The design element that’s gracing the covers of all the best home design magazines this year is simply: color. Making a modern Italian kitchen come to life includes the best kitchen cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and furniture that compliments the colors you choose for your home. Whether you are going for a clean, minimalist look or you want to convey warmth with an eclectic kitchen, the colors you choose will help to create the right atmosphere.

Color, Glorious Color Everywhere!

This year’s hottest kitchen color choices bring the best of the natural world into your living space. From slate grays and whites to deep shades of green and earth, kitchens can include multiple combinations of colors to bring together multiple styles of home décor. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little to find the best colors to suit your unique personality.

Contemporary kitchens often include darker shades on back-splashes and walls to bring out the beauty of natural granite countertops and eco-friendly wood furnishings. When combined with old-world charm of Italian pottery, dinnerware, and rich fabrics in vibrant colors on windows and seating arrangements – the Modern Italian kitchen becomes the central heart of any home. Create a family-friendly space that improves time spent celebrating family events and dining experiences with generous helpings of reds, greens, and yellows.

Other designers opt for plain white walls that brighten up small spaces with clean cabinetry, deep slate colors on countertops, and stainless steel everywhere. This look appeals to those who want to maintain a hygienic kitchen environment with European modern conveniences. Choose glass table tops on sturdy metal frames combined with comfortable seating that conforms to the body’s natural slopes, in luxurious dark color leathers and canvas.

The Colors are up to You

The decision of what to include is purely a matter of taste, with the greatest results achieved by bringing in professional kitchen designers to do the job. Your modern Italian kitchen design team can suggest the best colors for the kind of space you are trying to create. Starting with your existing kitchen, you can upgrade it by choosing simple kitchen furnishings and colors that coordinate well. Working with your designer, your kitchen can be transformed into a place that fits your personality and exceeds your expectations.

This post has been brought to you by the good folks at Berloni America, leaders in modern Italian kitchen cabinets , modern Italian sofas, and modern Italian home design.  We’d love for you to connect with us on facebook and twitter for more tips on designing the home of your dreams!

Photo Credit: Suat Eman

When you think of modern Italian kitchens, sleek poly-laminate cabinets and state-of-the-art technology come to mind. For the more discerning customer, with an eye for style and sleek look, it could be the ‘no-knob’ or handle-less convenience offered by modern Italian kitchen cabinets. Today we’ll focus on some considerations in choosing modern Italian kitchen cabinetry and the benefits you can potentially enjoy every day.

When it comes to contemporary European kitchen design, engineering is paramount to producing a timeless, well-tuned, and extremely functional end product. Thus if you are buying a new kitchen, one that looks as good as it works, you’ll also want to know that your investment will bring joy for many years to come.

A central aspect to contemporary Italian kitchen cabinetry is the lifestyle of the family it needs to support. In many cases today, the kitchen is used for much more than food preparation, cooking, and eating. The kitchen has become of the center of life and living, hence design and aesthetics fill a very different role than they did previously.

Whether a trend-setting single, a more discerning professional, or supporting the rigors of every day family life, finding the right Italian kitchen cabinets in Michigan does not need to remain a dream. Here are a few things to consider from your friends at Berloni America:

Availability of space — Modern Italian kitchen cabinets are well known for their generous storage space, but don’t neglect considering space for storing heavy utensils and containers, such as jars and cans.

Space distribution — Within a given cabinet, make sure you have enough shelves with flexible spacing and easy access to store everything from small appliances to kitchen linens.

Handle-less Cabinet Doors — These units often incorporate an aluminum panel to allow the door to be pulled open from behind, ‘push-to-open’ or ‘out-and-up’ — all with clean look and ‘no knobs’ or handles to distract from the beauty of the system.

Material — It is not mandatory that modern Italian kitchen cabinets be made out of wood. Today’s ultra modern Italian kitchens are using a variety of composite materials for a sleek look and easy care.

Color — Modern cabinets are now available in the wide range of vibrant colors. Just be mindful that your choice does not become outdated quickly.

Glass — You can add substance to your modern kitchen cabinets with glass or Plexiglas fronts especially to display items like stemware and dishes.

