Decorating Decor Styles Modern Design 12 Modern Kitchen Ideas for Every Design Style Give your space a refresh with these contemporary kitchen ideas. By Maria Sabella Updated on November 10, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: John Granen Whether it's a casual weeknight dinner or a special holiday meal, the kitchen is often the main gathering spot of the home. It's also a place to unleash your creativity and add personal style—and not just in a culinary sense. If your kitchen is due for a quick refresh or a full-on remodel, give it a contemporary makeover inspired by our favorite modern kitchen ideas. From two-toned cabinets, statement light fixtures, and mixed metals, to unique backsplash ideas and a monochrome color palette, you'll see that a modern kitchen is anything but cold and sterile. We'll show you how to add character, warmth, and modern style no matter the size of your kitchen or budget. 32 Before-and-After Kitchen Remodel Ideas for Your Renovation 01 of 12 Modern Rustic Kitchen Better Homes & Gardens / Robert Brinson A stunning shiplap-covered ceiling, oversized pendant lights, and mixed materials give this kitchen a modern rustic look. The clean white walls and ceiling are a stark juxtaposition to charcoal gray cabinets and a galvanized metal island. When working with a limited color palette, bring in contrasting materials such as glass, metal, and wood to create added layers of warmth, texture, and visual interest. The 10 Best Paints for Cabinets of 2024 That Look Factory Finished 02 of 12 Contemporary Coastal Kitchen Better Homes & Gardens Coastal goes contemporary in this bright and open modern kitchen. A large rectangular pendant light suspended from a tall shiplap-covered ceiling makes a statement and mimics the shape of the quartz-topped wood island. Light wood cabinetry and white floating shelves maintain the kitchen's open feel, while a diagonally laid charcoal gray floor tile grounds the space and provides visual contrast. Woven wicker barstools add that quintessential coastal touch. 03 of 12 Open and Airy Better Homes & Gardens / Greg Scheidemann White floating shelves replace classic upper cabinets for a modern twist on kitchen storage. Floating shelves are a good addition both aesthetically and practically—they maintain an open and airy look, provide a spot to display your favorite kitchenware, and keep everyday essentials easily accessible. A white subway tile backsplash extends up to the ceiling, creating a timeless backdrop for this two-toned kitchen. A polished chrome wall sconce adds a decorative detail and an extra light source but also helps tie in the cabinet hardware. 04 of 12 Two-Toned Cabinets Better Homes & Gardens / Nathan Schroder Photography Give your kitchen a modern update with a two-toned cabinet look. This kitchen features wooden lower cabinets and warm white upper cabinets for a sleek, contemporary feel. To maintain a cohesive look, use the same hardware on all of the cabinets to tie the two colors together and create continuity. Maximize storage space and emphasize ceiling height by bringing upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling. 05 of 12 Black and White Kitchen Better Homes & Gardens / Buff Strickland A monochrome color palette makes for a modern yet timeless space. To do a limited color palette well (and prevent it from looking boring), use the colors in varied ways as is done in this kitchen. Solid black and white cabinets are accented by patterned floor tile while the various materials of the wood bar stools and metal island give the space depth. Brass hardware and pendant lights add a pop of glam, while a butcher block island topper brings in some much-needed warmth for visual balance. 06 of 12 Colorful Kitchen Accents Better Homes & Gardens / David A. Land Bright accents such as purple counter stools, a colorful floor runner, and sculptural matte black pendant lights lend a playful touch to this modern kitchen. A white subway tile wall and black and white cabinets and countertops serve as a neutral backdrop and help reflect the natural light from the skylight. Don't be afraid to mix metals for a modern look—this kitchen features brass cabinet pulls, matte black lights and shelf hardware, and a brushed nickel faucet for a layered effect. 07 of 12 Think Vertical Better Homes & Gardens / Edmund Barr For a modern spin on the traditional kitchen backsplash, take classic subway tile and position it vertically instead of horizontally. This small change gives it a fresh look and creates a sense of height as the tile points towards the ceiling. A minimalist block-style range hood and white floating shelves emphasize the straight lines in this kitchen. A black pot filler and cabinet hardware add an industrial touch and wood cabinets bring in a natural element for that quintessential kitchen warmth. 