40 Essential Features for a Modern Kitchen

Trista - February 14, 2022

Photo: Shutterstock

Are you trying to create a kitchen that is worthy of HGTV? If you want a designer-like space in your home, there are fast and easy steps you can take. It is more affordable than you think to add essential features for a modern kitchen. You can transform your area practically overnight from metallic hardware to a fresh paint job. Of course, there are major renovations that you can do as well, such as installing a kitchen island or upgrading to stainless steel appliances with smart features. Keep reading to learn more about ways to create a modern kitchen.

40. Create horizontal lines that are simple yet strong.

Sometimes one of the best steps to take when it comes to building a modern kitchen is to focus on the style and design of the room. This means that you don’t need to worry about buying new appliances when you don’t need to, don’t want to, or can’t afford to do so right now. Instead, you can give the wall panel a change that appears like it’s floating above the floor with light warm colors. You can also add decor that has horizontal lines.

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39. Show off a modern style with your countertops.

Aside from focusing on adding horizontal lines in your kitchen, you can also develop a modern look by focusing on your countertops. Chances are you’ve had the same countertops for years, and they look worn. They might even have some stains, scratches, and other marks that you’d rather hide than show off. Before thinking about changing your counters, think about how you use your kitchen. Are you often cooking, or is it more for get-togethers with family and friends? You can go eco-friendly, get a darker finish, look for light colors, or even take a tile route.

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38. Make sure you have eye-level appliances.

You might not feel back pain yet, but trust me, it’s coming, and it happens to everyone. I believe it is called old age. But no matter what it is called, eye-level appliances guide your kitchen into a modern chapter. While there are many pros of these appliances, some are easy access and safety, meaning you are less likely to drop the food and make a mess, which also means less clean-up. Keep reading for more ways to upgrade your space into a modern kitchen that is worthy of Instagram.

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37. Look high and low to find suitable stools.

Many people think that they need to get regular bar stools when they are gathering seating for their island, but this is not the case. In fact, you can add a lot of modern flair when you find counter stools that are a bit different, show some antique style, and are upholstered. Plus, with a backrest, you are sure to feel more comfortable while sitting for more extended periods. You could even show off your DIY abilities by gathering supplies and building them yourself!

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36. Focus on colors.

Colors will become your best friend when you update your kitchen to build a more modern tone. First, it will feel like a fresh kitchen to you because, let’s face it, you’ve been staring at the same colors for years, and it’s time for a change. Giving your kitchen even some splash of red, green, orange, yellow, or even mix and match will spruce up your kitchen in no time. Of course, if you want to stick to white walls, that is great for a modern kitchen as well. However, people have also started giving their white walls different colored highlights, like red, blue, and purple.

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35. Get sleek fixtures and quality hardware.

Of course, the first features that anyone notices when they look at a kitchen are the type of hardware and fixtures. That includes handles for cabinets and faucets. The struggle people face is what kind of kitchen faucet to get. Why? Because there are so many to pick from! Many people go to the high-style tap for a modern kitchen style, especially shiny brass ones. Adding similar colored cabinetry hardware and light fixtures above the sink can only highlight more areas.

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34. Create an eye-catching showpiece.

One of the best features of a modern kitchen is that if you set up eye-catching showpieces, guests will be pulled into your kitchen by this item. Therefore, the most challenging part of creating a showpiece is to find the best shape or item. For instance, if you have abstract patterns in your kitchen, switch them to geometric designs like triangles, boxes, curves, and angles. One of the best ways to add geometric designs is to change your fixtures, add a geometric backsplash, or include wall decor.

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33. Modernize your kitchen with functional storage spaces.

One of the most important functional features of a kitchen is storage space. This is why one of the first areas people look at in a kitchen is the amount of cupboard and drawer space. Furthermore, people usually add their own storage spaces, such as jars, that add design flavor and appeal to the eye. The key to modern kitchens is to keep your countertops as clear as possible. Therefore, your storage needs to be hidden. You can do this by building storage under your countertops or adding organizers or pull-outs in your drawers and cupboards to free up some space in any cluttered hidden areas. Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to get rid of your junk drawer!

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32. Install a kitchen island.

Kitchen islands are usually a feature that many people want. It might have been on your list of must-haves when you went house hunting, or it might be on your list as you are thinking about looking for a new home. You might also have decided to build your own island. No matter how your island came to be, it is becoming a staple in modern kitchens and replacing tables! One of the best perks about islands is that they are multi-functional! Not only can you prep and have extra cooking space on an island, but your kids can also do their homework!

