European kitchen designs for the modern home

European kitchen designs are conquering the world. After invading Europe, they have now found their way into homes in the US and Canada and even Asia. So what makes these designs so popular?

Generally speaking, Europeans love to cook. Their day-to-day culinary experiences allow them to master the mechanics of cooking. That is why the design of European kitchens is characterized by its functionality. Their kitchens are ergonomically designed for people on the go. With lives now fast-paced, it’s important that less time is spent preparing and cleaning food. With this kitchen layout, utensils are close at hand, island counters and sinks are larger, and floors are easy to clean.

This focus on functionality results in a clear and streamlined design. Surprisingly, the aesthetic aspect of the design is not taken for granted. Therefore, the kitchens are impressive as they are efficient.

To achieve that elegant linear design, stainless steel is the most common material that can be found in the kitchen. Since most modern appliances are made of stainless steel, it would not be difficult to combine them with existing fixtures. That’s why we see stainless steel countertops, cabinets, and sinks. Some even use stainless steel tile for the floor.

To match the metal accessories, light-colored, natural-looking wood is also used. Long wooden cabinets that are mounted on the wall are present in almost every European kitchen. But through the years, the use of wood has diminished. Most cabinet doors are now replaced with sliding frosted glass or metal to keep it looking clean and modern. There is also a decrease in the use of swing doors. So instead of cabinets, we now see large drawers with metal handles, for easy access to utensils.

Island floors and counters can also be made of wood. The center island counter is now oversized and multifunctional. So now you can cook, eat, and clean all in one place. And because the island counter is large, one can prepare dinner at one end while the other members of the family are gathered at the other. One important thing though: use the same type of wood for the entire kitchen.

This is not to say that this design does not allow the use of color. You can splash some color through colored chairs. Or you can paint the walls a deep, rich color, like red or orange. Lastly, add soft highlights to complete the look.