How to Create a Modern Kitchen In Adobe Illustrator

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

In today’s tutorial we’re going to put our interior designer hats on and create ourselves a nice little modern kitchen using nothing but the easiest and most useful tools that Illustrator has to offer.

Also, you can always expand your set by heading over to GraphicRiver where you’ll find a great selection of kitchen-themed vector packs, just waiting to be clicked on.

That being said, let’s jump straight into it!

1. How to Set Up a New Project File

Since I’m assuming you already have Illustrator up and running in the background, bring it up and let’s set up a New Document (File > New or Control-N) for our project using the following settings:

Number of Artboards: 1
Width:1200 px
Height:600 px
Units:Pixels

And from the Advanced tab:

Color Mode: RGB
Raster Effects: Screen (72ppi)
Preview Mode: Default

2. How to Set Up a Custom Grid

Now, I know we’re not working on icons today, but since we’re going to be creating the illustration using a pixel-perfect workflow, we’ll want to set up a nice little Grid so that we can have full control over our shapes.

Step 1

Go to the Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid submenu, and adjust the following settings:

Gridline every: 1 px
Subdivisions: 1

Quick tip:you can learn more about grids by reading this in-depth piece on How Illustrator’s Grid System Works.

Step 2

Once we’ve set up our custom grid, all we need to do in order to make sure our shapes look crisp is enable the Snap to Grid option found under the View menu, which will transform into Snap to Pixel each time you enter Pixel Preview mode.

Now, if you’re new to the whole “pixel-perfect workflow”, I strongly recommend you go through my How to Create Pixel-Perfect Artwork tutorial, which will help you widen your technical skills in no time.

3. How to Set Up the Layers

Once we’ve finished setting up our project file, it would be a good idea to structure our document using a couple of layers, since this way we can maintain a steady workflow by focusing on one section of the illustration at a time.

That being said, bring up the Layers panel, and create a total of two layers, which we will rename as follows:

layer 1: background
layer 2: illustration

Quick tip: I’ve colored all of my layers using the same green value, since it’s the easiest one to view when used to highlight your selected shapes (whether they're closed or open paths).

4. How to Create the Background

We’re going to kick off the project by creating the little tile background, so make sure you’re on the right layer (that would be the first one), locking the other one, and let’s get started.

Step 1

Create a line for the floor using a 440 px wide 4 px thick Stroke line, which we will color using#363C4C and then Center Align to the underlying Artboard, positioning it at a distance of 212 px from its bottom edge.

creating the main shape for the background foreground line

Step 2

Create the first row of tiles using fourteen 26 x 8 px rectangles (#DEF8F9) which we will horizontally distribute 2 px from one another, grouping (Control-G) and then positioning them at a distance of 32 px from the floor's left edge.

creating the background first row of tiles

Step 3

Create the second row using a copy of the one that we’ve just grouped, which we will position above it at a distance of 2 px, pushing it to the left by 14 px using the Move tool (right click > Transform > Move > Vertical > -14 px).

creating the background second row of tiles

Step 4

Create the remaining tiles by selecting the two rows that we already have, and then dragging them to the top while holding down the Alt-Shift keys to create the first set of copies, making sure to maintain the same 2 px gap. Once you have the first set, press Control-D (Duplicate) seven times to add the remaining rows.

adding the remaining rows of tiles to the background

Step 5

Take a couple of moments and color some of the tiles using #C1EAEA, selecting and grouping all the rows together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut before moving on to the next section.

changing the color of some of the backgrounds tiles

5. How to Create the Refrigerator

Assuming you’ve managed to create the background, Lock its layer and then move on up to the second one, where we will start working on our first kitchen appliance.

Step 1

Create the main shape for the fridge’s right section using a 56 x 128 px rectangle, which we will color using #E7EBF2 and then position 6 px above the floor and 42 px from its right edge.

creating and positioning the main shape for the refrigerators right door

Step 2

Give the shape an outline by creating a copy of it (Control-C) which we will Paste in Front (Control-F) and then adjust by first changing its color to #363C4C and then flipping its Fill with its Stroke (Shift-X). Set the Weight to 4 px, selecting and Grouping (Control-G) both shapes together afterwards.

adding the outline to the refrigerators right door

Step 3

Add the door’s handle using a 4 x 20 px rectangle (#363C4C), which we will position at a distance of 8 px from the outline’s left side and 40 px from its bottom one. Once you’re done, select and Group (Control-G) all three shapes together.

