29 Modern Kitchen Ideas You’ll Want to Steal for Your Remodel
A dated kitchen can quickly ruin your home’s design aesthetic. If your kitchen could use a refresh—or a full remodel—consider these contemporary ideas. Update the heart of your home with two-tone cabinets, statement light fixtures, and unique backsplash ideas for a modern kitchen that’s both trendy and timeless, with plenty of character and style.
To help inspire you, we’re sharing our best modern kitchen ideas for any budget. From peel-and-stick backsplash tiles to investment-worthy flooring, these simple changes can quickly transform your space into one you love.
Bold Marble Backsplash
Jay Wilde
Let your backsplash steal the spotlight by opting for a single slab rather than the traditional small tiles. This gorgeous black and white marble adds the perfect amount of pattern and visual interest to this kitchen without distracting from the deep green cabinets or wood paneled island.
Modern Statement Lighting
Chad R. Mellon
Statement lighting is one of the easiest ways to make a bold statement in a kitchen. Here, oversized rattan pendants above the island add interest and texture to the otherwise sleek space. Rattan, jute, or other woven materials work well for oversized shades because the open weave allows you to see through it, making the space appear larger.
Modern Monochrome
PANICHGUL STUDIOS
A monochrome color scheme isn’t limited to paint colors! Here, the same wood hues are repeated on the kitchen island, cabinets, and floating shelves, giving this space a cohesive feel.
Modern Meets Traditional
Anthony Masterson
Give your traditional kitchen a modern makeover with a few simple tweaks. A moody green paint color, midcentury-inspired barstools, and statement lighting give this space a whole new look.
Modern Kitchen Island
Joyelle West
A bold kitchen island with glass-front cabinet doors steals the spotlight in this gorgeous space. Subtle black accents throughout the rest of the space (such as the small pendant lights and statement hardware) tie the room together.
Non-Traditional Tile Shapes
Nathan Schroder Photography
Designing a modern kitchen is all about balancing current trends with timelessness. To choose a backsplash tile that looks contemporary, but won’t go out of style anytime soon, choose a white option in a non-traditional shape.
Modern Kitchen with Organic Materials
Jay Wilde
A modern kitchen doesn’t have to be stark or boring. This gorgeous kitchen leans into organic modern style for a contemporary space that still feels grounded and cozy. To get the look in your own space, pair natural wood tones with green or brown hues and accent with a combination of mixed metals.
Contemporary Coastal Kitchen
Better Homes & Gardens
White kitchens provide an easy backdrop for just about any design style. In this contemporary space, light wood cabinets and woven bar stools give this black and white kitchen a cozy coastal upgrade.
Modern Indoor-Outdoor Kitchen
Zeke Ruelas
When you’re working with a large area, don’t be afraid to leave plenty of open space. This modern kitchen has a generous amount of square footage, but the sleek surfaces and limited color palette keep it from looking cluttered.
Modern Prep Kitchen
If you love to entertain, consider embracing the prep kitchen trend. This functional space features a beverage fridge, wine storage, and cocktail essentials so your kitchen will always be equipped for hosting.
Modern Kitchen Tile
EDMUND BARR
Zellige tile is a gorgeous tile option that gives a contemporary feel to any design style. Here, it lends a high-end feel without overwhelming the space with too much color or pattern.
Colorful Kitchen Island
Julie Soefer
Painting one element of your kitchen (such as the island or base cabinets) is an easy and fairly inexpensive way to update the space without doing any remodeling. Here, a bright blue island pops against the kitchen’s white features.
Bold Marble Veining
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Bold marble veining is making a splash in the kitchen design world, making it a natural choice for a modern kitchen. For a more subtle approach, look for large veining in a subdued color scheme, such as the white and gray pattern on this kitchen island.
Two-Toned Cabinets
Nathan Schroder Photography
Two-tone cabinets are back! For a modern look that still feels timeless, pair sleek wood base cabinets with painted upper cabinets. Here, wood base cabinets ground the space, while white vertical cabinets draw the eye upward, making the kitchen appear larger.
