The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where we prepare our meals and socialize with friends and family. A modern kitchen remodel can make your home feel like a new place, with all the modern amenities you never thought possible before.
A modern home improvement can be achieved in many ways, depending on your budget and needs. Some people prefer to do a complete gut job, while others are happy to just replace their countertops or appliances. Regardless of what you choose to do, some major considerations need to be made before starting any kitchen renovations. You can find more useful information on how to remodel a kitchen and other modern home improvement tips in the Edison home Improvement blog.
All To Know About Kitchen Designs
Kitchens do not only serve as a place to cook and eat, but they also serve as a social gathering place. That is why it is important to design kitchens that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and welcoming.
Here are the 6 Most Popular Kitchen Plan Types
- The One Wall Kitchen. Traditionally found in smaller kitchens, this simple layout is space-efficient and still functional.
- The Galley Kitchen. If you need more space due to a larger family, try adding an extra row of cabinetry to your galley kitchen. This will create more storage and help you avoid traffic & injury in the work triangle.
- The L-Shaped Kitchen. Using double-rectangles may give the impression of using less space, but you miss out on a lot of functionality.
- The U-Shaped Kitchen. A kitchen floor plan like this with an uninterrupted work triangle and proximity to the appliances makes for a good layout. Place your working areas in opposite corners of the room for an easy, efficient flow.
- The Island Kitchen. Having an island in your kitchen can be a great idea if you live in an open-plan home. It provides more space for you to work on and also can store any important items.
- The Peninsula Kitchen. It is a great solution for anyone who doesn’t have the space for an island but still needs extra counter space.
But we will focus on Mid-Century and Modern Kitchen Designs.
Features of the Modern Kitchen Design and Mid Century Modern Kitchen
Even though Modern kitchen and Midcentury modern design seem like they should be the same, each style follows a different form “follow function” rule. So take a closer look and be sure to choose one of these styles for your kitchen before you start making any modern kitchen remodel and provide kitchen renovations.
Architecture
In today’s kitchens, more emphasis is placed on the use of horizontal lines. This is particularly noticeable from the use of cabinets in a kitchen and hardware, which are set in long & linear arrangements to accentuate the look further.
At the same, mid-century modern kitchens feature more architectural flow. Sloping ceilings and large windows increase the kitchen’s coherence with the rest of the house… as well as outdoors
Lighting
Mixing chrome pendants, green tinted glass pendants & classic Nelson Bubble Lamp. These are all integral parts of a mid-century kitchen.
The lighting in the modern kitchen is more subtle in comparison to older kitchens. A good example of kitchen renovations is recessed and under cabinet lighting, which helps maintain minimalism.
Cabinet Style
Modern and mid-century kitchens both share some common features. Smooth, clean, and flat panel or slab door styles are becoming increasingly popular for cabinets. Frameless doors are also very common in both.
But there is a huge difference in materials! Take it into account before modern kitchen remodel.
A mid century modern kitchen will make use of natural elements such as wood and glass. The former is celebrated for its rustic simplicity while the latter allows you to display your collections to their best advantage.
As kitchens are becoming more modern, the materials on offer have expanded to include alternative cabinet options. They need to be sleek, smooth, and most importantly, in line with modern architecture. The grain of the wood is often laid horizontally which reflects this trend well.
Layout
Open kitchens are becoming more common, reflecting the fact that we now speculate our lives to be busier and less formal. Breakfast bars can be found often in modern kitchens and provide a quick-fix option for grabbing food quickly when busy.
The mid-century modern kitchen setup can be seen more in an eat-in dining area, where the dining space is inside the kitchen. They’ve become popular because it gives a beautiful mid-century modern vibe to your cooking space. To enhance this, buy a tulip table and E
Color
Mid-century kitchens were brightly colored, often to the point where the house resembled a fruit salad. A popular color combination was mint green and burnt orange. Wallpaper too had a colorful pattern.
Modern kitchens offer cool and colorful surfaces. Cool monochromatic colors are used often, such as white, beige, or gray. Yet, a pop of color can create a playful environment! While an orange pendant brings the kitchen’s mid-century roots to relevancy again, two-toned cabinets provide another perspective on this modern space.
Accessories
In the modern kitchen, accent pieces like chairs and lighting are consistent with the design. Whether they’re made of glass or stainless steel, they have clean lines and are not ornamented. Industrial elements like stainless steel hood stoves can also be found here.
Midcentury modern kitchens are an aesthetically pleasing way to show off your funky, eclectic collections. Classic elements like sunburst clocks and patterns on pots & pans are calls back to the optimism of that time. Chairs are a great example of products that have evolved. Shell chairs, poly side chairs, and the Panton Chair are still timeless examples of durable products.
Textures and Finishes
It’s difficult to tell the difference between a modern and mid-century modern kitchen design at first glance and figure out if a modern kitchen remodel is better. But, they have some subtle differences you should be aware of.
Mid century modern kitchens often include a variety of textures. Wood grain is typically seen in cabinetry, while textured tiles are a common backslash choice. Brick first debuted in the mid-century modern home. Visible building materials such as plaster or brick showcase the original design, purpose, and usage of your home.
Know How to Remodel a Kitchen Today
Now you know the difference between modern and mid-century modern kitchens. Which one do you prefer?
At Edison Home Improvement, we are confident that we can turn your renovation dreams into a reality. We offer no-obligation consultations and will work with you to come up with a solution that meets your budget and needs.
Don’t wait up! Call us today at (619) 993-2000 and get a free consultation!