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Modern apartment kitchen ideas


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If you are looking for apartment kitchen ideas, then you’ll be more than aware of the tricky task of making a small kitchen look much bigger than it actually is, while also trying to make every corner stylish as well as functional. 

Though it can be challenging to find the right kitchen ideas for apartments, there are several benefits to compact living. For a start, when designing a small kitchen for an apartment, you'll soon realize that it’s easy to keep everything to hand. Plus, there is a wealth of clever small kitchen storage ideas available to get the very best out of every inch. 

Here we explore the very best apartment kitchen ideas, with expert advice from a selection of our favorite kitchen designers.

Apartment kitchen ideas – 10 ways to enhance a studio or rental space

One of the main advantages of a apartment kitchen is the convenient accessibility of everything that’s needed. Easy maintenance is another reward. All you have to do now is to find the perfect kitchen layout ideas, color palette, cabinetry and kitchen storage ideas to suit your space. These apartment kitchen ideas will help inspire you to achieve the space of your dreams, no matter its size.

1. Team different materials together for a modern look

(Image credit: Ward & Co/Taran Wilkhu)

Stop your apartment kitchen from looking dull or dated by mixing materials for added interest. Since the past year has forced us to adapt our kitchens to fit several different roles – versatility has taken on an entirely new meaning. However, versatility doesn’t need to be boring. In fact, according to home designer at Neptune, George Miller, versatility in an apartment kitchen is vital. And, mixed material kitchens allow you to shake up your scheme as you desire.

'For a recent apartment in Covent Garden, we complemented the stone-topped cabinetry with satin gold taps, distinctly warm tones and added padded faux-leather bar stools for a contemporary yet practical look,' says Rosie Ward, creative director at Ward & Co .

2. Zone the kitchen area with a bold red

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball )

If you are looking for kitchen color ideas that will never date, a red kitchen is certainly one to consider. 

'Apartment kitchens usually act as multi-functioning areas, so color zoning can be a simple solution to creating different spaces within one room,' says Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball . 'It can be as easy as painting a contrasting color on furniture or a bookcase or larder cupboard, or an accent wall in the kitchen area with a bold pop of color such as the warm Terre D'egypte.'

When it comes to using color in the kitchen, Ruth Mottershead, creative director, Little Greene agrees: 'As well as the walls, consider your kitchen cabinets and storage: highlighting these essential elements within an apartment kitchen is a fantastic way to deliver design impact. Are there architectural features or areas of interest to draw attention to? Color is a fantastic way to highlight a favorite feature. If you don’t want to use a bold color all over, highlight the back of your shelving in a contrasting color or opt for a dynamic two-tone color scheme by adding one color to the lower cabinets and contrasting colors for walls and upper cabinets.’

3. Use the same floor in an open plan space

(Image credit: Carpetright)

'Space is usually at a premium in apartments, so making sure each room or zone feel spacious is important,’ says David Snazel, hard flooring buyer at Carpetright . 'Where you have an open plan kitchen, one of the best ways of achieving this is to use a single type of flooring to unify the spaces. Using a durable material such as wood, laminate or luxury vinyl means that if your space includes a kitchen, the flooring can withstand the bumps and spills of everyday life.'

4. Let in the light with glass doors and a pale floor 

(Image credit: Cosy Coco )

'A ground floor apartment kitchen may be lacking in natural light, to combat this use glass doors where possible and choose neutral colored cabinets and a pale stone floor,' says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens. 'Introduce textures like wood, metal and a tactile rug to soften the edges visually.

5. Use warm colors for a cozy feel 

(Image credit: Annie Sloan )

Purple room ideas are having something of an interior design moment. With Pantone having recently announced ‘Very Peri’, a bold blue-violet shade, as its color of the year 2022, we’re seeing the color feature more in apartment kitchens.

'Purples in general are warm, comforting colors, and they have the receding values of blue, making a space feel larger, as well as the warming properties of red, making a space feel cozy,' says Annie Sloan, color expert at Annie Sloan.  

6. Create a grand affair with marble, gold and velvet 

(Image credit: Sofa.com)

Luxury kitchen ideas should not be reserved for large kitchens. In fact, apartment kitchens are the perfect place to invest in expensive materials that exude opulence. 

'If you're lucky enough to have an apartment kitchen in a period property you'll possibly have high ceilings, architectural detailing and original wood floorboards,' says Melanie Griffiths, editor, Period Living. 'To carry on the 'grandness' of such a space invest in luxury elements like a marble kitchen countertop, plush velvet bar stools and hints of gold.'

