The Ultimate Guide to Designing a Modern Kitchen

Your kitchen does not have to look cold and minimal with all the latest appliances to be considered modern. To create a modern kitchen, consider incorporating functional elements that enhance the style of your cooking area.

Each kitchen tells its own story and this can easily be done by creating a unified style or color design. You may even opt for a neutral, more minimalistic kitchen with some bright pops of color.

The point is, you do not need to stick to the cold aluminum and stainless steel kitchen to be modern.

10 Modern Kitchen Ideas To Transform Your Space

To help you figure out where to start for your modern kitchen remodel, here are 10 ideas that are guaranteed to transform your kitchen.

Give Your Cabinets A Facelift

Your cabinets are the first things you see when you walk into your kitchen. So when you start renovating, begin by upgrading your cabinets.

When deciding on a style, it may be best to start by designing the cabinets accordingly. Whether this is a modern sleek look or a more industrial look, each cabinet should contribute to creating a unified design.

Instead of shaker-style cabinets that automatically give a kitchen a more traditional look, opt for slab cabinetry with sleek hardware.

Also, consider the color you want. Maybe you want your cabinets to be the focal point of your kitchen and make them a bold color? Otherwise, you could choose dark colors, natural wood, or white - whichever you like best!

Sleek cabinets and open shelving accent a modern kitchen. Photo by  Saviesa Home .

Put Your Best Kitchen Items On Display With Open Shelving

You may decide to do away with cabinets altogether. This is a creative and fun way to add another dimension to your kitchen. This is especially true if your kitchen-ware and hardware are designed in a specific style.

You may even make use of floating shelves. This can be a beautiful statement for any glassware or ceramic kitchen essentials.

If you have an open-plan kitchen, open shelving is a quirky addition to your home. It allows for space to open up your kitchen, displaying both your décor and allowing for storage.

Time For Some New Countertops

When you are done with your cabinets and shelving, it's time to move on to the countertops.

Your countertops may act as a partner-in-crime to the cabinets. Your countertops may be the perfect way to ground the color design of your cabinets or unify your open shelves.

Although it isn’t new, marble countertops are increasing in popularity again as a modern style for kitchens. The natural colors of these countertops with additional swirls add a touch of elegance and visual interest in a subtle, modern way.

Moreover, these countertops are also quite handy as they are easy to wipe up or even use as a chopping board.

You may even opt for wooden countertops or a style that may fit the exact design of your kitchen. However, keep in mind the cornerstone for a modern kitchen is unity within a style. The more your colors and styles correlate, the more modern your kitchen appears.

Stainless Steel Appliances

Sleek stainless steel appliances add a  beautiful edge to your kitchen . Although when paired with an all-white kitchen, it could come across as cold. However, when paired with wood countertops or cabinets, it gives a sleek, sophisticated look.

Moreover, you can easily pair it with your more practical kitchen elements such as your faucets and range hoods. Stainless steel appliances are also very easy to find. You can find these appliances in almost any homeware store with varied prices. Thus, no matter what your budget is, you are able to easily incorporate these appliances.

Get A Custom Range Hood

Your stove and oven form a center point in your kitchen. So when deciding on your range hood, keep your stove and oven in mind. Your range hood is what ties your kitchen together, even though most people may not know this.

This does not mean you can’t have fun with your range hood. When renovating your kitchen, consider getting your range hood custom made. This may add a unique and authentic element to your kitchen that you will not find anywhere else. It will also allow you to add a pop of color or different designs to keep it modern.

This element of your kitchen finds itself balancing the functional and aesthetic elements of your modern kitchen. By deciding on a custom range hood , instead of a store-bought one, you are able to create a unique and beautiful centerpiece.

The clean lines of an Arcadian Range Hood offer a sleek design for any modern kitchen

Play With Shapes With Kitchen Window Arches

The easiest way to let light into your kitchen is through the clever use of your windows. Although you may think a window is a very plain aspect of kitchen design, this is not actually the case. Windows add so much character to your kitchen and can even add to the styling elements.

