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Modern Kitchen Ideas

Modern kitchens are all about simplicity and sophistication — spaces that look polished and work intuitively. You can design a kitchen to suit your lifestyle, budget and personal taste, to create a room that looks impressive but still feels like home. Contemporary kitchens feature a range of door styles, including, slab, J-pull, modern shaker and handleless. Flat, slab-style doors provide fuss-free styling that offers longevity. J-pull has a handleless look and clean, linear style, while handleless cabinets and profiles provide a minimalist appearance. A modern shaker combines the clean, simple lines of traditional shaker doors with a narrower frame, shallow centre panel and smooth, matt finish. These styles can be used on their own or mixed and matched to achieve a desired look. Contemporary, integrated appliances and lighting enhance the aesthetic.

What makes a modern kitchen
Modern kitchens combine sleek, open layouts with clever and intuitive functionality. Smart storage solutions for every space provide organisation and easy access, helping maintain a calm, clutter-free environment. But contemporary doesn’t have to mean cold. Use warm colours and textures like woodgrains and stones, to bring depth and personality to the table.

Key characteristics of a modern kitchen

Handleless

Contemporary kitchens are known for their clean lines and open spaces, so handleless designs often dominate. Use our handleless cabinets and profile system to create a handle-free design with our Hockley kitchen, or use Clerkenwell, which features an integrated handle within the door.

Mix and match with textures

Modern kitchens are embracing warmer colours and textures, moving away from stark tones and minimal styling. Mix with woodgrain, concrete or stone effects and position bar handles horizontally on doors for a more linear look. Match the handle finish with the tap to add another layer of texture.

HockleySM_White_Concrete_Handleless_Cameo7_Final

Functional Storage

Drawers and hidden storage solutions ensure your kitchen works as well on the inside as it does on the outside. Pull-down and pull-out storage make hard-to-reach spaces more usable. Door balconies turn a standard cupboard door into a statement centrepiece, while built-in waste bins free up floor space and are easy to remove and clean.

Integrated appliances

Integrated appliances combine functionality and help clear worktop space, such as ovens with air-fryer functionality and integrated microwaves. Venting hobs eliminate the need for a bulky, overhead hood.

Statement surfaces

While modern design is known for its minimal feel, it also celebrates individuality. Use bold stone and marble surfaces to add tonal contrast that complements other finishes in the kitchen.

Vertical storage

Take advantage of wall space with open shelving and tall units. Wall-to-wall, vertical storage creates a minimalist, built-in look while freeing up valuable surface areas.

Create a modern kitchen

Modern design isn’t limited to one look — it’s about how you bring it all together. By layering different styles, materials, and finishes, you can create a space that is full of character. From bright and airy to bold and dramatic, colour sets the tone for the entire space.

Light-toned

Soft neutrals like Frome Sandstone can be paired with Hockley Textures Dark Oak, for rich textural variation. Light colours reflect light, making smaller spaces look larger while keeping the look clean and contemporary.

Mid-toned

Greys and taupes, like Hockley Sand Grey, provide balance and warmth. These tones bring depth without overwhelming the space.

Dark-toned

Dark tones like Clerkenwell Super Matt Navy create a striking and luxurious look. Used alone or contrasted with lighter elements like Apollo Snowflake Acrylic Worktop, darker palettes showcase the bold side of modern design.

Explore our kitchens by colour
This year, modern kitchen design is embracing neutral palettes, statement colours to personalise your space, tactile finishes, and natural materials. Dark tones, soft neutrals, and ash greens are leading the way — offering a balance of bold character and sophistication.

Charcoal

Dark Stone

Reed Green

Oak

Bronze

Titanium

KITCHEN VISUALISER

Top modern kitchen ideas for 2026

Here are the top modern kitchen trends shaping the year ahead:

Matt metallics
The latest modern finish, our new Clerkenwell matt metallics feature a dynamic sheen which changes colour under different lights, available in Titanium and Bronze.

Mixed textures

Mix and match with Hockley textures or other woodgrain frontals and use our contemporary glass doors to add character and interest to your kitchen.

Sustainable, natural materials

Reducing environmental impact shouldn’t compromise on style. All timber products we make are FSC or PEFC certified, meaning the materials are sourced from well-managed forests or recycled sources. Over 90% of the materials used to manufacture our cabinets are recyclable.

Statement or layered lighting

Mix spotlights, pendant lights, and cabinet LEDs to create a warm atmosphere that enhances the space.

Matching backboards

Include a kitchen backboard that matches your worktop, turning a functional surface into a standout feature. It protects the walls from splashes and spills too!

Get the look across all budgets

Even with limited space or budget, a well-planned layout and carefully considered features can deliver style, functionality and a clean, contemporary finish. Our Best on Budget slab-style kitchen, Greenwich, is available in several colourways and gloss and matt finishes. Matt Reed Green combines playful character with clean lines. Its matt surface creates an uncluttered backdrop for integrated appliances, sleek worktops, and handleless or minimal hardware.

Affordable choices such as laminate worktops replicate high-end quartz designs, giving a premium look at a budget-friendly price. Modern handle design, like our Lunar Fluted Curved Pull Handles, available in satin brass or smooth black, add another layer of texture and sharp, modern lines.

The importance of function Having high-capacity storage means you can get the most from your space. Drawers and pull-out shelving can make sure food in the back of cupboards is easily accessible and doesn’t go to waste. Integrated appliances help to keep work surfaces clear, creating more workspace in your kitchen — boiling water taps remove the need for the kettle too. Integrated wine coolers and coffee machines are ideal for social gatherings, or to make morning routines simple.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular kitchen style now?

Rather than one single style dominating, the trend for 2026 is the blurring of boundaries between classic and modern. Today’s kitchens often mix elements from both — creating a tailored look that’s contemporary yet characterful.<br>This might mean using shaker and slab doors together or combining J-Pull with a handleless platform to achieve a modern aesthetic without losing depth or personality. For instance, our Frome smooth shaker in Charcoal can be paired with Clerkenwell Matt Metallic Bronze, to create a sophisticated and dramatic space with bold contrast. It’s this ability to mix and match confidently that defines today’s most popular kitchen style — not following one rule but curating your own version of modern living.

What kitchen design never goes out of style?

If you’re looking for a timeless kitchen design that never goes out of style, choose neutral colour palettes and natural materials that will stand the test of time. For example, porcelain or sandstone cabinet doors provide a subtle backdrop that you can customise with different accessories over time. Solid surface worktops are another great choice because they are versatile and long-lasting. Ultimately, the style you choose should suit your lifestyle and taste, creating a space you’ll enjoy for years to come.

What colour cabinets are in for 2026?

In 2026, we can expect a continued expansion of warm neutrals like sandstone, porcelain and sand greys to help create a comforting, cosy atmosphere. Other popular choices include earthy tones like ash green, and bold, deeper shades like charcoal and navy blue.