To make the kitchen feel cohesive with the rest of this apartment, The Brooklyn Home Company opted for metal bar stools in the same finish as both the appliances and the kitchen’s hardware.
An easy way to add personality is through paint. Instead of adding a wash of color to the walls, try the floors instead. This kitchen by Kureck Jones feels modern thanks to its sleek wood finishes, and the floor adds an unexpected pop of personality. Plus, it’s easy enough to change when the color starts to wear.
Stainless steel is incredibly durable, but it often feels more industrial than modern, especially when paired with wood. In this outdoor kitchen by Bonnie Edelman, however, the brightness of the marble island and backsplash adds a organic touch.
Natural light is the key to making a kitchen feel fresh, open, and clean. We love this kitchen by Mark Egerstrom for the wide open glass door that leads to the backyard for a sleek indoor/outdoor pathway.
Rather than an ornate metal range hood that will ultimately become covered in fingerprints, Lindsey Bond opted to cover this kitchen’s appliance to match the surrounding shelving. Not only do the clean lines of the range hood cover feel more modern, but it also blends in with the walls, making the room feel bigger.
If a typical all-white modern kitchen isn’t your cup of tea, simply pick one material and run with it. This kitchen by Commune Design is swathed in deeply stained wood that feels cozy while still looking streamlined.
While modern design is all about natural lighting, you’ll still need some light fixtures. Go for simple yet sculptural ones, like the brass pendant with two globe lights in this kitchen designed by Regan Baker.
Offset cold white marble counters and cabinetry with sleek yet cushy bar stools. In this kitchen designed by Pure Salt Interiors, the curved stools with dark wood bases bring comfort and warmth into the space.
To infuse her Toronto kitchen with glamour and warmth, designer Natalie Chong incorporated gold cone-shaped pendants, a gold faucet, and a silver range hood with gold details. Brown leather bar stools and a navy island make it feel extra inviting.
A countersplash—when the same slab style is used for the countertop and backsplash—offers a smooth look and provides easy cleanup for cooking splatters. In this kitchen by Michelle Nussbaumer Design, the white marble countersplash makes the pink upper cabinets and deep blue drawers pop.
In a white kitchen with beige cabinetry, designer Caren Rideau added a large black range hood for a statement-making contrast. The textured bar stools break away from the modern design, giving the space a cozy feel.
Many modern kitchens boast bright white counters, but dark ones can add a moody touch without compromising the airy atmosphere. Take it from this kitchen designed by Linda Hayslett, which still feels bright thanks to the natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows and crisp white walls.
Maintain a clean look by using bar stools that blend in with your island. Here, designer Pam Schneider added backless bar stools that easily blend into the black island when pushed against it. Wood beams and a large plant add a rustic, welcoming feel.
In an all-white kitchen designed by Barrie Benson, a section of open shelving in a warm wood tone sits between the cabinetry. It’s ideal for displaying your favorite dinnerware while also giving the room much-needed warmth.
Cabinetry with glass fronts may seem counterintuitive to the clean look of a modern kitchen, but that makes them the perfect unexpected touch to make your kitchen stand out. Enhance the space with natural light, white marble counters, and a good range hood for good measure, as designer Summer Thornton did in this kitchen of a Chicago townhouse.
Stainless steel is a modern kitchen staple, but we’re also loving the edgy, high-shine look of mirrored islands. In this kitchen designed by Dries Otten, the gold mirrored surface brings some glamour to the playful elements throughout, like the single pendant light, swirls of pink marble, and cobalt blue loft railing above. Oh, and that built-in planter is genius.
Clean lines, graphic fixtures, a simple color scheme, and plenty of natural light… This space designed by Arent & Pyke features all the characteristics of a striking and modern kitchen.
Warm chocolate stone surfaces rule in this kitchen designed by Hecker Guthrie. The smooth and seamless transition from surface to surface creates a soothing visual flow. This monochromatic and moody set-up is perfect in a kitchen with little natural light, as it embraces the existing space and creates a cozy and intimate speak-easy effect.
Since you have to spend most of your time at home, why not make it a fun place to be? Taking notes from this vibrant, playful, and geometric kitchen designed by Dries Otten is a good place to start. It’s a bold and contemporary interpretation of classic Art Deco staples.
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