- Kitchen
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.
Whether you want inspiration for planning a contemporary kitchen renovation or are building a designer kitchen from scratch, Houzz has 637,247 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including J&S House of Design Ltd and Basement Masters. Look through kitchen photos in different colours and styles and when you find a contemporary kitchen design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful contemporary kitchen ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.
- Ceramic Tile (27032)
- Glass Tile (21359)
- Glass Sheet (20703)
- Metro Tile (18694)
- Stone Slab (15920)
- Mosaic Tile (10966)
- Porcelain Tile (10341)
- Stone Tile (9093)
- Marble (7249)
- Mirror (3784)
- Matchstick Tile (3766)
- Metal Tile (3251)
- Wood (2155)
- Cement Tile (2082)
- Window (1449)
- Brick (937)
- Limestone (464)
- Travertine (415)
- Slate (361)
- Terracotta Tile (340)
- Medium Hardwood (45620)
- Light Hardwood (42416)
- Porcelain Tile (27222)
- Dark Hardwood (25028)
- Ceramic Tile (22213)
- Concrete (8223)
- Vinyl (4640)
- Laminate (4035)
- Marble (3147)
- Travertine (2782)
- Limestone (2565)
- Cement Tile (2201)
- Slate (2040)
- Bamboo (1415)
- Lino (1371)
- Cork (1021)
- Terracotta Tile (939)
- Painted Wood (821)
- Terrazzo (278)
- Plywood (274)
- Carpet (106)
- Brick (90)
Photo of a medium sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Devon with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and grey worktops.
The stand out feature in this kitchen is a well designed curved kitchen island which provides a seating area for 2.
Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped kitchen in London with an island, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances and white floors.
Curvy island - jadeja01
Susan Fisher Photography
Photo of a contemporary kitchen/diner in London with flat-panel cabinets and grey cabinets.
Glass round side wall of extension - hollynancy
This is an example of a small contemporary u-shaped kitchen/diner in Hertfordshire with a double-bowl sink, wood worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic flooring, grey floors, brown worktops, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and no island.
Wine storage on top of the fridge - valeria_kurbatova
Photo of a contemporary galley kitchen/diner in Oxfordshire with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass sheet splashback, an island, grey floors and white worktops.
Contemporary galley kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, yellow splashback, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and grey worktops.
Simple - selena_tan
This is an example of a contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island and brown floors.
ceiling much too busy - mckeownk30
A full interior fit out designed closely with the client for a mega build in Cornwall. The brief was to create minimalist and contemporary pieces that give continuity of materials, quality and styling throughout the entire house.
Grey walls
Wood
Modern
Warm
Not chintzy - webuser_263524370
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary single-wall kitchen/diner in London with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island and beige floors.
Exposed brick wall on side return extension with glazed roof plus central island & full width glazed back doors - webuser_852677874
Photography by Nick Smith
This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, an island, integrated appliances and dark hardwood flooring.
The colours match our new kitchen - lindsay_archerpenn
Contemporary single-wall kitchen/diner in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige splashback, black appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors and beige worktops.
unusual layout - rlsadegh
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors, grey worktops and a submerged sink.
The way the extractor is done - susanne_schmid56
Photo of a medium sized contemporary u-shaped kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, a breakfast bar and white worktops.
This impressive kitchen island features classic Estatuario, showcasing its distinctive veining against a light, sophisticated background. The worktop and splashback in the same pattern bring a sense of continuity to the space. Framed by darker cabinetry, the radiant marble pattern helps create an open, airy atmosphere.
quite like the stools tucked away under the broader bar - webuser_528753459
Lisa Lodwig
Photo of a medium sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Gloucestershire with flat-panel cabinets, quartz worktops, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, integrated appliances, porcelain flooring, a submerged sink, beige cabinets, a breakfast bar and black floors.
Kitchen cabinets and splash back - katrinamac7925
Nathalie Hailey Interiors
Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, metallic splashback, metal splashback and an island.
awesome cupboard and inset appliances - sanjay_ranchod
Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen/diner in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island, white floors and white worktops.