Modern Style Kitchens

A modern kitchen design is characterised by a clean sleek and streamlined layout.

They typically consist of open spaces, minimalist features, and simple colour palettes that offer clutter-free space to relax and entertain.

Modern kitchens are designed with the aim of creating a spacious and airy atmosphere, making them ideal for open-plan interiors.

Minimalist Kitchens

Minimalist kitchens have uncluttered simple sleek lines with few if any wall units. Most utilise frameless, slab-fronted cabinet doors with no ornamentation or bevelling.

Flat Panel Kitchens

Flat panel doors are available in many different materials and a variety of finishes from Painted slab doors in matt or gloss to laser edged Veneered timber.

Handleless Kitchens

Handleless kitchens, like minimalist.

Will be designed with flat doors but will have minimal or no visible handles. To keep a streamline look, the opening mechanism can be push fit, Integrated “J” handle or recessed strip.

Framed Panel Kitchens

Framed panel kitchens are a modern twist on the traditional in-frame kitchen with the traditional shaker or raised panel doors replaced with a flat panel door.

This gives a slightly more traditional feel to a modern kitchen design.

Often used in cottages where a modern feel is wanted.

Things to take into account when deciding on a new kitchen.

Design & Style

What do you like and dislike about how your current kitchen looks?
What is the architectural style and age of your home? Will your new kitchen reflect this style or contrast it?
Which general style are you aiming for: contemporary, traditional, country or fusion?
What colours do you like and dislike?
Does the kitchen need to complement adjoining room finishes and design?
Do you want or need to change the access points to your kitchen – internal and external?
What do I like about your friends or any other kitchens you have seen?
List a few designs and products that you like? Create a mood board, folder or notebook with notes and images. Include kitchen pictures, layouts, colours, descriptions, appliances – everything that catches your eye.
Light – Do you have enough light to work by or will you need a whole new lighting system.
What’s on the wish list of everyone who uses the kitchen?

Function

What do you like and dislike about how your current kitchen layout works?
Do you want to keep any existing appliances?
Does your floor need to be changed for new or can you keep or refinish the existing floor?
Can you, or do you, want to re-use any existing cabinetry and furniture?
Do you need space in the kitchen for tasks that are not cooking related like working on the computer, supervising homework etc.
What other non-food-related activities will take place in your new kitchen space? – dining, laundry, watching TV etc.
Think about the balance between storage and worksurface. How much more or less of each do you need?
Do you need to change the kitchen footprint or can you get the correct balance by re-organising the existing space?
Can you change the layout within the existing kitchen footprint, or do you need to add space by joining in another room or adding an extension to your home?
Do you have enough electrical outlets: Small appliances (toaster, coffeemaker, blender, mixer, etc.) and electronics (mobile phone, TV, etc.)
How many people will use the kitchen regularly? How old are they and does anyone have any special needs?

Storage

What kind of storage space will you need?
What will you be storing? Items to consider: dry goods, paper products, pet food, dishes, flatware, cookware, bakeware, glassware, recycling, china, table linens, small appliances, and bottled or canned food & drinks – make a list of items in your existing kitchen
Do you have enough fridge and freezer space? – It is critical that you design your new layout before purchasing any new appliances, especially large items like American style fridges.
How often do you shop – this will affect the amount of storage you need – Daily, Weekly, Monthly, In bulk? Think about how you would like to shop if your kitchen was different?
Allow for storage of small appliances (toaster, coffeemaker, blender, mixer, etc.) and electronics (cell phone, TV, etc.)

Cooking, prepping, tea & coffee

Is there enough work surface space for preparing meals?
Is the sink large enough? Single, double, triple bowl or second sink for prepping perhaps.
What about the dishwasher – is it big enough or is it even used?
Is fresh water easily accessible when prepping and cooking?
Take a long look at cooking options – range cookers, eye level ovens and microwaves, Radiant, gas or induction hob?
What size cooking surface do you need – 2, 4, 5, 6 ring or combinations of gas, wok, induction, grill and more options are available.
How many functions will your ovens need and how easy will they be to keep clean.
Plan on dedicated areas for food preparation, cooking, tea & coffee, cleaning, storage, eating, other activities.
Look at how easy the surfaces, finishes and appliances will be to use and to clean? Appliances with multiple functions are only worth the extra cost if you use the functions (e.g. steam, pyro clean, micro combination cooking to name a few)
How many people use the kitchen for cooking, food preparation, baking, tea & coffee
Is there a primary cook? If so: Is the primary cook left- or right-handed? How tall is the primary cook? Does the primary cook have any physical limitations?
Is there a secondary cook? – use the same questions
How do the primary and secondary cooks prefer to work? Alone, One helper, Multiple helpers
What is the general cooking style? Gourmet, Family, Quick and simple, Slow cooking (e.g. AGA), Roasts, Baking, Ethnic etc.

Dining & Entertaining

Do you need room for eating in the kitchen? Is this the only place to eat or is there a formal dining room?
Will the eating area be fixed or freestanding (kitchen table)?
Is an island with room for dining on one side or end the solution??
How often do you entertain?
Is your entertainment style-formal or informal?
When entertaining – do you cook or have caterers in?
How many guests do you typically invite?
Do you guests always end up in the kitchen?

 Products & Features

Appliances

Range cooker

Eye level oven(s)

Hob

Cooker hood

Microwave

Coffee machine – freestanding, built it?

Fridge

Freezer

Dishwasher

Rubbish bins

Food waste disposal unit (in sink)

Warming drawer

Wine cooler

Ice maker (fridge or dedicated)

Second dishwasher

Second fridge or freezer

Washing machine

Tumble dryer

Kettle – electric, stove top

Boiling water tap

Electrical & Lighting

More sockets

Ceiling lighting

Under cabinet lighting

Pendant lighting (over table or island)

Plinth lighting

Charging station (for mobile phones, laptops etc)

Cabinetry and storage

Standard height or tall & filled to ceiling

Soft close doors & drawers

Adjustable shelving

Internal larder drawers (space tower)

Tall corner walk in pantry

Tea coffee station behind doors in tall unit

Pull out shelves & baskets

Pan drawers

Cutlery & cooking implements drawers

Spice rack – in drawer or door mounted

Wine rack – base or wall unit

Appliance garage

Dresser unit – glass or solid

Bookshelf or display shelves / cupboards

Integrated or freestanding rubbish & recycling bins

Cutlery dividers

Tray dividers / Tea towel / open space

Corner solution – Le Mans, Carousel

Pull-up mixer shelf

Pull down wall storage

Plumbing

Style of main sink & material

Prep or bar sink

Water filter/dispenser/tap

Side spray

Water softener