Contemporary Kitchen Designs For Beauty and Functionality...

Add appeal and value to your home by following the contemporary kitchen designs presented here.

We can help you to know which rules of kitchen design are applicable to your needs and how to incorporate these into your planning and layout

Don't worry, it's really quite simple..just read through these accepted design 'rules', consider the importance of trends and of course, your budget, and plan according to your available space.

Your kitchen should be both attractive and functional which means that you'll need to consider what your priorities are. If renovating, try to avoid the things that annoyed you in the old space...lack of bench space,light, wall switches, storage etc.

If on a tight budget, you could use premade cabinet packages..see your local hardware warehouse. Otherwise, ask a designer to come to your home and offer suggestions.

Trust your instincts..your commonsense will tell you what is best for your family's needs.

Kitchen Layout

... a layout should be designed around the 'work' or 'golden' triangle. This means that the oven, sink and refrigerator should form a triangle that is no more than 7m in total. Why? For easy movement between the most utilised areas.

Kitchen Lighting

Think about number and placement of light switches and lighting in general. In contemporary kitchen design, lighting includes general or ambient lighting, task lighting and decorative lighting.. all necessary in your kitchen.

Storage Ideas

The amount you need to store and the appliances you use, will be considerations when you choose your storage units. Pantry, cabinets, shelving and drawers can be designed to make the most of your available space.

Countertops

Benchtops and countertops are mainly determined by the style you want. The trend is chunky and deep now, and there is a wide choice of materials and colors. Countertops can be a really beautiful feature of your area.

Splashbacks

Backsplashes are a great focus in your contemporary kitchen design and people are being adventurous as they realise that in any kitchen this is where you can inject color and be versatile with glass, mosaics, steel, tiles and other modern materials. Add sophistication and style with cleverly designed backsplashes!

Appliances

Integrated kitchens are high on the trendy list with appliances being hidden behind cupboards and panels. Fridges, microwaves and ovens can be integrated to give an uncluttered look that blends with all open-plan spaces. See 'Integrated kitchens' for more information.

Cabinet Hardware

Hardware for your cabinets includes handles, pulls, knobs and hinges. All of these can be used to enhance your particular kitchen style and can highlight the look. You may want handle-less cabinetry to highlight a contemporary seamless look!

Kitchen Islands

A kitchen island can often give you lots more space as well as acting as an easy spot to eat. You can have your cooktop or sink in it and the island can have 2 heights so as to hide the task side from the overhanging eating area.

Colors

It is still wise to use a palette of quiet neutral tones, particularly if you are going to sell. Whites, creams, moccas, lattes and greys are all useful design classics that go well with many styles. Remember that dark tones limit the idea of space and that you can use the splashback, countertops and flooring to highlight more vibrant color.

Materials

Kitchen cabinets, countertops, splashbacks and floors are all benifitting from new-age designing of materials such as polished concrete aggregate, pebbles instead of tiles, and stainless steel in conjunction with reconstituted glass.

ESD (Environmentally sustainable design)
ESD is an important part of all design, and very much so in the kitchen as the hub of the family home. We now think of the raw materials used for products, harvesting of materials, the processing involved and the energy that is used to create them and use them.

You may want to get a consultant to help you design an eco-friendly space that will help you contribute to saving our planet!

Kitchen Style Try to fit your contemporary kitchen design style in with the rest of your house to achieve a more integrated look, but there is no law that you can't have a different style of kitchen!

Why good storage is so necessary in a kitchen

You can choose from many kinds of kitchen styles - classic, country or contemporary

New Age Appliances - what do we really want in our kitchen?

Contemporary Designs - even more about modern kitchen design

How to create a wonderful outdoor kitchen for entertaining on those warm summer evenings

What to do with a really small kitchen to maximize your space fully

How to create a beutiful Spanish kitchen with vibrant color and atmosphere

Kitchen of the future - What will the kitchen of the future look like, what will it do, and what will it have in it?

All the important elements of design and tips to remember

How to plan your contemporary kitchen as a designer would

Feng-Shui your kitchen according to the ancient principles of this philosophy

Free design principles and tips for you

Use a little outdoor area to grow some gorgeous herbs for cooking, lovely scent and appeal

Which materials to choose for your new kitchen backsplash

Go to Kitchen Layout for more about the work triangle and other layout musts

The latest information about kitchen materials

Choose a style for your beautiful new kitchen

Learn about lasting and passing trends in design

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