7. Add decorative details to your kitchen cabinets

(Image credit: Kitesgrove)

'Whilst we always prioritize creating nuanced and refined interiors, practicality and comfort are central to everything we do,' says Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove . 

'When designing a kitchen space, this means maximizing aesthetic but practical storage solutions. The addition of brass accents to the drawers in this apartment kitchen add character and depth to the space, whilst high level kitchen cabinet ideas create much needed storage. Introducing a central island creates a social area within the kitchen space, therefore making the space multifunctional.'

8. Keep it contemporary with steel-framed windows and doors

(Image credit: Garden Trading )

'There's absolutely no reason why you can't have the kitchen of your dreams in an apartment,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor, Homes & Gardens. 'This modern kitchen idea is a great example – the steel-framed windows and pantry doors give it a smart edge and we love the blush pink cabinets and kitchen island. The result is a light and airy space that you'll want to spend time in.'

9. Invest in as much kitchen storage space as possible 

(Image credit: Eggersmann Design )

'In this apartment, a large window in the entrance hall opens up another view to the kitchen,' Gary Singer, founder and creative director, Eggersmann Design . 'We combined the exposed brickwork with hand-applied dark concrete with vintage oak and hot-rolled steel surfaces to create a hard-working and tactile kitchen space with an elegant industrial presence.'

'If the space permits it then I will always recommend an island or peninsula. It creates a much more social and functional kitchen while also providing lots of additional storage.'

10. Choose white to create the illusion of more space

(Image credit: Martin Moore )

The best white kitchen ideas simply never date – but don't think they're a boring option. There’s nothing cleaner or crisper than a pure white kitchen; it’s a look that lasts, no matter what the latest kitchen trend may be.

'The brief for this beautiful one bedroom apartment in west London was to create an elegant kitchen that would blend well with the rest of the living space,' says Richard Moore, design director at Martin Moore . 'However, with only one room to accommodate the owners’ cooking, dining and living needs, careful planning was essential when approaching the design.'

'The central kitchen island forms the heart of the kitchen, providing not only ample storage and prepping space but also a small, informal breakfast bar idea that offers another casual, social zone within the room. The dominance of the beautiful, large French windows left just one wall for fitted cabinets; in order to use this area as effectively as possible, and taking full advantage of the property’s high ceilings.'

'The color scheme of the kitchen was kept deliberately warm and neutral, interacting with the abundance of natural light within the room, in order to create the illusion of a brighter, larger kitchen space. '

How can I improve my apartment kitchen?

If you want to improve an apartment kitchen, then getting the right designer on board is key and, crucially, the kitchen needs to be designed to suit the space, rather than picking a range or style and trying to adapt your apartment kitchen ideas to fit. 

Dual purpose pieces and good internal storage will make the most of cupboard space. You should also make every attempt to keep work surface clear of clutter. 

Look for compact appliances, choosing premium models that give the optimum internal space while still fitting a standard or compact footprint. It's also worth taking shape into account – U-shaped kitchens for example, can work really well in a small space, or if your apartment kitchen is on the narrow side, then consider a galley kitchen layout that will maximize every inch.

Paint your kitchen is a cost-effective way to improve an existing apartment kitchen. 

'Don’t be afraid to use color – even really bright kitchen color ideas are worth experimenting with. It’s a great way to give your kitchen a boost if you haven’t got a great deal of space in your studio or rental home,' advises Adrian Stoneham of Stoneham Kitchens .

Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.

14 Unique Apartment Kitchen Ideas

By

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/30/20

Emily Henderson

Renting an apartment has a lot of perks, especially if you want to avoid paying for the expensive maintenance and upkeep of homeownership. But if you also want to get that security deposit back, putting your personal stamp on your home will require a little extra creativity and open-mindedness. Whether your apartment kitchen could use a mini-facelift or you simply want to add a dose of personality, there are plenty of upgrades that won't cause your landlord's blood pressure to skyrocket. 

Whether you want to add a few accent pieces or "install" a new backsplash (trust us, you can), we've rounded up our favorite ideas for transforming your rental apartment kitchen. 

Decorating an Apartment on a Budget

Kitchen design ideas: 30 modern interiors

Contents

In modern interior design, there are a large number of design styles, new materials, ideas for planning, furnishing and finishing. To understand the variety of fashion trends in kitchen design, we have selected 30 modern Italian kitchens with beautiful interiors. Using their examples, we will show how to stylishly design a kitchen in an apartment or a private house, and which trends are especially practical and effective.

