When you’re designing your kitchen, it’s important to consider what you want from your cooking and dining space. The sleek, modern look of German kitchen design is a great choice, as it provides a clean and up-to-date finish combined with plenty of functionality within both furniture and appliances. This kind of design allows you to create a spacious area that is optimised for cooking and eating pleasure, as well as a beautiful, bright look to entice both you and your guests.
Here, we’ll show you the key points of German kitchen design and offer you some German-style kitchen ideas to spruce up your space. In this guide, we’ll be covering:
What is a German-style kitchen?
German kitchen design is known for being sleek and modern. It is well-known for handless cabinets and appliances, so the kitchen has a smooth, streamlined finish. This style is also characterised by using a variety of colours and textures to add depth to the overall look. Your appliances and cupboards might have a smooth finish, but you can add more complexity with your colour palette and materials.
There are also more subtle differences regarding the type of cabinets, appliances, and layouts used in modern German kitchen design, so there is plenty to dive into when deciding on your décor.
German-style kitchen cabinets
One of the most well-known elements of German kitchen design is German kitchen cabinets, often otherwise known as European-style cabinets. Schüller kitchen cabinets are designed to make optimum use of your space, with sleek lines and an ergonomic look. You can completely customise your kitchen by choosing the best height for you, your workspace, the depth of units and even the thickness of your worksurface or plinth. And you can choose an increased depth in wall units to create space to store the average pasta plate, which adds increased storage capacity. Ensuring that all space is cleverly utilised and suitable for purpose, without additional cabinetry.
The increase in height can offer about a 10% increase in internal storage space. This seemingly small difference in design of the cabinets adds up cumulatively to much more storage potential. Making German kitchen cabinets not only a great aesthetic option, but also great practical benefits in a combination of form and function. Contemporary German kitchen design often involves handle-less cabinets and cupboards: instead of handles, they usually have indents or touch-to-open technology to assist with opening, with slow closing-features to make closure easier and quieter.
Ultra-modern German kitchen design
German kitchens are extremely modern in their design and décor. This means that appliances are often integrated within cabinets and cupboards, offering a matching sleek finish from the outside; appliances are usually manufactured and installed so that they coordinate with the size of the cabinets. It’s important to choose a trusted and qualified designer when going for this kitchen style, because all the various parts need to be built to fit together accurately. Other elements that add to this ultra-modern look are integrated lighting solutions, modern flooring, modern worktops, finishing touches, and sleek furniture.
Modern dining furniture design
As well as modern cabinets and colour choices, German kitchen design uses modern dining furniture too. Use curves, sleek lines, and simple furniture to create a dining area that coordinates with the modernity of the German-style kitchen décor.
European-style kitchens utilise integrated appliances, and by maintaining a seamless look, this can help to create a bigger, lighter feel. This look is complimented by using furniture with clean lines and without extra decoration. It’s also common to use furniture made with classic light pine, bamboo, and steel fittings, to brighten and modernise the space even more.
Neutral and bright colour palettes
To add to the modern effect, German-style kitchen design usually keeps to neutral and light colour palettes, using combinations of beige, pine, grey, black, silver, gold and white to create a calming and subtle finish that allows the open space and straight lines to stand out. However, brighter colours are growing increasingly popular, in rich finishes that add a sumptuous feel. Wood cabinets are also a popular choice, as they add a touch of nature, especially when coupled with a dark green or blue palette.
You can also play around with mixing silver, steel, gold and grey tones to add depth to your colour palette. Remember that these colours can also be applied to the smaller details too, such as the edge and trim of cabinets, and the window frames and skirting boards. Natural colours will add a calming tone and make sure that the overall effect of the ultra-modern design is welcoming and not too harsh.
Maximisation of space
Lastly, German kitchen design is based on the desire to maximise all the available space, even in difficult, hard-to-reach corners. This is achieved by building and designing kitchens specifically for each property and client’s needs, whether that’s for drinks storage, equipment storage, or anything else. Similarly, storage spaces such as pantries and utility rooms are popular for enhancing usability even further.
Having features like corner cupboards, integrated shelves, and vertical storage ensures that you are making the most of every bit of space in the kitchen, regardless of layout. The customisable elements of German kitchen design mean that builds can be changed according to the client needs, space, aesthetics and property that needs to be worked with, adding a new level of functionality.
How much does a German kitchen cost?
There is a huge level of variation in how much a German kitchen can cost. German kitchen design dominates the market in many countries because ‘German-made’ is synonymous with quality and functionality, due to their practical designs. It’s best to make an investment on a German designed kitchen, as the real, customised deal will be much longer lasting than cheaper, flat pack options. However, a German-style kitchen will probably cost less than you are expecting, as there are plenty of affordable, yet ergonomic options.
Are German kitchens worth it?
In short, yes, German kitchens are worth it and are often not as expensive as British counterparts. If you are looking for a way to include plenty of functionality within your kitchen, while keeping things sleek, modern, and inviting, then look no further than European-style kitchen design. As well as the pleasing aesthetic, German kitchen design is geared towards being well-made and durable, so you can be sure that it will last for many years to come. This cutting edge, ergonomic design is the way forward if you are looking for a way to make your kitchen into a long-lasting, enjoyable space.
Use these points to make a start on creating your perfect, functional European-style kitchen that blends the best of style and practicality. You can also check out more kitchen inspiration on our website, including modern kitchen design ideas to gather more inspiration for your own space. As well as this, visit our flagship showroom in Hexham or find your nearest independent retailer for some in-person inspiration. Our German kitchen collections by Schüller and next125 have everything you need to create your own ultra-modern kitchen.
