Traditional kitchens are still popular throughout the world, but designs are changing. According to Forbes, a new kind of traditional kitchen is emerging. Kitchens this year are designed using cleaner lines and fewer frills than we’ve seen in decades past. Today, kitchens put an emphasis on practicality.

In other words, even traditional kitchen styles are becoming modernized. Custom designs can blend that nostalgic country feel with a clean and modern aesthetic. Let’s take a look at some traditional kitchens keeping with this trend that are made in Germany.

White Kitchen with Calming Grey Tones

This white and grey kitchen is a perfect introduction to transitional kitchens- that is, a kitchen that mixes modern and traditional elements. The shaker style door is very subtle and knob-style handles soften up the straight lines up a bit. Instead of a natural material prone to warping, cabinets are made from a solid, sturdy MDF. Finished in a silk matt lacquer, the surface is more luxurious and durable than typical cabinet paint.

White is the most popular kitchen color, and for good reason. The purity of this kitchen brightens up the whole space. The contemporary look is balanced with a laminate counter that created to mimic a natural soapstone. This style is classic and very up to date at the same time, keeping a timeless look even as trends change.

The stove is topped with a sleek range hood with an LED light strip. Cabinets use integrated light too, which is another trend that is really gaining popularity as of late. Adding light to cabinetry is smart because it brightens shadowy corners and provides an evenly lit work surface.

Country Kitchen with Island Integrated Cooktop

This kitchen is a bit more warm and elegant. The cabinet doors are detailed and lacquered in a creamy off-white, and are fitted with a burnished metal knob for an antique look. Crown moldings up top add an ornate touch without looking too fussy.

Here the designers used two beautiful natural materials for the counters. The back wall cabinets are fitted with a granite slab while the side wall and center island feature a handsome wood worktop. Most elements in this design are very traditional, but it becomes modernized with the island cooktop.

Between the wood plank details, granite counter, intricate framed doors and distressed backsplash, this cottage-style kitchen is very textural.

Traditional Kitchen in Dramatic Color Scheme

Not all traditional kitchens use subtle colors- take a look at those bright red cabinets! Practically everything about this kitchen is unique, from the square knob handles to the red crown moldings. Black cabinets with pantry hutch and a light polished stone counter help to balance out the color.

A U-Shaped design opens up the floor, making room for a large dining table. Glass window-front display cabinets match the tabletop shown and highlight fine glassware. Though the oven and cooktop are merged, similar to a typical stove, the burners are integrated the stone countertop. This innovative design uses a skillful German engineering.

Granted, not every home can pull this off. A color palette this bold needs have interior decor to match.

There are many different ways to update the well-loved traditional kitchen. These are a few inspirations to get your creative juices flowing. You can find more ideas by browsing the Leicht catalogue.