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5 must-haves for a contemporary kitchen

The key elements to get your contemporary kitchen on track.

Want a contemporary kitchen?

Think sleek lines, glossy finishes and minimal clutter. Create a cook space that’s chic, modern and functional. Check out these key elements that will help you get your contemporary kitchen on track.

Some super streamlined units

Keep things fuss-free and minimal by going for cabinets with sleek, even finishes. Opt for a slab design in either matt or high gloss, to create a sleek blank canvas. Alternatively, if you fancy something with a little more warmth, consider one of the high-quality veneer finishes that are on the market. Stick to long bar handles that will replicate the even lines of the cabinets, or do away with adornments altogether and choose handleless doors instead.

A slick splashback

There are so many options for kitchen splashbacks nowadays, that it’s easy to find one to match your style. If you’d like something more streamlined than the usual tiled option, consider going for coloured glass. These smooth glossy panels are great for adding a shot of colour to a white kitchen and the reflective surface gives the impression of a light and spacious room. You could also choose a stainless steel splashback, which looks particularly stunning behind a cooker.

Some oh-so-clever storage

For an uncluttered look in your contemporary kitchen you’ll need some great storage. The key to planning storage is to declutter first, so go through all your kitchen cupboards and be ruthless. Once you know what you’ve got, you can choose the perfect drawers, cupboards and shelves to store it all. Wide drawers are a brilliantly efficient way to store pans and crockery, while narrow pull-out cupboards can make use of small niches.

A few great gadgets

Add some extra functionality to your modern kitchen by splashing out on a nifty gadget or two. Think about how you use your kitchen and see if there’s something that would make life easier. A boiling water tap maybe? Or some pop-up plugs to help you use small appliances on the island? If you read recipes on your iPad, perhaps you could do with a handy slanted shelf below the wall units.

A modern lighting scheme

Lighting is crucial for getting your contemporary kitchen design right. It needs to be practical and good-looking at the same time. Use undercounter LED lights to create a warm ambience in the cool, slick space, as well as to provide functional task lighting on the worksurface. Add a modern pendant light to illuminate the whole room and for a striking design feature in the centre of the space. For an added contemporary touch, be creative with LED strip lighting – lining the bottom of your base units with lights, for example, will make them appear to lift from the floor.