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  1. Kitchen
  2. Cabinet Finish: Light Wood

Contemporary Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets Ideas and Designs

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Southborough Road
Southborough Road
West & Reid LtdWest & Reid Ltd
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary single-wall kitchen/diner in London with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, composite countertops, grey splashback, marble splashback, integrated appliances, lino flooring, an island, grey floors and grey worktops.
Contemporary Kitchen Beckenham
Contemporary Kitchen Beckenham
piqupiqu
A striking contemporary kitchen designed by piqu and supplied by leading German kitchen manufacturer Ballerina. The beautiful cabinet doors are complimented perfectly with stone work surfaces and splashback in Caesarestone Airy Concrete. Siemens appliances and a black Quooker tap complete the effortlessly stylish look for this wonderful family kitchen extension in Beckenham.
Contemporary Kitchen
Contemporary Kitchen
Inspiration for a medium sized contemporary u-shaped kitchen/diner in London with a submerged sink, louvered cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, a breakfast bar, brown floors and white worktops.
Ash House
Ash House
R2 Studio ArchitectsR2 Studio Architects
Contemporary open plan kitchen in London with light wood cabinets and an island.
Open plan living, Edinburgh
Open plan living, Edinburgh
AGORA architecture + designAGORA architecture + design
Oak kitchen with bespoke painted shelving to create window seat.
Photo of a medium sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Edinburgh with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, integrated appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, grey worktops and a feature wall.
Bedminster Plywood Kitchen
Bedminster Plywood Kitchen
Sustainable KitchensSustainable Kitchens
Bespoke birch plywood kitchen handmade by Sustainable Kitchens as part of a kitchen extension renovation in Bristol. Island includes a downdraft bora extractor with a terrazzo durat worktop. Wall run includes a corian worktop and splashback, a fisher and paykel dishdrawer and a stainless steel lined breakfast cabinet
Kensington Garden Apartment
Kensington Garden Apartment
Lomax & ChiLomax & Chi
Medium sized contemporary u-shaped kitchen in London with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops and black appliances.
Brandon
Brandon
The Wood WorksThe Wood Works
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz worktops, stainless steel appliances, an island, a feature wall, dark hardwood flooring, brown floors and beige worktops.
House with a view
House with a view
Studio 73 DesignStudio 73 Design
Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in London with a belfast sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, integrated appliances, an island, white worktops and a vaulted ceiling.
SouthEnd RowHome Kitchen
SouthEnd RowHome Kitchen
ZeroEnergy DesignZeroEnergy Design
This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography: Eric Roth Photo
Las Canoas Remodel Kitchen
Las Canoas Remodel Kitchen
Allen ConstructionAllen Construction
Architect: Richard Warner General Contractor: Allen Construction Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch Award Winner: Master Design Awards, Best of Show
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Santa Barbara with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood flooring, an island, integrated appliances and beige floors.
Symphony on the Hill
Symphony on the Hill
Vela Interior DesignVela Interior Design
Modern kitchen with rift-cut white oak cabinetry and a natural stone island.
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary kitchen in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz worktops, beige splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors and beige worktops.
Giddy Up!
Giddy Up!
Kimball Modern Design + InteriorsKimball Modern Design + Interiors
Photo of a contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island and white worktops.
Kitchen Remodel - Bellevue, Washington
Kitchen Remodel - Bellevue, Washington
Ellen Weiss DesignEllen Weiss Design
Full kitchen remodel in Bellevue, Washington.
Photo of a medium sized contemporary kitchen/diner in Seattle with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island and white worktops.
Moore II Residence
Moore II Residence
Hsu McCulloughHsu McCullough
Tiled kitchen with birch cabinetry opens to outdoor dining beyond windows. Entry with stair to second floor and dining room.
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz worktops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete flooring, an island, grey floors and beige worktops.
组屋室内 @ Rivervale Crescent
组屋室内 @ Rivervale Crescent
akiHAUS Design StudioakiHAUS Design Studio
Photo of a contemporary galley kitchen in Singapore with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, black appliances, beige floors and black worktops.
Scandi | Timber | White
Scandi | Timber | White
Hastings DesignHastings Design
Art Department Creative
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary galley kitchen in Adelaide with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete flooring, an island, grey floors and grey worktops.
Contemporary Kitchen
Contemporary Kitchen
Hobbs Jamieson ArchitectureHobbs Jamieson Architecture
Contemporary kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets.
Reston Whole Home
Reston Whole Home
Preferred General Contracting, Inc.Preferred General Contracting, Inc.
Photo of a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in DC Metro with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors and white worktops.
MOSCOVA FIL ROUGE
MOSCOVA FIL ROUGE
Tommaso Giunchi ArchitettiTommaso Giunchi Architetti
La cucina lineare è stata inserita nel corridoio che dall'ingresso porta al soggiorno. Sfruttamento dello spazio ottimale per una casa da mettere a reddito. Tutto disegnato su misura; pensili in legno rovere come il pavimento e paraspruzzi in vetro grigio retroverniciato per dare profondità e riflessione di luce.

Contemporary Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets Ideas and Designs

Want to discover beautiful contemporary kitchen ideas to inspire your new kitchen design? You’ve come to the right place. You can discover millions of contemporary kitchen designs and ideas; from kitchen islands and storage units, to all sorts of kitchen lighting ideas, such as pendant lighting or under cabinet lighting. Whether you want inspiration for all-in-one fitted kitchen designs, some small kitchen ideas or maybe just some tips for improving your kitchen decor, there are tons of contemporary photos to inspire you for your next kitchen project on Houzz.

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.

How do I choose my kitchen units and cabinets?

When picking out kitchen units and cupboard styles for a fitted kitchen, you’ll first want to consider the more practical questions – how many units do you need? How many cupboards and drawers do you need? Do you need extra kitchen storage built into your units? It’s always best to overestimate how much kitchen storage you’ll need as we all tend to have a habit of filling up whatever current space we have to the maximum. Next you can consider kitchen cabinet style and colour. Shaker style cabinets and raised and recessed panel cabinets offer a more traditional kitchen cabinet look, while flat panel cabinet doors tend to lend more to the modern and contemporary style. However, going for raised or recessed panel work in a striking colour such as dark blue, green or black can still work with contemporary kitchen ideas. White kitchens can give a sleek and clean feel, but remember you may have to do a bit more cleaning of those cupboard doors if you want everything to stay shiny and fresh. Of course, grey kitchens are the neutral colour choice du jour and can be paired with pale and rich shades alike if you want your fitted kitchen cupboards to contrast with your worktop, splashback, floor, or all of the above. Exposed shelving and storage is also popular for eclectic, Scandi and industrial-inspired looks, so you could opt for glass-fronted cabinets or no wall-mounted cabinets at all. Remember that this will require more restraint in what you can store and more effort in keeping it looking presentable compared to what is stored away hastily behind cupboard doors. The kitchen cupboard handles are also another element to decide upon – do you want traditional round knobs, modern metal bars, country kitchen cup handles or maybe to go ultra sleek with a completely handleless kitchen?

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.

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