Mobile — Freestanding or mobile Italian kitchen cabinets, made with glass and durable plastics are a hot trend.

If you are looking to invest in a new kitchen, look for the simple and clean lines of modern Italian kitchens for a long lasting, easy to clean, and chic contemporary style.

“This post has been brought to you by the good folks at Berloni America, leaders in modern Italian kitchen cabinets.  We’d love for you to connect with us on facebook and twitter for more tips on designing the kitchen of your dreams.”

Photo credit: furniture.trendzona.com

In many homes, the center focus of every room is the style of contemporary seating arrangements formed by comfortable chairs. From modern dining spaces and kitchens to Italian inspired family rooms and bed rooms, the right chair can make all the difference. There are contemporary chairs available in every style imaginable, from modern Italian chairs to soft seating styles that can give any room a lift.

While it can be challenging to choose the best type of chair, here are some quick tips for accomplishing this so you can experience a lifetime of satisfaction with your home furnishings.

Find Contemporary Chairs in the Perfect Size

Before you order new chairs for your home, remember that size counts in modern home design. Measure your current chairs and decide if you want to go more compact or big and bold with an over-sized style. Consider how you will use the chairs, the dimensions of other furnishings, and the room size as well when selecting the perfect modern chairs. Be sure to also choose chairs that have a comfortable seat and back for those who will be sitting in them.

Choose the Right Chair Materials

The materials your chairs are made from are very important too. If you are looking for durability, go with a contemporary furnishings company like Berloni America that has high quality materials from acrylics and leathers to natural woods and stain-resistant fabrics. While a better chair may cost more than a cheaper knock-off version of the style you like, you’ll get far more use out of a high quality chair so it’s worth the tie and investment.

Family Friendly vs. Showpiece Chairs

If you have a growing family, then you need to pick chairs that can withstand the rough and tumble use they will get from your kids. You’ll most likely be looking for durable chairs that wipe off easily, with a stable base to prevent accidents. In sharp contrast, if you are past those stages and just want some “grown up” chairs to show off your space a little, then you can explore more eclectic styles and shapes.

Matching or Non-Matching?

One of the great things about decorating your home with contemporary Italian chairs is the ability to mix and match pieces to suit your taste. It’s not necessary to match everything perfectly anymore. Today, you can add any chairs you want to a dining room setting or living room that you like. Use your imagination and choose pairs of chairs that complement each other. Try adding a few oversize chairs with smaller seating styles for a funky arrangement in any room.

For more tips on designing a contemporary home, including a broad range of modern Italian and European style furniture, check out Berloni America today.

This post has been brought to you by the good folks at Berloni America, leaders in modern Italian kitchen cabinets , modern Italian sofas, and modern Italian home design.  We’d love for you to connect with us on facebook and twitter for more tips on designing the home of your dreams!

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate and give your mother, grandmother, wife, significant other or other special “Mom” in your life the gift that keeps on giving, give her the kitchen of her dreams.  Whether she likes a more modern, contemporary design or a more traditional, classic design, Berloni America has the answer for you.

MODERN

Matrix – This bright design uses veneered doors with milled edges, glass doors with aluminum, and matte lacquer doors with grooves.  This modern Italian kitchen design is sure to brighten up any kitchen in any home!

Metropolis – Combining doors with veneered solid wood frame and veneered particle board, along with glass doors framed in aluminum and a brilliant finish with handles.  This sleek, modern design is sure to become a fan favorite!

Quadra – This modern Italian kitchen cabinet and countertop combines cherry and ash veneered solid wood frames with particle board with recessed center panels, glass veneered doors with a solid wood frames with melamine faced particle board shelving.

CLASSIC

Athena – This more classic style combines lacquered solid wood frames with PVC faced MDF raised center panels and glass doors with solid wood frames to showcase your dinnerware and open up your cabinets.  This classic, romantic look is perfect for providing a very warm and welcoming feeling into your kitchen space.

Lirica – This classic Italian kitchen style brings a bit of traditionally Italy into your home, with both the cabinet styles, colors, layout and countertops.  This kitchen space encourages friends, family and loved ones to get together and enjoy a classic Italian meal together.

