A Guide to Contemporary Kitchen Styles
A Guide to Contemporary Kitchen Styles
A visiting friend recently asked me how I came up with such a contemporary style for my kitchen. Until he asked, I had never really considered my kitchen contemporary and I posed myself the question: What exactly is a ‘contemporary’ kitchen? After some research on exactly what elements compose the typical contemporary kitchen, I found I was able to break the style into three sub-styles. Each sub-style still contained the elements needed to consider a kitchen ‘contemporary’, such as a clean-edged, streamlined appearance, and an overall focus on function rather than form. The sub-styles also each held their own unique take on how these elements were applied and used through such commonalities as appliances, cabinets, counters, and flooring.
The first of these three sub-styles could be considered minimalist. While the concept of minimalism is the largest contributor to the overall style of contemporary kitchens, there are varying degrees to which the subject can be taken. Taken to the extreme, minimalist kitchens are left with a form-fitted space in which the bare necessities remain. Clean counters, sharp-edged cabinets and appliances, and colors of black, grey, and white, impress upon one the absence of décor and the fact this the area is there for pure use. There are no extras, no shiny bobbles, no frills, just the steel, glass, and tile necessary to get the job done. While this sleek style might be abhorred by the fan of superfluities, by those who enjoy function over form and a quick and easy clean up, it can be considered beautiful.
The second sub-style of a contemporary kitchen is what would be deemed ‘home contemporary’. This sub-style is most prevalent in today’s modern kitchen. While there is still a focus largely on function and minimalism, this contemporary style melds into the equation some of the atmosphere found in a home environment. There is more life to the style. There might be coolly colorful granite countertops instead of white tile, wooden floors instead of polished concrete and more colorful paint selections, but the overall contemporary style elements remain. While the focus is skewed more toward eye pleasing features, the sleek superfluity of the space is still maintained.
The third sub-style of a contemporary kitchen would be that of ‘function’. The functional sub-style marries minimalism and a homier feel in a blend of the bare essential and relaxed embellishment. Similar to a restaurant kitchen, the focus of the functional contemporary kitchen is one that makes the area as useful as possible without catering to minimalist values. Whether eye catching or not, the décor of the functional kitchen is there to serve the needs of the chef and his endeavors into food cooking and preparation. The functional contemporary kitchen is to act as a work area first and foremost. Industrial grade appliances, well-placed and practical storage cabinets, bins, and drawers, and easy to clean counters and cabinets constructed of durable materials are the types of furnishings one might find in such a kitchen.
The current trend in kitchen renovations is the contemporary style, but it often combines elements from all three sub-styles. Personal preference, lifestyle and expected use of the kitchen can all play a role in determining what mixture of these styles is right for your kitchen.
Nasreen Haque
Article from articlesbase.com
Newline Champagne Digital Kitchen Food Scale 
With an attractive glass measuring plate and compact size, this electronic kitchen scale blends functionality with style. The Toug…
The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff Must-Have Stuff to Redesign Your Sims? Kitchens and Bathrooms!Electronic Arts continues to release solid expansions for the ever …
Emerson Fans CF244CRM 44″ Curva Contemporary Outdoor Chrome Ceiling Fan w/ Light & Remote The Emerson Fan CF244CRM is a Curva – Mid Size Ceiling Fan with the 6-Speed Reversing and Light Control Remote in the Chrome motor…
Little Tikes Sizzle N Serve Kitchen Kids can recreate their favorite cooking shows at home with this modern kitchen. The contemporary setup allows kids to serve food …
Contemporary Kitchen Combos Undermount 32″ Double Bowl Kitchen Sink with Kitchen Faucet and Soap Dispenser KBU22-KPF2160-KSD20SS Features: -Kitchen sink boasts 16-gauge premium grade T-304 stainless steel construction. -Scratch-resistan…
The Cobbler In The Devil’s Kitchen Early in the Mackinac summer Owen Cunning took his shoemaker’s bench and all his belongings to that open cavern on the beach calle…
Lucite: A clear favorite
Her friends’ Lucite-and-white kitchens were far more inviting than the outdated, psychedelic wallpaper and avocado-colored appliances that greeted Jeannine Anckaitis at home during the late ’80s.
Read more on The Journal News
