Traditional vs Modern Kitchen Design. What’s The Difference?
The answer that comes to mind when you think of traditional and modern concepts sounds straightforward: the first refers to something older, classic, or retro while the second is something new.
Like having a typewriter and a mobile phone side by side.
Even so, things are not always as they appear. The old and new can be interpreted in various ways in a combined and balanced situation.
Concepts become completely individualised and dependent on the understanding of each individual in the context of architecture and design, but they can still be complementary.
Let’s understand where all this came from first.
How traditional differs from modern style
Classical and traditional architecture is based entirely on the concepts of harmony, order and perfect symmetry. The pursuit of beauty and perfection is a high priority in this style.
The main characteristic is balance, which is achieved through mathematical functions like the golden ratio, for example. As a result, the building’s elements are very proportional to one another and to the whole.
Modern architecture was a movement of innovative ideas that opposed traditional characteristics that emerged in the context of many technical, social, and cultural changes associated with the Industrial Revolution and lasted throughout the twentieth century.
Materials such as iron, steel, glass, and concrete began to be produced on a large scale with the emergence of industry and new technologies, allowing architecture to adopt new and creative solutions for construction and city planning.
Materials combined with new technologies enabled constructions to be taller while remaining light and resistant. Essentially, modern architecture established functionality as the primary goal of construction.
The style was distinguished by the absence of ornaments and the use of basic and straight shapes, as well as the following easily identifiable characteristics: functionality, simplicity, free span, integration, and new materials.
What is a traditional kitchen design style?
Traditional design is a popular décor style that is heavily influenced by 18th and 19th-century European styles.
Dark and rich colours, regal furniture, elegant furnishings, larger cabinets and drawers with wood polish are typical features of traditional architecture for a classic appearance.
What is a modern kitchen design style?
Modern design, in contrast, provides greater functionality by utilising built-in features to maximise the area for quicker cooking and simple organisation.
Modern kitchens often save space while maintaining a high level of comfort, functionality, and affordability.
Traditional vs. Modern kitchen design elements
Let’s take a closer look at the elements to see how they differ between the two styles:
Kitchen Materials: Traditional design uses locally sourced materials such as bricks, stones, and wood. Those were once plentiful and sometimes even free, but they are now quite expensive. Modern design makes extensive use of innovative materials such as concrete, plastics, iron, steel, and glass.
Blinds vs. curtains is a great example. While traditional heavy-textured curtains appear more refined, modern blinds offer greater versatility and ease of maintenance.
Kitchen Floorplan: Traditional homes have a larger footprint because they are divided into many smaller, single-purpose rooms rather than a few large ones.
Modern floor plans are designed to maximise available space while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic, with multifunctional rooms and seamless, open-concept areas.
An open kitchen floor plan can merge the dining room, living room, family room, and other living areas of a house into one large room without any walls separating them.
The layout of many modern and contemporary kitchens is open, with little separation between the kitchen area and any other living spaces on the same floor. These kitchen designs are common in newly built homes and are also common choices for those who decide to remodel an existing kitchen.
Kitchen Windows: Traditional homes typically have smaller, symmetrically placed windows of a similar size and shape. As an outcome, more artificial lighting is required.
Technology allows for the production of windows in a variety of shapes and sizes. The modern home design takes full advantage of this, with large windows and plenty of natural light, making the interior space feel open and airy.
Kitchen Furniture: Traditional cabinets have a textured and rustic appearance, as well as more detail and ornamentation in a variety of shapes and curves. They typically incorporate a warmer colour scheme, with darker and bulkier cabinets than modern kitchen design styles, and elements of French and English style.
Modern kitchens are sleeker and more compact in design. Their cabinet designs feature clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, with square geometric ridges that give them a sleek appearance. The colour scheme is often lighter and includes whites, greys, and metallics.
Final Thoughts
The modern kitchen design is for you if you prefer a more elegant, refined, and sleekly designed space. However, if you value traditional values and appreciate straightforward, traditional architecture, the traditional home will probably be a better fit for you.
When choosing a kitchen design style, there is no right or wrong answer. As long as the design makes sense, is harmonious, and fulfils its intended purpose, traditional and modern design elements can absolutely coexist in the same space.
Apollo Kitchens’ talented designers can make your dreams of a traditional style with modern features a reality. We build custom homes for our customers; you dream it, we build it. If you’d like to learn more, contact us right away for a no-obligation consultation.
