Contemporary and Functional Kitchen Design Solutions

Contemporary is a popular design choice for any room.  Today, my guest blogger, Lillian Conners, shares some great tips on how to achieve a modern and functional look for your kitchen. 


If you’re dealing with an unfurnished cooking area or starting a kitchen makeover, it’s always good to know which way you’d want to go with the design. If you’re leaning more towards a modern setting, you probably know that it often emphasises the aspect of function over form. Kitchen layout options include a number of settings, such as L-shaped, U-shaped and galley types, and the key is to introduce the elements that promote an intelligent space arrangement that is also visually appealing. With this in mind, here are some tips to help you in the process.

Storage galore

We have seen many blunders people make with this room, but there’s one that’s all too common - neglecting the importance of sufficient storage. All of the vertical surfaces, corners and shelves must enter the plan. The overhead elements are allowed to go as high as the ceiling, saving yourself from both space wasting and frequent dusting. Incorporate bottom drawers with sizeable shelves for pots and pans stacking, or the deep variant for the same role. We advise you to keep kitchen apertures inside cabinets and make your countertop clutter-free.

Plenty of light

Direct illumination fixtures may work just fine in the eating room, while a number of kitchen items would obstruct your work by casting a shadow at all times. If we take this into consideration, the best lighting solution for you is to mount some fixtures on the wall, or if possible, install under-cabinet option to light the countertop. When combing lighting and countertop materials, it is true to say that the steel countertop has a contemporary look, but it is also overly reflective and prone to scratches, so you’d be best advised not to choose this option.

Powered up

It goes without saying that high-end kitchen has an abundance of appliances, and they all require a socket of their own. Still, extension blocks are disallowed on the kitchen premises due to safety issues and disruption of the outlook. Even if we wanted to live dangerously, many machines have short power cords that probably couldn’t reach the power strip. To ensure all of the desired appliances fit well into the designated slot without interfering with gas or other power lines, take precise measurements.

Clean slate for a Greener Tomorrow 

If you’re moving into a new house, it’s for the best to leave the old kitchen machines behind and recycle them appropriately, as they will stick out like a sore thumb in your novel setting. Technology is getting updated every year, so this is also a chance to purchase new appliances and fixtures, which commonly come with smart, energy-preserving features. When it comes to plumbing features, you should use this opportunity to install faucet aerators and other water-saving device to minimize water waste, advise us at Force Plumbing & Heating.

Safety above all

You should also handle the matter of safety, not just in the kitchen but in the whole house. Arrange the elements so that you can move easily around the place. Ensure that you can see a front gate and a backyard playground at the same time from this standpoint (a mom-approved trait). The rest of the anti-hazard measures cover slip-proof flooring, rounded countertop and rubber blockers under rug areas. Lastly, keep the stoves and ovens out of kids’ level.

Floor demands

Skip past the cheap looking linoleum in your vision of a modern kitchen, that’s passé for years. Wooden floors are may look magnificent, but they’re decidedly an out-of-place feature, as stoves, sinks and refrigerators just don’t sit well on them and there’s a high risk of damage involved. This is where marble, or any natural stone for that matter, comes into action, offering a lovely marriage of vintage and modern and exceling in kitchen conditions. If you decide on one of these options, however, bear in mind that natural stone demonstrates the need for occasional resealing.

By now you have probably realised that going for a truly contemporary kitchen is nothing to be scared of. Employing these tips will help you create optimal conditions for food preparation in a fully functional, safe environment.

Author Bio: If one thing is true about Lillian Connors, her mind is utterly curious. That’s why she can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of home improvement projects and spread the word about them. She cherishes the notion that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on. You can check her out on Twitter and LinkedIn.