You’ll know the kitchen is often considered to be the heart of the home, and for good reason – it’s where so much happens, from cooking family meals to having conversations to making memories, and so much more. So it makes sense in that case to work on making your kitchen look and feel as good as possible, and how you go about that is going to depend on your preferences and aesthetics.
One thing that you might be interested in is creating a modern kitchen, especially if you’ve been living with your current design and layout for a while and it’s starting to look a little (or a lot) out of date. But there’s no need to actually have a specific reason for wanting to change things up or even what design ideas you want to incorporate; it’s your kitchen, after all. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to create a modern kitchen if that’s the route you want to go down so you can pick and choose a few things that work for you. Read on to find out more.
Open Shelving
Open shelving has become a hugely popular trend when it comes to modern kitchens, and that’s probably because it’s not just good to look at, but it’s practical too, ensuring you can keep your kitchen clean and clear of clutter (at least that’s the idea – and remember, a modern kitchen does need to be as clear as possible). Plus, it means you’ve got easy access to the items you use most often, and it leaves your kitchen with a more open and airy feel, so it’s great for all kinds of reasons.
If you’re really going to make the most of your open shelving, you’ll need to make sure you display some attractive items of glassware, dishes, and so on – if that means investing in some new things, then that’s not a bad idea. Plus, you’ll have to keep it all organized because everyone will be able to see it, so that’s potentially going to be helpful and keep you motivated to tidy up.
Smart Appliances
One of the most modern additions you can make to a kitchen is to buy smart appliances to make cooking (and perhaps cleaning in some cases) a lot more convenient. There are all kinds of things you can get, so it’s really going to be a case of deciding on your budget and needs, and that can be a fun process in itself, so why not make a start?
As we’ve said, there are all kinds of different appliances you can get, but one that most people will find useful is a smart fridge which can track your groceries, suggest recipes, and even play music. Or what about using voice-activated assistants to help you set timers, find recipes, and control the lights or temperature in the kitchen? And those are just a couple of examples – there are plenty more to find when you start looking.
Sustainable Materials
Sustainability is a big part of the modern world, and that includes modern designs. After all, we all should be doing our bit for the planet, and if you can do something to help, you should. When it comes to designing a modern kitchen, picking sustainable materials is a great way to do just that, and since these materials also tend to look great, it’s a good route to go down when you’re deciding on the various pieces of furniture to have in your kitchen.
You could opt for recycled glass for your countertops, for example, which isn’t just eco-friendly, but it’s unusual and gorgeous too. Or what about finding items made of bamboo, which can be a great option for your cabinets? Or how about picking from a range of beautiful stainless steel kitchen tables to give your kitchen a modern look that catches the eye right away? As you can see, there are lots of different materials you can use, and none of them would look out of place in a modern kitchen – there’s no reason not to be as environmentally friendly as possible when you’re designing your new space.
Integrated Lighting
Now every kitchen is going to need good lighting, otherwise you’re just not going to be able to do the various tasks that you have to do in a kitchen, from cooking food to washing up and keeping things clean, not to mention the fact that the kitchen table can be a perfect space for homework or even for working from home if it’s also quiet. That’s why you need to think about the lighting you install and, of course, where you install it.
You’ll definitely want some task lighting, so make sure you’ve got some under-cabinet lights. Plus, you’ll need ambient lighting which can come from chandeliers or pendants, and in that way, your kitchen will be warm and inviting. Finally, add some accent lighting which can be used to highlight various features in the kitchen and make your brilliant designs really stand out.