Nov
10
Basics of Contemporary Kitchens
November 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Contemporary kitchens are a pivotal part of many homes. The kitchen often serves as a social hub where people gather and cook meals together. A well-designed contemporary kitchen will help to enliven the home, and guests and owners alike will appreciate the beauty and functionality of it. Layout, cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring and lighting are the key elements of a contemporary kitchen.
There are many different kitchen layout styles that can be employed. The important part of any layout is the placement of the primary working areas of food storage, food preparation and cooking. 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. The independent island serves as one corner of the work triangle helps the cooks and guests socialize.
Looks and function should be considered when choosing cabinetry for a contemporary kitchen. Alder, ash and birch are all popular woods for cabinets for both looks and durability. It is a good idea to carefully measure the kitchen to ensure that the cabinets maximize the utilization of space. Base drawers and special corner units are popular and should be considered for storage methods in contemporary kitchens.
Contemporary kitchens usually have stainless steel appliances to add a modern and sleek look complementing the other materials. Placement and spacing is very important with appliances. Appliances should be placed with the work triangle in mind, with the storage and cooking appliances making up two corners of the triangle. The sink should be given the same careful consideration as the rest of the appliances. The sink, and especially the faucet, can add a lot to the look and usefulness of a kitchen.
The most popular material for countertops in contemporary kitchens is granite. Granite can be finished in a variety of ways to add to the beauty of a home. Granite is quarried all over the world and has a beautiful array of colours and patterns of veins and speckles. Further, granite is extremely durable and requires very little maintenance.
Flooring, both the material and the pattern, is an important part of contemporary kitchens. The floors should be beautiful, durable and installed with a high level of craft. Hardwood flooring is the most common and valued for its durability and variety of colours and grains. Harwood floors can be installed in strips, planks and parquet squares, depending on what is desired. Other flooring material options include ceramic, marble, slate and bamboo.
Lighting is a vital part of any contemporary kitchen design. Several types of lighting should be incorporated to maximize function and to make the space enjoyable. Ambient lighting gives the most brightness and general lighting to the space. Recessed lights or track lights are good examples to use. Accent lighting could be under cabinet lights to help focus light on task areas, or a simple hanging light focused on an area below.
Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvement. If you would like further information about contemporary kitchens and other varieties of kitchen or are searching for a reputable kitchen retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com
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