What’s The Right Kitchen Style For You?
What kitchen style do you prefer – contemporary, modern or transitional? Perhaps your dream kitchen is a combination of all three. When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by these stylistic buzzwords. Each category means something different to every person, and despite what magazines or retail stores might have you believe, it is possible to like and utilize portions of all styles in your home. How you define your vision and style for your kitchen depends on your lifestyle and the way you use your kitchen space.
The Perfect Kitchen Style For You
This is where the importance of working with a design team comes in. If you live in the Washington, DC area, Wentworth can help bring your dream kitchen to life! When you work with a design team to flesh out the details of your kitchen remodeling project, your family’s personal tastes and preferences come to the forefront. From the outset of every kitchen project, we always ask our clients to clip pictures from magazines or spend time going through our website to identify examples of favorite projects. We want to know your likes and dislikes: favorite colors, dream kitchen setup, the styles you’re most drawn to, etc.
While you investigate your favorite types of styles and kitchens, the Wentworth team will meticulously document your thoughts. These notes, coupled with notes and ideas gathered from visiting your home, will give our team a sense of your style and ensure any kitchen project truly fits you – whether you’re contemporary, modern, transitional or a little bit of all three.
Contemporary Kitchen Designs
Contemporary: (adj) belonging to the same age; living or occurring at the same time.
A contemporary kitchen will typically incorporate today’s fashionable products, colors and materials. A contemporary kitchen is one that is “of the time and spirit,” and might include granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and eco-friendly kitchen cabinets. While a contemporary kitchen design won’t push the design envelope, it will be practical, cost-effective and an attractive choice for your home.
Transitional Kitchen Designs
Transitional: (adj) the act or state of passing from one place, condition or action to another.
If you like to mix time periods, colors and materials, you may be drawn to a transitional kitchen design. A transitional kitchen design might incorporate subway tile as a backsplash that recalls the 1920s, but still meshes well with modern, high-tech appliances for homeowners who want the latest amenities. A quartz countertop in a fun color might also be a feature in a transitional kitchen. Because the transitional style includes a variety of styles, they tend to be more complex than a contemporary style and allow the homeowner to express their personal tastes and needs. In a transitional kitchen, the design can borrow from different time periods, mix materials, colors, technology and cultures to create a unique kitchen space. To ensure that all of these elements come together in an aesthetically pleasing way, it’s best to consult with a professional designer/architect.
Modern Kitchen Designs
Modern: (adj) of or pertaining to the present or recent time; not ancient; up-to-date; an architectural term often used to describe a design movement that combines functionalism with aesthetic ideals that include rejection of historical design precepts and styles.
The term “modern” is perhaps the most misused term in design. Modern should ideally be applied to those designs that have the least historical reference to the past. Generally, a modern design is seen in a newly built home. An older home often requires a design that segues from older to newer. A modern kitchen puts a great deal of emphasis on functionality and ensuring the kitchen features the most up-to-date appliances, electronics and cooking tools. Technical and functional issues play a big role in the design, and once those issues have been worked out, materials, colors, and finishes are chosen –all typically with a minimalistic feel. To get a better feel for modern kitchen design, check out the Boffi Georgetown online showroom.
Whatever your preferred kitchen style is, our team can help ensure your kitchen design seamlessly complements your lifestyle and needs. Even if you don’t know which style is best for your home, we’re happy to help you figure it out. If you’re ready to start your kitchen remodeling project, contact Wentworth for a design consultation today in the Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia area!