Gran Gala – This grandiose classic style brings a very bright, clean and sophisticated look to any kitchen, particularly with the added marble flooring and ceiling design.  This is a great design for leaving guests in awe of your marvelous dream Italian kitchen!

Berloni America is one of the leaders in contemporary and modern Italian kitchen designs, offering stylish, functional kitchens and furniture to experience the Italian lifestyle.  Americans can more easily experience great Italian tradition in their own homes and offices – through the emotion, passion and innovation of Berloni products. Based in Michigan, the new U.S. Berloni 15,000 square-foot headquarters showcases the most comprehensive selection of Berloni modular systems in the United States, featuring 15 Berloni kitchen, living, bedroom and bath displays, as well as office suites.  For several years now, Berloni America has been committed to reaching the highest Global Standards in Environmental Sustainability in its product design, construction and material management.

This post is brought to you by the good folks at Berloni America—leaders in modern Italian kitchen remodeling.  We would love to connect with you on Facebook.

Photo Credit: BerloniAmerica.com

This stacked indoor herb garden provides a natural splash of color and infuses the kitchen with appetizing aromas.

Indoor herb gardens offer wonderful flavor and fragrance to your cooking, and also add a spirit of spring to your modern Italian kitchen all year long.  Fresh basil livens up any pasta dish and freshly chopped parsley puts a refreshing punch in salads.

The challenge with store-bought herbs is that they begin to wilt and turn into mush- even in the crisper, a few days after they are bought.  Head to a local nursery instead and pick up a few of your favorite herbs to create an indoor herb garden

Simply nurturing an indoor herb garden and watching it grow can be a great source of joy.  Herb gardens offer an environmental benefit in that plants are natural air cleaners and require only the sun’s energy and water.

The most popular herbs used today can be traced back to Italian gardens which were first planted centuries ago.  If you enjoy cooking Italian meals, chances are you are familiar with those for flavoring rich sauces, and even fennel seeds which are a common ingredient in Italian sausages.

Common herbs worth planting include:

Basil can be started from seed and germinates easily.  Choose a compact bush basil so it won’t grow up to look like a leggy houseplant.  Basil will thrive in a warm location.

Parsley can also be started from seed, but requires two to three weeks before sprouting.

Oregano is prone to roots and is best grown at approx. 60 degrees.

Rosemary should be kept on the dry side, however if the soil dries out completely for even a short amount of time, the plant will die.

Thyme is available in more than 400 varieties.  The thymus vulgariy variety thrives best indoors.

Bay grows slowly and its oldest leaves must be harvested on a regular basis.

How does your garden grow?

Most culinary herbs need at least six hours of direct sun each day, unless grown under artificial light.  In that case, one fluorescent fixture with two white bulbs, one warm and one cool, must be kept on for at least 12 hours per day. 

Most herbs prefer to be somewhat dry, however be sure that the potting mixture does not completely dry out.   There are many options for containers that will complement your modern Italian kitchen.  Just make sure that they have drain holes.  Clay pots are ideal because they are more porous than plastic ones.

The best aspect of growing an indoor herb garden is that it can be a source of joy, fun and spices.  You will be amazed by your ability to experiment with different herbs and dishes.  Your meals will taste fresher and more than likely, you’ll use less salt which is good for your health.

This post is brought to you by the good folks at Berloni America—leaders in modern kitchen remodeling. We would love to connect with you on Facebook.

Photo Credit: myhomerocks.com

Charlestowne Fine Cabinetry is Located at The Village at Wexford in Hilton Head, South Carolina.  Their philosophy that service and quality should always come first has allowed Charlestowne Fine Cabinetry to become the premier destination for your cabinetry needs.  Every project, regardless of size, is approached with the goal of exceeding your expectations.  Communication and keeping you and all parties involved informed every step of the way is crucial to a successful project.  I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dennis Pusateri, one of the owners of Charlestowne Fine Cabinetry recently and here’s what I found out.

