37 Modern Kitchen Ideas We Love
With minimalist cabinetry, neutral color palettes, and metallic accents, modern kitchen ideas are worth pursuing if you crave subtle elegance that will never go out of style. These spaces blend aspects of contemporary design with other styles, including traditional and industrial, for a look that’s current, sleek, yet not sterile. Curious about modern kitchen looks? We’re here to help you get started with everything you need to know.
What are the latest kitchen trends?
A lasting trend is open spaces. Kitchens are the focal point of a home: a place where conversations and sustenance combine to create memorable moments. “Open-space plans that fully integrate the kitchen with adjacent common living areas have become prevalent in recent years because they are prone to encourage gatherings and multiple dynamics happening simultaneously,” says Simon Hamui, an interior designer for the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch.
Hamui says open-space plans with clean and natural looking finishes are incredibly popular. “A kitchen island with seating area, preferably in two-levels to encourage multiple types of gatherings, from cooking with company to having a quick bite” are winners, he says.
How do you modernize a kitchen cheaply?
Hamui believes painting cabinets a solid, matte color can have a big impact when renovating a kitchen. “Another instant and simple modification is to change the hardware while following the pre-drilled existing holes,” he says. “Also, adding an interesting stone countertop can completely change the appearance of a kitchen with minimal on-site work.” These upgrades can also work in a small kitchen.
“The best way to modernize your kitchen inexpensively is with your color palette,” says Alex Yacavone, Kohler design studio manager. “By bringing a refresh to your walls and cabinet colors, you can easily transform a space. Modern doesn’t always mean neutrals either—we are seeing some beautiful and modern kitchens that have embraced color by utilizing a monochromatic color scheme.”
What style is modern for the kitchen?
While warm, neutral color schemes, natural-influenced materials, and seamlessly integrated floor plans are du jour, there are other signature identifiers of a modern kitchen. Pops of color ensure that these contemporary kitchen designs still feel warm and welcoming, as do big windows that let in the sun, an architectural light fixture, or a piece of bold artwork or decor.
Each of these 37 kitchens from designers and the AD archives is a lesson in restraint. Just a few decorative accessories (and zero clutter) on shelves and countertops let the smart mix of materials—and tonight’s dinner—shine. Read on to see modern kitchen design ideas that blend style and function for a space that is cutting-edge yet inviting.
Photo: Douglas Friedman1/37White Subway Tile
Clean, crisp, and spacious, this Kate Lester Interiors–designed kitchen features white subway tiles throughout for the backsplash, which also discreetly cover the hood above the stove range. Modern industrial touches like gold faucets, gold cabinet pulls, and brass-colored pendants match the wood accents on the island and chairs. It’s topped off with fresh tabletop plants for an inviting touch.
Photo: Meghan Bob2/37Multifunctional Island
This sleek West Hollywood abode was designed by Hub of the House Studio. According to the founder, Karen Harautuneian, “Functionality meets organic texture in this industrial modern kitchen design, reflecting the homeowner’s unique style. The cleverly combined eating table and kitchen island provide a practical space, while vintage hardware on the fridge blends seamlessly into the cabinetry. Don’t miss the hidden wine storage under the stairs, crafted from pipes and clay terracotta for an extra touch of personality.”
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Photo: Lance Gerber3/37Go Green
“Mixtures of soft greens pulled from the outdoor landscape are a natural transition between the indoor-outdoor living,” designer Michelle Boudreau says of this space. “Textured tiles and light coastal oak wood materials brighten and refresh the home throughout.”
Photo: Annie Schlechter Floorcloth: WILLIAMSBURG 18th-Century Joinery in Forever Binding by Spicher & Company4/37Farmhouse Style
This kitchen is from the Nelson-Galt house, Colonial Williamsburg’s 2022–2023 Designer in Residence project, designed by Heather Chadduck Hillegas, who is based in Birmingham, Alabama. She chose to integrate a Bertazzoni dishwasher, range, and hood; a Kohler Whitehaven farmhouse kitchen sink; and an eye-catching Leaf and Arrow small chandelier in gold and black. The kitchen’s Roman shades are Schumacher’s Wellfleet Ticking Stripe in black.
