Designing the Urban Kitchen of the Future
In today’s busy world, urban kitchens can simultaneously function as a dining place, workspace and relaxation station, in addition to a place for you to cook. Compatibility, efficiency and sustainability are just a few prominent aspects of the many goals that a modern kitchen should seek to accomplish. But with the ever-expanding list of available options and an almost infinite amount of combinations between them, the process of picking your own trendy kitchen may be a head scratcher for most. We’re here to help you out!
Natural Beauty in the Urban Setting
In the concrete jungle where trees and greenery are often choked out in favor of utilitarian developments, it’s a welcome sight for nature-starved eyes to come home and relax in a natural setting. Potted plants, flowers, small succulents are all good choices to add that fresh greenness to your kitchen.
However, it doesn’t just need to stop there. The best way to enjoy a more natural setting is to be closer to more of it! Big windows and glassy doors have been part of a growing trend in the past years, a movement for homeowners to bring themselves and their homes closer to nature.
In addition to having a great view of the neighborhood or the trees growing in your backyard, wood is still in for creating natural vibes. The timeless material gives a homey, organic sensation, which is further enhanced when paired with raw materials such as stone and granite. The basic, primitive look accentuates the natural beauty and enhances the look of the wood. If you’re looking for a connection to nature, be sure to browse over these options for your kitchen.
Designing with White
Colors are also important—and white has been the default choice for kitchens for decades since it represents cleanliness and freshness. While that still has not changed much, nowadays people are gravitating more towards sprucing the plain color up with more vibrant aesthetics. Be it colored upholsteries, cabinetry or even appliances, the pure white kitchen is no more. Instead we look towards a blend of enchanting hues and tones.
So, what popular choices are there to go against the white backdrop? Generally darker colors, like matte black, navy blue are widely accepted. Yet, hunter green and metallic hues are also good alternatives. Furniture has now taken on copper, pewter and other metals as finishes, and wood and other basic materials are still popular for the above reasons.
Utility and Efficiency vs Sustainability
Time and efficiency is everything in an urban environment—and in kitchen workspaces, too. No one likes struggling to cut onions while trying to reach tools that are too far away. Keeping the things you need close by while minimizing clutter or giving the kitchen a cramped feeling is key. That’s what makes efficiency and spacing so important when you’re redesigning an urban kitchen.
When it comes to sustainability, it’s not only about environmental sustainability, important as it is, but also mental and emotional well-being. A kitchen spaced out too large is problematic when cooking or moving around; too small, and the cramped size makes it more difficult to work, which drains your time. Overall, that means you need to strike a careful balance between too much and too little.
Maximizing Storage Space
The days of traditional bulky drawers and overhead cabinets are fading. The dawn of the new decade has ushered in the trend of open shelving and concealed storage. Clever storage provides you with two things: Plenty of easy-access places to keep tools and supplies, and the high-performance of the modern life that we are accustomed to. In many urban kitchens, space is at a premium and the need for functionality is at an all-time high. With that, connected appliances and smart home technology pave the way for the ability to cook, store and organize groceries much more efficiently than before.
Personalization is another important detail. The kitchen doesn’t need to be a drab place where only meals and work happen. It can be an inviting place to have a chat or relaxing cup of tea. The kitchen no longer serves a singular purpose. It is an extension of your home and yourself, and that means you can delight in decorating it as your own. Special memorabilia, knickknacks and kitsch are growing in popularity. Even “quirky” furniture, stuff not usually seen in traditional kitchens, like mirrors to check yourself out, are becoming trendy in the new urban kitchen.
Looking to make some updates to your kitchen? Located in downtown Boston, NEBS is here to help assess your needs so that you can improve your urban home. Let us help you design your kitchen of the future.
