Modern Kitchen Décor: How to Transform Your Traditional Kitchen
Does your kitchen look like something from the 1950s, and you have no idea how to update it? Here are a few easy ways to transform your traditional kitchen with some modern kitchen decor:
Upgrade Your Lighting
Molded fiberglass shades and Kiki pendant lights often look like they’re right out of Pleasantville. Bring your kitchen into this millennium with new pendant lights, like opal glass globes, link pendants, and metallics. You can also switch out your pendant for an LED chandelier.
Another way to update your lighting is by adding drama. Strike an even balance between your task, ambient, and accent tones[1] . Simple lighting changes will make you see your kitchen in a whole new erm… light.
Utilize Natural Light
Pull back those window shades and let the outside shine in. Modern kitchen designers are major advocates of natural light, so long as it’s not damaging your counters or flooring.
Natural light boosts your vitamin D intake, which helps prevent bone loss, weight gain, and reduces your risk of heart disease and various cancers. It can also help you fight off seasonal depression, which is all too common in the PNW.
Upgrade Your Metals
Metals are hot right now, but not all of them. Vintage steel and brushed nickel are out of style, so replace them with stainless steel, gold, or brass (gold and brass are making a comeback) and silver finishes. Feeling bold? Try mixing and matching different types of metal to see how they work in your kitchen.
Make It Social
Traditional kitchens were meant for prepping, cooking, and cleaning. While these are still primary functions in kitchens today, modern kitchens frequently incorporate a social element. Knock down that unnecessary wall to give your kitchen a more open concept.
Give your friends, family, and guests a place to sit at the countertop, or add an multi-functional island where people can enjoy a cocktail, appetizers, and great conversation while you’re prepping a meal. Most parties end up in the kitchen anyway. Make a more communal space while you’re there.
Add Personality Through Color
Your space should represent who you are, so paint your kitchen a color(s) that best represent your personality. You can go the more classic route with a white or beige, one of the many shades of gray, or go bold with a bright red or orange.
Unsure what colors best reflect your personality? Check out our article on kitchen color theory.
Get Energy Efficient Appliances
Modern kitchens are green kitchens. Reduce your carbon footprint by replacing your older appliances with energy efficient ones. These appliances are sleek, sexy, and save you money in the long run because they require less electricity and water to operate. Switch out your refrigerator or dishwasher, and replace your faucet with a low-flow option. Your wallet—and Mother Nature—will thank you for it.
Go Minimal
Modern and minimal go hand-in-hand. Your kitchen doesn’t have to be minimal, it just has to look like it does. Cleared off countertops and hidden appliances will make your space look larger and cleaner than it is. Cluttered kitchens tend to stress people out, so going minimal could also leave you feeling a sense of relief.
Sleek Cabinets
Cabinets are often the most expensive component of a kitchen remodel. You don’t need to replace your cabinets to modernize your kitchen (although we can definitely help with that). Paint or stain them instead. Either approach will freshen up your kitchen and add value if you’re looking to sell your home.
Modern Kitchen Decor
Are you still looking for more ways to modernize your kitchen? Send us a message or schedule a consultation.
link to kitchen lighting article