38 Modern Kitchen Ideas for Every Design Style

Give your space a refresh with these contemporary kitchen ideas.

A tired kitchen can make an entire home seem dated.  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.

Many kitchen design choices, such as flooring, tile, and cabinets, require an upfront investment to change. Luckily, there are ways to breathe new life into your kitchen, no matter what size budget you're working with. In this collection, you'll find easy changes (such as applying new paint) as well as more involved projects, like installing flooring.

Whether your kitchen is in need of a refresh or you're starting from scratch, these are our favorite modern kitchen ideas to inspire you.

Related: 10 Kitchen Styles to Consider for Your Remodel

Modern Statement Lighting

Swapping out the light fixtures in your kitchen is an easy change that makes a big impact. Don't be afraid to lean into trends a bit here since a pendant light is a more easily reversible design choice than tile or flooring. Lately, we've been noticing an uptick in playful statement lighting in the kitchen, such as rattan pendants.

Related: 30 Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas to Illuminate the Heart of Your Home

Modern Kitchen Patterns

Modern kitchens don't have to be sleek or boring. Combining unexpected patterns through wallpaper and backsplash adds personality to a space. One way to keep a cohesive look is by sticking to a similar color scheme for the contrasting patterns.

Related: 10 Tile Patterns to Try for Backsplashes, Floors, and More

Contemporary Coastal Kitchen

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.

Related: 20 Coastal Kitchen Ideas to Bring the Beach to Your Home

Modern Kitchen with Organic Materials

If you don't want to lean too industrial in your kitchen design, you can achieve balance through the organic modern style. One pillar of this design movement is embracing natural materials, especially in their raw form. This means natural wood tones and stone reign supreme.

Related: Natural Wood Tones Are Trending: Here's How to Incorporate the Material

Modern and Moody Kitchen Cabinets

All-white kitchens are beautiful in their own right. But if you're craving a little contrast, don't be afraid to lean into it. Painting your cabinets a dark color will create a grounding effect in your kitchen. Brass hardware also stands out beautifully against navy blue or black.

Repeat Materials

Repetition creates consistency in a kitchen. Rather than trying to find varying materials that match, look for opportunities to reuse the same material in unique ways throughout the space. For example, the same light wood in this kitchen makes an appearance on the island, pantry and built-in desk, floating shelves, and range hood trim.

Colorful Kitchen Island

Adding color to a kitchen can feel a bit intimidating at first, especially if you're used to working with neutrals. You don't have to commit to a new cabinet color entirely to add a playful pop to the space. Consider just painting your kitchen island.

Related: 19 Kitchen Island Color Ideas for a Striking Accent

Two-Toned Cabinets

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.

Modern Kitchen Tile

Zellige backsplash is certainly having a moment right now, and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere. With its angular shape, it offers a similar look as subway tile but with a more unique and handmade appearance.

Modern Meets Traditional

What's old is new again in the kitchen design world. Since kitchen trends have moved so fast over recent years, we're seeing a return to traditional-style kitchens but with a modern flair. This kitchen embodies this idea perfectly with its dark cabinets and brass and milk glass pendant lights next to mid-century modern bar stools.

Monochromatic Modern Kitchen

This all-green kitchen proves that a monochromatic color scheme is anything but boring. Painting your walls and cabinets in your same favorite color creates a playful backdrop. Plus, there's still the opportunity to work in other hues via accessories like rugs and cabinets.

Related: 27 Gorgeous Green Kitchen Ideas from Country to Modern

Dark Gray Kitchen

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.

Modern Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances

If you're an avid home cook, take a nod from commercial kitchens and go with stainless steel appliances. This material is easy to keep clean and looks extra sleek next to wood accents. A large, oversized fridge is utilitarian in nature, but it can also be a design statement, especially with a see-through beverage door.

Modern Rustic Kitchen

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.

Related: The 10 Best Paints for Cabinets of 2024 That Look Factory Finished

Black-and-White Color Combo

It's hard to name a more classic color duo than black and white. These neutrals lend a balanced, modern look to any kitchen. The key is to aim for a fairly equal ratio. For example, dark flooring and dark upper cabinets balance with white walls, ceiling, and tile.

Related: Black Kitchen Cabinets are Everywhere—Here are Some Favorites

Think Vertical

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.

