15 Gorgeous Modern Kitchen Ideas That’ll Never Go Out of Style
Ready to refresh your kitchen but feeling a little overwhelmed at all the design possibilities? You’re not alone. There are hundreds upon hundreds of different choices you can make when it comes to your kitchen’s design and functionality, especially if you want a more modern aesthetic. Luckily, I tapped some amazing home design professionals for their expert advice — here are their takes on the 15 hottest modern kitchen styles that are popular right now. Ready, set, design!
1. Colorful Appliances
“Bright, colorful appliances are making a statement in modern kitchens, often replacing neutral tones with bold, eye-catching designs,” says Mackenzie Collier, founder at Mackenzie Collier Interiors. As fun as a pink or turquoise stove can be, though, she recommends making sure the appliance’s functionality and size meet your needs. “Don’t choose them just for the color, or you’ll regret it quickly!”
Interior designer Darlene Molnar is a huge fan of colorful appliances, too, even noting them as her “favorite kitchen trend” of the moment. “They’re a great way to get a pop of color in an otherwise subdued kitchen,” she says.
2. Black Cabinetry
Have a real love of the color black? You’re right on track. Just be sure your kitchen isn’t super dark, since then the black may appear overwhelming. “In a well-lit space, black cabinetry can create a rich and inviting ambiance,” says Briana Gershenzon, chief of design at Renovation Sells. She recommends pairing black cabinets with black hardware for a tonal look and then adding a contrasting lighter countertop and backsplash for balance.
3. White Cabinetry
Just like black, white cabinetry makes a style statement in a modern kitchen — albeit a sleeker, brighter one. “White cabinetry has always been — and likely will continue to be — a staple in kitchen design,” says Courtney Cole, an interior designer at TileCloud. “It’s easy to understand, too, adding a timeless and versatile feel to the kitchen.” And if you’re working with a smaller kitchen, you’re in luck! Cole says white cabinets can help them feel bigger.
4. White Subway Tile Backsplash
Make your kitchen backsplash equally chic and easy to pair with other design elements by choosing a neutral hue with texture. One option is a backsplash in white subway tile, which interior designer Chantelle Hartman Malarkey calls “the perfect clean slate.” She says this type of backsplash is very popular because it works with so many different styles. “This gives you room to make other bolder design choices, or keep everything neutral,” Malarkey says.
5. Pendant Lighting
The best light fixtures do more than just light the space — they simultaneously create a striking style statement. Pendant lighting is a favorite of Dawn Bane, an interior designer at Spectrum Design Group, who says it’s “an important part of creating a layered lighting aesthetic.” Malarkey is a fan of this bold lighting choice, too, noting that it “creates some height to the space and is a great way to draw your eyes up.”
6. Green Cabinetry
You didn’t think the experts were done talking about cabinets, did you? Multiple interior designers I spoke to called green cabinets one of the hottest trends of the moment. “Green cabinetry will be great if you want to add a bold but natural touch to your kitchen,” Cole says, who loves that the nature-like shade easily connects indoor and outdoor living spaces. To really make your green cabinetry pop, Cole recommends adding brass hardware and wooden accents.
Joyce Huston, the lead interior designer and cofounder at Decorilla, is a fan of earthy cabinets, too. “I have noticed that green is becoming the new neutral in kitchen designs,” she says. But Collier cautions against the color if you aren’t 100% sure. “Cabinetry, being one of the most expensive investments you’ll make in your home, better be something that you plan to love for at least 10 years,” she says. “I advise clients to only choose a shade they’ve loved for years to ensure it’s not a fleeting decision based on current trends.”
7. Gold Accents
Go for the glamour with gold accents, which Collier says “add a touch of luxury and warmth.” She notes that, while you can choose either weathered or shiny finishes, the latter is typically used in a more modern kitchen. “Shiny gold is more of a trend for sleek, modern spaces,” she says. If you do choose to give your kitchen a little gold rush, she says to make sure the accents are cohesive with the rest of your design choices.
