Modern Cabinet Hardware: Simple, Clean and Uncluttered
If you like combining neutrals with bright splashes of primary colors, open spaces that are free of adornments, and clean lines; then the style that would be perfect for your interior décor is modern design. Featuring the simplest of edges, curves and angles with natural materials such as leather, wood, linen, polished metal and glass, as well as molded plastic and plywood; modern interior design is often referred to as ‘retro’ and was extremely popular from the 1920’s to 1950’s.
Modern furniture is usually extremely functional and doesn’t have any extra frills or decoration. A modern interior focuses on organization and functionality, embraces the principle of ‘less is more’ and the chaos of clutter is not allowed! It’s all about taking advantage of open spaces and allowing them to speak for themselves. Because there are almost no accessories creating disorder, modern interiors are considered one of the most serene and calming spaces to be in.
What does a modern kitchen look like?
The main characteristic of modern design is the fact that furniture is kept to a bare minimum. And what furniture you find will be streamlined with surfaces that are sleek, smooth and polished. Every piece of furniture, from door knobs and drawer pulls to dinner tables, are designed to serve a purpose. The concept that drives this design style is honesty, with the framework and natural materials used to make anything in plain view.
In recent years, sustainability has featured strongly in modern décor and more designers are using reclaimed materials or renewable resources to create and build modern furniture. Kitchens often feature brushed stainless steel, chrome or nickel cabinet hardware, with either bold geometric mosaics or sleek glass backsplash elements. Walls are generally white to add to the airy feeling, and the majority of furniture is in neutral shades, with colorful accents adding a bold contrast.
Modern design is all about the neutral colors – black, white and grey, so these colors will feature prominently in any modern kitchen. You may see white cabinets with dark granite counter tops, or black cabinets with a shiny white countertop. It is not unusual to see a modern kitchen where natural wood is the prominent feature, but then cabinets will generally be made from either rosewood (a dark wood) or white oak (a very light word).
Where does modern interior design work best?
If you live in a small apartment in the city, then modern design is a fantastic choice. Not only does it give you more space to work with, it creates the impression that each room is larger than it actually is. Young professionals and busy executives particularly love this style because it is no problem to host an impromptu get together and cleaning up after everyone leaves is quick and easy because there are no knick knacks or ornate décor to deal with!
While modern furniture will suit any home, an entirely modern interior doesn’t work as well for young families. Unfortunately the hard edges and breakable glass are not very child friendly, not to mention the fact that children are inherently messy and their stuff tends to end up everywhere – which definitely doesn’t work well in a space that is meant to be clutter free!