adding the handle to the refrigerators right door

Step 4

Create the fridge’s smaller section using a 48 x 128 px rectangle (#E7EBF2) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position on the left side of the previous section.

creating and positioning the main shapes for the refrigerators left door

Step 5

Start working on the little water dispenser by creating a 24 x 24 px square (#5592A0) with a 4 pxthick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the left door, positioning them 40 px from the larger outline’s bottom edge.

creating and positioning the main shapes for the refrigerators water dispenser insertion

Step 6

Start adding details to the dispenser by adding the bottom insertion using an 8 x 3 px rectangle (#363C4C) which we will Center Align to its bottom edge.

adding the bottom insertion to the refrigerators water dispenser

Step 7

Create the bottom tray using a 24 x 2 px rectangle (#363C4C) which we will center align to the water dispenser’s main body, positioning it 2 px from its bottom edge.

adding the bottom tray to the refrigerators water dispenser

Step 8

Create the main body of the actual water dispensing device using a 12 x 10 px rectangle (#363C4C), which we will Center Align to the top edge of the current section.

creating and positioning the main body of the refrigerators water dispenser

Step 9

Add a smaller 4 x 4 px square (#363C4C) below the shape that we’ve just created, followed by 2 x 8 px rectangle (#363C4C) on its right side, selecting and Grouping (Control-G) all three shapes together once you’re done.

adding details to the refrigerators water dispenser

Step 10

Finish off the water dispenser by adding the little buttons using four 4 x 2 px rectangles (#363C4C) which we will Group (Control-G) and then position above the unit itself at a distance of just 4 px. Once you’re done, select and Group (Control-G) all of the current section’s composing shapes, doing the same for the entire fridge afterwards.

adding the little buttons to the refrigerators water dispenser

Step 11

Move towards the bottom of the appliance, and then start working on its standing feet by creating a 100 x 4 px rectangle (#363C4C) which we will position underneath its larger sections.

creating the main shape for the refrigerators bottom section

Step 12

Finish off the refrigerator by adding its feet using three 8 x 4 px rectangles (#363C4C) which we will position below the wider rectangle from the previous step. Once you’re done, select and Group (Control-G) all of the bottom section’s composing shapes together, doing the same for the entire fridge afterwards.

6. How to Create the Open Kitchen Cabinet

The next item off our “kitchen essentials” list is the open cabinet, so let’s get started.

Step 1

Create the cabinet’s main body using a 72 x 52 px rectangle (#82868E) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position on the left side of the fridge, so that their outlines end up overlapping.

creating the main shapes for the open cabinets upper body

Step 2

Create the inner section of the storage unit using a 60 x 24 px rectangle (#5A616D) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the larger body, positioning it at a distance of 18 px from its upper edge.

creating the main shapes for the open cabinets inner section

Step 3

Add the shelf using a 60 px wide 4 px thick Stroke line (#363C4C), which we will CenterAlign to the cabinet’s inner section, selecting and Grouping them afterwards using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the shelf to the open cabinets inner section

Step 4

Create the unit’s bottom section using a 68 x 8 px rectangle (#4B5463) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position below the larger body, making sure to left align it to its outer edge.

creating the main shapes for the open cabinets bottom section

Step 5

Create the towel rail using a 44 px wide 4 px thick Stroke line (#363C4C) which we will Center Align to the cabinet’s inner section, positioning it above at a distance of 10 px from its top edge.

adding the towel rail to the open cabinets upper section

Step 6

Start working on the towel by creating its front section using a 24 x 10 px rectangle (#A1C689) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position over the previous shape, horizontal Center Aligning the two.

creating the main shapes for the front section of the open cabinets towel

Step 7

Add the back section using another 24 x 10 px rectangle (#7D9E67) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will position below the shapes that we’ve just grouped in the previous step.

creating the main shapes for the back section of the open cabinets towel

Step 8

Add the little fringes using five 2 x 4 px rectangles (#363C4C) horizontally spread 2 px from one another, which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the upper edge of the towel’s back section. Once you’re done, select and Group all of the towel’s shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the fringes to the open cabinets towel

Step 9

Finish off the cabinet by adding the little bowls, which we will create using three rectangles (12 x 6 px, 10 x 6 px, 10 x 4 px - #363C4C) which we will adjust by setting the Radius of their bottom corners to 4 px from within the Transform panel’s Rectangle Properties. Once you’re done, select and Group all of the current unit’s composing shapes using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

7. How to Create the Stove

Assuming you’ve finished working on the cabinet, move a few pixels towards the left, and let’s start working on our second appliance.