8 Subway Tile Patterns for a Fresh Twist on the Classic Material 08 of 12 Copper Kitchen Accents Edmund Barr This minimalist kitchen features walnut cabinets whose lack of hardware gives them a contemporary feel. An asymmetrical hexagon tile wall serves double duty as both a practical backsplash and a striking visual accent. The geometric nature of the tiled wall is broken up by an organically shaped single floating shelf that presents the perfect place to display dishes and hold potted herbs. Copper is a welcome metal choice for the faucet and wall sconces as it brings out the warmth of the wood and adds an elevated look. 46 Beautiful Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Style and Budget 09 of 12 Dark Gray Kitchen Better Homes & Gardens / John Granen The dark gray cabinet color is the star of the show in this stunning modern kitchen. Minimalist black hardware in the form of square knobs, rectangular pulls, and bin pulls maintains the clean and linear design of the cabinetry and floating wood shelves balance out the cool tones and tie in the wide plank flooring. A gorgeous brass-accented stove stands out against the gray paint color, and white countertops and a pearl-shell backsplash brighten the kitchen while maintaining its streamlined aesthetic. 10 of 12 Incorporate Color Better Homes & Gardens / Kim Cornelison Think of light fixtures and cabinet hardware as the jewelry for your kitchen. These functional yet decorative accents are the final layer that can completely transform the room. Two sculptural pendant lights add a unique, artistic feature above this kitchen island, dressing up the space. Add color to your kitchen with a jewel-toned deep teal tiled wall. A set of three long floating shelves provides a display surface for art, cookbooks, and dishes that star against the backsplash. 11 of 12 Eat-In Kitchen Better Homes & Gardens / Kim Cornelison A midcentury modern-inspired tulip table, copper dining chairs, and a milk glass pendant light create a cozy breakfast nook in this modern kitchen. They tie in the white cabinets and backsplash, while the metal chairs pop against navy blue walls. Bright white cabinets and trim and lots of natural light create a sense of openness and oak hardwood floors warm up the space and play off the warm tones of the copper furniture. 12 of 12 Home Office Kitchen Better Homes & Gardens / Shaun Sullivan Incorporate a built-in workstation into your kitchen to provide a comfortable spot to work from home, sit and do homework, or create a weekly meal plan. Take cues from this modern kitchen and give standard built-ins a custom, designer-like makeover by painting the backing a contrasting color. The charcoal gray forms an eye-catching backdrop for the white shelves while tying in the slate gray floor tile. An abstract piece of art adds a bold burst of color, elevating the workstation and infusing it with bright energy. Frequently Asked Questions What exactly is a “modern” kitchen? Regardless of the style you’re going for (industrial; minimalist; coastal; etc.) a kitchen is labeled modern or contemporary when updated elements have been included in the design—a smart side-by-side fridge; a multipurpose kitchen island in a striking color; or an open-style floor design is one of the most common features. Modern kitchens are sleek and functional, and when designing the kitchen of your dreams, you can easily incorporate such features to make it your own. What if my kitchen is truly outdated? You don’t need to go into a full-on kitchen remodeling mode to get a modern look. Faux wood veneer countertops; tarnished or damaged cabinet handles; broken appliances; or surface scratches may be a project that you can certainly DIY or allocate a small budget for a contractor—while it’s not a “modern kitchen” per se, a finished, streamlined room is always a good place to start when looking to upgrade. How expensive it is to get a modern kitchen? There’s no simple answer here. Kitchen remodeling prices vary anywhere from $2,000 (say, to spray or brush-paint cabinets) to up to $130,000 or more, especially if you’ll be upgrading appliances; replacing pipes; getting new or custom cabinetry or a kitchen island, or changing the kitchen floorplan altogether. To get the biggest bang for your buck, it’s better to follow proper design guidelines for a kitchen remodel and talk to your contractors about it. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit