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Basics of Contemporary Kitchens
Contemporary kitchens are an important part of any house. Meals are cooked there and the kitchen often serves as a social hub where people gather. A contemporary kitchen that is well designed will help to enliven the home, and guests and owners alike will appreciate the beauty and functionality of it. The key elements of a contemporary kitchen are layout, cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring and lighting.
There are many different kitchen layout styles that can be used depending on the space available. The important part of any kitchen layout is the placement of the primary working areas of food storage, food preparation and cooking. Ideally these are arranged in a triangle that promotes efficient use of the space and minimal walking between the areas. The island kitchen design is very popular in contemporary kitchens for good reason. The independent island serves as one corner of the work triangle by having a sink or cook top on it, and facilitates socializing between the cooks and guests.
Looks and function should be considered when choosing cabinetry for a contemporary kitchen. Alder, ash and birch are all popular woods for cabinets. Whatever material is chosen should be durable enough to resist moisture, spills, scratches and heat. It is a good idea to carefully measure the space and plan the kitchen to ensure that the cabinets maximize the utilization of space. Base drawers and special corner units are popular storage methods in contemporary kitchens.
Contemporary kitchens usually have stainless steel appliances to add a modern and sleek look to homes. The placement and spacing of appliances should be carefully considered. Appliances should be placed with the storage and cooking appliances making up two corners of the work triangle. The sink, and especially the faucet can add a lot to the look and usefulness of a kitchen and should be given the same careful consideration as the other appliances.
Granite is the most popular material for countertops in contemporary kitchens. A variety of finished looks make granite popular among homeowners. Granite is quarried all over the world and the different geographic areas produce a variety of colours and patterns of veins and speckles. Granite is also admired for its durability and few maintenance requirements. The height of countertops is usually 3 feet, which is the most ergonomic for kitchen tasks.
Flooring is an important part of any contemporary kitchen. The material should be beautiful, durable and installed with a high level of craft. Wood flooring is the most common and can come in a variety of colours and grains. Strips, planks and parquet squares are the different ways hardwood flooring is usually installed. Ceramic, marble, slate and bamboo are other flooring material options.
Lighting is a vital part of any contemporary kitchen design. Several types of lighting should be incorporated to maximize function and to make the space enjoyable. Ambient lighting gives the most brightness and general lighting to the space. Recessed lights or track lights are good examples to use. Accent lighting could be under cabinet lights to help focus light on task areas, or a simple hanging light focused on an area below.
About the Author Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvement. If you would like more information about contemporary kitchens and other types of kitchen or are looking for a reputable online kitchen retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com
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