Many homeowners use the terms “contemporary” and “modern” interchangeably. While they do share some characteristics, there is a difference in aesthetics. While “modern” refers to a historical design movement and follows a strict style, “contemporary” means “in the now.” This style not only makes your home more appealing, it’s also very functional and user-friendly.
In this article, home renovator DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Larimer County discusses the basic features of a contemporary kitchen.
Contemporary Features
Consider Clean, Simple Lines
A contemporary design promotes simplicity. From high ceilings to architectural details, the lines can be boxy or curved, vertical or horizontal. Contemporary kitchen cabinets typically emphasize rectangle and square shapes. Flat doors without any type of recessed panels or ornamentations present clean, simple lines.
Stick to Lighter Colors
A monochromatic, neutral color palette is a great way to go in your contemporary kitchen. Think of whites, grays and tans. Warm shades create a more transitional feel, while cool hues give off an ultra-sleek contemporary appeal. If you’re feeling bold and hip, you’re still free to choose funky colors — as long as you stick to the 60-30-10 rule for colors: 60% of the kitchen should be one dominant color, 30% a secondary color, and 10% an accent color.
Choose Waterfall Edges
If your kitchen is large enough, you may want to add an island or breakfast bar. These features give your kitchen a more contemporary look. When it comes to islands and breakfast bars, consult your kitchen remodeler about waterfall edges. Just like their namesake, waterfall edges extend down the side of the cabinetry to create flowing, clean lines.
Mix Lighting Choices
Choose different lighting for different tasks. For ambient lighting, you may want recessed ceiling lights. You can’t go wrong with under-cabinet lighting for task lighting. Adding modern lighting, such as pendant lighting, across your island or peninsula gives your kitchen a more stylish look. If you are going for a more formal kitchen design, you may want to add a chandelier or mini-chandeliers.
Minimize the Clutter
Clutter, whether visual or physical, ruins a contemporary kitchen design. Be sure to minimize the clutter in your kitchen, including the appearance of your appliances. You might think there’s no way around this, but many kitchen experts recommend paneling your appliances. Paneled appliances create design cohesion between the cabinets and paneling.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
Are you searching online for a “kitchen contractor near me“? Look no further than DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Larimer County. Our professional kitchen contractors are ready to make your dream kitchen a reality! We proudly serve homeowners in Fort Collins, Laporte, Loveland, Lyons, Timnath, Johnstown, Berthoud and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (970) 695-1320 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.