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Kitchen backsplash design: 6 design examples

First of all, we will consider interesting ideas for the design of a kitchen apron. There are, in principle, two monochrome color solutions, when the apron, in principle, is not too noticeable in the interior; and accent, allowing it to be considered the main decoration of the kitchen.

Ethnic apron in hand-fired tiles with emerald accents

Kitchen backsplash design ideas often refer to a specific material. The first example in our selection is a hand-fired Moroccan tile (with ombre overflows from malachite to emerald). Such tiles can set an amazing mood in a modern interior and make it absolutely unique. The design of the kitchen-living room will look great with such an accent apron, because it will allow you to zone the space with color.

Luxurious kitchen backsplash with natural marble

Modern luxury kitchen design ideas are often built around marble effect porcelain stoneware and natural marble. We see passion for it in different styles: from art deco to minimalism, in classic and neoclassical, even modern style. Many trendy kitchen interior design ideas are built around this unique material. Thanks to the luxurious natural pattern, this finish always looks exclusive. And natural marble does have truly unique patterns.

Stylish backsplash to match the white granite look artificial stone top

The kitchen design ideas in the photo do not 100% show the potential of a particular material. For example, in the photo above you see a white countertop and a matching kitchen apron. In fact, this is the same material made of artificial stone under white granite with black and brown patches. It looks great in a neoclassical or minimalist kitchen. Such material gives the best value for money, because it has the same positive qualities as natural stone, but is in a more convenient business class price category.

Sandblasted art deco kitchen backsplash with 3D effect

Design ideas for a small kitchen often differ from those that can be used in a larger area or even in a country house. However, for those who have an area of ​​​​16 square meters, almost all ideas and solutions are available. For example, art deco style with sandblasted mirror finishes and 3D effect, gold moldings, large plaster finishes, openwork details in the design of facades.

Brick-like white boar tile for kitchen interior in loft style

Wall design ideas in the kitchen are not limited to accent, contrasting, noticeable ideas. For example, a brick-like tile called “boar” looks both neutral and stylish. The same can be said about plain glass aprons and any plain tiles in light colors.

White Italian marble look porcelain tile for kitchen accent wall design

White, black and brown marble effect porcelain stoneware is always a luxurious option for finishing. In a modern interior, it is used both for an apron and for an entire wall (as in the photo above), as well as for the floor and other walls. As part of a professional design project, you can even combine several types of marble in one interior.

Go to the catalog of kitchens

The catalog contains all the factories producing Italian kitchens from inexpensive models to premium and elite ones.

Kitchen catalog

Modern kitchens classic kitchens Loft kitchens Kitchen Provence Neoclassical kitchens Art Deco Kitchens

Kitchen and Dining Room Interior Design: Top 11 Ideas

In the decoration of the kitchen, the design of the floor, ceiling and walls is just as important. If the apron is accent, then here it is most often worth choosing a durable, practical, stylish base. First of all, look at the most modern materials: porcelain stoneware, 3D tiles, painting on plaster. For the classics, you can recommend luxurious glass mosaics, silk wallpapers, natural marble.

Neutral plain painting for kitchen walls

In a modern interior, materials such as wallpaper and dark or embossed plaster are used less and less. Sometimes the best option is one of the most concise decorative plasters in neutral colors, which will make the interior minimalistic and will not distract from the main design elements: kitchen set, apron, lighting, lamps.

Decorative neoclassical moldings in the dining area

Traditional plaster and polyurethane moldings will also look spectacular in the dining room, for example, in the neoclassical, art deco or classic style.

Designer wood or wood grain ceiling finish

The wooden ceiling is an increasingly fashionable trend in kitchen design, especially in country houses. It can be minimalistic, like the design project above, or more rustic, like with an aged effect.

Corian low kitchen apron for a minimalist interior

An apron like this automatically makes your kitchen look very modern as this kitchen design idea is new. Partial wall decoration with ceramic material (artificial stone / corian / porcelain stoneware / marble) in the lower part and typical (plaster and painting, as on the rest of the walls) in the upper part looks very fashionable in the photo above.

Porcelain stoneware for parquet look in natural tones for floor design

A chic idea for kitchen design is wood-look porcelain stoneware - both practical (resistant to moisture, wear and abrasion) and elegant.

Mirror gold moldings in kitchen wall design

One of the most innovative solutions is to combine accent wall with backsplash with tile/porcelain stoneware and gold-toned mirror inserts or metallic gold moldings.

Marble kitchen island and bar area

A chic solution for finishing facades and countertops, as well as marbled walls, is one of the most fashionable trends in interior design.

