When it comes to kitchen design, there is one question we always start with – are you looking at a contemporary or traditional style? Some customers know instantly; they love the idea of an in-frame wooden kitchen, or are drawn to the sharp clean lines of a slab style; but others find it to be quite the dilemma.

Both contemporary and classic kitchen styles certainly have their draws. Equally beautiful, but completely different, this one choice will dictate the style of your whole kitchen, influencing everything from worktop selection, to the type of cooker that you have, and sometimes it can be difficult to commit to one particular vision.

As a fitted kitchen supplier, we see all sorts of different styles and combinations chosen by our customers in Oxfordshire and it’s true to say we really couldn’t choose a favourite from traditional and modern units. For us it would be like picking a favourite child! Each has their strengths and advantages, but both have the potential to be stunning. What we have found, however, is that our most-loved projects are the ones where customers pick a direction and fully embrace it, rather than trying to sit in the middle ground by taking the bits they like from each style. This isn’t as easy as it sounds, as although you may love modern units, giving up the idea of an Aga can be quite difficult, even when you know it may not suit the overall look you’re striving for.

That is what we’re here to help you with. We have seen hundreds of different kitchens and know what works, so we can use this experience and our expertise to gently guide you through the decision making process to design a kitchen which is streamlined in its vision and execution.

As we’ve said, we simply couldn’t choose a favourite between traditional and contemporary styles – we love them both so much! Fortunately, we don’t have to, but if you’re struggling to make the choice, this blog may help as we set out the benefits of both styles for you to compare and contrast. This week we’re focussing on contemporary kitchen styles, but keep your eyes peeled for our next article which will focus on traditional designs.

Why do we love contemporary kitchens?

They are clutter-free zones

In our opinion there are a number of reasons to love contemporary kitchen styles, but not least is the fact that these kitchens offer up a space that is clutter-free. Many modern kitchen styles feature handle-less doors and drawers which give the room a very sleek and polished look, which should be carried through to the rest of the kitchen. That means keeping worktop clutter to a minimum, which can be achieved through the use of clever design tricks.

Small appliances can be concealed within cupboards, and tambour doors can be used to hide away anything you like when its not in use. Tambour doors are sliding doors made of slats which roll up and down to reveal and conceal appliances on your worktop. They’re a great way of keeping everything looking really sleek and tidy but having what you need to hand when cooking. These sort of modern design tricks work brilliantly in a contemporary setting as the use of these innovative features are very in keeping with the overall style of the units and worktops usually selected in modern kitchens.

They can really take a pop of colour

All kitchen styles are available in pretty much every colour of the rainbow these days, but our favourite brightly coloured kitchens are pretty much always contemporary ones. The simple, clean lines of a modern kitchen look absolutely beautiful with a splash of colour; from bright yellow, to sky blue, we’ve seen plenty of colourful kitchens and they never fail to make us say ‘Wow’!

When you think of modern kitchens, the first thought that often comes to mind is white gloss cabinetry. This is definitely one of the most popular styles and always looks stunning. Because it is such a blank canvas, customers often pick kitchen appliances in really great colours to pop and make a statement against the modern backdrop of their units. If unusually coloured cabinets aren’t your thing this is a really effective way of adding a dose of colour to your kitchen. The great thing about it is that it’s relatively inexpensive to change it up again if you decide at a later date that purple is no longer your thing!

They can incorporate a wide range of materials

One of the major benefits of choosing a modern kitchen style is that it opens up a range of options with regards to the types of materials you can seamlessly incorporate into your room. We’ve all watched the home design programmes on tv which feature contemporary kitchens with poured concrete floors, and although this may not be for everyone, it does demonstrate the versatility of this type of design.

When you choose a modern kitchen unit you are able to be more creative with the types of materials you bring into the room. With a traditional kitchen everything tends to be focussed around wooden features, whereas with a contemporary kitchen you can suddenly entertain the idea of steel, glass, copper etc. This can create a very texture-rich room, which works really well for those who prefer a more neutral colour palette as it adds interest and depth, whilst maintaining a calm and clean look.

Still can’t decide if a modern kitchen is right for you?

Take a look at some of our most popular modern kitchen styles. If you see something you like the look of, get in touch with us and we can provide a sample at your free home design visit.

Aconbury

The Aconbury kitchen is a J-Pull kitchen, ideal for those who want that pure and clean modern look that runs through the entire design. With its handle-less finish and corner posts, the Aconbury really does give you the sense of an uncomplicated, highly stylish kitchen.

The modern kitchen doors are 22mm thick and are made of painted MDF. It is available in six stock colours, including:

Porcelain

Savanna

Graphite

Light Grey

Mid Grey

Silver Grey

​If none of those take your fancy, it can be painted to order in any colour using the RAL service.

Click here to view the Aconbury kitchen.