Dark Gray Kitchen
John Granen
Blue-gray is one of the hottest color schemes of the moment, so it’s a perfect choice for a modern kitchen. Lean into a cottage-inspired design style by pairing it with curved lines, natural textures, and cream accents. Or, take an ultra-contemporary approach by selecting clean lines, bright white finishes, and statement wood pieces.
Modern Kitchen Patterns
White cabinets are always a popular choice for a sleek modern look, but they don’t have to be boring. Pair bright white shaker-style cabinets with colorful tile and patterned wallpaper for a cohesive kitchen that feels clean and contemporary.
Open Kitchen Shelving
EDMUND BARR
When designing a modern kitchen, keep it simple. Minimalist door handles and drawer pulls allow the flat panels of these cabinets to stand out, creating a contemporary aesthetic. Plenty of space on the floating shelves continues the clean, open feel.
Monochromatic Modern Kitchen
Why limit your kitchen color scheme to just cabinets? In this bright and eclectic kitchen, the cabinet paint color is continued on the walls, providing a cohesive backdrop for colorful art and accessories.
Modern Kitchen Shelving Ideas
Shaun Sullivan
Floating shelves offer a unique opportunity to display dishes or accent pieces that further your design aesthetic. Here, white shelves painted to match the tile backsplash create a streamlined look—especially when paired with all-white dishware.
Modern Rustic Kitchen
Better Homes & Gardens / Robert Brinson
Swapping out the light fixtures in your kitchen is a simple solution that can quickly change the entire look and feel of a space. Here, oversized glass and metal pendants paired with black accents and industrial finishes gives the rustic kitchen a distinctly modern feel.
Modern Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances
James Schroder
Stainless steel is a classic option for modern kitchen appliances. Embrace the sleek design with clean lines and rectangular shapes, while warming up the space with natural wood tones.
Think Vertical
Edmund Barr
A modern kitchen renovation is the perfect opportunity to play with classic design staples while bending the rules a bit. Horizontal subway tile is a staple in many kitchens; here, blue subway tiles are laid vertically for a clean, contemporary look that adds visual interest.
Modern Kitchen Details
Edmund Barr
Classic white kitchens are always in style, so don’t be afraid to embrace white countertops paired with creamy white cabinets. For an organic modern approach, accent with soft gray hues and light, natural wood finishes.
Modern and Moody Kitchen Cabinets
Read McKendree
A dark paint color on your kitchen island and lower cabinets will ground the space and provide visual contrast, especially when paired with white countertops and subway tile. Here, plenty of natural wood pieces accent the space and keep it from feeling too sterile.
Floating Range Hood
Nathan Schroder Photography
Rather than flank your range hood with bulky cabinets, consider turning it into a statement piece. Here, an exposed range hood offers the opportunity to enjoy the full wall of windows lighting this kitchen space.
Modern Statement Backsplash
Kritsada
If you find a backsplash tile you love, don’t limit yourself to the traditional stripe just above the countertop. In this modern kitchen, an eye-catching accent tile extends all the way to the ceiling, drawing the eye up and adding visual interest.
Bold Bar Stools
John Granen
If a kitchen remodel isn’t in your budget, look for ways to update the space without making permanent changes. Here, wood and leather stools add a distinctly rustic feel to this all-white kitchen.
White Painted Floors
Max Kim-Bee
Revive dated flooring with a quick coat of paint for a bright and fresh look. Whether you have worn wood floors, unsightly vinyl, or old tile, consider painting them white for a modern kitchen backdrop. Here, the white flooring, cabinetry, and subway tile makes the statement wood island pop.
Modern Kitchen Color Scheme
Lisa Romerein
Don’t limit yourself to a monochromatic color scheme when designing your modern kitchen. Here, green cabinets flank the counter-to-ceiling backsplash, allowing the patterned blue tiles to pop.
