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How to design a modern kitchen

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, a place where families reunite at the end of the day to share a meal and where friends gather to socialize over a cup of coffee. Therefore, your kitchen should be a comfortable, stylish and functional area that caters to its wide variety of uses.

Homeowners often choose a modern theme for their kitchens, as this design style usually involves desirable kitchen components, such as sleek furniture and a lot of open space. If you're working with your personal decorator to create a modern kitchen, consider incorporating these four designs that work particularly well at establishing the chic and sophisticated look the modern style embodies. 

1. Install metal furnishings and decor
Metals are trending for modern kitchens. Everything from brushed aluminum, stainless steel and chrome to copper and nickel have taken center stage as materials for furniture and decor like lighting fixtures and kitchen tables. Not only does metal create a sleek appearance, but a simple, minimalist vibe that goes hand in hand with a modern theme. The cool, gray metal hues also contribute to a neutral color scheme, which is another trending feature for modern kitchens. Your interior designer can help you choose which type of metal works best in your space.

Even choosing kitchen chairs with metal legs can contribute to a modern look.Kitchen chairs and stools with long, metal legs contribute to a modern look.

2. Emphasize horizontal lines
One aspect that most modern kitchens have in common is their emphasis on horizontal lines. Ask your personal decorator to see samples of previous kitchens he has worked on so you can observe how multiple horizontal lines are incorporated into a space. For example, modern tables and chairs are often made up of long horizontal lines and defined edges. Keep this in mind as you work with your decorator to select your furnishings and decor.

"Many modern tables have a lacquered finish."

3. Select a sleek kitchen table
There are a number of materials and styles to choose from when it comes to selecting your modern kitchen table. While glass, metal and marble contribute a sleeker, more minimalist appearance, cherry veneers and rustic natural wood can also give off a contemporary vibe when the table is built with the modern style in mind. This means a great attention to straight lines and edges.

Many also have a lacquered finished for that gleam and smoothness modern furnishings are known for. Your personal decorator can suggest a few options that complement your surrounding decor and furnishings. 

4. Introduce modernized lighting
Lighting plays a major role in the look and feel of any room, but it's particularly essential for your kitchen. You'll want enough light to make tasks like cooking safe, but you'll also need your fixtures to create the ambiance you want. The best way to achieve this versatility is by installing a dimmer, which enables you to adjust the amount of light based on what you're doing at the time.

Consider pendant lighting over your kitchen island or under-cabinet lighting for an ultramodern look. Chandeliers are another great option. Talk to your interior decorator about the fixtures you have in mind and work together to find one that suits your modernized space.

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