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31. Add an island cooktop.

You have probably noticed more and more pictures of island cooktops because they are becoming a popular trend. Not only is this feature functional, but it also improves kitchen designs and gives your home a more modern look. You can also use the surface below as storage for pots and pans or even a warmer. If you include different style burners from gas to eclectic or have more of a grill-style option! Of course, you don’t need to worry about fires with gas ranges anymore because they now come with elements like LED lighting with customizable novelty pot risers.

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30. Focus on an open floor plan.

One of the most prominent features about homes today is that the floor plan is open. That’s right, people are getting rid of walls, usually pillars where necessary, and trying to keep the common areas of the home open – including the kitchen. One way to do this is by dividing the room next to your kitchen by a countertop. Another way is to tear down that extra wall and leave the pillars needed to stabilize your home. Apartments and studios use long islands as their kitchen countertop, adding the sink and cooktop, then utilizing a shelf for storage space.

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29. Modernize your kitchen with glass art.

Of course, art is significant when it comes to decorating your home. People usually have a painting or picture that showcases their favorite artist somewhere in their home. Have you ever considered bring that beauty into the kitchen? You can also do this in your kitchen but what is becoming popular is glass art. You can get images made of glass art as wall decor or even artful glass lighting. These pieces can come in different designs and colors that can help bring warmth to your kitchen.

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28. Install a wine refrigerator.

Many people focus on what type of fridge to buy in their homes. For example, should they get one that dispenses ice and water or one with a drawer freezer? However, it’s essential to look beyond this and think about having a glass of wine and talking with friends. In order to do this as modern as possible, it’s crucial to think about purchasing a wine refrigerator. They are perfect for storing your bottles for years!

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27. Get steel appliances.

You used to only think about steel appliances finding their place in industrial kitchens. However, this has gradually changed over the years. Now they are a part of modern kitchens in the home. If you’re looking to change your appliances and want modern, steel is the way to go. You can get knife holders, a coffee maker, and even food processors that are stainless steel as well! Not only will this give your modern kitchen a fresh look and clean feel, but these appliances are durable.

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26. Decorate with subway tiles.

One of the main features of any kitchen is tiles, which are usually seen as a backsplash around the stove and sink. Most people don’t think about updating their tiles to show something more modern, such as putting subway-type tiles on each wall to give it a different grid and look. Of course, if you’re watching your pocketbook, simply adding the 4×8-inch tiles to your common backsplash area works wonders.

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25. Recycle some of your trash.

Recycling is a big word in the modern world, and many people look to recycle as much as their trash as possible. This is an excellent characteristic for your home, but it can also create a big mess, especially in your kitchen, as you need to separate your trash and recyclables. When looking at gathering all the bins necessary to separate your recycling and waste, think of building a pull-out drawer near your sink so you can hide the containers as storage instead of keeping them out in the open.

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24. Create modern, open shelving.

Sometimes you indeed want to hide your kitchen dishes and other items, while other times, you want to show them off. You might also want to use your plates to add character to your kitchen. If this is the case, you want to think about building open shelves. You can also do this by updating a free-standing kitchen unit. This might mean you take out some of your cupboards, but rest assured if this is what you want because it is considered a modern feature.

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23. Include pet-friendly features for your furry family.

There are many essential members of your family, and one of these – or maybe a few – are your fur babies. Not only do you need to make sure that your modern kitchen has your storage needs, but your furry friends need them too. Sometimes the best option is to use a pantry or the corner of a room, and other times the best option is to use built-in bottom shelving or a nook that is accessible to your animals. Keep reading for more modern kitchen ideas that you can incorporate in just a weekend, or after saving a little money.

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22. Install double ovens for modern kitchens and holiday hosting.

If you have a large family that likes to get together for holidays, you have run into the problem of how you will cook everything, keep everything warm, and serve all food at the same time. Many people have found that the best solution to this problem is to build a spot for a double oven. They usually sit on the wall, which gives you the perks of having the appliance at eye level. Not only does this make it all easier, but it adds to your modernized kitchen nicely.

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Incorporate things that make you happy and lovely colors and textures into your kitchen. Shutterstock.

