Contemporary Kitchen

Contemporary style is usually associates with clean lines, no architectural embellishments, moldings or decorations, cold colors and surfaces. Some people think about contemporary style kitchen as uninviting and more industrial then homey look. But all of that is a misconception.

Even though, materials like stainless steel, chrome, glass, and granite can have a cool feeling, but with loving soul and an eye for beauty you can create a warm and inviting contemporary kitchen where everyone want to gather. To soften up sharp a clean-line modern-contemporary look integrate soft and warm colors in your kitchen design and add natural materials like wood and stone.

By the way, contemporary decor is not a novelty. The roots of contemporary design go way back in Victorian era. That is when, at the turn of the last century, progressive designers and architects took the first steps away from over-the-top ornamentation and architectural embellishments. They started experimenting with simpler forms and natural materials. After that over the course of twentieth century a lot of different modern movements appeared. Evolving and growing, experimenting with new materials these movements gradually brought us to the high-tech look that been popularized in the 1970s and 1980s.

Contemporary Kitchen Tendencies

Our days, contemporary decor is much softer and family friendly and very popular in American homes especially in the kitchen.

Today's kitchen is not just a place for preparing food with reflective surfaces, hard edges, and cutting-edge technology, it is a multi functional space for family gatherings and different activities. Classical stark black and white palate for contemporary kitchen during last two decades has been replaced with earthy hues and warmer shades of white.

Kitchen designers are taking a fresh approach to classical forms and traditional materials, giving them a new life and implementing principals of Green Design. In fact, updated with contemporary elements versions of traditional kitchens with stainless steel appliances and polished granite countertops are on "must have" list in most American homes. With advance technology environmentally friendly natural materials used for kitchen finishes become much more durable and easy to maintained.

Colors of Contemporary Kitchen

Contemporary kitchen's are often designed with neutral or monochromatic color scheme. Do not be intimidated by color. In fact, the kitchen is a perfect place to add some vivid colors, because most of the wall space is taken by the cabinets usually there is not much of the wall space left exposed.

The kitchen cabinets are the biggest investment for kitchen, so make them pop by choosing colors that will act as a perfect background. Mellow wall colors will make light kitchen cabinets blend-in, stronger more saturated colors will showcase the cabinets.

When selecting cabinets for your contemporary kitchen, pair a frameless door with a wood finish. Laminate cabinetry is still compatible with this style, but for an updated look, wood is it. For cotemporary kitchen light woods like maple or birch in clear finish are preferable.

Materials and Finishes for Contemporary Kitchen

Don't be afraid to mix several materials or finishes, such as wood and metal. Make a strong statement by combining wood with various metals. Creative combinations of wood materials with granite, stainless steel, pewter, chrome, copper and brass on surfaces like cabinets, countertops, walls and floors will keepthe overall appearance of the kitchen sleek but not sterile. If you decided to keep your walls neutral in color, you can bring them to life by application of glazed or textured finish.

Contemporary kitchens can feature lots of metal without appearing antiseptic or cold. That's largely because designers balance the look by introducing vibrant colors and other materials into the room, such as ceramic tile or wood. Stainless steel used for a countertop, whether it is for the entire counter or just a section of it, can look quite sophisticated, especially with a wood trim. It's capacity to take high heat without scorching makes stainless steel countertops extremely practical. Stainless still is suitable as a landing strip for pots and pans straight from the cook-top. Water impervious quality makes stainless steel practical at the sink area as well. On the negative side, stainless steel can be noisy to work on, and it will show smudges.

Connecting your kitchen with outdoors and letting sunlight into the space will pay-of big time. Large windows, skylights, and French doors that lead to outdoor entertainment area not only add value to your home but connect you with nature, magnifying your spiritual energy. Capturing sun's energy will can reduce our heating bills as well (see Green Design: Solar Energy)

Furnishings for a contemporary kitchen tend to have a sleek architectural look, too. In fact, much of what is considered classic contemporary furniture has been designed by well-known twentieth-century architects. Chair and table legs are typically straight, with no turnings or ornamentation. For a sophisticated look, mix complementary materials; for example, pair a glass table with upholstered chairs or a metal table with wood chairs. Display contemporary pottery on a shelf or inside a glass cabinet.