1. Tell me about your company, how you got started, where you are today and what made you decide to go into this industry?  Mary Jo and I have always really enjoyed the whole building/remodeling process.  Upon purchasing our first home together, the first thing we did was to demo the kitchen and remodel to suit our needs.  Since then, we have acted as General Contractors for a number of other homes we have built through the years.  It always comes back to the cabinetry being one of the most important aspects of the home.  It was just a natural direction for us to head in when we made the decision to pursue our own business.
2. Tell me about what you specialize in and how you separate yourselves from the competition?  Our niche is really providing the best service from beginning to end.  We thoroughly enjoy being involved in all of the details from design through installation, working through the process and making sure that the end product exceeds the expectations of all involved.  When everyone is satisfied, we have set ourselves apart from the competition.
3. What made you decide to put the Berloni brand inside your showroom?   We had looked at a number of European lines to satisfy the demand for a true contemporary cabinet.  Berloni is unsurpassed in their quality and offered the widest range of product at a number of different price points, something for everyone, if you will.  Berloni also has a distribution center here in the U.S.  They take care of all of the shipping, customs, and delivery.  In addition, there is always someone knowledgable with the product available.
4. What advice can you give someone who’s considering a kitchen remodel? What should they think about before embarking on a kitchen remodel and what tips can you give the client to make it a pleasant experience?  Define the scope of the project, set your budget and  get your team together.  Interview a number of architects, designers and contractors.  Check references and decide on someone you are comfortable with and feel you can trust.  It will be a relationship that you will be in for a period of time.
5. What new trends are you seeing in 2012? What is a person remodeling a kitchen or bathroom looking for in 2012?  We are seeing more and more demand for a cleaner/sleeker look over past years.  There are still a large percentage of traditional kitchens and baths, but people are looking for something a little different.  We are in a market with a large percentage of younger retired people.  They often times are looking for something other than what they grew up with and may have raised their families with.  Maybe a little more fun.
6. What advice can you give a potential client about ways to prevent a remodel from becoming too expensive?  Determine what your budget will be early on and work to that.  Let the design be created around the budget from the onset.   That way design selection can be controlled.  I have seen cases where the design can exceed the budget if not clearly discussed in advance.  Then you are left with either settling for a lesser product or giving up things that are in the design that are outside the scope of the budget.  It is best to approach the project with defined parameters.
7. What are people most surprised about when their kitchen remodel is finished?   Two things come to mind.  One, the relationships that turn to friendships as a result of the time spent together on something so personal and close to everyone involved.  Secondly, it is amazing how taken aback people can be at the culmination of a project.  Even though they have been involved every step of the way, they are often surprised at the outcome being something more than expected.
8. Where do you find your inspiration for a design?  We are designing for the homeowner, not ourselves and that always need to be kept in mind.  One really needs to listen to the homeowner and any allied professionals involved, incorporating what is important from a functional standpoint in conjunction with the overall design theme.
9. Tell us about a memorable project and what made it special.  Every project is special in that your are interacting with the homeowner in a way that will  impact their lives for a long time to come.  Thinking about it, people are entrusting you with one of their largest assets and looking for you to offer the guidance and ask the questions that will provide the results that often times they may not fully have a grasp of at the time.  That makes every project special to us.
10. How can our readers get in contact with you for design consultation and what can they expect?  They can visit our website at www.charlestownecabinetry.com, by phone at 843-715-0252 or stop by our showroom at 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Suite F6, Hilton Head Island, SC.  People have a choice in making any purchase, and cabinetry is no different.  With Charlestowne Fine Cabinetry, they can expect to have their expectations exceeded and their project completed with not only satisfaction but excitement.

Whether renovating or building new, modern kitchen design requires careful consideration of your family’s lifestyle. What happens in your kitchen dictates the first decision you make before further fine-tuning any design elements in your plan. Your first decision must be on kitchen size.

For many families, the contemporary kitchen is indeed the heart of the home. Not only is the kitchen the site of food preparation, for many families who opt out of formal dining areas, it is also where all meals are served.

For the family oriented home-owner who leads a casual and traditional lifestyle, modern kitchen design also allows for where children gather to do homework, where Mom sets up her scrapbooking supplies, and where friends are entertained. If this is you, your kitchen design must be planned to accommodate a variety of activities.