8. Skip Upper Cabinets
“Skipping upper cabinets in high-end kitchens creates a beautifully open, airy look and gives you clear sight lines with all the extra wall space,” Gershenzon says of this modern kitchen trend. And don’t worry about losing storage space — you just have to get creative with your other cabinetry and shelving options. She recommends adding custom cabinetry with deep drawers to hold your dishes and cookware, while open shelving can hold glasses and plates. “It gives you the function of upper cabinets while still maintaining the open feel,” she says.
9. All White
While some designers are eschewing all-white kitchens in favor of bolder or moodier tones, there is still plenty of love for the aesthetic, too. “White kitchens are far from boring,” Collier enthuses. She recommends incorporating different shades for tonal variation, which “keeps the space bright yet layered.” Try warm white cabinets, textured backsplash tile, a natural stone countertop, and aged brass lighting and hardware, which Collier says creates “a timeless kitchen that’s anything but bland.”
10. Open Wood Shelving
“Open wood shelving is a great way to show off your cool, pretty drinkware, bowls, and other kitchen items in a really aesthetically pleasing way,” Malarkey says. She also notes that having everything displayed this way makes it easy to grab.
Huston is a fan of this trend, too. “It’s not just about the aesthetics; it’s about functionality, too,” she says. “It’s a great way to add warmth and personality to a modern kitchen.”
11. Full Wall Backsplash
Rather than cutting off the backsplash, why not have it extend the full length of your wall? “This is a great way to avoid breaks in the backsplash and allow the cabinetry to become the focus,” Bane says, although she cautions against one that’s too busy, which may make the cabinetry look lost. Gershenzon loves a full wall backsplash for its continuity, noting that it “draws your eye up and makes your ceilings feel taller.”
This trend has “gained more and more popularity,” according to Huston. She recently used a full wall of marble as a backsplash, which she says “created a stunning focal point and eliminated the visual break that traditional backsplashes create. Plus, it’s very easy to clean!”
12. Gray Herringbone Backsplash
If you’d rather have a backsplash that doesn’t take up an entire wall, that’s a great choice, too. Gray herringbone adds visual interest without drawing attention away from other bold elements in your modern kitchen aesthetic. You can go a little more muted with a print, or add texture with tile.
13. Wood Herringbone Flooring
Malarkey loves wood herringbone flooring for its ability to create visual interest and marry different aesthetics. “It brings in the classic wood floor look with a modern twist,” she says. “It catches houseguests’ eyes every time. You will get compliments!”
14. Modern Coastal Feel
“With minimalism on the rise, it’s of no surprise that modern coastal is, too,” Cole says of this trend, which perfectly combines neutral tones, natural materials, and a breezy aesthetic. “It relies heavily on weathered wood, blue and white tones, and beach-themed interiors to create an equally beach-inspired environment.” To play up the beach theme and incorporate texture, Malarkey recommends adding shells and rope to your decor.
15. Bold Barstools
While many design updates can be expensive, there’s one pretty inexpensive one that immediately grabs the eye — and that’s with a bold barstool or two. “Why not have fun with an element that is easy to change or swap out?” says Courtney Sempliner of Courtney Sempliner Designs, who loves using them “as a way to make a statement in an otherwise timeless kitchen.”
Molnar agrees. “They are an easy, no-construction way of incorporating something unique and statement-making,” she says of the trend. Curious about how to incorporate this trend into your modern kitchen aesthetic? Huston recommends contrasting a sleek white and gray palette with rich cognac leather barstools for an instant elevated look. “Do not underestimate the power of seating to make a statement,” she says.
Which is your favorite modern kitchen idea? Let us know in the comments below!
Further Reading
Why People Are Ditching Their Seltzer After a Disturbing Study
The “Beautiful” $3 Flower Tumblers at Walmart People Are Buying 2 at a Time
The One Cookware Brand That Gordon Ramsay Can’t Stop Talking About
