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43 Contemporary Kitchens

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See the latest and greatest in contemporary kitchen design, including kitchens that incorporate rustic, modern and traditional features while keeping everything definitively up to date.

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Photo: Halstead Real Estate, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Halstead Real Estate and Luxury Portfolio International®
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Contemporary Kitchen Design Ideas

Contemporary kitchens are trending as homeowners look for sleek, clutter-free and easy-to-clean spaces featuring contemporary kitchen cabinets, distinctive lighting, seamless surfaces and hidden appliances. Cooking shows have made many of us long for the kind of work-centric chef's kitchen where we can try out new recipes and which become gathering spots during parties.

A chef's dream, this open concept contemporary kitchen features two islands and a gas range. The neutral color scheme is broken up by accents of gold in the pendant lighting and hardware.

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Photo: Kacey Gilpin Photography. From: Bailey Austin Design
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White Chef Kitchen With Yellow Banquette

This Tulsa home was originally designed by renowned architect Charles Faudree. But as the years passed, its kitchen needed modernizing, especially for homeowners who love to entertain. A bright white palette and lots of gourmet details checked off all the boxes.

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Photo: Tomas Espinoza
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Stowed Away

Dishwasher, refrigerator and even bar stools are all tucked away in this space-saving living room and kitchen combo in a tiny home.

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Photo: Tomas Espinoza
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A Family-Scaled Home

With four boys ranging from ages 12 to 17 (and dog Lucy), downsizing from a 4,700-square-foot home to 2,600 square feet meant that Elizabeth and Curt Nesbitt had to be smart about their space. Their stunning, contemporary Sullivan's Island home on the lush green marsh of the Intracoastal Waterway benefits from an airy, open living room, dining room and kitchen on the home's second floor. Floor to ceiling windows let the light flood in and make the space appear even more expansive. Designer Jenny Keenan worked with the Nesbitts on the smart, chic design of their spacious-feeling home.

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Photo: Tomas Espinoza
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Wood Spells Warmth

Wood floors and shelving help to add organic warmth to this contemporary kitchen.

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Photo: Nathan Schroder. From: SHM ARCHITECTS
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Bright Contemporary Kitchen

A long marble island stretches across this airy kitchen design. Clear-back chairs, metallic pendant lights and a marble backsplash complement the light, shining style of the space. An accent wall of blue cabinets pops in the room.

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Photo: KC Interior Design
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A Sleek Contemporary Kitchen

Designer Kitchy Crouse created an open kitchen to give plenty of room for entertaining. She used a restrained material palette, consisting of walnut, quartz and painted wood cabinets. To maintain the clean look, she used a Neolith backsplash and white quartz countertops.

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Photo: Chad Mellon. From: Brooke Wagner
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An Open Plan

The dark floor of this contemporary kitchen gives gravitas to the open concept space. Bonus points: The barstools' brass is a striking contrast against the charcoal gray.

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Photo: Matthew Meier Photography. From: Inplace Studio
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Warm Wood Takes the Edge Off

Warm-toned accents in this contemporary kitchen design are balanced by a sharp, gray marble island countertop. Teak cabinetry features a decorative lined finish and complements the use of wood throughout the design. Window frames and skylight beams frame the room to accentuate the geometrical look.

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Photo: Expressive Architectural Photography. From: Inplace Studio
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In the Details

Exposed beams make this contemporary kitchen feel cozy, even with vaulted ceilings. Upholstered teal barstools with chrome legs fit perfectly underneath the counter. A wine fridge also fits snuggly under the counter for easy access.

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Dramatic Backsplash

An island with a sink is central to this contemporary kitchen in that it adds extra prep space. The dark wood island and surrounding cabinets are complemented by a stunning custom blue backsplash behind the stainless steel range.

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Photo: Annie Carruthers. From: The Carruthers
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Modern-Meets-Contemporary Design

Tall ceilings and crisp white walls make the kitchen feel larger than life. Adjacent to the long kitchen island, a dining area for eight allows the cook to prepare meals and entertain guests seamlessly.

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Photo: Design 4 Corners. From: Design 4 Corners
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Kitchen Drama

The U-shaped kitchen cabinets provide plenty of counter space while giving definition to this contemporary kitchen, separating it from the rest of the first floor. The barstools provide a casual dining option but their close proximity also allows them to serve as an extension to the dining area.