21. Think about creating a theme in your kitchen.

You can bring in modern appliances and decor by creating a kitchen theme. Furthermore, you can also show off your creative side and interests. For instance, you might want to create a diner theme or aim for a more antique look even in your modern style. This can also feel like you have a whole new kitchen, even if you just made a few improvements, like changing flooring, tiling walls, adding different lighting, and some new decor items.

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20. Invest in smart appliances for a modern kitchen.

We are all living in the 21st century, and sometimes it seems like our products are even more advanced into the future. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of a smartphone or smart tv, you will probably admit that they can make your life a little easier. The same goes for smart appliances, like kitchen faucets. It doesn’t matter if you want boiling water or cold water – your smart faucet can deliver immediately. Of course, some refrigerators will update your shopping list online. Why not look for ways to ease your workload?

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19. Decorate like a minimalist.

When it comes to magazine-worthy designs, you really cannot go wrong with a minimalism look. Sure, some people don’t prefer this style. However, a minimalist is someone that only has what they need around their home. They don’t usually like clutter and adore open spaces, which are two modern kitchen features. Take a second or 10 to look at all the items you have on your counter and think to yourself, what can I recycle, donate, or put in storage to give my countertops a minimalist look?

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18. Remember the newest features and furniture aren’t always modern.

Do you remember that old saying about if it is not broken then don’t fix it? One of the most significant factors people forget when they transition to a more modern kitchen is the word antique. People tend to focus on the newer features and furniture, which leads them to forget that there is a lot of character in items that are older or even made to look older. For example, you can set up a vase that gives off an aged wood look or even have an old-style rug on the floor.

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17. Bring some nature into your kitchen.

Please take a moment to think about how often you focus on nature when you are outside or even when you see it in someone’s home or office, such as plants and flowers. You can create this feature in your modern kitchen by doing the same thing. For instance, some people like to put a bigger plant in the corner, while others prefer to have smaller plants or flowers lining their windows. Of course, you can also do this by adding wood cabinets.

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16. Install a pot filler near your stove.

While most kitchens are designed in specific ways to allow easy access between all major appliances, this is starting to change in more modern rooms. Therefore, people have started looking for easier ways to fill their pots on the stove, and why not look at a pot filler. Not only does this allow easy access to water, but it also eliminates the need to carry heavy pots of water around your kitchen. Of course, adding a metallic finish to the filler can only boost the modern look.

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15. Use metallic finishes for a modern kitchen.

Nothing quite says modern like a metallic finish. From the hard metal to the sleek sheen, everyone loves brand new features with these types of descriptions. You can even have a rustic theme and desire a modern metallic finish. Over the last several years, metallic finishes tend to bring an extra flair to the kitchen. Not only will it give your kitchen a unique and modern look, but it can also make your kitchen glow. Some of the more popular items to add this finish are cabinet hardware, faucets, lighting, and seating.

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14. Upgrade to a modern faucet.

Beyond hardware, take a moment to think about how many times you have seen your kitchen faucet? How long does it take for your guests to notice your faucet? The answers – several and usually not long. Therefore, one of the best features you can change in your modern kitchen is your faucet. Instead of the standard faucets, aim for higher or unique features. You can even pick a different color and match it with some wall decor, backsplash, or lighting fixtures.

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13. Create a stylish breakfast nook.

You might remember the days when nearly every movie or tv show you watched seemed to have a breakfast nook. You saw them in magazines and probably dreamed about eating breakfast in one – maybe this dream came true. Whether it did or you need to find a way to make it happen, having one brings you further into the modern world. Sure, you could build onto your house to make a nook, or just separate an area and designate it as one. You can add character to your breakfast nook by creating a design around it or at the top of the ceiling.

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12. Build a storage cabinet.

Sure, there is a lot of talk about storage in this article. That’s because of its importance in your kitchen. In fact, you probably don’t even realize how much storage you have and need in your kitchen. One of the newest ideas is building a cabinet specifically for your cookie sheets and pizza pans. One of the most excellent features of these cabinets is that the trays are standing up, which allows them to be arranged neatly and easy to grab. Say goodbye to stacking your cookie sheets and cutting boards.

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11. Take time to look at your vent hood and maybe get rid of it.

Kitchen hoods have become quite the trendsetter when it comes to an HGTV kitchen that screams modern. Most kitchens tend to have some type of vent hood above the stove. This usually allows for steam to be sucked into the hood and then out but take a moment to think of how often you use it – maybe just when it smells like something is burning? Because they’re not really needed, especially in open areas, it’s possible to get rid of them and opt for something different like decor.