For homeowners whose approach to the modern kitchen is more utilitarian, a compact, modest-sized kitchen might be more in line with the design you have in mind. Contemporary kitchens can be much smaller, with the saved space devoted to rooms that see perhaps a little more activity than the kitchen.

For many of today’s singles and couples, cooking has become a hobby as much as a necessity. If this is you, your kitchen design will be a backdrop to showcase your interest and talent. Be sure your kitchen adequately accommodates this popular pastime.

No matter what your lifestyle, there are certain elements key to all kitchen design, all kitchen sizes. What appliances will occupy your kitchen space? Will you opt for ultra-modern kitchen design or contemporary European kitchen design? Also consider size and placement in your planning.

Do you have room to work? Is an island necessary and is there adequate space to ensure its placement will not interfere with traffic flow? Is floor space sufficient for an easy flow of traffic from refrigerator to stove to sink to table?

Also consider your cupboard space. Will you choose modern Italian kitchen cabinetry or high-end kitchen cabinets? And what about countertop space? Do you have space for all your kitchen tools and those tools and appliances still on your wish list?

Once you have studied carefully your lifestyle, you are better prepared to decide on a kitchen sized to meet your family’s needs. It is then that you can move on to design that perfect kitchen.

Modern kitchen design doesn’t have to be a hard and frustrating experience—it can actually be a lot of fun if you’re prepared with the right tools and knowledge. Contact the pros at Berloni America for the best advice on modern Italian cabinetry and modern kitchen design in Michigan.

This post has been brought to you by the good folks at Berloni America, leaders in modern European kitchen cabinets.  We’d love for you to connect with us on facebook and twitter for more tips on designing your dream kitchen.”

Photo credit: sweethousedecorating.com

The dining room has always been a central gathering place of all homes, from condominiums to grand mansions. People love to sit down to experience a special occasion meal during any time of the year, especially during peak holiday and vacation months. To give your dining room more appeal, it is time to update the look with a fresh contemporary Italian table grouping.

Contemporary dining tables can easily freshen the look and functionality of any dining space. Whether your dining room is big or small, the contemporary fun of a modern Italian table set is the perfect solution. Also, consider how easy it is to pair contemporary tables with any kind of chair, cabinets, or other elements already in your dining room.

First, choose a contemporary dining table style that works with your space. Measure your current table to find an equally fitting modern table that won’t overwhelm your dining room, but won’t also be too small to serve its purpose. Never eliminate a style because it doesn’t match the woodwork in your dining room; instead opt for a finish that’s outside your comfort level. For example, you can pair wooden or leather chairs with metal and glass for a glamorous new look.

Next, measure your chairs to make sure you can easily use them around your new contemporary Italian table. The rule is to ensure your chairs are not too large for the table circumference, but also not too short, that siting at the table seems awkward. If you have access to a modern Italian furniture showroom, take the time to try out several pieces to see how well they match up with your daily needs. Alternatively, consult with an expert in contemporary furniture to recommend a table that will work with your existing chairs.

Lastly, be sure to select a contemporary table that is made of a durable material to last a lifetime of use. Great styles include eco-friendly woods and veneers, metal and glass, which come in a wide range of colors and styles to meet any budget. Pair them up with contemporary seating arrangements such as chairs, sofas and more, for a unique modern dining room experience.

Photo: Berloni America Collection

One of the key components that make up contemporary kitchen designs is a nice, clutter-free kitchen space.  Here are some quick tips thanks to the folks at HGTV.com, for organizing your contemporary kitchen.

