13 modern kitchen ideas to revamp your space

There’s plenty to be said for coveting a modern kitchen—no one wants to step into the room and feel like they’re time traveling back in time. Besides, if the kitchen truly is the heart of the home, you want it to be a space of comfort and joy, not a reminder of the questionable trends of yesteryear.

But where does one start when embarking on a kitchen remodel in pursuit of a contemporary space? Right here, on Vogue Living, of course. From the kitchen ideas we’ve gleaned from the spectacular projects of interior designers featured on this site to the trends predicted to skyrocket in 2023, we’ve rounded up 13 modern kitchen ideas to help guide you on your journey to a sleek, sophisticated space.

13 modern kitchen ideas

Nothing says contemporary better than a space with clean lines and sharp edges. The achievement of streamlined design relies on the art of restraint, where—as Coco Chanel would advise—it’s more about what you take off (or take out) than what goes in. In a modern kitchen, where clean lines are king, keep details to a minimum. Instead of opting for shaker cabinets or ornate drawer handles, consider simple, sleek choices that keep the focus on the kitchen’s key aspects. When striving for modernity, sharp lines reign supreme.

Statement stone

While neutral-toned kitchens have long been deemed the ultimate in contemporary kitchen design, the winds of change are blowing. Statement benchtops in any number of vibrant patterned stones are increasingly taking centre stage in modern kitchens. While stone countertops are nothing new, interior designers are taking things up a notch with statement stone blocks that extend all the way from the floor. When opting for a brave bench like this one, pull back on detail when it comes to the rest of the kitchen—simple finishes like warm woods on cabinets, as seen in the kitchen pictured, prove the perfect companion.

Make a splash 

Never again will the splashback be a second thought. While they might appear to exist in the background, splashbacks, much like a rug, play a pivotal role in tying a kitchen together. So, instead of opting for a simple subway tile, go for something with some pizazz. Marble backsplashes offer a kitchen just enough luxury without being over-the-top. Whether you go for a more demure white marble or choose a slab with some color, a statement splashback is a modern kitchen design essential.

Shape shifting 

Clean lines are a straightforward way to make your kitchen look and feel more modern. But a striking standalone bench with undulating curved edges? Now that is modern. While they may require a little more effort to source and implement, they’re well worth it. Not only do they offer an almost futuristic atmosphere to your kitchen, they’re quite the centerpiece, meaning you can afford to exercise a little restraint when it comes to designing the rest of your kitchen.

Clever colour

All too often, when it comes to kitchens, people shy away from color, but that needn’t be the case. In fact, colored cabinets are a kitchen design trend predicted to be big in 2023, so there’s no better time to give your kitchen a contemporary refresh with a spot of color. While diving in with floor-to-ceiling colored kitchen cabinets is, no doubt, daunting, there are less intimidating ways of incorporating color into your kitchen design scheme. A colored appliance, like a toaster or coffee machine, is a good way to dip your toe in the water, while a colored bar stool can be a slightly more impactful way of testing the waters.

Make space 

If your floor plans will allow, create some room to breathe in your kitchen by placing your benches a little further away from each other than normal. Although it may not be feasible in a small kitchen, creating more room in a larger kitchen by spacing things out, rather than attempting to utilize every corner of space available, instantly makes an area feel more clean, calm, and contemporary.

Industrial inspiration 

At the very core of modern design is an affinity for simplicity. For a contemporary kitchen, take your cues from sparse industrial scapes and employ raw materials to imbue your space with a sense of coolness. Consider polished concrete floors, natural stone or steel benchtops, and natural wood on cabinets—utilizing simple, sleek, industrial materials is an easy way to make your kitchen feel modern, all the while ensuring it doesn’t date.

Sleek steel 

It may be the stuff of commercial kitchens, but stainless steel is also worth its weight in gold when it comes to creating a contemporary kitchen. Whether you stick with just a benchtop in the sleek finish or opt for an entire stainless steel island bench, the material is a highway to modern design. Beware, however, of stainless steel making a kitchen feel cold and sterile—too much of a good thing can be, well, bad, so be sure to balance out stainless steel finishes with warmer, more charismatic elements, like colored cabinetry or, for the brave souls, an ornate ceiling like the one pictured.

Mirror mirror 

Battling with a small kitchen? It doesn’t need to be cramped and claustrophobic rather than clean and contemporary. Employ a mirror to create the illusion of more space while adding a surprising and unexpected finish to cabinet doors. A mirror finish on cabinets is not only a sleek way of adding a modern touch to your kitchen—it’s also a clever trick to hide additional storage space, meaning you can focus your attention on more exciting elements, like that marble kitchen island, of course.

Bench to impress 

Nothing says wow like a striking kitchen bench with unexpected sculptural details. The large cylindrical stone pillar beneath the bench pictured is an attention-grabbing detail that works beautifully in tandem with the bench’s smoothly curved edges, but we know a custom-made stone bench isn’t always within reach. To achieve a similar wow factor in a more accessible manner, why not opt for a statement-making pendant light fixture, like the one pictured? Sure, it might not be the wow-factor bench you had dreamed of, but it will have a similar attention-grabbing effect while also giving your kitchen a contemporary edge. What’s not to love?

Mix and match 

From fashion to design, it’s no secret that clashing colors, materials, and textures have been dangerous territory when it comes to creating a modern look. It’s by no means impossible—in fact, when done well, it can be spectacular—but it requires a little know-how and a lot of confidence. If you’re feeling brave, give it a go by pairing sleek, opulent marble with natural wood on benches and cabinets. The juxtaposition between the two materials is inherently contemporary, and with the right application, it can be the design choice your kitchen has been craving.

The art of contrast 

A modern white kitchen has long been the gold standard when it comes to contemporary kitchen design. Simple, timeless, and easy to implement—what’s not to appreciate about such a straightforward scheme? Nothing, but we think it might be time to up the white kitchen ante just a tad. Spice things up in your white space by adding matte black pieces to juxtapose and break up the monochrome color scheme. Black and white are a color combination as old as time, meaning adding a few touches of black, be it in the form of a dining table or bar stool, is a foolproof way to modernize your kitchen with ease.

Back to black 

There’s a reason very stylish people dress entirely in black. It’s foolproof, it’s sleek, and it’s modern as all get out. Dress your kitchen the same way by opting for a dark and moody color palette to create the ultimate contemporary kitchen. To make a major statement, stick with black on all the cabinets and opt for a bold and dramatic dark grey marble slab on the benchtops. The benchtops will become the focal point of the space, while the pitch-black cabinetry will do its job creating an atmosphere in the background.

Source: Www.Vogue.Com.Au