Pseudo-columns in neoclassical and classical interior design style

Pseudo-columns look very elegant and luxurious in interiors with arches, corridors, halls, boudoir layouts of the kitchen-living room.

Brick and concrete look decorative panels in loft style

The loft style is very modern and colorful both for the design of the apartment and directly for the kitchen. Here, materials such as wood-look and metal-look porcelain stoneware, concrete-look plaster, panels and brick-look plaster are popular. By the way, in the loft you can often find wooden floors.

Contemporary Asian Style Stained Glass Ceiling

Modern designer interiors with stained glass ceilings have a particularly laconic look. The photo above is an example of such an oriental-style kitchen renovation.

Designer glass mosaic in the interior of the kitchen with an Italian feel

Glass mosaic looks very Italian and is often used in kitchen and bathroom designs. Glass mosaic can be almost monochromatic, with light ombre overflows, or create luxurious complex panels from multi-colored squares.

Modern kitchen design with island: the best designs

Next, we will look at kitchen design options with an island. The island itself can have different functions. In the original, these are cabinets with storage and a countertop, but the latter can be supplemented with a hob, sink, various modules and combi panels, an extractor hood under the ceiling or a built-in retractable right in the countertop.

Multi-functional island with hob, breakfast bar and stained glass sideboard for dishes

In the design project above, you can see a multi-functional island with a tabletop about 3 meters long. There are built-in stained glass modules with sideboards from the dining room, a bar counter in a sunny position by the window, a cooktop and an overall large serving surface.

Italian kitchen with two-tone fronts in the retro style of the 60s

In this design project you can find a unique kitchen island design with emerald glossy panels and macassar effect fronts. Finishing of countertops and kitchen apron is made in green marble.

Kitchen island with integrated sink, hob, ice box and dish rack

This unique kitchen island has integrated details that are quite futuristic and unusual. A dish rack, a hob, a sink, an ice box made it as functional as possible.

Long bar counter with pantry area in modern kitchen

A great example of a functional double-use countertop is a serving surface and a bar counter on the back side, next to the dining or living room.

Black marble for island top and backsplash

A black marble island is an extremely trendy idea for a dark contrasting interior. Such an island has an increased depth and a convenient approach from all sides. The dining room is located in a separate area.

Mineral plaster in gray for a futuristic interior with a bright peninsula

In this design project, the modern kitchen has a variety of modules: a peninsula with a bar counter in a delicate pineapple shade, open shelves with slatted screens and a tall green module for built-in appliances.

Hanging modules in metal loft style above the island

In the loft style, islands often have hanging elements (metal, with storage space for cooking utensils), which are sometimes combined with a hood. Note that this design detail is best used only in interiors with high ceilings.

Kitchen interior design in trendy colors: 5 options

The color scheme is one of the most noticeable decisions in interior design. This is one of the first topics to discuss with your designer. The most important will be the choice of the color of the facades and the design of the apron. You will also need to choose more neutral tones for the floor and the rest of the walls. In the interior there may be color accents. And white kitchens are now the most popular.

White/grey with coffee wood flooring

A light color scheme based on ash, stone gray and white, as a rule, is complemented by a brown or light brown floor. To modernize the interior, chocolate, coffee tones are used, pale and concise, rather than the traditional red-brown.

Black and white kitchen with built-in steel appliances and fittings

Trendy modern kitchen design ideas often use a super-contrasting palette to create even more impact. For example, a black and white gamma with an accent backsplash or countertop looks ultra-stylish.

Chocolate and coffee palette with caramel walls and floor

The chocolate and coffee palette in the kitchen design looks great with caramel walls and floors, furniture and curtains. Any shades of coffee and chocolate look chic next to the minimalist facades of the headset, and black, gray and brown marble can be used in addition to them. Typically, this interior feels like brown, but due to the more faded (powdered, sometimes slightly gray) palette, it looks more modern.

White and turquoise kitchen with crimson textiles and gold accents

Turquoise and blue hues are gaining popularity in kitchen design in 2023-2024. In modern styles and eclecticism, the trend is saturated, for example, the waters of the Bondi beaches, the shade of the sea wave or the blue lagoon, azure and teal. While neoclassical styles are characterized by lilac, lavender and pastel shades of blue: cornflower blue, sky blue. As a rule, these colors are used in light or completely white interiors.


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123 photos (real) in 4 modern styles

In real apartments, rooms are small, budgets are not unlimited, and this imposes a lot of restrictions on kitchen design.

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