Italian Kitchen Design Ideas

Overview

Italian kitchens are ideal for professional and amateur chefs who require a balance of style and function. In general, Italian kitchens allow you to optimize cooking space for maximum efficiency. To meet this objective, Italian kitchens feature streamlined designs that conform to a range of needs. No matter your cooking project, an Italian kitchen is designed to help you accomplish your objectives. With a modern design, an Italian kitchen is as streamlined and visually appealing as it is functional.

When you think of Italian culture, a history of rich cuisine may come to mind. You may imagine family-sized portions of gourmet meals that incorporate sophisticated combinations of flavors and spices. Whether you're preparing pasta, pizza, salads, meat, or poultry, each dish can be simplistic or complex, and no matter how you make it, you can incorporate your personal style. To make dishes of these varieties, you need a kitchen that can support each and every one of your goals. After conceptualizing your dish, your kitchen will provide you with the tools to do the rest.
An Italian kitchen enables you to make so much more than just pastas, pizzas, and salads. Really, you can prepare meals with influences from any and all countries. No matter where your imagination ventures, an Italian kitchen's design can help you get there. With a design that makes sense, you can cook smarter, and with a design that looks good, you'll enjoy so much more than just the end results.
If you're a cooking enthusiast - amateur or professional-an Italian kitchen design may be perfect for your needs: efficiency, functionality, and an aesthetically pleasing space.

Function & Style

The purpose of an Italian kitchen is to make cooking more efficient. It should help you stay organized and provide you with enough tools and space to pursue whatever task that you envision. Once you reach your end goal, your countertops, floors, and walls will be easy to clean and keep clean. With enough space and cooking resources, more advanced chefs should be able to prepare multiple dishes simultaneously. You may need to work hard when you cook, but with an Italian kitchen, you'll never have to work harder than necessary to complete your task, no matter what it is.

Every Italian kitchen is designed with functionality as the highest priority. Even in the most aesthetically pleasing kitchens, each stylistic element has a purpose or objective, and even the most attractive design elements are more than just superficially attractive.
Theoretically and stylistically, Italian kitchens and modern kitchens conform to similar design principles: minimalism, efficiency, simplicity, maximum functionality, and beauty in the everyday items.
Typically, Italian kitchens are spacious and optimized for cooking, cleaning, and storage. With at least four to five feet of counter space, you can make the most complex dishes - simultaneously if you desire. With plenty of cabinets, you can keep whatever supplies that you need for cooking on hand at all times. Minimize your last-minute trips to the grocery store, and keep as many cans, herbs, pastas, and sauces that you need. With plentiful storage space, you'll be able to keep clutter off the counters so that you'll always have enough space to cook. By keeping mess to a minimum, your Italian kitchen will have a neat and clean feel. You'll feel relaxed and mentally prepared for even the most stressful cooking and cleaning scenarios.

Counters & Cabinets

Stainless steel is common for counters and cabinets in Italian kitchens. This material projects modernism in its look and feel and can create the ambiance of a professional quality kitchen. If you have a monochrome color theme, stainless steel cabinets and counters can add vibrancy to the room's grayscale elements by reflecting light.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, stainless steel countertops serve practical cooking objectives. Surfaces stay warm, which is convenient for preparing and serving food. Stainless steel is also convenient to clean and wipe, which is important since every cooking space can easily become messy. Stainless steel is also customizable and can appear stylistically pleasing for surfaces such as bar tops. To achieve a modern look and feel, stainless steel is one of the most ideal options.
Practically speaking, stainless steel has several disadvantages. It can dent easily, especially if you drop heavy appliances. Spills happen in every kitchen, so expect your stainless steel counter or cabinets to endure some damage. In some instances, it is possible to bend countertops back into shape, but in other cases, visible damage is permanent. Furthermore, stainless steel countertops are less than ideal for households with pets and small children. Surfaces of stainless steel countertops can reach high temperatures and may require some time to cool down. While hot, these surfaces can cause serious burns, so only install stainless steel counters if you are confident about your family's ability to remain safe.
Other suitable materials for counters in modern kitchens include wood in a black or brown-black color. Dark colored granite, linoleum, and marble are also practical options for a modern look and feel. For cabinets, stick to wood that is painted in a dark or light color. Black, brown-black, gray, and white are additional color options that are ideal for an Italian kitchen's overall look and feel.
Try to avoid light and medium shades of brown, as you do not want your kitchen to spear rustic. When combined with modern, stainless steel appliances and décor, brown wooden colors may be practical for an Italian kitchen. Just make sure you highlight the modern stylistic elements for your kitchen to counteract any potential for an old fashioned ambiance.

Colors

A monochromatic color scheme is an ideal option for an Italian kitchen. Shades of black, white, and gray will accentuate an Italian kitchen's modern design. With these colors, your kitchen will project a functional, practical, and minimalist style. Try to stick to three shades in order to maintain simplicity and balance in your kitchen.

Don't be afraid to choose one or two bright colors to pop from your monochromatic color scheme. Red, bright green, and teal are example of colors that will complement an Italian kitchen's style. You can also incorporate elements of color through your decorations such as flowers, appliances, wall-mounted artwork, dishes, and napkins.

Décor

Italian kitchens incorporate principles of minimalism for maximum functionality. Adopt the approach that there is beauty and art in the most everyday items. Everything from your faucet to your silverware and appliances should have a distinct style. When everything around you is art, you won't need to clutter your space with additional décor. To conserve space and maximize functionality, make sure that everything in your Italian kitchen has a practical purpose.

Floors

For an Italian kitchen floor, choose a material that is durable and easy to clean and keep clean. When you're in the kitchen, expect to be standing on your feet, so choose something that isn't too slippery to avoid unnecessary falls and injuries.
Hardwood, linoleum, and vinyl tiles are all durable, convenient, inexpensive, and practical options. Avoid choosing a floor with a pattern, and instead, choose a bold dark or light color. White and black are ideal for floors of any material. If you have hardwood floors, and shade of brown will complement the overall look and feel of an Italian kitchen.

Sinks & Faucets

To highlight your Italian kitchen's modern style, install a stainless steel sink with a long and elaborate faucet. Even though your faucet is mundane, it should appear elegant - perceive it as you would analyze a work of art. Avoid choosing faucets and sinks that appear old-fashioned or rustic.

Lighting

An Italian kitchen should incorporate a balance of natural and overhead light. At any time, the room should be bright so that you can clearly see your cooking and cleaning tasks. Light should be functional, optimizing your visibility. Skylights and large windows are ideal for natural light. For overhead lighting, install recessed light bulbs. Be sure to select compact fluorescent bulbs for a white hue or LED bulbs for a bluish tint. Lights with a yellow shade may create an atmosphere that appears too rustic.