The kitchen is truly the heart of the home — we know, it’s a cliche, but only because it’s true.

Think of the last big party you threw—you had the entire home spotless; you arranged comfy seating in every nook of the living room; you had tables set for buffet and hor d’oeuvres — but where did everybody end up gathering? The kitchen, of course!

Whether it’s hosting high-class guests or doing homework, it seems the kitchen always ends up acting as the homes central station. Since we spend so much time in this space, let’s make it as modern, glamorous and inviting as possible.

Here are some amazing modern kitchen cabinet ideas that will spark your own kitchen decorating:

 

A dark black minimalist kitchen with steel touches is very modern. Image Source: Ida Architects

1) Veneer Wood Cabinetry Can Be A Warm Kitchen Addition
The use of slab, wood veneer cabinet doors is a trend ( for more trends check out – 13 Fresh Kitchen Trends in 2014 You Must See )that adds warmth and depth to a modern kitchen. According to Taylor Craft Cabinet Door Company, slab veneer doors have been popular in Europe for decades and are now finally increasing in popularity in the United States.

Certainly there are numerous reasons for this growing popularity. One may suspect this is propelled by the growing trend towards natural products and bringing nature back into the home. Veneer slabs showcase wood grains in a magnificent manner; the grain patterns seem to tell a tale from the tree it originated, so of course nature lovers would enjoy this aesthetic.

Buyers must beware of the ranging qualities of slab veneer cabinets. It is best to find a highly-skilled, reputable dealer. Not all veneers are created equal and if done poorly, the edging or banding that holds the veneer in place will peel and/or the laminate can begin to peel or chip. If done properly, you can enjoy decades of warmth from these modern cabinet masterpieces.

 

Veneer slab wood doors can give a modern kitchen depth and warmth. Image Source: Risher Martin

2) Add the Sleek Style of Stainless Steel to Your Kitchen
Nothing says sleek and modern more than stainless steel. Most homeowners are opting for stainless steel appliances, even in their country-style kitchens. In order to make this trend completely contemporary, try adding steel kitchen cabinets.

Your kitchen will be a stylish modern mecca when outfitted with stainless steel cabinet doors. Aside from the high-end look, stainless steel cabinetry comes with some ups and downs. The down part is obvious, the fingerprints and potential for scratches. However, there are some stainless steel fabrications that claim to be highly resistant to these annoyances.

The upside to these steely cabinets is vast. Some of the main perks being: environmental (use of steel over wood), easy to clean, extremely sanitary (which is why they began in commercial grade kitchens), and durable (aside from potential scratches). If solid stainless steel cabinets are out of your price range, then there are options of MDF cabinets that are layered with steel over top. Either way, stainless steel can be an amazing addition to your modern kitchen.

 

Stainless steel cabinets are durable but watch out for annoying fingerprints! Image Source: 38 Spatial

3) Lacquered Kitchen Cabinets Add a Lush Modern Look
Lacquered kitchen cabinets are like a newly painted car parked in your kitchen— bright, shiny and rich in color. Lacquer cabinets are manufactured by a process of applying numerous coats of lacquer, followed by polishing and waxing.

If done properly, lacquer finishes can be durable and scratch-resistant. However, most people would say that this type of finish is not the perfect choice for busy families with children because lacquer has been known to chip.

If you are willing to risk this, then the high-gloss shine of lacquer cabinets may be the choice for your modern kitchen cabinetry, as its sleek aesthetic is unmatched. You can get lacquer cabinets in virtually any color of your choosing, but be aware that in order to maintain that glossy sheen, you must clean them properly.

There are numerous products out there that claim to clean lacquer, but just be sure to use the right thing as some chemicals can actually eat away at the finish.

If this is your cabinet choice, it’s probably best to ask the manufacturer for cleaning instructions.

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White lacquer kitchen cabinets offer a clean, shiny look to your modern kitchen. Image Source: Blenture

4) Floating Shelves Can Replace Kitchen Cabinetry
The epitome of modern design is clean lines. What better way to achieve a clean, open floor plan than by doing away with kitchen cabinets and installing floating shelves, instead?

Floating shelves add straight lines that pair well with any modern or contemporary decor. Most homeowners opt for this style for the upper cabinets and then have closed cabinetry doors for the bottom half of their kitchen. This allows for storage of all those unsightly appliances and utensils.

A few wooden floating shelves in combination with a glass backsplash or shiny subway tile backsplash will take your kitchen from blah to breathtaking! The only downside of floating shelves is the lack of hidden storage. It takes a very organized person to keep these open units from becoming cluttered and unsightly.

If you are clean and organized than this may be the look for your kitchen + if you need some ideas you should check this post : 30 Scandinavian Kitchen Ideas That Will Make Dining a Delight

 

A kitchen with floating shelves is very airy and open, but just be sure you have enough storage. Image Source: Schwartz Architecture

5) Modern Kitchen Cabinets Can Still Have Color
When most think of a modern kitchen, their minds immediately envision a sleek white or black kitchen void of bright colors, but color can be modern, too.

Why not have cherry red lacquer or laminate cabinets? Or bright cobalt blue? Or even try teal on for size? All of these colors can be used in conjunction with contemporary decor. Especially when it comes to mid-century modern decor — well-placed color and pattern is king for this epic era of style.

If you want to add a flourish of color to your kitchen, then consider colored cabinets. You may choose to use just a touch of color via one or two upper cabinets, or go for a big bang with an entire fiery red kitchen — either way, it will make a huge style statement.

Just be sure to love the color before committing. You will be seeing it everyday (before you have coffee in the morning), so it must be a color you can live with.