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Photo: Mali Azima5/37Colorful Surprise
Reimagining the functionality and modernization of the pantry was a focal point in this kitchen designed by Bradley Odom. “For an unexpected moment of excitement, opening the pantry reveals a lush raspberry cocoon—a moody respite with an entirely different feeling,” says Odom. “The juxtaposition between the moodier cabinets and the pop of color in the pantry play well together to create an intriguing tension. It’s important to consider materiality when choosing a bold color—natural materials like stone and wood ground more intense color.”
Photo: Stephen Johnson6/37Unusual Island Design
This kitchen was designed by Los Angeles–based Jamie Bush and architect William Hefner. The brass cabinet pulls are a small but striking detail in these twin rounded island cabinets. They are complemented by a brass faucet and brass cabinet pulls on the black cabinetry. The plush seating choices are plentiful: Choose between the dining space that looks out into the backyard or the curved banquette next to floor-to-ceiling windows.
Photo: Abranowicz William7/37Wood Mix
Having a dream home in the Caribbean most likely means a modern kitchen will be the focal point of your island dwelling. This kitchen located on the island of St. Barts was designed by architects Charles Gwathmey and Kang Chang and features multiple tones of wood throughout the space, including the cabinets, kitchen island, and legs of the chair stools. The natural elements are accented by the spacious windows on the walls which lets in the tropical sunlight. This is modern kitchen decor at its finest.
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Photo: Manolo Langis8/37Skylit Scene
Dark ceilings and dark cabinetry work well in this expansive kitchen. According to the architect, Luis Murillo of LMD Architecture Studio, “It was important to maintain clean lines, a practical flow, and a strong indoor-outdoor connection through plenty of natural light in this kitchen. The deep blue cabinetry leaves a striking impression against the natural wood while creating an overall smooth and polished look.”
Photo: Helen Cathcart9/37Midcentury Essence
This London kitchen was designed by Bryan O’Sullivan for homeowner Marie Coulson. The designer went with a midcentury-modern-inspired look throughout the space, as seen in the cream-and-wood cabinetry, brass fixtures, and frosted white pendants.
Photo: Sara Tramp10/37Coastal Vibes
Blue and white is a timeless color scheme for coastal homes. According to the designer, Christine Vroom, “Our goal was to keep this space modern and minimal, but give it a casual beachy feel. By combining elements of natural wood with all-white cabinetry and pops of ocean blue tile in the backsplash, we were able to accomplish just that.” The fabric-backed chairs look both comfortable and chic and complete the coastal feel.
Photo: Nikolas Koenig11/37Natural Light
Spacious and with tons of natural light, this New York kitchen was designed by Laura Santos for her family. Located in a townhouse, the kitchen’s custom wooden cabinets are a sleek touch with the burners set right below small glass windows. You can choose to eat at the wooden table, island seating, or take meals out in the adjoining patio with verdant landscaping.
Photo: Tim Lenz12/37Baby Blues
An elegant Upper West Side kitchen features tones of light blue carried throughout the cabinetry, light fixtures, and seating. “We decided to paint the cabinets in this kitchen and we chose a soft blue-gray,” says Gideon Mendelson, founder and creative director of Mendelson Group. He chose this color because it’s calm while also feeling clean, fresh, and classic. “The vintage blue glass pendants take the place of classic holophane lighting, creating that unexpected moment in the room. They make the space feel immediately unique and personal.”
Photo: Bjorn Wallander13/37Sleek Neutrals
Michael S. Smith imbued this Chicago kitchen with his signature elegance, employing mosaic wall tiles by Ann Sacks and York Street Studio stools clad in a Jasper leather. The glimmering ceiling adds a striking textural contrast to the elegant neutral palette.
