The contemporary kitchen revolves around clean lines and spotless furniture. Minimalistic designs, such as Japandi, a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian concepts and interior design features, inspire its designs. However, what makes these aesthetics approachable is their flexibility, as they can be as simple or sophisticated as possible.
But not everyone believes that. Modern kitchens seem lifeless for many, as there are usually only neutral colours in them. At the same time, furniture and appliances are introduced on the same basis: minimalistic purposes and no visual clutter.
So, if you’re into modern designs and sleek kitchens, but want to introduce some more colour and personality, here are some simple tips to try.
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-modern-kitchen-with-stainless-steel-appliances-and-marble-counter-tops-j6QSUeiW6vo
Make the place feel lived
Whether you have a family, a pet companion, or are simply living alone, making the kitchen feel like someone actually uses it and enjoys their time in it is crucial. So, regardless of the modern kitchen style you choose, you could introduce:
- A huge chalkboard near the storage pantry to list groceries and recipes, or simply allow the kids to draw as you cook;
- Install a small bookcase with novels, cooking books, as well as drawing books for kids;
- Install a built-in bed for your pet to safely and closely watch you, and you can spend more time with them;
These elements can stand out in the kitchen or simply blend in with the overall minimalistic design. Nevertheless, they’ll effortlessly add more personality to the kitchen.
Collect decorative homeware
While the purpose of a modern kitchen is to showcase only the necessary kitchenware without additional cutlery or decorations, a livelier kitchen can include beautiful accessories that don’t necessarily serve their purpose. Some are easily accessible online, but you’ll find real gems in thrift stores as well. Decorative homeware works well with open shelves and storage, where guests can admire your:
- Fine China dinnerware set;
- Custom plates from Josephine Dessine, Helle Mardahl, or Ivo Angel;
- Artisanal flatware and glassware products;
Besides dinnerware, you may also display your everyday objects, especially if they fit the aesthetic of the kitchen. Just make sure not to give off the impression of visual clutter, as this can happen in the kitchen, where too many items of different shapes and colours are gathered.
Use mixed materials
What might make modern kitchens boring is that they more or less have the same materials― laminate, particleboard, and marble counters. Most come in similar tones, so the kitchen lacks personality, but when you combine different materials, you achieve a unique look that’s also a long-term investment.
For example, you can have stainless steel for hard-wearing resistance and durability, while wood is great for adding a bit more nature, especially when accompanied by plants. Natural stone, metal, and glass are also ideal for anyone’s kitchen, even if they can be pricey. Combining them turns the kitchen into specific spaces for cooking, sitting, and dining without making it seem kitsch.
If you’re on a budget, choosing MDF, particleboard, or PVC can still have an effect, but you may need to strengthen your maintenance skills as these materials have a shorter lifespan.
Pick a rug (or more)
While adding rugs in the kitchen seems like another task since you’ll have to clean them as well, their benefits overturn the downsides. Not only can they keep you warm during colder months
and chilly mornings, but they also make the space warmer and more welcoming.
If your kitchen space is wider, rugs help with noise reduction, and they ensure floor protection regardless of the flooring quality. At the same time, rugs increase safety as there’s less space for spills and splatters to become a danger of falling.
Moreover, rugs help define spaces. Just like leveraging the looks of mixed materials, you can use non-slip mats next to the cooking space, while a Persian rug would enhance the eating spot by making it more sophisticated.
Update your lighting
Lighting is the most underrated element in a kitchen. While we’re used to the “big light” in the center of the ceiling that provides coverage for the entire kitchen, we underestimate the potential of layering lighting sources to create more depth and functionality.
So, we’ve got:
- Ambient lighting contributes to the general illumination of the room, and you can achieve it with pendant lights or floor lamps;
- Task lighting is perfect for highlighting only one sport where you work, such as the cupboards, where you can use LED lights;
- Accent lighting has only an aesthetic purpose, as it highlights furniture or art through wall sconces, or chandeliers;
Layering lighting sources offer design flexibility and functionality while bringing the kitchen to life.
Most importantly, keep the kitchen organised
Having an organised kitchen is the most important thing when trying to maintain aesthetics in the long term. A messy kitchen, on the other hand, will interfere with all your decorations and investments in qualitative materials, so you could:
- Save counter space by using the walls for organisation. For example, you can use a magnetic knife holder instead of a knife block;
- Take advantage of corner storage by inserting a lazy Susan for pots and pans;
- Create a coffee station in a sport where all necessities for brewing the drink, from the coffee machine to the ingredients, are placed together;
- Install magnetic storage for small items like conversion charts or measuring spoons;
Having a cleaning schedule also helps keep the kitchen neat, especially in the evening, when you should put back all items used throughout the day and quickly wipe off countertops.
Final considerations
Most people want a modern kitchen, as it usually represents a minimalistic design that doesn’t require much maintenance and looks clean. However, some consider their kitchens too dull due to their lack of personality, so you could approach a few strategies like decorating them with unique homeware, introducing a few rugs, or layering the lighting. Of course, it’s most important to keep the kitchen clean as much as possible to avoid the clutter overwhelming the room.