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Contemporary versus Traditional Kitchen Designs
by Jami J. Rodgers
Increasingly, the kitchen is the place to be in your house. Gone are the days of trying to camouflage appliances and using the kitchen solely as a place to prepare food. Contemporary kitchens are the nucleus of the modern home and often contain living and entertainment spaces. One distinguishing factor of contemporary kitchen design is that it places appliances at the forefront of your new kitchen, often as focal points. Shining, stainless steel refrigerators, ranges, and gleaming sinks are showpieces.
Traditional kitchen design is based in part on post-World War II assembly line efficiency. The sink is typically placed under the window, with the dishwasher to either side, or the cook top near double-oven doors with a large refrigerator off to one side. The traditional kitchen design was all about efficiency rather than aesthetic appeal or functionality as entertainment space.
Kitchen designs in contemporary homes focus on functionality combined with aesthetic appeal. You will find considerable use of sleek, simple lines and contemporary materials. Popular surfaces include stainless steel, natural woods, slate, concrete, and stone such as granite and marble. In addition, modern kitchen design often incorporates advanced conveniences, such as wine storage, warming drawers, and trash compactors. The most crucial aspect of contemporary kitchen design not the surfaces or appliances -- it's that you pick a layout conducive to preparing food and entertaining. Its configuration will determine the satisfaction you derive from your kitchen, the heart of your home.
Jami J. Rodgers is a freelance writer with a B.S. in Spanish with a business option and an international studies minor from The Pennsylvania State University.
