contrasts with the clean and simple design. The kitchen is completed with beautiful bronze detailing. This is seen in the tap fixture, lighting and door hardware. This kitchen shows a beautiful mix of detailing and texture and creates a calm space.
This kitchen designed with oak doors is rich in texture and repetition. The symmetry and pattern on the doors creates visual integrity. The solidness of the timber gives a feeling of durability and timelessness. Space is created by leaving off any heavy wall cabinetry.
Texture can be used in one element of your kitchen design. Here it is the bench top. Timber is contrasted with the black stone in varying heights. This adds interest and depth to the design.
Contemporary kitchen design can sometimes come down to how the material is used, and not what the material is. A solid timber island could look rustic or traditional, but here it looks modern. This is because of the detailing of the island, and the contrast it creates in the space.
Use Modern Appliances and Fittings
Modern appliances are essential for a contemporary kitchen. Sleek, futuristic and functional modern appliances complete the look of your space. It simply wouldn’t fit the design ethos having a bulky freestanding oven or kitchen sink. The idea is to hide or integrate your appliances so the kitchen looks less like a kitchen and more like a piece of furniture or artwork. However, be careful not to go to crazy with kitchen technology. With the exponential rate of technology advancements, what was once cutting-edge can quickly become out-dated. The key is to keep your kitchen timeless, streamlined and functional.
Clever storage solutions is a must in a contemporary kitchen. As the kitchen aims to look spacious storage can sometimes be sacrificed. Therefore it is clever to make the most out of the storage spaces you have left. Here a lemans unit is integrated into tall cabinetry providing access to hidden corner areas.
Here a practical workspace is hidden behind doors. This functional coffee and tea area can be closed away to keep inline with a clean and fuss-free space.
Black appliances are on display and make a statement in this kitchen. Streamlined yet bold these appliances are modern and complete the look of the kitchen.
A contemporary kitchen is simple in its form and function. However, to achieve this simplicity can be surprisingly complicated. A successful contemporary kitchen requires attention to detail and careful planning to create a spacious environment. Pay attention to geometry, repetition and texture. Plus don’t forget to add the latest kitchen gadgets that make sense in your space!
