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Modern Kitchen Design: 5 design secrets to help you embrace simplicity and elegance

Modern Kitchen Design: 5 design secrets to help you embrace simplicity and elegance

Designing your new kitchen can feel daunting, especially as trends constantly change with each passing season. One of the most common questions our customers ask is, “What makes a modern kitchen design?” so we’ve brought together five design secrets to help you embrace the simplicity and elegance of a modern kitchen design.

1. Visualise the Lines of Your Kitchen

Following the “less is more” ideology of modern kitchen design, the focus is on creating an open space that feels airy and uncluttered—by visualising the lines of your kitchen and, where possible, incorporating long, horizontal elements that draw the eye along, rather than focusing on one point in particular. 

An example of a modern kitchen design, with white cabinetry, integrated microwave, oven and dishwasher and freestanding fridge/freezer. To the right, a kitchen island with two dark wood stools
Photo by Naomi Hébert on Unsplash

Key things to consider: 

  • Crisp, sleek lines elongate your kitchen, making it more spacious and open.
  • Opt for simple, flat hardware accentuating clean lines and minimalist style.
  • Consider your storage requirements. The goal is to keep work surfaces as clear as possible. 

Having trouble visualising your new kitchen? view our kitchen planner. 

2. Embrace Bold Colours

While black and white are popular colours for modern kitchens, they can sometimes feel rather clinical - nobody wants their kitchen to feel sterile and devoid of character. You can inject personality and vibrancy into your kitchen by embracing bold colours; by opting for rich, saturated tones, you can create a focal point in the space.

A modern kitchen design with grey walls and white cabinetry. In the foreground is a kitchen island with a built-in gas hob, surrounded by decorative food items.
With a grey background, the lighter colours lift the overall design - without making too much of a statement. Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

Key things to consider: 

  • Consider opting for bold colours to inject personality and vibrancy into your space.
  • Instead of soft pastel hues, choose rich, saturated tones that make a statement.
  • Remember the 3-colour rule, or opt for a monochromatic scheme. 

3. Accent Your Cabinets

If you prefer a more neutral or white-toned kitchen, you can still infuse colour and personality by accenting your cabinets. Consider selecting a bold colour for your upper cabinets or a kitchen island. This creates a focal point and adds colour to an otherwise monochromatic space.

Image of a contemporay style traditional kitchen, with green shaker-style cabinet doors alongside white shaker-style cabinet doors. The image includes an integrated oven, and a SMEG stand mixer on the worktop.
You can create a focal point to enhance your kitchen design by opting for an accent colour on some cabinetry. Photo by Kam Idris on Unsplash

Key things to consider: 

  • Using a bold colour accent on your cabinetry can instantly lift the design and make it feel more stylish.
  • The key is to balance the bold accent and the rest of the kitchen.
  • Opt for a colour that complements the overall colour scheme and enhances the visual appeal of your cabinetry.

Ready to think about colours? Click here to view our range!

4. Opt for Handleless Cabinetry

Simple cabinetry is a hallmark of modern kitchen design. With our range of handleless cabinetry, you can ensure that bulky handles don’t ruin those sleek, long lines you have created. Our handleless cabinetry features a “J-Groove” design, a recessed groove into the door itself, providing clean, sleek lines without sacrificing functionality. 

An image of a modern style kitchen with blue, handleless cabinetry. In the foreground is a kitchen island with a marble worktop, integrated induction hob and exposed oak shelving.
Simple cabinetry allows your modern kitchen design to flourish without sacrificing clutter-free surfaces, which is key to contemporary designs. 

Key things to consider: 

  • Modern kitchens tend to have clean, sleek doors that don't interrupt the sharp lines of the space.
  • Our range of frameless cabinets is popular for achieving a minimalist aesthetic.
  • When selecting cabinetry, prioritize functionality and simplicity to achieve a modern look.

Not sure what works for you? Click here to view our range of door styles. 

5. Embrace Technology

What use is a modern kitchen without modern technology? Integrating technology into your modern kitchen design can enhance functionality and streamline daily tasks that take up time.

An image of a modern kitchen design with dark, handleless cabinetry in an L-shape. Image features an extractor hood over an integrated induction hob, an integrated oven and a Quooker tap.
Integrated ovens and hobs help keep a modern kitchen's sleek lines. Photo by Sven Brandsma on Unsplash

Key things to consider:

  • Consider how technology integrates seamlessly with the overall design.
  • Integrated appliances like built-in ovens and refrigerators create a seamless and cohesive look.
  • Choose appliances that not only enhance the functionality of your kitchen but also complement the overall design aesthetic.

You can browse our range of appliances

Ready to take the next step and start to design your kitchen? We’re here to help! If you haven’t already, you can click here to view our range of kitchen design styles and colours. If you still have any questions or want to find out your next steps, you can click here to book a call with our team to discuss your options.

Top photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash

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