Modern Kitchen Design

Modernism «updated» its features and became an excellent design solution for decorating kitchens in modern apartments. The essence of this stylistic direction resembles minimalism and high-tech, but there are differences, some of which are quite significant.

Characteristics of the Style

When entering a kitchen in the modern style, attention is inevitably drawn to glossy surfaces: ceiling, cabinet doors, table – all reflect light, making the room look more spacious and as if it were deeper. Everywhere polished steel, plastic, and chrome handles. Household appliances are masked behind cabinet doors and are mostly built-in. There is little or no decoration. Other features of the style include:

• shapes: smooth lines dominate, repeating natural elements and demonstrating the absence of sharp angles;
  
• pragmatism, which can even make the space resemble an office;
  
• organic arrangement where many plant motifs and natural materials like wood are combined with metal;
  
• no open shelves;
  
• monochromatic tones.
  

Kitchen Furniture in Modern Style

Design: Nikita Morozov

The fluidity of any piece of furniture is the main condition for creating the style: everything should look solid and smooth, like in the illustrations of early 20th-century fantasy artists. If it's a kitchen cabinet, it's best to choose a design with rounded edges made from solid wood (imitation possible using MDF or laminated particle board). In a spacious kitchen, a convex or concave radius cabinet will look great. In a small space, a concave corner cabinet can be placed. Kitchen cabinets and other furniture should be functional and have minimal decorative elements (best option is modular units). 

Choose cabinets with glossy doors (mirrors or glass can be used here) and chrome handles. It's better to buy chairs with seats where the angles are very smooth. The table can be round and have a glass countertop. Even in a room with plenty of space, it's not advisable to clutter the area with too much furniture and equipment – the style implies free movement in space.

Color Scheme of the Kitchen

Fluidity and flow characterize modernism, indicating the dynamic lifestyle of the homeowner. The most fully reflected color is white – it can be used for kitchen backsplash, ceiling, cabinet doors, and lighting fixtures. To avoid a hospital-like feeling, add warmth with solid wood (table, chairs, sofa frame). Sometimes designers dilute the white tone with beige, which also looks great. Other colors can be used as well:

• Black. Applied together with contrasting shades – steel and white. Less frequently, cabinets use several shades of charcoal, while warm wooden textures or large elements like painted cabinet doors in bright colors (blue, green, yellow, etc.) can create warmth. Black tones are inappropriate for small kitchens as they reduce the visual space.
  
• Red. Brings liveliness to the room, especially when combined with metal and white. It's not necessary to use pure red; shades up to pink can be used. This color is suitable for cabinet doors or countertops, and it can also be used in the design of pendant lights.
  
• Blue. The most common shades are sky blue and turquoise, which look futuristic and very close to cosmic themes. Blue tones calm the mind and bring coolness, so such a color is ideal for southern kitchens. According to psychologists, these shades also reduce appetite.
  
• Green. A good choice if you want a calm yet vibrant room. It is recommended to make the walls beige and use wooden inserts in a green cabinet to emphasize the natural essence of the color.
  
• Brown (dark chocolate). This shade adds restraint and dignity to a modern kitchen. The overall background can be complemented with cream or beige, as well as milk tones. Accent elements can use bright orange or green details.
  

Room Finishing

The use of modern, attractive, and practical materials characterizes this urban design, where imitation is also acceptable.

Flooring in a Modern Kitchen

Design: Jean Prouve

The best option is a polymer surface that can «boast» of an absolute absence of seams. This is a floor perfectly suited for modern design. However, applying polymer-based compositions to the base is quite laborious and expensive, so traditional ceramic tiles and water-resistant laminate should not be overlooked. The main requirements for flooring are monochrome and shine (preferably mirror-like).

Decorating the Walls

Design: Julia Piskareva

One of the options is to use vinyl washable wallpaper. With it, you can create a strict vertical background matching the style. The color should be monochrome; if there is a pattern, it should feature wavy lines or stripes that do not stand out in color or texture. Alternatively, regular (water-dispersible or acrylic) paint can be used to treat a plastered wall or special wallpaper. Pay attention to the backsplash: it should be made from specially moisture-resistant material, for example, tiles.

Features of the Ceiling in Modern Style

In ideal conditions, it is a stretched mirror structure. If it has a light tone, the room will appear taller and visually expanded. A gypsum board ceiling, especially a multi-level one, is also suitable. In this case, the dining area can be highlighted with an oval or circular surface. The photo of a modern kitchen interior shows raftered ceilings, which fit well into the design if they have metallic glossy details.

Lighting Considerations

When buying lamps, if they are LED fixtures, choose neutral white or slightly yellowish spectrum. Spotlights should be placed above work zones. Where the dining table is located, a chandelier with flowing forms, whose frame is made from ceramic or steel, would be appropriate.

Decorative Elements

Design: Anna Polevaya, company "Palex-Stroy"

In choosing additional elements that emphasize the style, restraint is necessary. Modern kitchen design should reflect asceticism combined with modernity. Decorative elements can include:

• vases and dishes with simple geometric shapes;
  
• wall clocks (preferably electronic);
  
• tablecloths (used instead of tablecloths);
  
• blinds or roller curtains, as an alternative to fabric drapes.
  

Examples of modern kitchen interiors can be viewed in a photo collection posted on the website. A large number of modern style options refute the prevailing opinion that such design is strict and cold: using warm decorative elements and shades of finishing materials will bring calm and comfort to the room, which is essential for a family hearth.

Examples of modern kitchen design (options for small and large spaces).

Design: Nikolay Barsukov