Step 1

Create the stove’s bottom section using a 56 x 8 px rectangle (#4B5463) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position on the left side of the open cabinet.

creating the main shapes for the stoves bottom section

Step 2

Create the stove’s main body using a 56 x 52 px rectangle (#E7EBF2) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position above the previous section.

creating the main shapes for the stoves upper body

Step 3

Start working on the oven by creating its door using a 44 x 32 px rectangle (#B5685B) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the larger body, positioning it 10 px from its top edge.

Step 4

Add the oven shelves using two 44 px wide 4 px thick Stroke lines (#363C4C) which we will vertically stack at a distance of 12 px from one another, Grouping (Control-G) and then Center Aligning them to the larger door, positioning them 4 px from its bottom edge.

adding the oven shelves to the stoves door

Step 5

Add the broiler burner using nine 2 x 4 px rectangles (#363C4C) horizontally separated by 2 pxfrom one another, which we will GroupControl-G) and then Center Align to the oven door's bottom edge.

adding the broiler burner to the stoves oven

Step 6

Create the tray using a 24 x 4 px rectangle (#363C4C), on top of which we will add a slightly wider 28 x 2 px one (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the oven’s bottom shelf.

Step 7

Add the oven’s handle using a 20 x 8 px rectangle (#363C4C) which we will Center Align to the top edge of the door’s outline. Once you’re done, select and Group all of the oven’s composing sections together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 8

Create the left burner dials using four 4 x 4 px circles (#363C4C) horizontally spread 2 px from one another, which we will Group (Control-G) and then position above the handle, at a distance of 6 px from the stove’s left edge and 2 px from its top one.

adding the left burner dials to the stoves upper body

Step 9

Add the oven dial using the same 4 x 4 px circle (#363C4C), which we will Center Align to the previous dials, positioning it onto the right side of the stove, at a distance of 8 pxfrom them.

adding the oven dial to the stoves upper body

Step 10

Create the timer dial using a slightly smaller 2 x 2 px circle (#363C4C), which we will position 4 px from the right side of the previously created shape, between the oven’s handle and the larger dial.

adding the timer dial to the stoves upper body

Step 11

Finish off the stove, by adding the top insertions using two 4 x 3 px rectangles (#363C4C), which we will align to the larger body’s top edge, positioning them 4 px from its outer edges. Once you’re done, select and Group all of the unit’s composing sections using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

8. How to Create the Closed Cabinet

Once you’re done with the stove, move a few pixels to the left, and let's start working on our closed cabinet.

Step 1

Create the unit’s bottom section using a 72 x 8 px rectangle (#4B5463) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position on the left side of the stove.

creating the main shapes for the closed cabinets bottom section

Step 2

Add the cabinet’s main body using a 72 x 52 px rectangle (#5A616D) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position above the previous section.

creating the main shapes for the closed cabinets upper body

Step 3

Create the first drawer using a 60 x 12 px rectangle (#82868E) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), to the center of which we will add a smaller 28 x 4 px rectangle (#363C4C). Group (Control-G) all three shapes together and then Center Align them to the larger body, positioning them 2 px from its top edge.

adding the first drawer to the closed cabinets upper body

Step 4

Finish off the cabinet by adding the second drawer, which we will create using a 60 x 22 px rectangle (#82868E) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), on top of which we will add the handle using a 28 x 4 px rectangle (#363C4C). Once you’re done, select and Group (Control-G) all three shapes together, doing the same for the entire unit afterwards.

9. How to Create the Kitchen Countertop

Once we’ve finished working on our second cabinet, we can focus on the countertop which houses the sink itself and the stove’s burner grates.

Step 1

Create the actual countertop using a 200 x 6 px rectangle (#5A616D) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group and then position above the two cabinets and stove.

creating the main shapes for the kitchens countertop

Step 2

Create the sink using a 40 x 6 px rectangle (#363C4C), which we will position onto the countertop, making sure to Center Align it to the open cabinet.

creating the main shape for the kitchens sink

Step 3

Draw in the tap using a 4 px thick Stroke (#363C4C), which we will Center Align to the previously created shape’s bottom edge.

