10 Inspiring Contemporary Kitchen Ideas

If you’re thinking about updating your kitchen, you may be looking for ideas to spark your inspiration.

In this article, you will discover 10 inspiring contemporary kitchen ideas to get you started.

Contemporary Kitchen Ideas that will Inspire You

Are you ready to makeover your kitchen? Are you designing it from the ground up? Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It is where you drink your morning coffee, helps your kids with homework, prepares holiday feasts for friends and family, and even socialize with loved ones on a Friday night.

Everything comes back to your kitchen.

So, why not make it look how you want it to feel? You can get an inviting, warm, and clean feel with a contemporary design. You will find that this style takes a mix of neutral colors and pairs them with natural textures, such as stone and metal. Lighting is also very impactful with this design style.

Contemporary kitchen design is sleek, clean, and simple.

Related: 8 Inspiring Kitchen Design Styles and Ideas

1. Stainless Steel Appliances

Stainless steel appliances are one of the best looks that fit into a contemporary kitchen.

The sleek metal gives a nice finish, and it flows for the overall appearance. The stainless steel appliances can match with the sink, lighting, metal on seating, etc.

Over the years, stainless steel has become a staple of contemporary kitchen design that’s clearly here to stay.

If you’re a fan of dark appliances, you may be interested in the best of both worlds – discover black stainless steel.

Trending: Black Stainless Steel Kitchen Appliances

2. Lose the Knobs and Pulls

Imagine how clean your kitchen would look without knobs and pulls. The cabinetry doesn’t need it. If you are looking to design a contemporary kitchen, forego the hardware and opt for smooth, uninterrupted cabinets, drawers, and other storage spaces.

3. Ditch the Cabinets Altogether

Of course, you could just ditch the cabinets altogether. While they seem to be a staple in most kitchens, they are definitely not a necessity. If you want to make a bold statement, get rid of them. Instead, opt for a more open storage area, such as elaborate shelving.

If you are not ready to totally abandon the cupboards, consider changing out the opaque doors for glass – or no door at all.

Sure, this will require you to practice your organization skills and reduce your clutter. But is that necessarily a bad thing? We don’t think so.

4. White Makes the Color Pop

If your entire kitchen is painted white, what do you think will happen when you place a bouquet of flowers on the counter?

They are going to pop!

White kitchens are very common in contemporary style. And, one of the reasons why is because you can take a simple item, such as a turquoise bowl filled with green apples and it will stand out and be the centered, eye-catching piece of your entire kitchen.

5. Industrial Lighting

Lighting is another large part of the contemporary kitchen design. It is the way that the lighting not only lights up your space but also looks and fits in the design. Because the contemporary style is all about maintaining a clean design, you have several choices when it comes to your lighting.

You can choose to minimalize it. Make your kitchen light up without any focus being drawn to the lights, such as recessed lighting or magically-suspended lighting fixtures that dangle high above.

Or, you can take your lighting needs and make them the focal point of your kitchen. This could be with the use of one (or more) elaborate chandeliers, or perhaps with large, industrialized lighting that will stand out yet fit the space. By choosing an industrial metal, it not only keeps the look uniform throughout the space due to its contemporary nature but also keeps it in line with the stainless steel appliances.

6. Dark Wood is Still Contemporary

When you think of dark wood, it is common to think of more traditional, dark and rustic kitchens. And, definitely not contemporary. But that is far from the truth.

Believe it or not, dark wood can still be contemporary. When paired with bright tiles, countertops, appliances, lighting, backsplashes, etc. the other areas of the kitchen can accent the dark wood and it just works. Some of the most amazing contemporary designed kitchens have dark wood features.

7. It is All About the Backsplash

Have you thought about your backsplash? You are going to want to, as it is a must-have when it comes to a contemporary kitchen. Sometimes the backsplash is used only behind the stove or the sink. Some are small and have a repetitive and simple design. Others, however, are extravagant.

Imagine a backsplash of flowers that start at your countertops and reach your ceiling. When someone walks into that kitchen, the elegant backsplash is likely to draw the eyes from everything else. In a contemporary kitchen, it would be the focal point.

A backsplash can add the color and texture that is just what your kitchen needs.

8. Add Gold for the Win

Many people tend to focus on silver when it comes to adding metal to a contemporary kitchen. More and more, however, gold is becoming popular. Whether used in the seating, the lighting, the sink… don’t dismiss this option for your kitchen design.

9. Big Seating

Want to make a big impression?

Instead of that small little breakfast nook, why not build a kitchen where you can cook – and eat – in the same space? What better way to get your friends and family together to partake in a feast?

Forego that kitchen island and, instead, add a large table with lots of seating.

10. Sculptured Ceilings

You can choose to keep the lines in your kitchen smooth and contemporary. Or, you can take it a step further and opt for sculptured ceilings. Here is how they work:

The solid, simple lines that are found throughout your kitchen will draw your eyes upward. There, in the midst of the solid white lines, will be an intricately designed sculpture in the ceiling. Add some lighting within it to make it something that others talk about for a long time.

Conclusion

Designing a contemporary kitchen does not have to leave you with a kitchenlike everyone else’s. Adopt the ideas that you like and combine them for a style all your own.