There is nothing sloppy about modern Italian kitchens. For furniture design, they rank among the highest in the world for having an impeccable sense of style. The high quality of materials gives Italy the honor of being the largest exporter of wood in Europe.
‘Made in Italy’ is not only a stamp of origin but a guarantee that you receive protected goods from counterfeiting. Therefore, modern Italian kitchen cabinets are trendy, not only for their original designs but for quality, too. More homeowners are demanding products that adhere to a strict quality control process across different kitchen lines for cabinets.
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Evolution of Italian Kitchens
Kitchen islands trace back in Italy to the 14th century. They limited counter space because of the massive fireplaces needed for cooking. Prepping food had always been a traditional sport, and a large oblong table was always in the center of the room.
The Victorian era brought worktables to other areas of Europe. However, it was not until the 1950s that the United States became romanticized with the idea of the transformed kitchen peninsula compared to any previous traditional style. After all, built-in stoves and refrigerators had shortened the counter space. Today, a dream kitchen always includes a continuous counter and a kitchen island, more suited for socializing, and adopts a luxurious style with visually powerful interior design accents.
The Italians have always been a leader in trendsetting designs, and the kitchen is no different. As predicted by interior designers, here is what to look for in modern Italian kitchen design.
Kitchen/Breakfast Bar Combo
Two-tiered kitchen islands are the perfect choice for multitasking, preparing dinner, and conversing with after-school kids and friends. A contemporary wood and natural stone design will match most kitchen cabinet designs.
The separation of tiers can be higher or lower than the island countertop. A lower countertop is an excellent idea for older folks that struggle with barstool height. They are also easier for tiny tots to climb and watch mom as she cooks.
Inspiration of Italian Chefs
The tools of the trade are essential to any Italian chef, and so is the organization. We can find hooks and strips on walls to hang the most critical cooking supplies in the kitchen industry, restaurants, and homes.
Vast open space on countertops makes rolling dough for pastries easier. Hidden storage spaces are also crucial to Italian chefs. By listening to chefs that are experts in what a traditional Italian kitchen design should include, architects and designers can create needed storage systems and aesthetic solutions.
Organization for Inside Cabinets
Structured architecture with clean lines is a must for a modern kitchen design. Storage space for integrated appliances, like microwaves, ovens, and warming drawers, gets included in a contemporary Italian design.
Cabinets that have pull-out drawers for easy access are also a thoughtful addition. Shelves and racks in islands that pull out are excellent places for storing crock pots, toaster ovens, and other bulky items. They craft pantry cabinets to have adjustable shelves for different-sized containers.
Large Open Living Spaces
Italian interiors of modern design include islands for conversing and spaces large enough to have a dining and living area. They often incorporate quality cabinets of the same contemporary style as the kitchen into bookcases or wall units of ample living space.
Modular systems are becoming a trend, especially in small spaces where a sizeable permanent kitchen island is not workable. Many contemporary Italian kitchens in Europe are already familiar with these units, which are added to many small kitchen areas and have been for many years.
Known as bespoke furniture or custom kitchen pieces, designers build them to the specifications of your room, at an offsite location, before final delivery to your home when completed. Because they are portable, moving to other spaces is simple and convenient.
Natural Materials
We see reclaimed wood for cabinets and stone countertops in different kitchen lines by Italian designers. Because they selected the highest quality materials over the many years of Italian craftsmanship, they also manufactured modern kitchen cabinets out of solid wood. Cedar, walnut, maple, and oak are a few of the woods used in Italian furniture and cabinets.
Marble and Italian granite are most commonly used in the highest standard of Italian countertops. Greece, Italy, and Spain have the purest and most durable granite in the world. You will see mention of Italian granite by many upscale designers.
There are different levels of quality depending on where granite mining occurs. Most manufacturers use granite from Canada, Brazil, and India for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities. Although these granites may not have the rich culture of Italian granite, they all have a stunning visual appeal.
Matte glass cabinets and glass doors are a luxurious statement to Italian designs like Piero Lissoni, where cabinet surfaces have developed into works of art. A Pedini kitchen is another example of the innovative design we can credit for having the Italian kitchen of your dreams.
Color Palettes
While neutral colors fit an Italian traditional style, your color scheme can significantly affect your everyday life. Decide what you want your kitchen to say to you each morning before making a significant investment in a kitchen remodel.