Cosdon

The Cosdon is a stylish slab kitchen, which can be fitted handle-less or with handles, depending on your preference. This modern style kitchen is available in either a matt or gloss finish, depending on what you have in mind.

The doors are made from 19mm painted MDF and come with a seven year guarantee, as is standard for all MDF kitchens from Kitchenroom. Just like the Aconbury, the Cosdon is available in six stock colours, including:

Porcelain;

Savanna;

Graphite;

Light Grey;

Mid Grey; and

Silver Grey;

And can be painted to order in any colour you like using the RAL colour service.

Click here to view the Cosdon kitchen.

Remo

With its streamlined European influences, the ever-popular the Remo kitchen range brings you instant, unfussy sophistication. Integrated handles offer uninterrupted lines, easy opening and effortless cleaning.

The overall effect is pure and simple; choose to keep the look minimalist, or add bold touches of your own interior style to this modern kitchen.

These MDF doors are 22mm thick, giving a lovely premium feel and are painted with either matt or gloss lacquer, depending on your preference.

Click here to view the Remo kitchen.

Porter

Simple slab doors, generous versatility and timeless appeal making the Porter kitchen one of our most popular ranges, yet one of the most affordable. The selection of colours and finishes available makes it easy to achieve a really designer look, but at a sensible price point. You can opt for handles or a recessed handle-less rail depending on your preference, making this a strong choice for a seriously modern kitchen.

This MDF kitchen comes with a seven year door guarantee, and a 25 year cabinet guarantee, as is standard from Kitchenroom. It is available in a matt or gloss finish in a selection of colours.

Click here to view the Porter kitchen.

Unity

Every Unity kitchen door is made to measure, offering a genuinely bespoke kitchen without compromise. With the Unity you can achieve a really premium look, without it costing the earth.

Available in High Gloss, Metallic Lacquer, Super Matt Lacquer and Smoked Ash Woodgrain, this incredibly sleek kitchen can be styled to suit your modern space perfectly. The 18mm MDF doors come with a seven year Kitchenroom guarantee, giving you peace of mind.

Click here to view the Unity Kitchen

Welford

The Welford kitchen is a handle-less J Pull kitchen which just oozes quality, with a finish that feels superior to some of the other J Pull’s currently on the market today. It has a highly modern look, with a gloss finish that really does shine thanks to an extra lacquered top coat, which also offers an extra layer of protection.

These lovely 22mm thick MDF painted doors are available in 7 stock colours, including:

White;

Cream;

Savanna;

Graphite;

Light Grey;

Sky Blue; and

Willow

As well as being available to order in any colour using the RAL service.

Click here to view the Welford Kitchen

Malmö

The Malmö is a cool handle-less kitchen with bags of appeal. Available in either lustrous matt or sleek gloss, the finishes with this kitchen are smooth to the touch and boast a pigment-rich, flawless surface providing and inspiringly blank canvas for colour.

The Malmö is manufactured with premium grade materials and showcases the latest in contemporary kitchen trends. It is available in four stock colours, or can be painted to order. The stock colours are available in both a matt and gloss finish:

Anthracite

Light Grey

Porcelain

White.

Click here to view the Malmö kitchen.

Otto

Otto is a popular slab door range available in a wide range of different finishes. Versatility is the essence of the Otto range – this is why it can be fitted either in a true handle-less fashion using an ingenious integrated handle rail fitted into the cabinetry behind the door or with standard or top fitting handles.

The Otto kitchen is manufactured with premium grade materials and has an ultra-functional urban feel, which is evidenced by the range of finishes it is available in. As with many other slab kitchen it is available in both gloss and matt finishes, but also has the option of laminate which makes a real feature of your doors. Laminate effects are available in Concrete, Dark Walnut, Oxide and Black Marble.

A gloss finish is available in White and Porcelain, and a matt finish is available in Anthracite, Light Grey and Porcelain.

Click here to view the Otto kitchen.

If you’re thinking a contemporary kitchen could be just what you’re looking for, why not get in touch today to book your FREE home design visit? We cover the Oxfordshire and Berkshire areas, including, but not limited to Didcot, Abingdon, Radley, Oxford City, Wantage, Wallingford, Benson, Berinsfield, Goring, Pangbourne.

With Kitchenroom you can always be assured of:

1. First class personal service from start to finish

2. 18 mm Rigid (assembled) wall and base units with doors already fitted

3. 10 cabinet colour options (so not just white / ivory or oak) to match the colour of the kitchen

4. 2 mm ABS edged cabinets

5. Soft close Blum doors & drawers that come with a lifetime guarantee

6. 25 year guarantee on our units / 10 years on Solid wood kitchens / 7 years on MDF kitchens

7. A typical lead time of 3-4 weeks

8. We can supply only or supply and arrange to fit your new kitchen where we will take care of the whole project from start to finish

Want to know more?

Why not take a look at some of our recently completed kitchen installations?

Click here to see our range of fitted kitchens.