Contemporary Kitchen Ideas and Designs
What kind of contemporary kitchen design should I go for?
With so many kitchen ideas and photos to look at you might be a bit overwhelmed when it comes to picking your own contemporary kitchen design. If you are updating your kitchen you know what a big and important decision it is to get the design right – the kitchen can be the hub and heart of the home, and it’s unlikely that you would invest in renovating your kitchen again in a few years. But fear not, focusing first on the important elements like layout, cabinet style, worktops and appliances will help you to bring together your dream kitchen design. Additional elements like kitchen lighting, cupboard storage and decor can come after in the kitchen planning process.
A kitchen designer or fitter can help you to decide the layout of your contemporary kitchen in terms of where to place your kitchen units, appliances and island (if you’re having one), but if you prefer to handle this yourself you can focus on where you want your key elements of your kitchen to be – the oven, hob, sink and fridge. Of course you might be constricted by space, but try to envisage the easiest and most efficient layout based on how you usually like to cook and prepare your food. If you’re fed up of always having to carry dirty pans and pots across the room to the sink, place the sink closer to your oven and hob. Once you have the core elements sorted, consider extra layout considerations, such as where your bins will be stored, where the cutlery draw should be and where small contemporary kitchen appliances can be installed.
Should I include a kitchen island?
Kitchen island ideas are abundant these days; it seems most kitchen designs include a kitchen island, if not multiple islands. However, if the layout doesn’t work, especially if you have a small kitchen, then there’s no necessity to add in a kitchen island. You can add a breakfast bar or counter to your existing kitchen units, or stick with a good old-fashioned dining table if you don’t need the extra work surfaces.
That said, if you do have the room, take a look at some contemporary kitchen island ideas to see if the designs inspire you for your kitchen. There are a huge variety of island designs to cater to different needs – you can have sinks, ovens, hobs, wine storage and all sorts of drawers and organisers built-in, you can have separate bars and counters that extend from your island, or you could go for a kitchen island on wheels to make your kitchen layout more versatile.
What contemporary kitchen storage ideas should I consider?
If you want to keep your contemporary kitchen well-stocked and well-equipped but don’t want it spilling over with clutter, then you’ll need to rely on good kitchen storage. Apart from the usual fitted kitchen cupboards and drawer space, there are many other ways of keeping your kitchen tidy. Whilst a large kitchen pantry is the dream of most homeowners, it can’t always be a reality. However, there are now lots of pull out compartments and drawers with trays and shelving that can act as mini kitchen pantries, and you can install handy cupboard organisers that fit onto the inside of the door to make the most of your cupboard space. You can also look at corner drawers and cupboards that open up to reveal lots of extra storage. Rails or small shelves along your kitchen walls or splashback can help with hanging utensils or pans, or storing small items like herbs and spices in an usually empty space.
Buy extra kitchen storage products for your home on Houzz
Are there small kitchen ideas for small contemporary spaces?
If you’re working with a galley kitchen, a one-wall kitchen in an open plan space or just a pretty small kitchen, there are some small kitchen ideas that can help you get the most out of your cooking and dining area. If you find that you don’t utilise the back of your cupboards (maybe they become the graveyard for out-of-date tin cans), you could decide to go with shallower kitchen units to free up some extra floor space in front of your cabinets. As mentioned, open shelving or glass-fronted cabinets are a popular trend and they should make the space feel more open and less boxed-in. However, if you have the capacity for it, cupboards and contemporary kitchen units that maximise the floor-to-ceiling space you have will mean you can use all of that for valuable kitchen storage. Wall or ceiling racks could be a useful solution for hanging pans and pots if you’ve run out of cupboards in which to store them. Kitchen ideas and contemporary accessories such as baskets, trolleys and storage jars are both aesthetically pleasing and practical as they give you extra storage space. Kitchen appliances like a fridge or dishwasher can be tucked away in built-in units in fitted kitchens so they blend into your layout and don’t make the space look crowded.
Discover all the small kitchen ideas you could need by taking a look at photos of compact kitchens.
What sort of contemporary kitchen lighting should I go for?