Related: 8 Subway Tile Patterns for a Fresh Twist on the Classic Material

Add Timeless Texture

There are other ways to make a modern kitchen come to life aside from color and pattern. If your kitchen feels a bit too flat, it might just be missing some texture. You can introduce it into the space via touches like patinated brass, wood beams with a chipped surface, and lime washed brick backsplash.

Related: 32 Traditional Kitchen Ideas That Stand the Test of Time

Open Kitchen Shelving

Open shelving has become a popular option for kitchens. Rather than opting for all open shelving for your upper cabinets, you can stick to just a small section of it. This will allow you to still display some of your favorite collections like pottery and cookbooks while avoiding a cluttered look.

Modern Kitchen Details

It's often the smallest details that make a kitchen look high-end and custom rather than basic and builder-grade. Investing a little extra in beveled countertop edges instead of straight, inset rather than overlay cabinets, and ornate vent grates will make a big difference.

Modern Kitchen Shelving Ideas

There are endless options when it comes to range hood designs. In this kitchen, the range hood remains on full display rather than sitting behind a cover. The surrounding shelving showing off an all-white pottery display looks almost like an art installation that seems to go right through the range hood.

Related: 12 Open Kitchen Shelving Ideas That Will Update Your Space

Floating Range Hood

Don't immediately dismiss a wall of windows as a location option for your oven and range hood. Installing an exposed range hood in front of a series of windows will create a beautiful floating illusion.

Related: The 12 Best Range Hoods of 2024

Open Concept Kitchen

Open-concept kitchens are wonderful for encouraging quality time together, and they are perfect for entertaining. To make sure the space still feels cozy despite the openness, consider adding in wood elements.

Modern Statement Backsplash

Kitchen backsplash with a unique pattern is meant to be seen. If you want to fully embrace this design feature, take it all the way up to the ceiling to create a statement wall.

Mixed Countertop Materials

Quartz and marble countertops are beautiful, but they aren't necessarily stain-proof. If you're a little concerned with the potential wear and tear, you can reserve a section for a different material, such as stainless steel. A stainless steel food prep area is great for many reasons, one being that this material is non-porous and durable.

Bold Bar Stools

If your kitchen is in need of an update or revamp, try making smaller changes before committing to a complete overhaul. For example, simply changing out a set of basic bar stools for ones with more personality can make the entire space look less dated.

Related: The 10 Best Bar Stools of 2024 for Every Style and Budget

Minimalist Kitchen Backsplash

Not every inch of the wall surrounding your counters needs a backsplash. Take a minimalist approach and only add it to the area behind your sink and oven. This will also allow you to practice quality over quantity and splurge on more high-end materials, like stone, and still stay on-budget.

White Painted Floors

White floors instantly brighten a space. If installing new flooring isn't currently in the cards, you can give your hardwoods a second life by painting them white. If you choose paint with a durable finish and a bit of sheen, they will be relatively easy to keep clean.

Related: 9 Affordable Kitchen Flooring Ideas That Don’t Sacrifice Style

Modern Kitchen Color Scheme

If you're trying to land on a harmonious color scheme for your kitchen, look no further than the color wheel. Analogous colors sit right next to each other on the color wheel and naturally look great together. Think blue and green or yellow and orange.

Related: 25 Winning Kitchen Color Schemes for a Look You’ll Love Forever

Modern Indoor-Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor spaces can be wonderful spots for entertaining, and no party is complete without good food and drinks. As you host, it's nice to feel like you are still a part of the gathering, even when you are mixing cocktails and refilling snack plates. Clear glass doors that slide open are a great solution.

Subway Tile With a Twist

If you want your kitchen to look one-of-a-kind, don't immediately write off subway tile. There are versions with fun patterns to consider, and the installation layout can even create interesting shapes.

Related: 46 Beautiful Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Style and Budget

Modern Kitchen Island

Kitchen islands are great opportunities for sneaking more storage into your kitchen. And when you add glass pane cabinet doors to one, you can safely store your fine China while still letting it sit on full display.

Related: 45 Black Kitchens That Are Both Timeless and Bold

Airy Modern Kitchen

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.

Black and White Kitchen

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.

Colorful Kitchen Accents

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.

Copper Kitchen Accents

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.

Related: 46 Beautiful Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Style and Budget

Incorporate Color

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.

Eat-In Kitchen

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.

Home Office Kitchen

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

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.

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.

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