1. Bag Your Clutter. Get a handle on excess plastic grocery or shopping bags with an inexpensive bag holder. Available as cabinet mounted or freestanding units, these holders contain bags while making them easy to access. Place the plastic bag holder next to the garbage can for extra convenience. When the holder becomes full, recycle the whole bunch. Check home stores or SimpleHuman.com for these chaos taming holders.
2. Go the Distance with Cabinet Space. Get more mileage out of your kitchen cabinets with some creative dishware rearranging. For example, stemware glasses can be stored by placing every other glass upside down. To begin, pull all your dishes out of your cabinets to see what you have to work with. The most frequently used items should be on the bottom shelves of a cabinet that’s most convenient to you. Consider rearranging the cabinet’s interior shelves to accommodate your different size dishes. If your shelves are stationary, nesting bowls and casserole dishes are a great space saver.
3. Wrangle Your Utensils.  A crowded utensil drawer, while remaining unseen most of the time, is still a crowded utensil drawer. If digging in an overloaded drawer for a potato masher is more work than mashing the potatoes, it’s time to invest in a compartmentalized organizer. Found at major home stores, the drawer organizers (also called cutlery trays) come in a variety of sizes and materials. Julie Morgenstern, author of Organizing from the Inside Out, recommends expandable, fine mesh containers — easy to fit and easy to clean. Resist the urge to pile everything back into the drawer. Instead, make sure you can clearly see and reach everything without having to dig.
4. Curb Your Plastic Container Obsession. Before ready-made plastic containers became popular, most of us recycled our grocer’s pasta salad container for leftover spaghetti. This led, and still leads, to cabinets and drawers full of mismatched containers and lids. Declare a moratorium on these tired reusables and invest in something like GladWare’s Containers with Interlocking Lids. Different size lids snap together, and each container nests inside another, giving you more cabinet space.
5. Clean Out the Fridge. This is one project you won’t want to put off. Discourage unappetizing fridge smells by tossing last week’s lasagna before it develops a moldy surprise. In fact, reassess the condition of all leftovers and check expiration dates on milk, juice and canned goods. Produce and lettuce often go bad quickly, so you may have to adjust the temperature on your refrigerator if you notice premature wilt. Give the fridge a thorough wipe down, then organize foods by type, with the most frequently used items in the front. If you haven’t already, acquaint your fridge with a box of baking soda.
6. Set Up a Baking Zone. A baking zone in the kitchen is ideal for the cookie dough enthusiast and allows you to take quick inventory of your baking needs. Devote a counter and upper or bottom cabinet to the following: cookie sheets and loaf pans; a kitchen mitt or hot pads; and flour, sugar and other baking necessities in plastic containers (and placed away from the oven). If your mixer is stylish, leave it out on the counter; otherwise stash it with the mixing bowls. Consider other organizing zones for: beverages, cleaning supplies, mail and recycling and trash.
7. Purge in the Pantry. Take 30 minutes to reassess your food storage, whether it’s a pantry, your kitchen cabinets or a freestanding cupboard. Start with the obvious: purge all expired foods. Next, sweep through your canned goods for extras you can donate to a local food pantry or a neighbor. Depending on the space, you may want to use a lazy Susan for spices and sauces or an over the door shelf to increase storage. Load up your pantry by grouping food by category or by time of day (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) if you prefer.
8. Make a Recipe for Organization.  Recipes have a tendency to overrun a kitchen, especially if there’s a foodie in the house. Tackle your recipes by tossing any you haven’t used in ages (or that recipe for flan that turned to mush). The size of your recipe cards can determine which system you should use. Index cards work well in a labeled recipe box or a small photo album. Full sheet recipes do well in a three-ring binder. If you prefer room to grow, choose the binder and simply tape your index cards to larger sheets of paper. Handy dividers make for easy organizing either by ingredient or dish type.
9. Vertical Wall Storage. Use magnets, hooks and rods to create Organization Central. These kitchen items store neatly within a contained amount of space that might otherwise go unused. This idea is great for kitchens of any size and the customizable layout options are endless.
10. Live on the Big Island. We all know everyone gathers in the kitchen, so plan for it by designing a custom, U-shaped kitchen island using modular cabinetry and a durable countertop. It’ll keep you in the middle of the action and give everyone else a place to do their thing.
11. Hidden, Not Forgotten. Clear off countertops and maximize corner-cabinet space by installing a two-tiered carousel. Smart storage solutions like this mean you can keep both often-used and rarely used items tucked away but within easy reach.
12. Clean-Lined Cooktop. When space is limited or you don’t require gourmet appliances, consider a totally flat glass ceramic cooktop for your kitchen remodel. Its sleek profile fits in a traditional and contemporary kitchen so it works no matter your style.
13. Spiced-Up Organization.  Simple change, major difference. Fill a designated drawer with spice inserts for an easy way to keep these cooking essentials handy. Gone are the wasteful days of three jars of oregano because you couldn’t see your supply all at once.
14. Keep Continuity in Mind. A custom look doesn’t have to come at a custom price. Designing your new kitchen with appliances covered in integrated doors that match your cabinetry is an easy and smart way to get a cohesive, complete kitchen. This dishwasher is just as functional, but blends in nicely when closed.