When remodeling your kitchen, consider installing window arches . This will allow you to add design elements to your kitchen that are unique.

A beautiful example of stylistic choices when it comes to windows is the use of a geometrical kitchen, paired with an arched window. This use of asymmetry gives character and depth to your kitchen - making it more modern.

Beautiful arched window designs from Archways & Ceilings

Let More Natural Light In

Most modern kitchen designs make use of an abundance of natural light.

When remodeling your kitchen, accomplishing natural light is actually much easier than you think. You can do this by making good use of clean lines and color schemes that reflect light. Most homemakers enjoy making use of an entirely white kitchen color palette for their modern kitchens. However, if you are fonder of colors you can add pops of color too!

Moreover, an open plan kitchen is a brilliant way to let more light into your kitchen as well as your house.

Play With Different Styles With Arches

Your arches do not need to stop at your windows. Of course, it’s entirely dependent on the design of your kitchen. However, by playing with archways between the different entrance and exit points in your kitchen, you are able to combine old with new.

Archways are definitely not a new home-style, however, this design style can add a beautiful depth and elegance to your modern kitchen. Moreover, if your kitchen makes use of hard lines and corners. It may be a refreshing break to have the gentle curve of an archway leading your guests into your kitchen.

If you want to know more about the different types of arches, you can check out our archway kits here .

An  Elliptical Arch  pass-through perfectly compliments this ultra-modern kitchen

Make It Unique With A Vaulted Ceiling

Another clever way of bringing in more light into your home is by installing a vaulted ceiling. These high-raised ceilings help bring depth to your kitchen.

Vaulted ceilings are created by self-supporting arches that usually stretch quite high-up. This allows you to get creative with the lighting. You can make use of skylights or large, arched windows to enlarge your kitchen

Moreover, if you are interested in the more industrial, modern look - it also creates space for crossbeams. These large beams can connect your roof and walls without cluttering your kitchen.

When remodeling your kitchen, we suggest ensuring you know exactly which kind of vaulted ceiling you would like to use.

Think About The Lighting

Lighting can make a big difference in creating a modern kitchen. Although it may not appear so from the get-go, lighting is everything! Without proper lighting, you won’t be able to show off your new modern kitchen.

You can use lighting to highlight certain elements that you want visitors to take note of, or that may add to your modern kitchen design.

For example, play around with pendant lighting over your island. Whether you want hanging lights to add a decorative statement or simply functional lights is entirely up to you. Pendant lighting shines directly onto the island, highlighting any and all elements of the island.

Another fun, modern element of lighting is under cabinet lighting for your wall cabinets. This is a light that shines directly onto the countertops below your cabinets, also known as task lighting.

Not only does it add to the mood of the kitchen by being a bit softer than your main lights but these lights help you see better in the kitchen while you’re chopping and cooking. They help you focus on a specific task at hand.

This custom Grome Ceiling with pendant lights gives this modern kitchen a futuristic look

Up Your Game With A Modern Kitchen Remodel

Just like Chef Andrew Zimmerman said, “ Everything happens in the kitchen. Life happens in the kitchen. ”

The kitchen forms the heart and the soul of your house. It’s where your family comes together to prep meals or friends come together to drink tea. So, it only makes sense that you want a kitchen that best represents your home.

Not only that, a modern kitchen is beautiful to walk into and be in. By making smart stylistic and design choices, you can turn any kitchen into your dream kitchen. All you need to do is to start!

Check out this photo gallery of a custom home that was built using many of our archway and ceiling kits . This sleek kitchen uses two intersecting radius ceilings to create a one-of-a-kind contemporary look. 

Remodeling Your Kitchen With Archways & Ceilings

Whether you're going for a modern kitchen or something else entirely different, it’s important to consult a professional. Don’t hesitate to contact us for advice on how to bring your kitchen design dreams a reality.