12 Essential Elements Of An Organic Modern Kitchen

Certain design trends are targeted at an aesthetic that pleases the homeowner, while others can have a bigger impact on the value of your home — both in its aesthetic appeal and its actual value. One such trend is the new, hottest thing in home design: organic modernism. It's being touted as the replacement for modern farmhouse (a trend that has been stealing the show since the mid-2010s), and offers a refreshing spin on interior design. If you're hoping to get some inspiration for creating your own organic modern kitchen, or just want to wrap your head around this new design trend, there are several essential elements to familiarize yourself with.

An organic modern kitchen is a blending of a number of design trends, focusing on natural materials, open space, clean lines, and minimalist elements. Rather than being sterile or overly harsh in its execution of these features, however, an organic modern kitchen embraces natural lighting through uncovered windows, authenticity in decorative items, and the beauty of textiles found in nature. If you find yourself at home in nature but wanting a bit of sophistication to go alongside it, the organic modern aesthetic could be an ideal choice for your kitchen.

One of the most obvious fundamentals of an organic modern kitchen aesthetic is the colors that are used. Instead of bright, deeply saturated hues, you'll be relying on nature-inspired colors. Lean into browns, beiges, greens, grays, and soft whites that keep the palette of your kitchen looking calming and natural without coming off as too basic or boring. Remember that you don't always have to paint the kitchen — maintaining white walls and tying in color through accent pieces or other decorative elements is absolutely acceptable and can help add visual depth to your space.

As with the color palette you embrace for your organic modern kitchen, another element you can have fun with is your chosen textiles. Since this aesthetic gleans much of its inspiration from nature, tap into items like linen tea and dish towels, and canvas bags or baskets. You can also incorporate items like woven fruit baskets or wooden salt cellars, which will weave the organic feel into every corner of the space. For some consistent textural layering, consider incorporating earthenware dishes or pottery, either decorative or functional, into the kitchen.

An organic modern kitchen is the perfect environment for natural building materials to take center stage. Wooden counters, stone backsplashes, and brick floors help to keep things looking natural and warm. You can even go more modern with concrete slab flooring (just be sure to balance out the visual coldness with cozier elements that aren't overly sterile, like kitchen mats). Another fun and distinctive option for kitchen flooring is terracotta tiles, which bring some wonderful color to the kitchen.

An organic modern kitchen will look its best when the outdoors are invited in. While you might not have the luxury of an indoor-outdoor culinary space, large windows can accomplish much of the same effect. Even a small window can assist the organic modern aesthetic if it's allowed to truly shine: Avoid covering it with drapes or heavy curtains and instead choose something that offers light coverage (like sheer curtains). If you feel the need to add curtains to your kitchen window, remember these tips.

One thing to remember when designing an organic modern kitchen is that many of the design elements favor minimalism. This means you'll want to elevate principles like clean, crisp lines, letting the space speak for itself without cluttering it with too many themed elements. Avoid adding in furniture or decor that is too busy, as this will clash with the modern aspect of the space. Feeling inundated by how far you have to go? Here are 11 ways to turn your crowded kitchen into a minimalist space.

An organic modern kitchen will truly come to life with the right lighting. If the space is too dark, it runs the risk of looking grungy, while an overly bright kitchen can feel harsh. To that end, opt for fixtures that provide diffuse lighting, rather than focused lighting. The effect is that your entire space feels evenly illuminated, without any undesired glare. If you're eyeing accent or statement lighting fixtures, they should fit within the boundaries of organic modern decor — opt for the right color, finish, and material.

Nothing will detract from your organic modern kitchen quite as much as having a cramped floor plan. Much of what makes this aesthetic thrive is that it feels expansive and clean, allowing you to move easily throughout your day. To this end, you should endeavor to implement negative space in your kitchen, drawing attention to the extra room available rather than feeling the need to fill it. For example, instead of cramming as many barstools at the counter as possible, comfortably place two or three. 

If you're wanting to really pull off the organic modern kitchen vibe, avoid filling your space with cheap, mass-produced items. While it might be tempting to snag any and every item that will help achieve the visual you're striving for, fewer things will destroy an organic aesthetic faster than generic pieces. Instead, opt for handcrafted items, even if they are a little pricier. Since your organic modern kitchen will thrive with negative space, you can also be quite choosy when outfitting the room; a few choice pieces can go a long way.

When it comes to outfitting your organic modern kitchen, you'll want to opt for hardware that adds to the aesthetic. Avoid using metals that are cheap or flashy looking, and instead optimize your search for metals that possess a sleek, chic appearance. Aged brass and matte black are two fantastic options that play well with other elements in your organic modern kitchen.

Your organic modern kitchen should endeavor to bring appliances into the space in a cohesive manner. This means that no appliance should stick out like a sore thumb. Choose finishes for your appliances that complement the rest of your design elements, and remember to also opt for appliances that have the eco-friendly edge. If the budget allows, upgrade your old oven with the clunky black door handle for something a little more sleek and modern-looking.

An organic modern kitchen guide would be remiss without a mention of plant life. Nothing says organic more than living plants, and they should really play a big role in your kitchen. Indoor plants of all types can be helpful players in your kitchen — hang a fern or ivy from the ceiling to provide depth and intrigue to your space, or opt for a couple go-to kitchen herbs, like rosemary and basil. Remember their specific needs, like plenty of sunlight each day. Need a little inspiration? Here are 12 plants you should always style on your kitchen countertop.

Clutter has a way of dulling any design scheme that you're trying to embrace, and this is certainly true of an organic modern kitchen. Whatever you do, stay on top of clutter before it takes hold. Carve out space in a drawer or cabinet where you can stash papers, odds and ends, and other items that would otherwise end up strewn across your countertops. If you're getting overwhelmed, take a deep breath and remember that kitchen countertops are quick to declutter if you embrace the right system. Freshly reset countertops will provide you with the momentum to keep going.