Kitchen Design Online - The Contemporary Modern Kitchen Design

When we use the term "contemporary kitchen design", what are we actually referring to?

When asked, people may mention any one of of the following descriptions: sleek, clean lines, open and airy, no clutter, monochromatic color scheme, splash of color, shiny surfaces, glass, stainless steel, industrialized look, minimalistic, impersonal. Adding the functionality of today's kitchen and you have the style you are looking for in a kitchen design online.

If you want to understand the meaning of the terms "Contemporary" and "Modern", then I may suggest you look into the history of architectural movements and the associate time lines. According to Wikipedia, "Modern" architecture is characterized by "simplification of form and the elimination of ornament". It was the preeminent design solution from about 1932 to about 1984. Although the exact characteristics and origins of the "Modern" movement are debated, the evolution was mainly due to social and political revolution, technological and engineering development, invention of new building techniques, availability of new building materials such as iron, steel, and glass as well as reaction against the lavish stylistic excesses of the Victorian area.

"Modern" architecture is usually characterized by:

• Adoption of the principle that the materials and functional requirements determine the result
• Adoption of the machine aesthetic
• Rejection of ornament
• Simplification of form and elimination of "unnecessary detail"
• Adoption of expressed structure
• Form follows function

"Contemporary" architecture on the other hand is defined as "architecture from about 1980 to present, which is optimized for current use. It can have a number of influences but still tries to be aspirational, visionary and risky. It uses new materials in an innovative way. Contemporary architects attempt to push at the boundaries of materials and technology, and especially in recent decades, geometry. Green design/eco-friendly design comes to mind, an issue which will be discussed in another post.

Architects critical of the "Modern" style viewed the stark and rectangular geometry dehumanizing. They began experimenting with organic forms they felt were more human and accessible. Mid-century modernism, also termed organic modernism, became very popular due to its democratic and playful nature. The Finish architects Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen were two of the most productive architects and designers in this movement, which has influenced contemporary modernism.

These definitions and explanations may seem somewhat overlapping and confusing. For instance, "Modern" architecture became linked to a certain genre of building and thus over time wasn't really 'modern' anymore. When I am using "contemporary kitchen design" in my blog kitchen design online, I actually refer to "contemporary modern kitchen design". A kitchen design with elements of the modern style, but updated to satisfy today's contemporary lifestyles.