Whether you're dressing up a rental, giving an '80s space a makeover, or doing a full renovation, modern kitchen decor can turn your space into the kitchen of your dreams. Sleek, clean kitchens pair best with contemporary decor. It doesn't have to be too simple, either: Touches of unique style can add personality to your space, from Scandanavian minimalism to Southern farmhouse charm.

If you're considering undertaking a kitchen remodel, now's your chance to gather inspiration. These modern kitchens run the gamut from midcentury to new traditional, to updated takes on now-trendy styles like modern farmhouse. And while they're all gorgeous and sure to send you into a design swoon, they're also highly functional and have some clever takeaway tips—so be sure to take notes.

Scroll ahead for our favorite inspiring modern kitchen designs.

01 Large Island

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Islands in the kitchen are getting bigger—and we're all for it. This ultra-wide option is as functional as it is statement-making, with space for four and a sophisticated design we'd characterize as "new traditional." But we're also taken with the light fixtures chosen for this space. Far from your run-of-the-mill pendant lamps, these oversized shades infuse a bit of whimsy into the space—without sacrificing the classic vibe.

02 Bold Tile

This tile option isn't for wallflowers—but it's absolutely perfect for making sure your kitchen doesn't resemble everyone else's. The bright and cheery pairing of blue and yellow is echoed in the homeowner's accessories and appliances too, bringing a cohesive and intentional feel to this slightly off-the-wall look. The resulting space is packed with personality—and firepower, as that impressive range proves.

03 Cabinet-to Ceiling Marble

By contrast, this kitchen is as soothing as a spa. (In fact, we think we feel more well-rested already just by looking at it.) The focal point is undoubtedly the cabinet-to-ceiling marble slab, which truly takes the cake in this kitchen—but the artful mix of materials throughout the space is nothing short of brilliant. Various shades of wood and mixed metals lend just the right amount of contrast without overwhelming the space. In a word: dreamy.

04 Beamed Ceilings

If you're blessed with a showstopping architectural feature like soaring beamed ceilings, you'd be remiss not to do everything in your power to accentuate it. While we've seen dark lower cabinets and light upper cabinets trending a lot in recent months, here it simply makes sense to go dark on the uppers as well—the weight of the darker color creates contrast with the impressive ceilings and lets your eye drift upward to the main event.

05 Natural Tones

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We love incorporating natural wood tones into a kitchen—they're perfect for warning up the look of cool marble and bright whites, and they lend a hint of Scandi-inspired flair to any home space.

But butcher-block countertops can be a pain to maintain, especially if you live in a home where things are often splashed or spilled (hello, kids). So when we say this alternative use for our favorite timber, we were sold. Wrapping the hood in a (heat-safe) light-colored wood is a great way to inject all that visual warmth and rich character, without having to go overboard on maintenance.

06 Whimsical Touches

There's a lot to love about this space—but of course, we have to talk about the flock of friendly birds lining the ceiling. This playful touch is one of the best design details we've seen in a kitchen in a long time—and while it's whimsical, it doesn't look out of place, in part because it subtly mimics the pattern of the flooring below. We're also head-over-heels for the glam brass cabinet fronts—mellowed by the subtly veined quartz countertops—and the cozy archway banquette, so in short, we'll be stealing a lot of ideas from this particular kitchen.

07 Rolling Island

We're a big fan of open floor plans, but sometimes even those can feel a little "locked in" when it comes to the kitchen. Solution: a full-size island that rolls on heavy-duty casters. This DIY project is best suited for those with some experience, but just imagine being able to sweep the entire island out of the way when guests need to traverse the space (or if you decide to take on an oversized art project with the kids). The flexibility to really make a kitchen space work for you is something that feels so fresh and modern to us—and we're pretty sure that, if recent trends are any indication, that type of on-the-fly customizability will continue to be in-demand in the coming years. (A kitchen that changes with your whims is, truly, the ultimate luxury.)

08 A Woodgrain Surround

This is another unique way to make use of those hard-to-reach spaces above your upper cabinets. We love how custom it looks to add a woodgrain surround to the fridge, extending up toward these shadowbox-like spaces for displaying treasured objects or corralling cookbooks. While these open shelves don't offer the level of dust-and-grime protection that closed (or clear-front) cabinets would, they do provide a bit more shelter than a traditional open shelf (and they look much more stylish, too).

09 Bold Lines

The use of lines to draw the eyes around a room is a classic designer trick, but it's especially prevalent in this space by LA Designer Affair. Rather than the large beams used in farmhouse looks, this modern kitchen uses thin wood slats that lengthen the ceiling and continue down the wall. Matched to the same color as the wood, a unique chandelier serves as a focal point between the dining area and kitchen.

10 Clean and Elegant

For a clean vibe with an elegant touch, take inspiration from designer Reena Sotropa. In this classy space, simple white cabinets create a smooth backdrop for bright finishes and unique accents—because when you're a fan of vintage pieces, your style will shine in even the most modern of spaces.

11 Mixed Pattern

Who says a modern kitchen can't have maximalist aspects? This design by House of Hanes proves that the two can work together for a beautiful result. Neutral-colored chevron backsplash complements a traditional woven rug, while the rest of the space is perfectly prim-and-proper with contemporary cabinet hardware.

12 Geometric Cabinetry

We're living for the shapes of these cabinets by Whittney Parkinson Design. By incorporating geometric shapes into the kitchen's storage, the room is filled with texture and color alike. The choice of multiple paint colors creates both symmetry and focal points.