The Making of Modern Kitchens

You’re taking the leap to renovate, extend or build your dream home. Congratulations, you’ve taken the first step!

While some of us have been dreaming about our future home for years, others have no idea where to begin or what style to pursue. Recently, styles are becoming more complicated even if they don’t appear to be. Hybrid styles are emerging. Pinning down the exact look and ambience you want is tricky. So, we’ve gone ahead and created a guide of the most relevant hybrid designs in 2020.

In this post we’re uncovering the inner workings of modern hybrid kitchens, and how you can achieve your own. So, get set for a crash course in the most popular styles right now, and ways to modernise your home.   

cortses architect
Photo Source: Cortese Architects

Modern Minimalist 


What some may perceive as a true modern kitchen, the minimalist style is a hallmark of this design to create clean and angular lines. This style often features clean palettes and neutral colours. The kitchen above features black accents, with all white cabinetry and a marble backsplash. This allows light to be bounced off the white surfaces and floods the room with an airy and bright ambience. It also hones the attention of the room to create statements by incorporating a marbled backsplash, making it the feature piece of this kitchen. To achieve this look, focus on stripping back the floor-plan you currently have and incorporating form and functionality with slimline cabinetry and a clean palette. Cabinetry that has profiled handles or is push-to-open is preferred, angular furniture like the stools and pendant featured in the kitchen above.

Shop the look with our popular Modern Minimalist pieces:


OptiMatt PET Matt Velvet Cabinetry in White 
optimatt white


OptiMatt PET Matt Velvet Cabinetry in Premium Black 

OptiMatt Black

Stefano Orlati Capri J Profile Handles in Matt White 
SO CapriJ Wh 


Stefano Orlati Capri J Profile Handles in Matt Black 
SO CapriJ MB

studio matsalla
Photo Source: Studio Matsalla

Mid-Century Modern 


Often labelled “Palm Springs” this style highlights the importance of functionality and indoor-outdoor living typical in a modern floor plan. This style features bold colours and furniture straight out of a 1950s home. Floor to ceiling windows, skylights galore and elaborate fireplaces are injected to add a mid-century flair to the modern Australian home. The kitchen above incorporates round pendants, a wood-grain cabinetry, white countertop and wall cabinetry as well as a pastel tiled splash-back. Unlike the minimalist approach, mid-century styles tend to highlight contrasting shapes while adding bold pops of colour. Square and profile handles tend to suit this style perfectly, while incorporating smaller knobs for drawers can work well. To achieve this look, we recommend woodgrain cabinetry with a bold accent; for instance, a bold wall cabinetry choice or white wall cabinetry with a bold splash-back.



Shop the look with our most popular Mid-Century Modern pieces:



OptiGrain PET Woodgrain in Riven Walnut 
Riven Walnut

OptiGrain PET Woodgrain in Riven Red Oak  
Red Oak

OptiMatt PET Matt Velvet in White
optimatt white

Stefano Orlati Square Handle 3447 in Matt Black 
3447

Earthborne

Photo Source: Earthborne By Design

Coastal Modern 


We have sandy feet just thinking about all the gorgeous Coastal Modern designs that are taking over homes along the South Coast of Australia. This hybrid blends the predominately white foundation with carefully paired tropical plants, warm timbers, whitewashed floors and the occasional striped accent piece. This allows an ambient feel of equal parts cool and equal parts warm; achieving the perfect balance of coastal and rustic. The kitchen above has a white base, with the island featuring a simple weatherboard pattern, contrasted with warm timber cabinetry and wicker chairs and pendants. Light and bright staple pieces are a must, while the addition of different timbers and wicker textures mesh the multi-faceted interior styles to emerge as coastal modern.



Shop the look with our must-have Coastal Modern pieces:

OptiGrain PET Woodgrain in Grey Oak.   
grey oak

OptiGrain PET Woodgrain in Riven White Oak
white oak

OptiGlaz High Gloss Acrylic in Ice White
ice white


OptiMatt PET Matt Velvet Cabinetry in White
optimatt white


Stefano Orlati Square Handles 5076 in Chrome 
5076


Stefano Orlati Capri J Profile Handles in Matt White  

SO CapriJ Wh

lucas boyd

Photo Source: Lucas Boyd for The Interiors Addict

Scandi Modern 

Home to Ikea furniture, Scandinavian Modern is not as stark as many of us may think. Sure, pastels, blonde wood and functional furniture are what it’s known for, but Scandi Modern can be so much more. The kitchen above features simplistic white cabinetry, with matt black handles and an oak bench top which bleeds into subway tiles. Ultimately, this could be straight out of an Ikea catalogue but if you’re more daring playing with light pastels, pinks, dark blues and greens could take your kitchen to the next level. These statement colours are taking over the Nordic countries and are becoming an increasing trend. Paired with the simplistic and functional Scandinavian design they bring a sense of sophistication to any kitchen. 



Shop the look with our must-have Scandinavian Modern pieces:




OptiGrain PET Woodgrain in Riven Walnut 
Riven Walnut

OptiMatt PET Matt Velvet Cabinetry in White
optimatt white

OptiMatt PET Matt Velvet Cabinetry in Midnight
midnight


Stefano Orlati Profile Handle 2163 in Matt Black
2163

Stefano Orlati Capri J Profile Handle in Matt White 
SO CapriJ Wh