Designing A Kitchen For Modern Living

The kitchen can sometimes end up just being a place to cook, but it could be so much more than that - and in most cases, it should be. In the end, whatever it is you do in your kitchen, from whipping up quick snacks and drinks to hosting dinner parties or even hanging out with friends and family, you’re going to need a practical, stylish space that’s built for real life.

That’s great because the fact is that modern kitchens are all about efficiency, comfort, and a touch of personality too, so if you’re designing (or perhaps redesigning) yours, it’s important to make sure all the elements come together. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about designing a kitchen for modern living.

Once upon a time, kitchens were closed off from the rest of the house because they were only there for cooking, and once you were done, you left the room. But when it comes to modern living, it’s different, and it’s all about open plan designs.

Why? It’s because people want to socialise while they cook, or perhaps keep an eye on the kids (who might use the space for homework), and basically get a seamless and easy flow between living, dining, and kitchen spaces.

To get your open plan kitchen, you might need to know down a wall to create a light, airy space where cooking feels a lot more enjoyable instead of a chore you’ve got to do every day (potentially multiple times). And what about adding an island or a breakfast bar? It’s the perfect spot for casual meals, working from home, or just chatting with friends. Essentially, open plan kitchens make your home feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting, which is exactly what modern living is all about.

A beautiful kitchen is going to lose its charm really quickly if it gets covered in clutter, which is why modern kitchens focus on smart, hidden storage to keep surfaces clean and organised. You can start by adding some pull out units that give you the chance to use a lot more space and make things easier to get to so you don’t waste so much or end up buying more than you need. It’s also a good idea to add a deep drawer for larger pots and pans because then they won’t have to sit on the work surface because there’s nowhere else to put them.

Vertical storage is also fantastic - just think of the stuff you could keep away from the rest of the room, like chopping boards or baking trays, for example. And, as ever when it comes to storage, use your walls well and add some shelving if you’ve not got enough.

Gone are the days when a fridge and an oven were pretty much all you needed in the kitchen - modern kitchens are jam packed full of smart, modern, efficient (and energy efficient) appliances that will help you save time and effort and keep your kitchen - not to mention the rest of your home - looking and even smelling good.

Some ideas include induction hobs that heat up instantly and are energy-efficient, or built-in dishwashers that mean you won’t have to worry about washing up (or, as is often the case, dirty dishes piling up because you’ve not got the time, energy, or inclination to wash them). Plus a brand new range hood is a great option - not only does it look good (and you can choose from different styles to match the rest of the kitchen), but when it does its job well, it keeps your kitchen lovely and fresh and free of cooking smells, so it’s a great way to make your modern kitchen a nice place to spend time in.

A kitchen isn’t just for show, so make sure you’re thinking about how to make it functional and practical as well as gorgeous. And of course, it’s got to handle the daily wear and tear that cooking and using the room is going to bring. One option is to install quartz countertops to help - true, they’re more expensive than other options, but they’re beautiful, easy to clean, and stain-resistant, so they’re worth the money.

Other things that fall into the same kind of category include porcelain tiles, matte finishes (they won’t show fingerprints as much), and hardwood or maybe luxury vinyl flooring - they’re so hard wearing. Just make sure your kitchen is as practical as it is stylish, and you’ll be on the right track.