Contemporary kitchens are an important part of any house. Meals are cooked there and the kitchen often serves as a social hub where people gather. A contemporary kitchen that is well designed will help to enliven the home, and guests and owners alike will appreciate the beauty and functionality of it. The key elements of a contemporary kitchen are layout, cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring and lighting.
Different layouts can be used for contemporary kitchens based on space and needs. The placement of the primary working areas of food storage, food preparation and cooking are the most important part of the layout. The work areas should be arranged in a triangle to increase efficiency and minimize walking distances. The island kitchen layout is very popular in contemporary kitchens because the island serves as one corner of the work triangle and helps the cooks and guests socialize.
Looks and function are the two most important aspects of cabinets to consider for a contemporary kitchen. Light woods are popular for the cabinets, including alder, ash, and birch. Whatever material is chosen should be durable enough to resist moisture, spills, scratches and heat in order to last a long time. Available space should be carefully measured to be sure cabinets are selected to maximize the utilization of space. Creative storage solutions are extremely popular in contemporary kitchens including base drawers and special corner units.
Contemporary kitchens usually have stainless steel appliances to add a modern and sleek look to homes. The placement and spacing of appliances should be carefully considered. Appliances should be placed with the storage and cooking appliances making up two corners of the work triangle. The sink, and especially the faucet can add a lot to the look and usefulness of a kitchen and should be given the same careful consideration as the other appliances.
Granite is the most popular material for countertops in contemporary kitchens because of its looks and durability. A variety of finishes and unique looks and patterns make granite popular among homeowners. Granite is quarried all over the world and the different geographic areas supply granite with a variety of colours and patterns of veins and speckles. Granite is also admired for its durability and few maintenance requirements. A countertop height of three feet is optimal for ergonomics and for kitchen tasks.
Flooring is an important part of any contemporary kitchen. The material should be beautiful, durable and installed with a high level of craft. Wood flooring is the most common and can come in a variety of colours and grains. Strips, planks and parquet squares are the different ways hardwood flooring is usually installed. Ceramic, marble, slate and bamboo are other flooring material options.
A contemporary kitchen is incomplete until good lighting design is employed. A good mix of ambient lighting and task lighting is best for function and ambiance. The most bright and general lighting is called ambient lighting and recessed lights or track lights are good examples. Under cabinet lights or a simple hanging light focused on an area below both work for accent or task lighting.
Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvement. If you would like more information about contemporary kitchens and other varieties of kitchen or are looking for a reputable online kitchen retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com
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