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Photo: Photography by Robin Stubbert
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Orange Pop

The intense hue of the upper cabinets in this kitchen was chosen for its mood-lifting qualities. Studies have shown that the color orange stimulates optimism and a positive outlook. Considering most of us spend a little time each morning in the kitchen, starting each day with a cheery outlook is ideal.

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Photo: Tomas Espinoza
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Tuxedo Kitchen

A sophisticated take on the most utilitarian of spaces, this black and white kitchen uses black subway tiles for a chic take on the usual white tile and open shelving to give this small space a sense of expansiveness.

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Photo: Tomas Espinoza
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Natural Wood

The natural wood of the pendant cage is nicely set off by the more modern, matte finish of the kitchen cabinets in this original contemporary Georgia kitchen.

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Photo: David Tsay (styled by Liz Strong). From: HGTV Magazine
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Ready for Its Close-Up

This open and airy kitchen featured in HGTV Magazine combines a contemporary look with quirky details like the mod light fixture overhead.

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Photo: Alexia Fodere. From: DKOR Interiors
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Sometimes Less Is More

Clean and pristine, this white contemporary kitchen is the perfect antidote to the busy day-to-day world.

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Photo: Alexia Fodere. From: DKOR Interiors
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Just a Touch of Color

Sleek cabinets and a minimalist light fixture make an eye-catching combination in this contemporary kitchen. A large white island below complements the space's clean lines and gives the owners a designated spot for prepping dinner.

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Stainless Steel Built-In Kitchen Range and Hood

A built-in gas stovetop sits beneath a matching stainless steel range hood in this stylish kitchen. Gray countertops, white cabinets and a white subway-tile backsplash round out the kitchen's contemporary look.

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Photo: Stacey Brandford. From: HGTV Magazine
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High-Low Kitchen

Even though laminate is low-cost, it doesn’t feel like you’re skimping if you combine it with glossy tiles and stainless appliances. The laminate countertop is a mix of all the room’s colors, and adds an affordable element to this high-end kitchen.

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A Statement Barstool

This contemporary kitchen is a stylish eye-catching space with unique metal barstools. The contemporary furnishings give it charm and appeal.

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Photo: Paige Rumore Photography. From: Vernich Interiors
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Go for the Gold

A single bank of black cabinets is a striking visual surprise in the kitchen, tying in with the same-colored island and range hood. Throughout the room, golden accents bring welcome warmth and glow.

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Photo: Merrick Ales Photography. From: Christen Ales
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Letting the Outside In

This light, airy kitchen blends seamlessly into the outdoor entertainment space. To help achieve this goal, designer Christen Ales installed walls of windows to separate the indoor and outdoor spaces. This feature allows plenty of beautiful natural light inside to reflect off the neutral color palette.

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Photo: Ryan Garvin. From: Brooke Wagner
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Chasing Waterfalls

This striking white contemporary kitchen uses marble throughout, including down the sides of the kitchen island, creating a cool, waterfall-like visual that is both stylish and functional.

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Photo: Halstead Real Estate, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Halstead Real Estate and Luxury Portfolio International®
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Fantasy Island

The custom contemporary kitchen inside this colonial-style home features a large center island with a luxury countertop. The oak floor runs throughout the interior.

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Photo: Jeff Herr. From: Terracotta Design Build
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Color Makes the Mood

This galley kitchen in Decatur, Georgia, was designed to be a functional yet stylish space that allows for effortless cooking and entertaining. This kitchen, with its mix of contemporary and traditional elements, features a deep sink and stainless appliances, gorgeous green cabinets and a wood dining table that seats six.

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Photo: Edina Realty, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Edina Realty Home Services Exceptional Properties Division and Luxury Portfolio International®
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Mixing Contemporary and Traditional Elements

This open-concept kitchen effortlessly blends contemporary and traditional elements with its pairing of white shaker cabinets and sleek gold hardware as well as a large, minimalistic island featuring modern black and gold stools. A textured gray backsplash adds warmth to the space.