These are just a few organization ideas for your modern Italian kitchen.  There are thousands—if not millions—of other organization options.  The next time you’re looking to remodel or upgrade your kitchen, contact Berloni America, the leading experts in modern kitchen remodeling.

This post is brought to you by the good folks at Berloni America—leaders in modern kitchen remodeling.  We would love to connect with you on Facebook.

Photo Credit: HGTV.com

Modern kitchen design is based on few simple design principles. The main design elements of contemporary kitchens and modern Italian kitchen ideas comprises clean lines, bold and contrast colors, some modern art fixtures, a lot of light, and an uncluttered space. So, let us look at each of the kitchen design elements in detail so that you have a clear path to ultimately designing the kitchen of your dreams:

Modern Kitchen Design Ideas

It is not about the items or accessories that will give your kitchen the feel of a modern Italian kitchen, but the design itself. So, as you shop for items, furniture, or accessories, keep in mind the elements below and consider how they’ll work in harmony with the design elements you envision:

Clean Lines — Always try to maintain clean, long lines in contemporary Italian kitchens. However, this doesn’t mean that there can’t be curves. For example, you can opt for kitchen countertops or other furniture that are curved in shape, or you can go for wooden flooring where you can see the horizontal lines of planks, to add more to the effect. You can also choose a table that is horizontal or semi-curved, and go for chairs that depict a modern design. Go for table and chairs having sleek legs made of steel. Using a glass tabletop will also help to enhance the look. Maintaining clean lines will not just give the feel of a modern kitchen, but also help to make the kitchen look bigger.

Colors — Try to avoid too many colors by going for a two-colored theme. Also try to avoid a black and steel colored kitchen. Some of the best color combinations for modern Italian kitchens are aqua blue or green walls with some portions of the walls painted white, accented by white kitchen appliances and other steel items. Another great theme is half lavender and half white walls with black appliances and steel furniture. If possible, try to avoid going for the basic off-white kitchens, but if you can’t decide on wall colors then choosing the off-white color for the walls and white appliances is a safe bet. Make sure you add a few contemporary Italian furnishings like a vase with flowers, chairs with good color seats or a few paintings in an off-white modern kitchen decorating idea.

Lot of Light — Make sure the kitchen has plenty of light. In modern Italian theme kitchens like Tuscan, or even for French Country kitchens, an old and yellowish light tinge is given. But in a modern Italian kitchen white, soft lights are used. Make sure there are enough windows to let the natural light in. If there isn’t enough natural light, consider installing a skylight or an additional window. To increase the artificial kitchen lighting, add extra lighting by hanging some modern design lamps that go with your modern kitchen decor.

Uncluttered Space — Modular kitchen Italian furniture usually provides enough space to store all the items, so the possibility of clutter is the least, and kitchen cleaning is an easy job. There are enough shelves for you to store utensils, and sections are made in modular furniture to store appliances like slow-cook ovens. Place your refrigerator in a way that it takes minimum space, and at a place where it is nearby for you to access. Try to avoid any open shelves,. If more space is still needed, then consider installing some more high-end kitchen cabinets.

These modern kitchen ideas will help you to create a unique and contemporary European kitchen design.  Use them as a guideline toward designing and creating your very own great looking modern kitchen!

This post has been brought to you by the good folks at Berloni America, leaders in modern European kitchen cabinets. We’d love for you to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for more tips on designing your dream kitchen.

Photo credit: Maggie Smith