Designing a Modern Kitchen Without Sacrificing Function

Modern design is focused on minimalism, and though modern kitchens are highly popular, having a minimal design can be challenging in a kitchen. After all, no room in your home requires more functionality than your kitchen.

Fortunately, you have plenty of options for designing a modern kitchen without sacrificing the functionality you need for one of the most-used rooms in your home.

Minimizing the Features in a Modern Kitchen Design

Regardless of design, a kitchen requires the following features:

  • Cabinets or shelves
  • Countertops
  • Small and large appliances
  • Pots and pans
  • Dishes and glasses
  • Cooking utensils

Creating a minimalist kitchen space begins by using streamlined designs of the standard kitchen must-haves and eliminating a cluttered look.

Customized Storage

Cabinets come in a wide range of designs that suit just about any space and maximize functionality. You can choose cabinets with customized and innovative storage options that increase the available space. Done correctly, you can reduce the square footage of the cabinets significantly, while still being able to store all the essentials in your kitchen.

Sleek Cabinets

Sleek is a buzzword in modern design. In a kitchen, this typically means high-gloss finishes and no knobs, handles or pulls for the cabinet doors and drawers. You can install push-operated cabinet doors and drawers, cup-pull handles or linear handles to create this aesthetic.

Thin Countertops

Thin countertops help to enhance the modern, minimalist look. In this case, you’ll want to look for stainless steel or quartz, both of which tend to come in thinner designs. Wood countertops are also a hot trend since they add texture and warmth to kitchen space.

Minimalist Islands

Kitchen islands are one of the best ways to create more storage space and counter space in a kitchen. Islands can take up a lot of floor space, however, which can go against modern design. Here are some ways to minimize the space of an island:

  • Portable island: Portable islands are on lockable casters, so they can be brought out or stored as needed.
  • Pedestal island: An island on a pedestal provides full support for the countertop and the additional counter space, but it also creates an open-air look and a line of sight through the kitchen. This reduces the visual space the island takes up.
  • Island/table: In larger kitchens, a modern island can be a half-island with cabinets on one side and a countertop extension for tabletop seating.
  • Contrast: White finishes and metallic accents are popular in modern design, but choosing a dark kitchen island creates the look of more open space. In small kitchens, this is a great way to use an island and maintain the modern look. You can also use a dark island base with a light countertop surface to create a “floating” look in the kitchen.

Low-Profile Furniture

If your kitchen features a dine-in area or you have a home with an open floor plan, low-profile furniture is a great way to create more visual space. You can use acrylic tables and chairs for transparency, low-backed stools, pedestal designs, slab benches, shell chairs in light or metallic colors and more to create an open look and maximize space.

Boxes and Baskets

Plenty of retailers offer industrial or decorative boxes, shelves and other storage options that create storage space without the need for an entire shelving system or additional cabinets. They appear as a decorative accent, but they can also store your kitchen tools and utensils out of sight.

Design Your Modern Kitchen

If you’re planning a modern kitchen remodel, Kitchen Solvers is here to help. We’re your top resource for kitchen design and remodeling, so visit one of our convenient locations to consult with the team about your project! And be sure to check out our blogs, Creating a Fully Concealed Kitchen along with 3 Considerations for Your Kitchen Remodel for more information on designing your new modern kitchen.

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