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Photo: Richardson Properties, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Richardson Properties and Luxury Portfolio International®
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Dining In

This white contemporary kitchen boasts professional grade appliances, timeless wooden cabinets, a wine fridge, wet bar and exposed wooden beams overhead. The countertops are fitted with granite and tile backsplash. At the long, narrow island, four guests can dine comfortably in high-back modern chairs.

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Photo: Edina Realty, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Edina Realty Home Services Exceptional Properties Division and Luxury Portfolio International®
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Gold and Gray Add Interest

This expansive open concept kitchen features all-white shaker cabinets with sleek gold hardware. A dark countertop lines the wall and sits opposite a bright white countertop on the large kitchen island. A textured gray backsplash warms up the mostly white space.

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Photo: Marisa Vitale. From: Natalie Myers
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Hip Kitchen

Four, red high-back chairs sit beneath the modern, panda white slab island in this modern kitchen. The black-and-white pattern continues in the backsplash, with modern floating storage shelves and cabinetry.

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Photo: Amy Bartlam. From: Jenn Feldman Designs
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A Kitchen With Seaside Shades of Blue and White

This kitchen is beautifully balanced with blue lower cabinets and an island paired with white upper cabinets and a clean white subway tile backsplash. Brass accents and hardwood floors bring in sunnier tones.

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Photo: Collete Wright, the lipstick lens. From: Susannah Watts
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A Kitchen for Fans of the Grape

In a fun and practical touch of whimsy, a slim stack of cubes holds wine bottles next to the refrigerator in this funky contemporary kitchen.

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Photo: Daniel Contelmo Jr.. From: Daniel Contelmo
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Eat-In Kitchen

Most of this kitchen is gleaming white with gold accents, but in the center of the room, a blue banquette tucks into the island. The color contrast is a place for the eye to rest and an imaginative way to make the room even more inviting and functional.

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Photo: Ryan Gravin . From: sKout
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Open and Contemporary

In an effort to create a space that feels maximally open and easy, designers opted not to hang pendants over the island. Lighting comes instead from sconces, and sightlines continue all the way out the windows and glass door.

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Photo: Harry Norman, Realtors, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Harry Norman, REALTORS and Luxury Portfolio International®
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Light Show

Smoky glass pendant lights, wide, open doorways, high ceilings and a light-colored palette make this gourmet kitchen feel visually connected to the rest of the home, though walls provide some separation.

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Photo: Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales, The Hamptons, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales, The Hamptons
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Stylish Gourmet Kitchen

It's fun to imagine the meals that could be created in this masterpiece of a kitchen. A top-of-the-line La Cornue range will make any chef cheer; a waterfall marble countertop makes a cool stage for prep work.

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Photo: Julie Soefer. From: Marie Flanigan Interiors
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Contemporary Breakfast Nook

A David Weeks Kopra Burst chandelier floats like a stylish cloud over this breakfast nook's unique Knoll dining table. Its oval shape tucks perfectly into the smaller, open plan dining area.

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Photo: Gibson International, a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. From: Gibson International
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Double Trouble

The fabulous cook’s kitchen is filled with natural light from the large windows and skylights. Double islands provide plenty of prep and work space, as well as a great spot for dining. Custom Italian cabinets allow for much-needed storage while creating a one-of-a-kind look.

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Photo: Jessica Alexander. From: Natalie Myers
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A Fresh Galley Kitchen

The redesigned galley kitchen is a bright and beautiful update with white shiplap walls, light maple flooring and bright white counters. Shaker-style cabinetry in a muted gray is embellished with satin gold drawer pulls. High-end stainless appliances include a wine fridge.

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Photo: Chris Foster. From: Erica Broberg Smith
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Everything Old Is New Again

This midcentury kitchen has everything: a stainless stove and range hood, a large island with an eat-in counter, ample cabinetry and a formal dining space just steps away. Four metallic barstools complete the space.

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Photo: Donna Dotan. From: Claire Paquin
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A Striking Backsplash

An earthy yet glamorous tile backsplash brings a punch of style to this contemporary kitchen. White cabinetry extends to the ceiling to maximize storage. The small kitchen makes maximum use of the basement in this contemporary home.

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Photo: Cate Black. From: Butter Lutz Interiors
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Organic Elements

Honey-colored wood cabinets are handsomely broken up by this kitchen's island, topped by a white waterfall countertop.