Step 4

Create the tap's handle using a 4 x 4 px square (#363C4C), to the left of which we will add a 2 x 8 px rectangle (#363C4C). Group (Control-G) the two and then position them on the left side of the previously drawn shape, selecting and then Grouping (Control-G) all of the sink’s composing shapes as well.

Step 5

Finish off the countertop by adding the burner grates using three 8 x 4 px rectangles (#363C4C) spaced 4 px horizontally from one another, which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the stove’s main body. Once you’re done, select and Group (Control-G) all of the current section’s composing shapes before moving on to the next step.

10. How to Create the Washing Machine

Next on our appliance list is the washing machine, so without wasting any more time, let’s jump into it.

Step 1

Create the device’s bottom section using a 52 x 8 px rectangle (#5A616D) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), to the center of which we will add another 52 x 2 px rectangle (#363C4C). Group (Control-G) all three shapes together and then position them on the left side of the closed cabinet.

creating the main shapes for the bottom section of the washing machine

Step 2

Add the washing machine’s main body using a 52 x 46 px rectangle (#E7EBF2) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position on top of the previous section.

creating the main shapes for the washing machines upper body

Step 3

Create the front door using a 28 x 28 px circle (#5592A0) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the underlying larger body, positioning them at a distance of 4 px from its upper edge.

adding the front door to the washing machines upper body

Step 4

Add the washing machine’s inner darker section using a 20 x 20 px circle (#363C4C), which we will Center Align to the previously grouped shapes.

adding the inner darker section to the washing machines door

Step 5

Create the handle using an 8 x 8 px circle (#5592A0) on top of which we will add a smaller 4 x 4 px one (#363C4C). Group (Control-G) the two shapes together, and then Center Align them to the right edge of the door’s visible fill shape, doing the same for the entire door afterwards.

adding the handle to the washing machines front door

Step 6

Add the washing machine’s bottom insertion using a 32 x 4 px rectangle (#363C4C), which we will Center Align to the bottom edge of its larger body.

adding the bottom insertion to the washing machines upper body

Step 7

Add the second insertion using a slightly narrower 20 x 4 px rectangle (#363C4C), which we will center align to the larger body’s top edge. Once you’re done, select and Group all of the current section’s composing shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the top insertion to the washing machines upper body

Step 8

Create the washing machine’s upper section using a 52 x 12 px rectangle (#82868E) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position above its larger body.

adding the upper section to the washing machines main body

Step 9

Add the display using a 16 x 4 px rectangle (#363C4C) which we will Center Align to the previously created section.

adding the display to the washing machines upper body

Step 10

Create the left dials using two 4 x 4 px circles (#363C4C) positioned 2 px from one another, which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the display, positioning them 4 px away from it.

adding the left dials to the washing machines upper body

Step 11

Add the right dial using another 4 x 4 px circle (#363C4C), which we will position onto the opposite side of the display, 8 px from its right edge. Once you’re done, select and Group all of the current section’s composing shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the right dial to the washing machines upper body

Step 12

Finish off the washing machine by creating the back panel using a 36 x 8 px rectangle (#5A616D) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), to the bottom of which we will add a smaller 24 x 4 px rectangle (#363C4C). Group (Control-G) all three shapes together, positioning them above the previous section, making sure to do the same for the entire unit afterwards.

Step 13

Create the first towel using a 26 x 8 px rounded rectangle (#929BDD) with a 4 px Corner Radius and a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position onto the washing machine, at a distance of 2 px from its right edge.

adding the first towel to the upper section of the washing machine

Step 14

Create the second towel using a copy of the first one (Control-C> Control-F), which we will position on top, making sure to change the color of the fill shape to #A1C689. Once you’re done, select and Group both of them together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the second towel to the upper section of the washing machine

11. How to Create the Shelf and Decorative Elements

We’ve done the open cabinet, and we’ve done the closed cabinet, so now it's time for a good old suspended shelf.

