No matter where you go in the world or what design style you’re emulating, one thing always remains true: the kitchen is the heart of the home. In Europe, this is especially true, with kitchen designs that emphasize efficiency, communal dining, durability, and of course, beauty. So how can you incorporate modern European kitchen design into your American kitchen in Cincinnati? Let’s start with cabinetry…
European-style kitchen cabinets are sleek and frameless, with a heavy preference for slab doors over shaker doors for a clean, minimalist look. Modern European kitchen design also calls for little to no hardware pulls to create a visually pleasing, timeless look. Lower toekicks combined with frameless cabinets add 20% more usable, easily accessible volume into full usable interior space. You’ll see this same principle reflected in the use of slim metal drawers, which contribute to the polished, modern look we love while making use of high-quality, durable materials that stand the test of time. Which brings us to our next pillar of modern European kitchen design…
Space saving.
In general, European kitchens are smaller than American kitchens, meaning designs that prioritize space saving are a must. You’re unlikely to see a kitchen island in a European kitchen, where dining tables are much preferred. You’re also far more likely to see smaller appliances like 24-inch ovens and refrigerators. This reflects a need that is both practical and cultural. In Europe, the universal availability of fresh food markets means less need to store large amounts in the fridge, and without the Thanksgiving turkey tradition, there’s no need for a larger oven. Which brings us to our final pillar of European kitchen design…
Eco-friendliness.
Europeans tend to be more mindful of using eco-friendly materials in their homes and daily lives. Recycled wood products are common. At NOLI, we value sustainability and use over 90% recycled wood products for the cabinetry we create for our Cincinnati metro clients. The end result? Eco-friendly, beautiful designs that align with our values while still being beautiful.
A note on appliances:
In general, Europeans buy European. You’re not likely to see a Kitchenaid or JennAir range or fridge in a European kitchen. Instead, you’ll see brands like Miele, Gaggenau, V-Zug, Liebherr (for refrigeration), and Bora (for induction downdrafts). These brands specialize in the use of high-quality materials Europeans love, while also creating smaller-sized appliances perfect for the European kitchen.
Now that we’ve talked about European kitchens generally, let’s dig a little deeper into region-specific design styles that you can use to inform your own modern kitchen.
Modern Scandinavian and German Design
Scandinavian (or “Scandi”) style designs first started to make waves in the U.S. in the 1950s. These designs feature light colors that reflect what you might find in a Scandinavian forest, for a natural, clean look. Scandi style is known for its simplicity, functionality, and use of natural materials like recycled wood and linen.
Similarly, German kitchens also prioritize minimalism in simplicity in their design, but with a higher emphasis on the technical. This means an even greater emphasis on high-quality materials, and a tendency toward the use of metals to create streamlined, efficient spaces.
In many ways, the German style reflects a hybrid between Scandinavian design and our personal favorite here at NOLI…
Modern Italian Kitchen Design
There are five words that we like to say guide modern Italian kitchen design: Minimalismo, Classico, Monomaterico, Durabilità, and Sartorialità. Minimalismo refers to a principle of visual silence. That means simple, functional spaces devoid of clutter that leave space for the eye to rest. Classico (or senza tempo) is the principle of timelessness – i.e. not following trends for trend’s sake, leaving you with a beautiful kitchen that maintains its elegance over the years to come.
Monomaterico and durabilità both refer to the materials used to create a modern Italian kitchen design. First, you’ll want to use a single – preferably natural – material throughout your kitchen design to create an integrated, minimalismo look. The emphasis on natural materials is where durabilità comes in, which is the principle of using sustainable materials like stone, metal, and wood over synthetic materials that are more likely to degrade over time.
As you can see, following these principles leads to beautiful results that we are proud to create for our clients.
Ready to take the plunge and create the modern Italian-style kitchen of your dreams?
NOLI can help you meld a European style into your American kitchen
At NOLI, we know exactly how to scale up the modern European kitchen model for the American kitchen, creating a beautiful result that fits our clients’ homes and lifestyles. Come to our Cincinnati showroom or contact us to get started!
