Bright Chrome Kitchen

Bright Chrome Kitchen

3 GENERIC SATIN NICKEL CABINET HANDLE PULLS D $65 each 2 for $130    US $1.30

Polished Chrom handle Cabinet Hardware Bright Pull 3cc    US $1.25

Hager 1251312P Prime Coat Beige 3 1 2 Full Mortise Steel Spring Hinge with 1 4    US $16.96

Hager 12503123 Polished Brass 3 1 2 Steel Full Mortise Spring Hinge from the    US $28.76

Harney Hardware 3623 Cabinet Pull    US $1.69

Harney Hardware 3623 Cabinet Pull    US $1.95

30 Football Cabinet Knob 1 5 16 x 1 3 16 HH36254BC    US $74.80

Polished Chrome Knob pull Cabinet kitchen Hardware ring    US $1.75

Harney Hardware 3625 Cabinet Knob    US $1.89

3 BRUSHED SATIN NICKEL CABINET HANDLES PULLSD $265    US $2.65

Cabinet Pull Handle Metal Bright Chrome 128mm New    US $6.28

Harney Hardware 3624 Cabinet Pull    US $1.50

Polished Chrome Knob Cabinet kitchen Hardware Ridge    US $1.70

Polished Chrome Knob pull Cabinet kitchen Hardware oval    US $1.50

Contemporary Kitchens are a Style Statement

If you're designing a new kitchen – or renovating your existing kitchen – you know just how overwhelming it is to select your décor. In this article, we'll help you make sense of the various options available if you're interested in designing a kitchen with a sleek, contemporary look.

Contemporary kitchens make use of a newly popular design ethos that focuses on clean, spare, geometric shapes and lines. Open spaces and functionalism are emphasized using a minimalistic approach that is the perfect way to create an updated look in any home.

Colors and finishes in contemporary kitchens vary, but generally, mirror-like sheens, silvers, chromes, and aluminums predominate, with accent colors in bright primary colors or cool blues and greens. Black, cool white, and grays, which help enhance the urban look of contemporary décor, are of course always welcome as well.

First up for discussion is the overall organization of your kitchen space. When going for a contemporary look, keep in mind that this decorating scheme looks best when you're working with large, boxy, unadorned spaces. Old-fashioned touches such as crown moldings, antique woods, low ceilings, and frames may have to go if you want to really achieve that contemporary kitchen look.. Small or cramped kitchen areas may have to be significantly renovated. In terms of how to organize your space, there are no limits, but make sure to leave ample space around elements, such as the butcher block and counter area, in order to achieve an open, airy, feel.

Selecting appliances, cabinetry, and counter and floor material is one of the most important elements to ensure a stylish contemporary look. Remember that contemporary kitchens look best with manufactured – not natural – materials. In other words, glass, metal, various laminates, enamel, and even plastics such as Lucite are in, but natural woods, granite, slate, and cloth are out.

However, that being said, there is a place in the contemporary kitchen for small areas of light-grained wood and smooth-finished natural stone. And if you're stuck with large areas of unsuitable wood, you can always apply a glossy finish, such as a black stain or an enamel paint (or a laminate in the case of flooring) to cover up that dated look.

In terms of appliances, the most popular style for contemporary kitchens today is burnished aluminum, but any other metal or high-gloss finish will work well. For your appliances, as well as other touches around your kitchen such as cabinets and sinks, stick to simple, clean lines. Hardware, such as faucets and drawer-pulls, should be extremely simple and mostly composed of geometric shapes and straight lines rendered in glittering metal.

There are also some final touches to perfect your new contemporary kitchen. Doors should be of a horizontal lift or basic slab construction. Also make sure to pay attention to lighting – you will be aiming for lots of bright white light to make those metallic and high-gloss surfaces sparkle. Inset track lighting is a great choice because it is virtually invisible and creates ample light intensity.

About the Author

Nasreen Haque

Need suggestions on paint color?

I'm desperate. After trying about 8 different paint colors, I'm too tired to search anymore so I'd like to ask for help. I need to paint my family/living room that connects to a very open plan kitchen. My kitchen cabinets are creamy white, appliances are stainless steel and the faucet is chrome. I have hardwood (Brazilian Cherry) throughout the first floor. My trim is white. The connecting dining room, which can be seen from the family room and the kitchen has Restoration Hardware silver sage color (light moss/fernish color) which I really love. The drapery is raw silk ivory. My big problem is that my granite is a lighter brown mottled color and it's been so hard to find a good color to coordinate with this granite color. Can anyone suggest a color that will coordinate with all these colors?? I am currently looking for a buttery yellow that's muted and not bright. I'd like the house to be calming but sort of modern country (if that's possible). Anyone?? Thank you!!

Rather than a yellow, I suggest a color called "classic sand" by sherwin williams. I think it would coordinate beautifully with the ivory, sage and brown colors that you have. Check it out:

http://sherlink.sherwin.com/swapp/color_visualizer/index.jsp

Buenos Aires Recoleta Ultra Luxury Apartment