In the kitchen you need to have practical lighting – no one wants to chop, cut and cook in a dingy room. Kitchen ceiling lights are probably the best way to go, but should you opt for recessed spotlights or traditional hanging ceiling lights? While spotlight LED kitchen lighting will give you excellent light, they may not fit with a design that’s not contemporary. Traditional chandelier lights could work for other kitchen styles, and of course, kitchen pendant lighting comes in all sorts of styles, colours and designs. While the popular choice is to go with one or two pendant lights over your kitchen island, you could also opt for a single pendant light over your dining space, or a few spaced out across your kitchen. Of course, if you want good lighting for your worktops, under-cabinet lighting is the way forward. Speak to your kitchen supplier about having this pre-installed, or there are a number of easy-install options you can fit yourself or with the help of a lighting expert or electrician.
In the market for your contemporary kitchen lighting today? Once you’ve found some inspiring kitchen lighting ideas here, take a look at our kitchen lighting products to find the new lights for your kitchen project.
- Ceramic Tile (25398)
- Glass Tile (20851)
- Glass Sheet (20021)
- Metro Tile (17842)
- Stone Slab (14963)
- Mosaic Tile (10692)
- Porcelain Tile (9616)
- Stone Tile (8965)
- Marble (6583)
- Matchstick Tile (3632)
- Mirror (3518)
- Metal Tile (3170)
- Wood (1930)
- Cement Tile (1920)
- Window (1342)
- Brick (874)
- Limestone (420)
- Travertine (393)
- Slate (324)
- Terracotta Tile (310)
- Medium Hardwood (43355)
- Light Hardwood (40080)
- Porcelain Tile (25670)
- Dark Hardwood (24131)
- Ceramic Tile (21291)
- Concrete (7787)
- Vinyl (4054)
- Laminate (3501)
- Marble (3046)
- Travertine (2745)
- Limestone (2478)
- Cement Tile (2033)
- Slate (1996)
- Bamboo (1386)
- Lino (1296)
- Cork (1002)
- Terracotta Tile (895)
- Painted Wood (774)
- Plywood (272)
- Terrazzo (222)
- Carpet (107)
- Brick (86)
Design ideas for a contemporary galley kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, black appliances, an island, grey floors and grey worktops.
Cool sun room kitchen - milfordkitchens
A contemporary kitchen in a North London townhouse, designed for a young, professional family.
Using Lacquered White and Light Wild Oak Veneer, with Corian worktops in Cameo and integrated appliances.
The space integrates the indoors with the outdoors creating a light, bright and practical space, with a calm and neutral feel.
Height of cabinets and colours. - keswing
Design ideas for a contemporary galley kitchen in Other with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, brick flooring, a breakfast bar, brown floors and grey worktops.
This is an example of a contemporary galley kitchen in London with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, integrated appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island and beige floors.
Stools on end and part of length - laura_a_howe
Photography: Simone Morciano ©
Expansive contemporary single-wall kitchen/diner in London with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, grey floors and white worktops.
Shape of Island - webuser_884007560
This is an example of a contemporary kitchen/diner in London with flat-panel cabinets, composite countertops, grey splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain flooring and an island.
I like...
- the blue and wood finish
- the storage for wine, not quite that much though!
- Storage for cook books
Not so keen on much else here, there seems to be a bit too much white, walls, counter, and lights.
Chris - chriskfhall
Popular Filters to Try:
Ryan Wicks
Large contemporary kitchen in Sussex with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances and an island.
same kitchen as before. like it - levijaya
photographer: Alison Hammond
Design ideas for a small contemporary galley enclosed kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, composite countertops, metallic splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, marble flooring, white floors, grey worktops and no island.
idea for my and gf log cabin - webuser_86320179
This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in London.
semi booth - dellboy1978
Ag Architectural
Contemporary kitchen in Glasgow with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, brown splashback, glass sheet splashback, an island and white worktops.
Different levels and textures - webuser_506105130
Johanna Valeur
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary single-wall kitchen/diner in Other with no island, a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, white worktops and white floors.
Grey white and silver - tom_ashton9
Shortwork Photography & Virtual Tours
Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors and white worktops.
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz worktops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, porcelain flooring, an island, grey floors, a submerged sink and white worktops.
ceiling extractor - ladyfern
Contemporary galley kitchen in Other with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island and brown floors.
Colour of island and lighter wood floor with garden doors looks nice - drsmcdermott
Neil Macininch
Design ideas for a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sussex with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood flooring, brown floors and grey worktops.
Kitchen island lighting - liz_ewing
Megan Taylor
Photo of a medium sized contemporary galley kitchen/diner in London with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, integrated appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island and beige floors.
kitchen with breakfast bar - imann47
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz worktops, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain flooring, an island, grey floors and grey worktops.
Kitchen - jagriti_das