Homes & Gardens: How do you Soften a Modern Kitchen?

13 tips from designers on the balance between contemporary and cozy.

Modern kitchens are classic, but the key to the look is to soften the space and make it feel welcoming too.

Featured in Homes & Gardens | Article by Abby Wilson

Image credit: CALAFIA Home Design; Chantel Elshout Studio for Davonport; Lisa Petrole / Christina Kim Interior Design

Modern kitchens are always a popular choice, however, in recent years there has been a clear shift in trends. Minimalism has a new look and it's less about stark spaces and clean lines and more about blending this pared-back look with other, softer styles. 

Trends like soft minimalism and modern organic have overtaken straight up modern kitchens. These aesthetics toe the line between all-out farmhouse and full-blown contemporary, creating a timeless space that's not only functional but welcoming to all.

Blend Modern Cabinetry with Earthy Tones

The design world is moving away from the pared-back, all-out neutral look that dominated spaces for years, adding a bit more warmth and depth to colour schemes. And when you're crafting an organic modern colour scheme, you've been gifted the perfect opportunity to try it out.

'Think muted light colours for cabinets and for walls. Whites should have a slightly warm undertone and be paired with beiges, taupe, and subtle shades of green,' says Trish Knight, interior designer and co-founder of Vancouver-based Knight Varga Interiors.

If you love the idea of a modern kitchen but want to soften the look, you're not alone – designers have had quite a bit of experience designing these spaces for clients as this look has become the go-to kitchen style. So naturally, we ask these designers how to create this balance between contemporary and cozy to help better understand how to design a kitchen that's both modern and soft.