If you’ve been browsing our website, you’ve probably already seen some of our designer kitchen styles. We’ve outlined some of the core differences on our webpages, but the available space prevents us from going into extensive detail. But don’t worry – that’s what this blog is for! Below, we outline some of the key characteristics of our different styles of kitchen, so you can decide which one might be best for you.
You may be wondering what makes German kitchens so great – what’s the difference between theirs and, say, Italian kitchens? Well, Germany was the first nation to corner the market on kitchen design. Their designers place a particular emphasis on ‘form following function’ – in other words, efficiency comes first, with the aesthetics based around them.
German kitchens have always been designed on the model of an industrial workplace, carefully devised to maximise functionality and economy of movement. The aesthetics of German kitchens, therefore, tend towards restraint rather than flair. The period in which many of its most prominent manufacturers were founded was the same era that saw the advent of famous art movements like Bauhaus and Deutscher Werkbund. These manufacturers quickly became world-renowned, and today “made in Germany” has become a universal hallmark of quality.
Traditional kitchens, meanwhile, place more of a focus on the use of natural materials to create a more Old World feel. Frequently this manifests in a decidedly rural country aesthetic – which is particularly popular on the other side of the Atlantic! Traditional kitchens use combinations of stone and solid timber in their makeup; granite, marble and limestone are common elements for worktops and flooring. Framed cabinetry and other elaborately ornate details differentiate them further from other newer kitchen styles, again giving credence to their classically Old World atmospheres.
There is still some confusion on the differences between contemporary and modern kitchens, and it’s easy to see why – the names don’t help much! However, the key thing to remember is that while contemporary means exactly that – current and ever changing, modern refers to a specific point in time, generally agreed to encompass styles between the 1920s and 1950s.
Therefore modern kitchens are sometimes referred to as “retro” for this reason, and are distinguished by a sleeker style with a focus on simplicity – characterised by clean, clear horizontal lines, with an absence of elaborate patterns. Their colours follow the same principles, typically using cool, neutral tones. Open floor plans are common in modern architecture, and so modern kitchens tend to follow this same formula. The cabinets and other furniture are unadorned (in stark contrast to traditional kitchens), giving a clean, unadorned finish.
The contemporary style, meanwhile, is a lot more fluid. As we’ve touched upon above, it’s ever changing according to the newest trends, so two kitchens in the ‘contemporary’ style can look completely different! Cutting-edge technology and integrated high-tech appliances are common features of contemporary kitchens (our Quooker taps are just one example), and hidden storage in discreet cabinets contributes to its streamlined style. It’s not uncommon for contemporary kitchens to blend a variety of materials and colours, which can make for some striking final effects.
At Kitchen Design Centre, we pride ourselves on our designer kitchen styles, as well as the enviable expertise of our interior designers. Browse our designer kitchen styles to see what we’re talking about, or book a free design visit to speak to one of our industry-renowned professionals about what best would suit you.
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