If you want a cozy kitchen with a past Italian flavor, look to wood and different color combinations. Italian designer, L’Ottocento, offers contemporary styles that use defining touches of classic design for a Mediterranean charm. Dark wood with soft beige and a secondary green or red can add the perfect blend of tradition.
An Aran Cucine kitchen is bold and bright with a modern look for trendy fast-paced millennials. For example, a unique design of red glossy cabinets against white high-gloss lacquer will set the pace for the entire day. Made of high-tech engineered polymers and laminates, sleek design materials rule any kitchen space. New modern bathrooms also use this type of material with bath cabinets, creating a massive upgrade. A mixture of curved and straight lines presents a futuristic overall design.
Known for creating new ideas for your personal taste, Aran Cucine can arrange cabinets curved, vertically, or horizontally for a fresh modern appearance. The one-of-a-kind creations are fascinating. A J-shaped kitchen with glossy yellow pine may sound unusual, but not when you leave accredited kitchen designers to the task.
Cesar kitchens of New York take a different approach with fluidity, different colors, and material. Built-in stainless steel appliances, various wood shades, white countertops, and modern glass light fixtures.
Straight lines that are flush need not be boring with natural light and under-counter LED lights that stress the room’s afforded much space. Streamlined and impeccably designed, it is apparent that they did not create this kitchen in a production facility.
Hot Trends for Italian Designed Kitchens
Traditional kitchen design ideas are often based on including a piece of Italian design history. For instance, the use of cooking techniques of historical significance is returning. We can incorporate wood-burning ovens and wide pasta rolling countertops with different styles.
The traditional feel of the Tuscan countryside will never go out of style. Warm wood cabinets and wood ceiling beams are what the spirit of Italy is all about. Huge feasts with family and friends in a natural setting will always be trendy. Using antiques versus modern accessories around the cooking area brings back the Old World charm.
Open shelves that display the various fresh spices and cooking utensils bring the old country to life. Transitioning to a more upbeat environment is the new movement in Italian design. Replacing cabinets can be the first step in modernizing your Italian kitchen.
Gray cabinets with Italian granite countertops deliver a warm feeling to an ultra-modern design. Blues and greens are other favored colors for contemporary design warmth. This type of decor can also blend well with an adjoining living room. Stainless steel cabinets and countertops are becoming more common in elite homes.
Once only used in commercial kitchens, there are more and more designers turning to this incredible material. Besides having a beautiful sheen and working well with wood, glass, and other metals, stainless steel is hygienic and non-porous. Nothing will leach into the surface, nor will it support the growth of bacteria.
You will never see stainless steel end up in the garbage. This metal alloy is entirely recyclable if it wears out after years of use. Durable, versatile, and easy to clean, stainless steel compliments Italian design and others.
MandiCasa has a collection of luxury modern kitchen cabinetry that proves how many ranges of materials can come together for refined Italian design. All forms merge into exquisite beauty, from wood to glass and stainless steel.
Backsplashes with hidden shelves emerge that offer an aligned look to kitchen cabinets. Using the same material and hardware as the upper cabinets presents a molded look for a modern Italian style. We can achieve a traditional look by lining with backsplash material of wood, bricks, or stone. This area can provide hidden storage space for items not accommodating to your new Italian kitchen look.
Nothing can compare to a kitchen with professional lighting installed by a lighting expert. LED lighting is the most exciting trend for Italian kitchens. The lighting is always part of the original design, and Italian designers will provide a complete layout for ambient lighting and task lighting.
If your kitchen has extra room, consider placing a bookcase against an entire wall with vertical separations. Use LED lighting to create shadowboxes to show off your assortment of Italian novelties. Line up favorite cookbooks, or get personal with world trip photos or portraits of the family.
Suspended Details
The suggestion of floating on air is apparent in many Italian styles. For example, suspending a cabinet or island base with LED lights adds a unique attraction. We can use this look in large and small kitchens to draw the eye to detail.
Many excellent Italian kitchen designers can transform your space and leave a lasting impression on their creations. Always consider the open areas surrounding the kitchen for a balanced flow of color and texture.
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Karen Garton, Senior Writer
Experienced Writer with 20+ years. Demonstrated writing experience includes technical writing, magazines, story writing, and journalist projects. Karen has a powerful media and communication background with academic training from LaSalle University (architecture, interior design) and business college courses. She loves editing novels and contributed to a national art journal. See her detailed profile on Our Team page.