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10. Opt to keep your vent hood and decorate it.

It makes a lot of sense if you don’t want to get rid of your vent hood. Therefore, there are many creative ways that you can disguise it. For instance, you might decide to paint it with a design or even customize it to look like a cabinet. Another idea is to install a copper vent or paint it white and gold. Whatever you decide will add to the overall modern style of your kitchen. Keep reading for more ways to upgrade your kitchen lighting, flooring, and decor so it has a modern touch.

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9. Illuminate your kitchen with recess or layered lighting.

One of the most critical functional features in your kitchen is lighting. It would be best to see what you are doing, especially when you are cooking, or things can go wrong – very quickly. Fortunately, there are lighting tips for developing a modern kitchen, and that is recess lighting. This type of lighting gives a striking appearance, especially when it lights up the room. Another method that screams modern is layered lighting, such as adding spotlights to give your room more depth.

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8. Consider modern kitchen flooring.

Take a moment to think about the age of your kitchen flooring. Did you move in with that same flooring? Have you had that flooring for about a decade? Does it seem like a cream color when you know it was white at the time of installment? If so, it’s time to go modern by installing durable kitchen flooring. For instance, look at a natural stone, wood, or even porcelain. Don’t worry; you can protect all of these floors from water damage. Keep reading for more quick and easy ways to create a modern kitchen.

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7. Remember to decorate with modern accessories.

A kitchen is full of accessories, from smaller appliances, such as a toaster or rice cooker, to decorations like flowers or a porcelain chef. No matter what you consider accessories in your kitchen, the key is to update them to keep the modern look. Modern kitchens often have few accessories on the countertops, so don’t go overboard and, if you can, store them out of sight.

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6. Switch your narrow cabinet to a slim pull-out drawer.

It happens to many kitchens – there is one very narrow cupboard that you don’t know what to do with. Maybe you’ve started using it as storage or simply keep plastic bags in there. Whatever the case, one change you can make to modernize your kitchen is to turn it into a pull-out drawer. Here, you can set up holders for your utensils to keep spices and other small items. The best part is you will no longer have to reach in to grab something, and you can simply pull out the drawer and move on.

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5. Think outside of the box when it comes to kitchen storage.

One of the biggest factors about any kitchen is that you could always use more storage. This isn’t because you tend to go overboard with your decor (though it might contribute), but the real reason is that kitchens are usually smaller rooms that need a lot of space. For instance, you have spices, dry food, condiments, utensils, dishes, etc. Fortunately, it’s easy to sneak some extra shelving or create divides in pull-outs to expand storage.

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4. Add deep drawers for more kitchen storage space.

Kitchens tend to have many areas for storage that many people do not think about. For instance, one of the most modern ideas for a kitchen is to use your DIY skills to make deep drawers or even add a top sliding shelf to your already deep drawers. This not only allows you to make sure that everything has its place in the kitchen, but you can also hide some of your items, especially ones you don’t use much, like jars.

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3. Think of adding a garage on top of your counter.

No, of course, I don’t mean a small car garage. It’s more of a cupboard that sits on top of your counter, and people often attach it to your higher cabinet. The countertop garage can house some of your extra plates, cups, or smaller items. You can also ignore the shelving, put your coffee maker or spice rack there, and close the door to keep everything hidden. One of the best perks about garages for your countertops is that it helps you declutter the number of items on your countertops – at least to the eye, it looks decluttered.

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2. Refurbish your kitchen cabinets.

Let’s face it, remodeling a kitchen and expensive. Usually, people tend to put it off until they are so unhappy with their kitchen, they can’t stand it anymore. Fortunately, to create a modern kitchen, you don’t need to remodel your whole kitchen. Instead, you can simply refurbish areas of the room like drawers or cabinets. Pick a style that you want, focus on warm colors, and look for ways to keep your kitchen tidy and uncluttered.

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1. When looking for essential modern kitchen features, the number one rule is to focus on you.

When looking to find the best modern kitchen ideas and items, it’s easy to focus on what looks the best in a picture or what celebrities are doing. However, this might not be your fashion, and it’s vital that you don’t lose your style. Therefore, take time and think about the direction that you’re going and how you want to decorate your perfect modern kitchen to show off your style.

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