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Keeping Things Fresh
The kitchen sees a lot of action—the sleepy shuffle for morning coffee, hectic grab-and-go breakfasts, slapdash weeknight dinners, leisurely weekend gatherings, and frenzied hours spent preparing holiday feasts. That’s why it’s important to give your kitchen the design attention it deserves. This roundup of modern kitchen ideas is filled with inspiration for giving a fresh face to that crucial hub—and heart—of the home.
Related: 18 Tiny Kitchens We Love
Pops of Color on the Cabinets
In this modern kitchen, colorful cabinets offer a pleasing counterpoint to the warm wood of the island and the clean white brick wall. The muted blue adds just enough personality without overwhelming the room.
Moody Accents
A low-profile design is a great way to make a kitchen feel spacious. In this sleek interior, dark gray cabinetry injects warmth, and accent lighting enhances the high-tech aesthetic.
Natural Wood Beams
Farmhouse accents remain a trend in home design and crop up even in modern settings. Paired with white walls, quartz countertops, and pendant lighting, the natural wood beams of this ceiling create a modern-meets-earthy vibe.
Wicker Accents
Family members and guests alike will feel more relaxed in a kitchen that incorporates natural materials. Accent a modern kitchen island with wicker seating for greater comfort, laid-back energy, and an infusion of organic texture.
Cheerful Checkers
Go for a Mediterranean-meets-modern look with a crisp blue-and-white-tile checkerboard. Focusing the splash of color on the countertops breaks up the white of the kitchen without overpowering the space.
Breakfast Nook
A cozy breakfast nook increases functionality and introduces a sense of intimacy into a spacious kitchen. This clean-lined booth would be perfectly at home in a trendy restaurant, yet its blue-gray color scheme, warm wood surfaces, and chandelier tie it into the aesthetic of the surrounding room.
Distinctive Light Fixtures
A long kitchen island deserves statement lighting that accentuates it. Here, a trio of substantial fixtures in dove gray stand out against a stark white ceiling and the bright natural light that streams in.
Charcoal Countertops
For a kitchen dressed in beautiful cherry wood, from the cabinets to the curvaceous island to the bar top, a modern touch is surely needed! In this luxe kitchen, that contemporary sensibility comes from an expanse of charcoal-hued countertops.
Eye-Catching Backsplash
This glamorous modern kitchen is filled with opulent flourishes like gold hardware, romantic lighting, and rich colors. A luxurious tile backsplash amps up the drama even more and provides a smart strategy for freshening up a kitchen without having to resort to wholesale changes.
Metallic Finishes
Glistening metallic finishes bring sparkle and character to a bright white kitchen with a rich wooden floor. This stunning kitchen is brimming with stainless steel accents that create a sleek feel.
Related: Kitchen Countertops 101
Waterfall Countertop Edge
In a waterfall countertop, the countertop material continues over the edge and runs down to the floor. This “flowing,” undeniably modern look helps cut down on hard edges in the kitchen, creates a focal point, and provides visual continuity. It also helps protect base cabinets, conceal storage, and make cleaning easier.