Photo: Francois Halard14/37Elegant Monochromes
This Vincenzo De Cotiis–designed space is a dark and moody dream. The black-on-black kitchen cabinets, sink, range, and flooring seem to fit perfectly with what you would expect the home of French fashion designer and Hermès creative director Pierre Hardy to represent. The cream-colored walls and ceilings break up the dark monotone, but still complement the avant-garde environment.
Photo: Meghan Bob15/37Bold Flooring
Open and spacious, with playful abstract tile flooring, this kitchen in Burbank, California, was designed by Hub of the House Studio. According to the founder Karen Harautuneian, the homeowner requested a functional footprint and a strong design statement. A generous use of both warm and cool colors, along with the bold terrazzo floor tile and concrete countertops, sets the tone.
Photo: William Waldron16/37Streamlined Storage
Architects Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and Shelton, Mindel & Associates joined forces to create this Aspen home. The dining room–kitchen area is outfitted with a table and chairs designed by Claudia Moreira Salles for Espasso; the cabinets at left are made of Douglas fir. This kitchen is as sophisticated as it is practical—streamlined storage options abound.
Photo: Douglas Friedman17/37Black Magic
Designer and photographer Douglas Friedman decided on bold blacks as the standout aspect of his modern kitchen. Friedman’s home in Marfa, Texas, has bold pendant lights hanging over the burners and countertop. The dark black cabinetry is illuminated by the bright, natural light that flows in from the large windows.
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Photo: Suzanna Scott18/37Material Mix
The kitchen is a great example of how to do cabinetry that looks simultaneously rustic and sleek. “The use of metal appliances, wood tones, and reclaimed oak for the cabinetry captured this industrial feel,” says Regan Baker, founder and principal designer at Regan Baker Design. She decided to use blue base cabinets for a soothing effect, while the backsplash tile was added to contribute more visual interest to the space.
Photo: Roger Davies19/37Statement Hood
Designer Suzanne Rheinstein and architect Christopher Manson-Hing created this open-concept kitchen in Santa Barbara, California. The expansive floating range hood draws the eye as a functional and a statement piece. The cream-colored cabinets and brown-and-white countertops create a cohesive environment, which is accentuated by the sunrays that flow through the skylight.
Photo: Michael Moran20/37Warm Wood Elements
Sometimes the simplest palettes are the most elegant of all. Shelton, Mindel & Associates updated the kitchen of a classic Hamptons country house with Bulthaup cabinetry and stools, a Viking range and hood, and a simple backsplash of white Waterworks tile.
Photo: Paul Raeside21/37Personal Touches
When you walk into this Beata Heuman–designed kitchen, your eye is immediately drawn to the intricate glass ceiling with gold cross stitching. You inadvertently then look at the sconce that hangs from the ceiling with a clever globular design. The kitchen is modern but has inviting elements such as the wall clock and the glass-fronted cabinets, where personal items can be stored like cookbooks and glassware.
Photo: Richard Powers22/37Vintage Lighting
In the kitchen of an Aspen home by designer Shawn Henderson and architect Scott Lindenau, a vintage Louis Poulsen pendant light from Lost City Arts commands attention above a Caesarstone-topped island and Orange Furniture barstools upholstered in an Edelman leather.
Photo: Joshua McHugh23/37Vibrant Mosaic Backsplash
This Hamptons kitchen by design firm Sawyer | Berson and decorator Randi Puccio has a Wolf range and hood and Holly Hunt stools. While the materials are clean and contemporary, a mosaic tile backsplash adds interest.
Photo: Simon Watson24/37Serene Simplicity
The crisp Madrid kitchen of decorator Isabel López-Quesada features Bulthaup cabinetry and a cooktop and hood by Gaggenau. The standout feature of this space is its simplicity—it’s a blank canvas where delightful culinary creations can come to life.