Step 1

Create the shelf’s main body using a 104 x 6 px rectangle (#82868E) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position above the countertop, at a distance of 14 px from the tap and 16 px from the fridge.

creating the main shapes for the suspended shelf

Step 2

Add the little brackets using two 4 x 8 px rectangles (#363C4C) horizontally spaced 76 px from one another, which we will Group (Control-G) and then position below the shelf, Center Aligning them to its larger body. Once you’re done, select all of the shelf’s composing shapes and Group (Control-G) them as well.

adding the bottom brackets to the suspended shelf

Step 3

Create the empty glasses using four 6 x 12 px rectangles (#5592A0) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will individually Group (Control-G) and then position 8 px away from one another (4 px from one outline to another). Once you’re done, position the shapes onto the shelf, at a distance of 4 px from its right edge.

adding the glasses to the suspended shelves

Step 4

Move a few pixels to the left, and start working on the little Bluetooth speaker by creating its main body using a 32 x 16 px rectangle (#929BDD) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position onto the shelf, 8 px from its left edge.

creating the main shapes for the bluetooth speakers main body

Step 5

Add the speaker units using two 8 x 8 px circles (#363C4C), which we will position 8 px away from one another, Grouping (Control-G) and then Center Aligning them to the device’s body.

adding the two speaker units to the bluetooth speaker

Step 6

Create the top and bottom insertions using two 8 x 4 px rectangles (#363C4C), which we will vertically stack at a distance of 8 px from one another, Grouping (Control-G) and then Center Aligning the two to the larger body.

adding the top and bottom insertions to the bluetooth speakers main body

Step 7

Add the speaker’s buttons using three 4 px tall rectangles (#363C4C), horizontally spaced 2 px from one another, which we will Group (Control-G) and then position on top of the speaker, at a distance of 6 px from its left edge. Once you’re done, select and Group all of the device’s composing shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the buttons to the bluetooth speaker

12. How to Create the Window

Assuming that we didn’t design the kitchen to be used inside a bunker, let’s create a little window to give it some air.

Step 1

Start by creating the frame using a 52 x 68 px rectangle (#E2AA7D) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then position at a distance of 12 pxfrom the countertop and 16 px from the suspended shelf.

creating the main shapes for the windows frame

Step 2

Add the frame’s inner section using a 40 x 56 px rectangle (#A5795B) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the previously created section.

creating the main shapes for the window frames inner section

Step 3

Create the glass window using a 30 x 46 px rectangle (#ABDBEF) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the window’s inner section.

creating the main shapes for the window frames glass section

Step 4

Add the hinges using two 10 x 8 px rectangles (#363C4C), vertically stacked 32 px from one another, which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the left side of the frame’s inner section.

adding the side hinges to the windows frame

Step 5

Create the clouds using three 4 px tall rectangles (#EDF6F9) which we will adjust by setting the Radius of their inner facing corners to 2 px. Take your time, and once you’re done, select and Group all three shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the clouds to the windows glass section

Step 6

Finish off the window by creating its handle using a 16 x 4 px rectangle (#363C4C), which we will center align to the right edge of the frame’s inner section. Once you’re done, select and Group all of its composing shapes using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

13. How to Create the Ceiling Lighting

We are now down to our kitchen’s last section, so without wasting any more time, let’s finish this.

Step 1

Create the ceiling line using a 184 px wide 4 px thick Stroke (#363C4C), which we will Center Align to the Artboard, positioning it at a distance of 18 px from the window’s top edge.

creating the main shape for the ceilings line

Step 2

Start working on the center lighting fixture, by creating its main body using a 12 x 16 px rectangle (#E8B169) with a 4 px thick outline (#363C4C), which we will Group (Control-G) and then Center Align to the shape from the previous step, positioning it 18 px below it.

creating the main shapes for the center lighting fixtures main body

Step 3

Add the horizontal decorative line using a 12 px wide 4 px thick Stroke (#363C4C), which we will Center Align to the fixture’s main body, positioning it 2 px from its bottom edge.

adding the horizontal decorative line to the center lighting fixtures body

Step 4

Draw in the cable section connecting the fixture to the ceiling using an 18 px tall 4 px thick Stroke line (#363C4C), selecting and Grouping (Control-G) all of its composing shapes together afterwards.

adding the vertical stroke line connecting the center lighting fixture to the ceiling

Step 5

Create the remaining fixtures using two copies (Control-C > Control-F twice) of the one that we’ve just finished working on, which we will position onto the sides, at a distance of 40 px from the original.

adding the remaining lighting fixtures to the ceiling

Step 6

Finish off the ceiling and with it the illustration itself by adding the lighting’s base using a 128 x 6 px rectangle (#363C4C), which we will center align to the bottom of its line. Once you’re done, select and Group (Control-G) all of the current section’s composing shapes together, doing the same for the entire illustration afterwards.

Great Job!

There you have it—a step-by-step approach on how to build your very own modern kitchen, using nothing but the simplest solutions. I hope you had fun doing this tutorial, and most importantly learned something new and useful along the way.

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