New kitchen cabinets represent one of the largest investments you’ll make in your kitchen, and therefore, the decision is not to be taken lightly. You have many choices when it comes to modern design in kitchen décor and cabinets. If you’ve already narrowed down your style - modern, you’re already able to eliminate many brands, companies and designs. So for the purpose of this article, we are going to give you ideas and inspiration on how to create your dream modern kitchen!
Let’s first look at what’s out there in the marketplace for modern kitchen cabinetry. While we would all love to hire a cabinet maker to design and build our kitchen cabinets - known as custom-built cabinets - this is an expensive option and out of many homeowners budgets. And with Pre-assembled and ready to assemble cabinets, known as stock or RTA cabinetry it’s difficult to find the selection or quality you’re after. We like to focus on the perfect mix of selection, quality, construction and price of semi-custom cabinetry. Semi-custom cabinets are basically stock cabinets with extra detailing options. Standard cabinetry sizes still apply, but homeowners have a larger variety in styles and finishes and the option to customize a bit more like resizing cabinet drawers and door fronts or resizing cabinet depth. We will also focus on Semi-custom cabinets.
HGTV describes the modern kitchen as “Modern design started around World War I and generally featured flat surfaces, geometric forms, and little or no ornamentation or adornments. Modern kitchen cabinets are sleek, angular and simple in design. Modern cabinetry features little or no hardware, flush doors and flat surfaces. **Insert pic of WW1 kitchen here* Over 100 years later - this definition of modern still applies!
Cabinetry Ideas to turn your kitchen into a modern kitchen
Man Made Materials
Modern kitchen cabinets are usually made using man-made materials like laminate, ceramics and molded plastics. These materials offer benefits such as resistance to scratches, easy cleaning and they’re less likely to fade. They come in a variety of colors, textures and patterns making mixing and matching easy! Choose high-pressure laminates for increased durability.
Curves and Angles
Playing with symmetry, geometry, staggering effects and contrasting materials create an unconventional yet seamless space. Use of linear forms and textured accents create a bold, modern look. Inserts including frosted glass or a sleek laminate or wood veneer create a clean and modern look. Creativity comes from the cabinetry itself but also through back splashes, lighting and furniture.
Cabinet doors
The modern look can be achieved with frameless cabinetry with full overlay. Frameless cabinet construction is a European way of manufacturing cabinets that has become popular among American homeowners seeking simple, more contemporary cabinet designs. The benefit to frameless cabinetry outside its look is additional storage since there is no “post” in the middle.
Hardware
Overlooked but important is your hardware! Modern kitchens remain hardware free as much as possible, however, the trends for 2021 include matte black finishes, satin black finishes, latches instead of knobs, mixing and matching knobs and pulls and bar pulls installed horizontally.
Color
Use of color is an important aspect in modern kitchens. Laminates offer a large variety in colors to choose from. Laminate is also durable and versatile - it doesn't warp with time like wood can, and it's resistant to fading, meaning it hold s its color so each cabinet will be exactly the same throughout your kitchen, even after months of sun exposure.
The German Kitchen
If you really want modern, you’ll think German. Germany is known for its reputation for efficiency and engineering and this is no exception in cabinet design. They are also known for minimalism and functional design. German semi-custom kitchens offer a large variety in material and finishes offering premium quality and excellent design with several price points to fit nearly every budget. German kitchens also offer precise measurements for extraordinary fit - even in difficult or unusual spaces.
Additional modern touches that add to a dramatic modern kitchen
Crown molding - Adding crown molding can add a dramatic affect to your kitchen.
Wallpaper - A quicker, more cost-conscious way to add color, contrast and texture to your kitchen.
Lighting - Use of under cabinet or in-cabinet lighting, or interior drawer lighting
Accessorize - Fun countertop appliances - think red coffee maker! Wood cutting boards and swap out metals in faucets and sinks to matte aluminum, stainless steel, brushed gold or copper.
Clever hardware - Tall Cabinets with installed organization such as swing-out pantries
Add electric opening features -upper cabinets with flip-up doors open with a slight touch instead of manual opening of standard swing-out doors