Photo: Nikolas Koenig25/37Sculptural Ceiling
Design duo Dufner Heighes chose marble surfaces in this Manhattan penthouse kitchen, where a unique ceiling commands attention. The space is equipped with Miele wall ovens, a Gaggenau cooktop, Dornbracht sink fittings, and a Sub-Zero wine refrigerator; the Suite NY stools are clad in a Holland & Sherry fabric. In the breakfast area, the painting is by Tom Cassidy, and the credenza and Tai Ping carpet were custom made.
Photo: Joshua McHugh26/37Stainless Steel
A folk-art rooster from the 1800s overlooks a modern New York City kitchen designed by Robert Passal. The cabinets are made of stainless steel, which is a timeless, solid choice for workhorse kitchens.
Photo: Douglas Friedman27/37Seating for a Crowd
When you want a bright and airy kitchen, neutrals are always a good way to go, as evidenced by this charming space in Nantucket, Massachusetts. But this kitchen’s real star is its modern seating; the wood benches are all made from walnut and created by Hudson Furniture. The designer chose to keep the cabinets and walls monochrome white for a clean, elegant feel.
Photo: Scott Frances28/37Timeless White
An Upper East Side duplex’s simple kitchen sparkles with white Corian cabinetry and counters—a combo that will never go out of style. Architect Steven Harris and designer Lucien Rees Roberts created the clean-lined space.
Photo: Richard Powers29/37Sculptural Lighting
Statement lighting need not be limited to the living or dining room. A midcentury light fixture by Gio Ponti is positioned above a Boffi breakfast bar and stools from Design Within Reach in the kitchen of a London rowhouse decorated by Veere Grenney.
Photo: Björn Wallander30/37Stone and Wood
Cerused-oak cabinetry lines a Rockwell Group–designed Manhattan penthouse’s kitchen, which is contrasted strikingly by unique marble. The wall ovens, range, and hood are all by Wolf, and the backsplash is made of nickel tile.
Photo: Scott Frances31/37Murano Moment
A sunlit kitchen in Paradise Valley, Arizona, by architect Marwan Al-Sayed and designer Jan Showers feels at home in its natural setting thanks to its white-oak flooring and wood cabinets, but still manages to pack a punch. The beautiful light fixtures are vintage Murano glass.
Photo: William Waldron32/37Interesting Wood
The kitchen in a floor-through Manhattan apartment is appointed with wall and cabinet panels of chocolate brown cerused oak, an unusual choice that can’t help but draw the eye. Architect Mark Stumer and designer James Aman designed the Upper East Side home.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn33/37Matte Finish
Try pairing matte surfaces with glossier ones for an interesting contrast. In designer Ray Booth and TV executive John Shea’s hilltop home in Nashville, the kitchen features Roman Thomas pendant lights that are installed above the custom island. Glimmering Ann Sacks tile was used for the backsplash, the sink fittings are by Kohler, and the stools are by BDDW.
Photo: Roger Davies34/37Colorful Lacquer
Architect Marc Whipple devised this handsome Beverly Hills home, while the interiors were handled by Tocha Project. Varenna by Poliform lacquer in a brilliant hue enlivens the kitchen, which is outfitted in oak cabinetry .
Photo: Pieter Estersohn35/37Glossy White
Make classic white more of a statement with a glossy finish. A glass backsplash sets a polished tone in a Washington, DC, kitchen designed by Solís Betancourt & Sherrill. A hood by Gaggenau hangs above the gleaming Caesarstone island, where dessert is served.
Photo: Björn Wallander36/37Pops of Color
Even neutral spaces can have their own color moment. Derin’s Fold barstools add a pop of color in the sleek white Boffi-clad kitchen of a Manhattan brownstone remodeled by Delphine Krakoff of Pamplemousse Design.
Photo: William Waldron37/37Go for Gold
If you love a metallic look, there are plenty of interesting ways to integrate it into your kitchen space. A vast white Corian table with gold inlay that sits above a custom gold-leaf-finished island is the main attraction in New York designer Jamie Drake’s elegant Manhattan kitchen.
